“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them. I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God’s law will remain until it’s purpose is achieved...... I warn you - - unless you obey God better than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all!” (Matthew 5:17-20). Early on in his ministry, Jesus explains that he did not come to do away with the law of Moses. And, neither did Jesus come to replace the law of Moses. There was nothing wrong with the law of Moses. The law of Moses explained how God wanted those who followed Him to interact and relate with other people. What Jesus came to do was fully explain the intent of the law of Moses. Jesus even gave some examples of what he meant.
The law of Moses said, “Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21; Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17). But, the emotion which leads to murder is anger and Jesus cautioned that the anger which leads to murder is just as bad as the murder itself. Meanly calling someone a name is a sin against the God who made that person as surely as physically taking their life (Matt.5:22). So, Jesus is not replacing the prohibition of murder with something better. Jesus is simply addressing the wrong and the evil which often takes place before murder ever occurs. Jesus is saying there are other things we do that are also harmful to others that we need to discontinue doing.
The law of Moses said, “Do not commit adultery” (Matth.5:27; Ex.20:14; Deut.5:18). But, the lust which occurs in a person’s heart that precedes adultery is every bit as harmful as the act of adultery itself. Jesus says that if we deal with the problem of a straying heart first, then we won’t have a problem straying from our marriage vows (Matt.5:28).
Then Jesus says, “You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy’” (Matt.5:43; Leviticus 19:18). In truth, the law of Moses said nothing about hating one’s enemy, but the Pharisees had added their interpretation to the law. Jesus defines for them the true intention of the law of Moses. “I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matt.5:44). Don’t just do what everyone else does. Don’t just do what is necessary to follow the letter of the law. Do more than the minimum. Do what others won’t do because you have a relationship with God that compels you to do more than the minimum standards (Matt.5: 45-48). How about us? Are we striving to imitate God in our attitudes and in our relationships? Or, are we only doing what is necessary to get by?
Friday, September 26, 2014
October 1
“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,” was God’s command to His people (Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12). God had completed His creation work in six days and then rested the seventh day, not because He was tired, but as an example that human beings should follow (Genesis 2:1-3). How does one keep the Sabbath holy? In His commandment given through Moses, God said, “Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any kind of work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; then He rested on the seventh day. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy” (Ex.20:9-11; Deut.5:13-15). When the people of God left Egypt and needed food, God provided them manna that appeared fresh on the ground every morning. God told the people not to keep any of the manna overnight because it would be full of maggots and stink by the next morning. God wanted His people to trust Him every day. But, on the sixth day, the Israelites were to gather twice as much manna so they would be able to observe the Sabbath as a holy day and not have to work. God preserved their manna on the sixth day, unlike the other days (Exodus 16:14-31), so it would be edible on the Sabbath.
By Jesus’ day, the religious leaders had come up with a long list of things they defined as work so people would know what they could and could not do on the Sabbath. These regulations were not given to humans by God, but by man. These religious leaders were more concerned with being “keepers of the Sabbath” than they were in personally “keeping the Sabbath.” They loved being moral police more than they did pointing people to God.
When Jesus came, he did not question the importance or the value of the Sabbath. But, he did question the legalistic list the Pharisees had comprised. Because their definition had not come from God, but from man, Jesus looked right at these religious hypocrites and asked, “If you had one sheep, and it fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you get to work and pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than sheep! It is morally right to do that which is good on the Sabbath.” And then he healed a man with a deformed hand (Matthew 12:9-14; Luke 6:6-11). “Is the Sabbath a day to save life or to destroy it?”, he asked them (Mark 3:4). Jesus was concerned that God’s people understand the purpose of the Law as it relates to the Sabbath and observe it as best they could so their hearts could be close to God. He wasn’t as interested in people obeying man-made rules and regulations with hearts that were far from God. “I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28; Matt.12:8; Lk.6:5). For, “the Sabbath was made to benefit people, and not people to benefit the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). God didn’t establish people so they could worship the Sabbath. He established the Sabbath as a benefit to people. We would all be wise to give God honor and worship every day of the week, but especially on the Sabbath.
