How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation

Daniel 4:1-9

How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)

I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 

Nebuchadnezzar himself authenticates this extraordinary story. Perhaps sensing that this dream is against himself, he does not turn to Daniel straight away. It is clear from Daniel's dismay that he does not wish the king ill. But the king's pride in his achievements and archaeology shows they really were something to boast of overrides Daniel's wise advice.

Why?

Once again Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that made him afraid. He did not ask Daniel first but searched for the other magician, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners, but they could not interpret it. Finally, he knew the spirit of the holy gods is in Daniel.

When the holy spirit of the Lord is in me, God will reveal the things that we don't know. For God is great!

How?

Praise the Lord! How mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.

For no other god can save in this way

Daniel 3:19-30

Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.  

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”

He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”

In the event, the flames kill those who fling them in, and burn through their own bonds; but they come out with not so much as a smell of burning about them, And a god-like figure walks through the fire with them. Again the king is compelled to worship.

Why?

The Lord shows his way to save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the flame. This miracle made Nebuchadnezzar know that the Lord is the real God and saved his people.

God's saving is full and complete, there is not any smell or burn image on their clothes. 

The Lord is great, we are servants of the Most High God.

The Lord can do the great thing in the past history, God can make the great thing in any generation, from now to the future.

How?

Do not fear and trust in the Lord for the love and grace is enough for all who follow the command of the Lord.

But even if he does not

Daniel 3:1-18

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. ... But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, astrologers, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

The year pass and Nebuchadnezzar, forgetting he once acknowledge Daniel's God as supreme, sets up his gold-covered image of 27m, demanding that all his people worship it. But Daniel's companions will not compromise. There is only one God, and God's law forbids them to worship any other. They know God can deliver them from a terrible death: they do not know if he will. But come what may, they will not deny him.

Why?

People like  Nebuchadnezzar may forget that he had given the honor to the Lord. Now he made an image of gold and asked all people to worship it.

Other astrologers envied the position of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they couldn't allow them not to obey God's command.

But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego obey the word of the Lord, they believed the Lord is higher than the king of the world. So they refused to worship the gold image. They believed the Lord will deliver them from King's hand. How strong they believe in the Lord!

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行奉獻之禮，要要奉獻給誰?很矛盾，這個神受限於開光，否則不能動，受限！巴比倫王至做重頭到腳都是金的。

神給巴比倫王權利，卻自己想當神。人想要審判別人，就是自己想當神。要知道我是人，是神的僕人。不要神給我們雞毛當令箭，神給巴比倫王金頭，他卻想要全身金。

真信心： 「即或不然」的信心是最高等級的信心，以神為主宰，無論環境如何，沒有任何其他目的。

神給我們的試鍊，必是我們能夠承受的。必賜我們夠用的恩典。所以不用懼怕！

神用愛來待抗拒神的人，以致得到最後這個人！

用火來待他們反而受到羞愧。第一種是利益的試探，第二種是免於災難的試探，只要否認耶穌是主，就可以避開。世俗的試探，即利益的試探！

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How?

Do I have such faith in the Lord? May God strengthens us like these three men face death they still obey the word of the Lord.

 

Not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive

Daniel 2:24-49

Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.”

The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?”

Daniel replied, “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. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:

As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.

This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces.

“The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”

Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.

The images represent four world empires, beginning in the present and stretching into the future. The two most widely held interpretations are:

Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman:

Babylonian, Persian, Median, and Greek, The first is a better fit with the historical kingdom of God that comes in the Roman period. The second view has the merit that the bulk of Danil 7-12 refers to the Greek period.

Why?

The Lord shows the meaning to Daniel, and Daniel may explain it to King Nebuchadnezzar, it shows only the God in heaven may understand what went through the King. And God has revealed it to Daniel.

Daniel is humble that he does not have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.

Daniel also requests the king to appoint Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon to be his helpers as governor of this country. Daniel shared his responsibility to his friend serving the same God. This strategy reduces their burden of them.

