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Monday, 1 August 2011

Day 214: Daniel Tested

The Babylonians are confirmed as the dominant empire, defeating Egypt. Time for us to meet their king - he of the long name.
Egypt’s defeat
Jeremiah 46:1-12
Nebuchadnezzar’s conquests
2 Kings 24:7
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah
Daniel 1:4-7
Their refusal
Daniel 1:8-16
Their improvement in wisdom
Daniel 1:17-20
Uriah martyred
Jeremiah 26:20-24
Jeremiah’s lament
Jeremiah 22:13-19
A fast proclaimed
Jeremiah 36:9
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
Daniel 2:1-13
The dream revealed to Daniel
Daniel 2:14-35

Nebuchadnezzar is victorious over Egypt - that mighty power lies vanquished by a still mightier one. From now on, Babylon stands supreme as the world power. In their first attack on Jerusalem, certain young men are taken into exile, and, because they showed potential, into the royal court. Daniel and his friends are the first to taste exile.
Despite this, King Jehoiakim is not minded to listen to the voice of God. He has another prophet, Uriah, pursued into Egypt, arrested and executed, and Jeremiah laments his lack of progress in making people listen. Now is the time for people to turn to God and seek his face - a fast is proclaimed, which means that somebody (it doesn’t say this was the king’s initiative) wants the people to stop what they are doing and listen to God.
Meanwhile, far away in Babylon, Daniel is stepping into the shoes of Joseph, proving himself invaluable to the mightiest ruler of the day, by interpreting his dreams. Even the greatest king must sleep, and in his sleep he is at the mercy of powers he cannot understand. Daniel tells the king: “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” (Daniel 2:27-28) Nebuchadnezzar is about to learn about Daniel’s God in heaven, and it will be a roller coaster ride.

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