By Jesus’ day, the religious leaders had come up with a long list of things they defined as work so people would know what they could and could not do on the Sabbath. These regulations were not given to humans by God, but by man. These religious leaders were more concerned with being “keepers of the Sabbath” than they were in personally “keeping the Sabbath.” They loved being moral police more than they did pointing people to God.
When Jesus came, he did not question the importance or the value of the Sabbath. But, he did question the legalistic list the Pharisees had comprised. Because their definition had not come from God, but from man, Jesus looked right at these religious hypocrites and asked, “If you had one sheep, and it fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you get to work and pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than sheep! It is morally right to do that which is good on the Sabbath.” And then he healed a man with a deformed hand (Matthew 12:9-14; Luke 6:6-11). “Is the Sabbath a day to save life or to destroy it?”, he asked them (Mark 3:4). Jesus was concerned that God’s people understand the purpose of the Law as it relates to the Sabbath and observe it as best they could so their hearts could be close to God. He wasn’t as interested in people obeying man-made rules and regulations with hearts that were far from God. “I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28; Matt.12:8; Lk.6:5). For, “the Sabbath was made to benefit people, and not people to benefit the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). God didn’t establish people so they could worship the Sabbath. He established the Sabbath as a benefit to people. We would all be wise to give God honor and worship every day of the week, but especially on the Sabbath.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
September 23
“It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). God has promised unbelievable blessings when we obey Him, and He has clearly described the curses we will receive when we wander from Him like sheep, choosing our ways over His ways (Isaiah 53:6). His patience with us is beyond anything any of us deserves. The history of Israel was one of straying from God and reaping His wrath and then returning to God and finding His favor.
God’s people often regarded marriage very lightly; favoring marriage to many wives and concubines over faithfulness to one wife. No wonder they thought nothing of worshipping many idols rather than remaining true to the One, Jehovah God. They also intermarried with foreign wives who worshipped pagan idols and produced children who knew little of God (Malachi 2:10-15). And, rather than appreciating God’s undeserved grace, His people often questioned why God didn’t punish others whom His people perceived to be more wicked than themselves (2:16& 17).
God has always had a special place in His heart for widows and orphans, but more often than not, these unfortunate victims of man’s selfishness found themselves neglected, cheated, and oppressed by the people of God (3:4&5). And nowhere was their wickedness more apparent than when the Israelites chose to withhold their tithes and offerings from God and keep them for themselves (3:6-12).
“The day of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can endure it?” (Joel 2:11). “That is why the Lord says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time! Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts.’ Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you. Who knows? Perhaps even yet He will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this terrible curse” (2:12-14).
God has continually sent judges, prophets, and others to turn the hearts of His people back to Him (Malachi 4:5&6; Hebrews 1:1&2). Yes, even today, God uses people on a regular basis to impart to us nuggets of wisdom that will draw us closer to Him. May we be wise enough to see His hand of gracious favor upon us and turn to Him.
God’s people often regarded marriage very lightly; favoring marriage to many wives and concubines over faithfulness to one wife. No wonder they thought nothing of worshipping many idols rather than remaining true to the One, Jehovah God. They also intermarried with foreign wives who worshipped pagan idols and produced children who knew little of God (Malachi 2:10-15). And, rather than appreciating God’s undeserved grace, His people often questioned why God didn’t punish others whom His people perceived to be more wicked than themselves (2:16& 17).
God has always had a special place in His heart for widows and orphans, but more often than not, these unfortunate victims of man’s selfishness found themselves neglected, cheated, and oppressed by the people of God (3:4&5). And nowhere was their wickedness more apparent than when the Israelites chose to withhold their tithes and offerings from God and keep them for themselves (3:6-12).
“The day of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can endure it?” (Joel 2:11). “That is why the Lord says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time! Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts.’ Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you. Who knows? Perhaps even yet He will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this terrible curse” (2:12-14).
God has continually sent judges, prophets, and others to turn the hearts of His people back to Him (Malachi 4:5&6; Hebrews 1:1&2). Yes, even today, God uses people on a regular basis to impart to us nuggets of wisdom that will draw us closer to Him. May we be wise enough to see His hand of gracious favor upon us and turn to Him.
