Day 28 - 40 Days in the Old Testament
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day 28 | LIFE IN EXILE
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day 28 | LIFE IN EXILE
LIFE IN EXILE
Daniel 2:20-22
“Daniel said, ‘Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.’” (NLT)
The book of Daniel has two parts. The first part is when Daniel and his friends are in the Babylonian court and he teaches the Israelites how to live as God’s people, even in a foreign land. The Second part contains visions and dreams about world events that would affect God’s people and, even though they might experience persecution, they must remember that history is under God’s providential control.
Daniel was part of the first wave of captives taken from Judah to Babylon. This first wave included those whom the governmental leaders thought had the potential to be beneficial to them. Thus, Daniel and his friends were trained as court officials. With God’s blessing, Daniel rose to become “the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” (Daniel 5:29)
One of the points not to miss in this book is that God is ACTIVE. As the opening verses above show, He is involved in the lives of His people. The LORD is the righteous Judge of kings, nations, and history.
God is also sovereign. Not a term widely understood, but it means that God answers to no one. He is the Ruler over history and directs the future.
In Daniel 9, we read: “A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.” This passage provides a meticulous timeline for Israel and the events that follow.
Here's a key takeaway: God is Ruler over history and providentially directs the affairs of mankind.
Prayer: LORD, thank You that I and my future are in Your loving, powerful, all-knowing hands. Amen.
Daniel 2:20-22
“Daniel said, ‘Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.’” (NLT)
The book of Daniel has two parts. The first part is when Daniel and his friends are in the Babylonian court and he teaches the Israelites how to live as God’s people, even in a foreign land. The Second part contains visions and dreams about world events that would affect God’s people and, even though they might experience persecution, they must remember that history is under God’s providential control.
Daniel was part of the first wave of captives taken from Judah to Babylon. This first wave included those whom the governmental leaders thought had the potential to be beneficial to them. Thus, Daniel and his friends were trained as court officials. With God’s blessing, Daniel rose to become “the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” (Daniel 5:29)
One of the points not to miss in this book is that God is ACTIVE. As the opening verses above show, He is involved in the lives of His people. The LORD is the righteous Judge of kings, nations, and history.
God is also sovereign. Not a term widely understood, but it means that God answers to no one. He is the Ruler over history and directs the future.
In Daniel 9, we read: “A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.” This passage provides a meticulous timeline for Israel and the events that follow.
Here's a key takeaway: God is Ruler over history and providentially directs the affairs of mankind.
Prayer: LORD, thank You that I and my future are in Your loving, powerful, all-knowing hands. Amen.