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只有神能夠成就大事，我們千萬不要以為自己好，但以理很謙卑！是神願意使用我。當求主使用我們！透過我們好行為，生命的改變彰顯神的榮耀。

最後只有神的國永遠長存！最後的國是羅馬帝國，後來和各民族不相容以致分散不成國，彼此紛爭，如同現在的世界。朝代帝國都會過去。政治意識，黨派都會過去！神權在政權之上。尼布甲尼撒王，居然說你們的神是萬王之王！如果不是對耶和華如此降服，怎能說出這樣子的話。知識、異象之外更重要是認識神自己。尼布甲尼撒王以後把權利分給但以理，一個奴僕，一個被征服者，我們知道神掌權後，我們願意把自己的主權交給主嗎？把一生交給主嗎？但以理是在王的身旁，可以影響國王，帶領他歸向主，他是帶職事奉的典範！

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How?

Daniel is my hero and a good example to learn from his good deeds. What I can do is the favor of the Lord. My God is the God of gods.

Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his

Daniel 2:1-23

Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”

If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”

This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friend to put them to death.

At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. 

Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision.

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.....you have made known to me what we asked of you,  you have made known to us the dream of the king.

Daniel had only just graduated when he was faced with this test. The interpretation of dreams was a well-established role of the Babylonian magicians and the rest. But anyone can come up with an interpretation, and who is to tell which is right - so Nebuchadnezzar devises his own dream as well as its meaning, and has the faith to pray for this.

Why?

Trouble came to Daniel so quick, but it is opportune for Daniel. 

Interpertate dream is usual at that time, and Nebuchadnezzar is right he didn't say the dream, because he can't decide who are say the right meaning.

Daniel asked for time to pray to the Lord and the Lord revealed to Daniel in a vision. Even the magician knew no one can interoperate the dream unless the king says about it.

How?

The secret about the future and the reason for many trouble belong to the Lord, what we can do is obey the word of the Lord and be good servants of the Lord.

Denial and his friends are determined not to compromise their religion

Daniel 1:9-21

Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

Young as they are, Denial and his friends are determined not to compromise their religion. So their only course is to restrict themselves to a vegetarian diet and they thrive on it. What is more, they graduate from the king's school with honors! 

Why?

Denial and his friends are determined not to compromise their religion, and they did not give trouble the chief official. When we are determined not to compromise with our belive, the Lord blesses us. 

It seems impossible, but they had the brave and strong minds to make it. Let my faith in the Lord could be transferred to the behavior in my daily life.

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太監長居然和但以理商量，一般直接命令，可見神在當中運行。理論上吃素的面容比吃素的差，神的規定、律法不怕我們去考驗。試驗神在飲食條例中的旨意，是否比美食更好?神的應許不怕人來考驗。人願意走神的路時，神使他變比較好走。人走義路是死蔭幽谷，神自顧。十天通常看不出來面容不同，而是因為依靠主，有神生命的榮光！但以理沒有因為堅持信仰，使別人受害，不管太監的死活，應該要使別人蒙福。

要為主做見證，要先在工作上盡心盡力，才能贏得別人尊重，講話人才會聽。他們因為神賞賜他們智慧，勝過別人10倍。

賞賜、給予是貫穿本章的重要字。

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How?

Trust in the Lord is doing God's command in our daily life. Do not compromise with this world.

Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine

Daniel 1:1-8

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 

Daniel arrives in Babylon in 605. good looks and natural ability ensure a place for him and his friends among those selected for special training. But the Babylonians do not observe Jewish rules on clean and unclean food, nor do they drain away the blood when they slaughter animals.

Why?

Even the king of Judah didn't honor the Holy Name of the Lord, but some people in Judah honor the Lord, like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They decided not to defile themselves with the royal food and wine. This is the faith in the Lord expressed in their daily life.

Can I insist on my trust in the Lord, to honor the Holy Name of the Lord? 

The circumstance might not good for our beliefs but we can do something different in this circumstance. Trust in the Lord and obey his commands in our daily life.

How?

Express our behavior in our daily to honor the Lord. Express my love and righteousness and faith.