September 21
“The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the Lord” (I Chronicles 9:1b). The prophet, Jeremiah, along with many others, had tried to warn the people of Judah on many occasions what would happen if they continued to ignore the Lord, but they would not listen. “Because you have not listened to me, I will gather together all the armies of the north under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, whom I have appointed as my deputy. I will bring them all against this land and it’s people.......I will completely destroy you.....I will take away your happy singing and laughter......This entire land will become a desolate wasteland. Israel and her neighboring lands will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years” (Jeremiah 25:7-14). “The truth is that you will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again” (Jer.29:10).
God is not mocked and He is not deceived. We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). He is always faithful to His promises (Numbers 23:19). God tells us what we will receive if we are faithful to Him, and God warns us what we will receive if we are unfaithful to Him. The people of God had been punished as God had foretold and it was time for them to be restored as God had also foretold. Many Israelites had already returned to the land of Judah. They had rebuilt the Temple and they had rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Since the population of Jerusalem itself was small, some people would be needed to leave their regions where they lived to resettle in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11:1&2). Many were given specific responsibilities; whether it was ministering in the house of the Lord (I Chron.9:10-13), guarding the entrances to the house of God (9:14-32), playing music (9:33&34), etc. After seventy years of captivity, God’s people were ready to do what they needed to do and what they were called to do (Luke 17:10).
Why is it that hardships, pain, and suffering are often what drive us to do what we should be doing all along? Apparently, it is easy to take so much of what we have forgranted, and unless we are put in a position to see how blessed we are, we forget. May we be wise enough to learn from the mistakes of others in the past so we will not be foolish and repeat them, ourselves (Romans 15:4).
God is not mocked and He is not deceived. We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). He is always faithful to His promises (Numbers 23:19). God tells us what we will receive if we are faithful to Him, and God warns us what we will receive if we are unfaithful to Him. The people of God had been punished as God had foretold and it was time for them to be restored as God had also foretold. Many Israelites had already returned to the land of Judah. They had rebuilt the Temple and they had rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Since the population of Jerusalem itself was small, some people would be needed to leave their regions where they lived to resettle in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11:1&2). Many were given specific responsibilities; whether it was ministering in the house of the Lord (I Chron.9:10-13), guarding the entrances to the house of God (9:14-32), playing music (9:33&34), etc. After seventy years of captivity, God’s people were ready to do what they needed to do and what they were called to do (Luke 17:10).
Why is it that hardships, pain, and suffering are often what drive us to do what we should be doing all along? Apparently, it is easy to take so much of what we have forgranted, and unless we are put in a position to see how blessed we are, we forget. May we be wise enough to learn from the mistakes of others in the past so we will not be foolish and repeat them, ourselves (Romans 15:4).
Monday, September 15, 2014
September 18
According to the apostle Paul, the responsibility of church leaders is “to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). Leadership first equips us to do God’s work and then empowers us to do God’s work.
When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city wall, he began his task with prayer seeking God’s plan and then Nehemiah continued to bathe the process with prayer as it was being carried out (Nehemiah 1:3&4; 2:4; 4:4&5,9; 6:9). Once, God had revealed to Nehemiah how to carry out the work (2:12), it became Nehemiah’s responsibility to explain, equip, and empower others to carry the plan out. Various people rebuilt certain sections of the wall, often-times those sections that were nearest their homes. This was a brilliant strategy since those rebuilding that portion of the wall would be especially careful to do a good job since their lives were most dependent upon that section being done right. During the work, Satan placed many obstacles in their way, as he always does when God’s people set out to do God’s will. It is interesting that Nehemiah did not depend solely upon prayer to protect the work and the workers. Nehemiah combined a reliance upon prayer, as well as the use of the manpower and tools God had given them for protection. At first, armed guards were placed behind the lowest parts of the wall, along with families armed with swords, spears, and bows (4:13). Later, Nehemiah had the men alternate with one half working on the wall while the other half stood guard (4:15-23).
