All The Difference

The Babylonian Empire has run it's brilliant but unexpectedly short course. In the face of the Median invasion (with Persian partnership), the last king of Babylon chooses a show of bravado. When men feel weak or threatened, they often find false strength in alcohol and pugnacious sacrilege. Such wickedness offers a very short burst of pride, destined to be punctured – something Belshazzar illustrates perfectly when he poops his pants in fear (the meaning of "his hips went slack.") By contrast, Daniel has outlived the very empire, steady and faithful to the end and beyond. Moreover, he proves useful even in his "retirement." Daniel remembers, learns from, and applies what has gone before. By contrast, Belshazzar tragically rejects the very history he knows.

The Babylonian Empire has run it's brilliant but unexpectedly short course. In the face of the Median invasion (with Persian partnership), the last king of Babylon chooses a show of bravado. When men feel weak or threatened, they often find false strength in alcohol and pugnacious sacrilege. Such wickedness offers a very short burst of pride, destined to be punctured – something Belshazzar illustrates perfectly when he poops his pants in fear (the meaning of "his hips went slack.") By contrast, Daniel has outlived the very empire, steady and faithful to the end and beyond. Moreover, he proves useful even in his "retirement." Daniel remembers, learns from, and applies what has gone before. By contrast, Belshazzar tragically rejects the very history he knows.

Daniel finds himself once again an unenviable position. He can avoid a serious threat by lying. He chooses to tell the truth. Then Daniel could have spent the following 12 months using his considerable power to prepare for the disaster of a government coup, knowing that he was strongly associated with his name-giver, the Emperor. He seemingly did nothing and humbly trusted God's sovereign hand instead of scheming. Nebuchadnezzar is shown in exact contrast. He can also avoid an unenviable period – in his case by recognizing truth. Yet he doesn't. Nebuchadnezzar could have chosen to humbly trust God's sovereign hand yet he chooses to revel in his considerable power instead. In the end, he ends up joining Daniel in (some level of) trusting the True King.

Daniel finds himself once again an unenviable position. He can avoid a serious threat by lying. He chooses to tell the truth. Then Daniel could have spent the following 12 months using his considerable power to prepare for the disaster of a government coup, knowing that he was strongly associated with his name-giver, the Emperor. He seemingly did nothing and humbly trusted God's sovereign hand instead of scheming. Nebuchadnezzar is shown in exact contrast. He can also avoid an unenviable period – in his case by recognizing truth. Yet he doesn't. Nebuchadnezzar could have chosen to humbly trust God's sovereign hand yet he chooses to revel in his considerable power instead. In the end, he ends up joining Daniel in (some level of) trusting the True King

Later in his expansive reign, Nebuchadnezzar faces a particularly crafty backlash from the priestly guild. They use the emperor's vanity as a means to show him they still can control the empire by manipulation. As a bonus, they stand to eliminate the 3 Jews who hold chief administrative power in the richest province. Hanaiah, Mishael, & Azariah are thrown from the frying pan of eastern politics into the literal fire. Of special interest is the manner in which the 3 Hebrews refuse to participate in sin. Their careful reasoning has guided conscientious dissent ever since. The miracle and Theophany rescue the faithful and allow Nebuchadnezzar to turn the tables on the true rebels in the story.

Later in his expansive reign, Nebuchadnezzar faces a particularly crafty backlash from the priestly guild. They use the emperor's vanity as a means to show him they still can control the empire by manipulation. As a bonus, they stand to eliminate the 3 Jews who hold chief administrative power in the richest province. Hanaiah, Mishael, & Azariah are thrown from the frying pan of eastern politics into the literal fire. Of special interest is the manner in which the 3 Hebrews refuse to participate in sin. Their careful reasoning has guided conscientious dissent ever since. The miracle and Theophany rescue the faithful and allow Nebuchadnezzar to turn the tables on the true rebels in the story.

Daniel and his partners face the most existential threat yet: extermination because Nebuchadnezzar is powerful enough to revolt against pagan priestly games. As Ezekiel might later declare, "There are wheels within wheels in this story." Politics is certainly evident, as the king and the priestly caste war. History is exposed in as broad a sweep as possible, stretching from the tumult of the 6th c. B.C. to Messiah's millennium. Interpersonal presence and tact are exposed as life-saving, and the use of promotion is examined. Yet most importantly, running through all the text is the power, presence, and sovereignty of the one true God.

Daniel and his partners face the most existential threat yet: extermination because Nebuchadnezzar is powerful enough to revolt against pagan priestly games. As Ezekiel might later declare, "There are wheels within wheels in this story." Politics is certainly evident, as the king and the priestly caste war. History is exposed in as broad a sweep as possible, stretching from the tumult of the 6th c. B.C. to Messiah's millennium. Interpersonal presence and tact are exposed as life-saving, and the use of promotion is examined. Yet most importantly, running through all the text is the power, presence, and sovereignty of the one true God.

Daniel leads the way in standing for scriptural health. His wisdom, determination, and tact are outstanding – especially in such a young person. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah are blessed by God in manifold ways: kindness and compassion from the chief eunuch being possibly the most unexpected and surely welcome surprise. God also granted them uncanny knowledge and insight which allowed them to particularly useful to the kingdom.

Daniel leads the way in standing for scriptural health. His wisdom, determination, and tact are outstanding – especially in such a young person. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah are blessed by God in manifold ways: kindness and compassion from the chief eunuch being possibly the most unexpected and surely welcome surprise. God also granted them uncanny knowledge and insight which allowed them to particularly useful to the kingdom.

Daniel and his compatriots are caught up in massive events, notably the unexpected disruption of world powers. The foolish and pallid relationship of their people to YHWH is only outdone by the wickedness of Babylon, their conquerors. In that environment, these God-fearers are found amazingly useful.

Daniel and his compatriots are caught up in massive events, notably the unexpected disruption of world powers. The foolish and pallid relationship of their people to YHWH is only outdone by the wickedness of Babylon, their conquerors. In that environment, these God-fearers are found amazingly useful.

Josiah reforms the worship of Israel, being particularly struck with the power of God's Word. His adherence to that word so impacted his culture that they were faithful all his days.

Josiah reforms the worship of Israel, being particularly struck with the power of God's Word. His adherence to that word so impacted his culture that they were faithful all his days.

Manasseh, the worst king of Judah, ends well. True, his sins had serious consequences in his lifetime and after; yet, at his repentance God accepted him and gave Manasseh a chance to live and reform in light of God's hesed.

Manasseh, the worst king of Judah, ends well. True, his sins had serious consequences in his lifetime and after; yet, at his repentance God accepted him and gave Manasseh a chance to live and reform in light of God's hesed.

Athaliah usurps power (lack of proper introduction in Chron. is proof that this is not an approved reign) and goes to any means to maintain it. Once her son whom she could control was gone, she killed any of her own family who might stand in her way to authority. There seems to be no hope for the fulfillment of God's promises (22:9), but God reminds the people that He is sovereign and works all for His plan (22:7).

Athaliah usurps power (lack of proper introduction in Chron. is proof that this is not an approved reign) and goes to any means to maintain it. Once her son whom she could control was gone, she killed any of her own family who might stand in her way to authority. There seems to be no hope for the fulfillment of God's promises (22:9), but God reminds the people that He is sovereign and works all for His plan (22:7).

Asa does not seek God later in his life. He relies on his own wisdom & lets pain turn him sour.

Asa does not seek God later in his life. He relies on his own wisdom & lets pain turn him sour.