Daniel 1-3
These are some of the most dramatic history in the Bible. Besides the interesting part, I think there is heavy load of theology. In chapter 1, God is a sovereign God. He is the one who gives the king and the utensils of the temple away to Nebuchadnezzar (v.2). He is the Lord of the nations. Then he is the one who make Daniel be pleasing in the eye of the official (v.9) so that they can keep themselves from the impurity in the foods. Finally He is the one who gives wisdom to the 4 young men so that they are strong academically (v.17). He is the God of wisdom.
In ch 2, God is the one who can know everyone heart, even the thing we forget about ourselves (v.8). In v.10 the wise men know there is no possiblity that anyone can answer the king, only God can v.11. This is exactly what Daniel does in v.18. He really answer his prayer. Daniel calls Him the God of our forefather v.23. He will also rise a nation above all the other nations in the future and it will last forever v.44. Even the king recognize Him as the king above all kingdoms v.47.
However, Nebuchadnezzar does not have his zeal for our God for very long. He wants to have his own. It is obviously a competition in ch 3:15-17. Notice what the three friends say in v.17 "our God.." And in v.18 "we certainly won't serve your God..." More can be said about the concept or doctrine of God in this 3 chapters.
Who is God to me? Is He a soverign God to me? Do I trust Him all the times, or I will not trust Him anymore when things getting difficult? Do I think God will know everything in my mind? Or I think I can hide something from Him? Do I trust God only temporary and then turn away from Him just like Nebuchadnezzar? Do I have the sensitivity and courage to draw a line between my God and your god?
These are some of the most dramatic history in the Bible. Besides the interesting part, I think there is heavy load of theology. In chapter 1, God is a sovereign God. He is the one who gives the king and the utensils of the temple away to Nebuchadnezzar (v.2). He is the Lord of the nations. Then he is the one who make Daniel be pleasing in the eye of the official (v.9) so that they can keep themselves from the impurity in the foods. Finally He is the one who gives wisdom to the 4 young men so that they are strong academically (v.17). He is the God of wisdom.
In ch 2, God is the one who can know everyone heart, even the thing we forget about ourselves (v.8). In v.10 the wise men know there is no possiblity that anyone can answer the king, only God can v.11. This is exactly what Daniel does in v.18. He really answer his prayer. Daniel calls Him the God of our forefather v.23. He will also rise a nation above all the other nations in the future and it will last forever v.44. Even the king recognize Him as the king above all kingdoms v.47.
However, Nebuchadnezzar does not have his zeal for our God for very long. He wants to have his own. It is obviously a competition in ch 3:15-17. Notice what the three friends say in v.17 "our God.." And in v.18 "we certainly won't serve your God..." More can be said about the concept or doctrine of God in this 3 chapters.
Who is God to me? Is He a soverign God to me? Do I trust Him all the times, or I will not trust Him anymore when things getting difficult? Do I think God will know everything in my mind? Or I think I can hide something from Him? Do I trust God only temporary and then turn away from Him just like Nebuchadnezzar? Do I have the sensitivity and courage to draw a line between my God and your god?
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