When the devil tried to distract Nehemiah, Nehemiah saw right through his lies and refused to leave the work God had given him to do (6:1-14). Because Nehemiah began the task in prayer, and because Nehemiah bathed the work in prayer, and because Nehemiah equipped and empowered God’s people to do the work, and because Nehemiah refused to be distracted from the work, the whole process was completed in only fifty two days. He says, “When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized that this work had been done with the help of our God” (6:16).
Nehemiah’s example is still worthy of following today; whatever the task is that God has given us. There is obviously much more strength when people work together than when they work alone (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). What could the church of Jesus Christ do today if we had the same formula, enthusiasm, passion, devotion, and prayer life that Nehemiah did?
When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city wall, he began his task with prayer seeking God’s plan and then Nehemiah continued to bathe the process with prayer as it was being carried out (Nehemiah 1:3&4; 2:4; 4:4&5,9; 6:9). Once, God had revealed to Nehemiah how to carry out the work (2:12), it became Nehemiah’s responsibility to explain, equip, and empower others to carry the plan out. Various people rebuilt certain sections of the wall, often-times those sections that were nearest their homes. This was a brilliant strategy since those rebuilding that portion of the wall would be especially careful to do a good job since their lives were most dependent upon that section being done right. During the work, Satan placed many obstacles in their way, as he always does when God’s people set out to do God’s will. It is interesting that Nehemiah did not depend solely upon prayer to protect the work and the workers. Nehemiah combined a reliance upon prayer, as well as the use of the manpower and tools God had given them for protection. At first, armed guards were placed behind the lowest parts of the wall, along with families armed with swords, spears, and bows (4:13). Later, Nehemiah had the men alternate with one half working on the wall while the other half stood guard (4:15-23).
When the devil tried to distract Nehemiah, Nehemiah saw right through his lies and refused to leave the work God had given him to do (6:1-14). Because Nehemiah began the task in prayer, and because Nehemiah bathed the work in prayer, and because Nehemiah equipped and empowered God’s people to do the work, and because Nehemiah refused to be distracted from the work, the whole process was completed in only fifty two days. He says, “When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized that this work had been done with the help of our God” (6:16).
Nehemiah’s example is still worthy of following today; whatever the task is that God has given us. There is obviously much more strength when people work together than when they work alone (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). What could the church of Jesus Christ do today if we had the same formula, enthusiasm, passion, devotion, and prayer life that Nehemiah did?
September 17
Great leaders are rare. They are people who not only have their own act together, but people who are able to inspire others to also get their act together. Ezra and Nehemiah were just such leaders. When they observed the sorry state of their people, they did something about it. First of all, they didn’t accept the moral decline of the Jews as inevitable and irreversible. They didn’t turn a deaf ear to Israel’s condition. They were appalled and stunned at what had happened (Ezra 9:1-4; Nehemiah 1:4). Then, they mourned, fasted, and prayed. And in their prayers, they didn’t place blame on everyone else. They accepted responsibility for the moral decay of their countrymen. They confessed their own sins, as well as the sins of their people (Ezra 9:5-15; Nehemiah 1:4-11). And with God’s help, they formulated a plan for their people returning to God (Ezra 10:1-17; Nehemiah 2:1-18). Both believed that God had always been faithful to His promises and still would be if God’s people repented. The example of faithfulness of these two great men had a positive impact on the rest of God’s people. In Ezra’s case, he was able to convince those who had married pagan wives to separate themselves from those wives. In Nehemiah’s case, he was able to convince the people of Jerusalem to help him rebuild the walls.
Our world and our society cries out for leaders like these two. Our moral decay demands that someone step into the vaccuum created by sin. Where will those leaders come from? What will those leaders look like? Unless God’s people step to the plate and be the moral leaders they should be in their homes, in their churches, in their schools, in their communities, and in their nation, Satan will certainly fill that void with ungodly leaders who will lead with ungodly methods. The Bible clearly states, “When the wicked take charge, people hide” (Proverbs 28:28). “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan” (29:2). “When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding” (28:12). “The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the godless die” (11:10). “Kings and rulers make a grave mistake if they give foolish people great authority, and if they fail to give people of proven worth their rightful place of dignity” (Ecclesiastes 10:5&6).
Either we accept the God-given call to be spiritual and moral leaders in any and every sphere of influence God has placed us in, OR we are destined to reap the results of immoral and ungodly leaders whose primary concern is themselves and no one else. What is your choice? It would certainly be no insult for people to compare us to men like Ezra and Nehemiah.
Our world and our society cries out for leaders like these two. Our moral decay demands that someone step into the vaccuum created by sin. Where will those leaders come from? What will those leaders look like? Unless God’s people step to the plate and be the moral leaders they should be in their homes, in their churches, in their schools, in their communities, and in their nation, Satan will certainly fill that void with ungodly leaders who will lead with ungodly methods. The Bible clearly states, “When the wicked take charge, people hide” (Proverbs 28:28). “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan” (29:2). “When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding” (28:12). “The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the godless die” (11:10). “Kings and rulers make a grave mistake if they give foolish people great authority, and if they fail to give people of proven worth their rightful place of dignity” (Ecclesiastes 10:5&6).
Either we accept the God-given call to be spiritual and moral leaders in any and every sphere of influence God has placed us in, OR we are destined to reap the results of immoral and ungodly leaders whose primary concern is themselves and no one else. What is your choice? It would certainly be no insult for people to compare us to men like Ezra and Nehemiah.
Monday, September 8, 2014
September 11
Even in the midst of our sufferings, even when life looks bleak, even when we see no human way out of our mess, God remains a God of hope. Hope is an attitude that never lets us give up. God gives us plenty of promises we can believe in that keep our focus on Him and on the won-derful future He has prepared for us. “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you.....When every-thing is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (John 14:1-3; Romans 5:3&4; James 1:2-4).
God’s people had been in exile in Babylon for seventy years. But, God wanted them to endure and He gave them promises through His prophets so His people would not quit. Some of these promises had to do with events in their near future: “Take courage......My Spirit remains among you.......So do not be afraid” (Haggai 2:4&5). “Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty (Zechariah 1:3). “My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong. But I am very angry with the other nations that enjoy peace and security. I was only a little angry with my people, but the nations punished them far beyond my intentions....My Temple will be rebuilt, says the Lord Almighty, and plans will be made for the reconstruction of Jerusalem......The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as His own” (Zechariah 1:14-17).
Other promises God gave His people, had to do with future events that were still a long ways off. “Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of the good things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch......and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day” (Zechariah 3:8&9).
Despair has a way of crippling us and keeping us from doing anything to change our situation. As God tried to encourage His people to rebuild His Temple, He reminded them that nothing gets done in our strength alone, but rather through the power of His Holy Spirit (Zech. 4:6). He also reminded them that great accomplishments begin with humble beginnings. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin....” (4:10). In other words, whatever situation we find ourselves in, we must begin the process of rebuilding and getting on with our lives by relying on His strength and not ours. For the task will never be completed until we have taken our first steps. We can always trust in God to keep His promises, giving us hope in whatever circumstances we might find ourselves.
God’s people had been in exile in Babylon for seventy years. But, God wanted them to endure and He gave them promises through His prophets so His people would not quit. Some of these promises had to do with events in their near future: “Take courage......My Spirit remains among you.......So do not be afraid” (Haggai 2:4&5). “Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty (Zechariah 1:3). “My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong. But I am very angry with the other nations that enjoy peace and security. I was only a little angry with my people, but the nations punished them far beyond my intentions....My Temple will be rebuilt, says the Lord Almighty, and plans will be made for the reconstruction of Jerusalem......The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as His own” (Zechariah 1:14-17).
Other promises God gave His people, had to do with future events that were still a long ways off. “Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of the good things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch......and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day” (Zechariah 3:8&9).
Despair has a way of crippling us and keeping us from doing anything to change our situation. As God tried to encourage His people to rebuild His Temple, He reminded them that nothing gets done in our strength alone, but rather through the power of His Holy Spirit (Zech. 4:6). He also reminded them that great accomplishments begin with humble beginnings. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin....” (4:10). In other words, whatever situation we find ourselves in, we must begin the process of rebuilding and getting on with our lives by relying on His strength and not ours. For the task will never be completed until we have taken our first steps. We can always trust in God to keep His promises, giving us hope in whatever circumstances we might find ourselves.
September 7
When prophecies were first given, they all dealt with future events. Some of them had another meaning that was applicable to the times in which they were given. We have the benefit centuries later of having seen many of these predictions already come true. But, some of the prophecies contained in scripture have yet to be fulfilled. We know they eventually all will because history has proven that many already have. Many people spend a lot of time today trying to analyze current events by pointing to prophecies these events seem to be fulfilling.
Daniel was given God’s inspiration to interpret many dreams during his day. On one occasion, Daniel wasn’t even told what the dream was. The God who caused King Nebuchadnezzar to have the dream in the first place, also told Daniel what the dream was, and what the dream meant (Daniel 3). A few years after Nebuchadnezzar died, Nabonidus ruled the Babylonian Empire and he placed his son, Belshazzar in charge of many functions of the empire. It was almost as though they ruled together, each with his respective responsibilities.
Belshazzar was holding a drunken party, utilizing many of the gold and silver cups that had come from the Temple, taken many years earlier when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem. During the party, the King and his guests could see what looked like fingers, writing three Arabaic words on the wall. He was naturally terrified and discovered that Daniel had been able to interpret dreams for Nebuchadnezzar. As he spoke to Belshazzar, Daniel told how Nebuchadnezzar had been become so proud that God had to humble him (5:17-21; Daniel 4). Unfortunately, Belshazzar was just as proud and defiled the Lord by using God’s sacred utensils for a drunken orgy (5:22-24). Daniel said the three words on the wall meant that Belshazzar’s days as king were numbered, and that his kingdom would soon be divided between the Medes and the Persians (5:25-28). Daniel’s prophecy was fulfilled that very night (5:30).
We would be wise to learn from scripture and learn from history (Romans 15:4). God’s Word is true. God’s predictions will always be fulfilled. And, God’s ways are always right. Since God despises pride so much (II Chronicles 26:16; Proverbs 8:13; 11:2; 16:18; Isaiah 2:11), we ought to live in the understanding and the humility that all we have comes from Him and all we do should be for His glory. We can be wiser than kings if we learn from their mistakes.
Daniel was given God’s inspiration to interpret many dreams during his day. On one occasion, Daniel wasn’t even told what the dream was. The God who caused King Nebuchadnezzar to have the dream in the first place, also told Daniel what the dream was, and what the dream meant (Daniel 3). A few years after Nebuchadnezzar died, Nabonidus ruled the Babylonian Empire and he placed his son, Belshazzar in charge of many functions of the empire. It was almost as though they ruled together, each with his respective responsibilities.
Belshazzar was holding a drunken party, utilizing many of the gold and silver cups that had come from the Temple, taken many years earlier when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem. During the party, the King and his guests could see what looked like fingers, writing three Arabaic words on the wall. He was naturally terrified and discovered that Daniel had been able to interpret dreams for Nebuchadnezzar. As he spoke to Belshazzar, Daniel told how Nebuchadnezzar had been become so proud that God had to humble him (5:17-21; Daniel 4). Unfortunately, Belshazzar was just as proud and defiled the Lord by using God’s sacred utensils for a drunken orgy (5:22-24). Daniel said the three words on the wall meant that Belshazzar’s days as king were numbered, and that his kingdom would soon be divided between the Medes and the Persians (5:25-28). Daniel’s prophecy was fulfilled that very night (5:30).
We would be wise to learn from scripture and learn from history (Romans 15:4). God’s Word is true. God’s predictions will always be fulfilled. And, God’s ways are always right. Since God despises pride so much (II Chronicles 26:16; Proverbs 8:13; 11:2; 16:18; Isaiah 2:11), we ought to live in the understanding and the humility that all we have comes from Him and all we do should be for His glory. We can be wiser than kings if we learn from their mistakes.
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