DanM5 — Transcript

We are now in module five and I'm so glad that you are still hanging in there.

And if you feel that there is so much that's being loaded on your shoulders, I know that this may come on the top of your regular work.

I would like to begin with a word of encouragement that you do not give up, we are almost halfway through and sooner than you realize this class will be over.

But before that happens, I hope that this is going to provide a lot of material and inspiration which will be beneficial for your ministry.

I would like to offer a word of prayer.

Father, we do need words of encouragement, and I pray now as we are talking about this week's exciting material.

And the assignments that you would help us have peace of mind and determination to do well in this class.

We know that with you all things can be done and that's why we commit our lives into your hands.

Amen.

I would like to begin by asking you a question.

Have you ever been asked what is your favorite chapter in the book of Daniel?

I have been and it may come as a surprise that chapter five actually is is high on the list of my favorite chapters.

It might be even my favorite chapter, the favorite chapter that I have in the book of Daniel.

And when people ask me, how is that, why would that be, because chapter eight is very important.

Chapter four, for example, that we have talked about last week is very important.

I like to say that in chapter five, we learn about the end of the oppressive powers of Babylon.

And which which allowed God's people to be free and to return home.

And I also like the way in which that message is presented in the story of Daniel chapter five.

And of course, that chapter is very close to chapter six that we are studying this week.

So, fall of Babylon in the year 539, that oppressive power came to an end.

Just as the prophetic prediction has had it in the beginning of our study.

And in fact, chapter five that talks about the end of Babylon, it does in a unique way.

If you or I were asked to talk about the fall of Babylon, I don't know how we would proceed.

But let me tell you that this is the only historical narrative description of the fall of Babylon.

All others that are found in the Bible are prophetic.

But in the Bible, this is the only historical description of how Babylon came to an end.

And the way in which Daniel portrays that event is by putting two characters in contrast.

Two people who may have had the same name, Babylonian names, prophet and wise men by the name of Belshazzar or Belshazzar.

And King Belshazzar.

So, the story contrasts these two, how Daniel, the Hebrew, also known as Belshazzar.

Was faithful to his God in Babylon and was blessed because of that.

And then we have Belshazzar who rebelled against God and went in his rebellion all the way to the end.

Until he paid the highest price for doing that.

This chapter also presents Daniel as the true prophet of God.

Who in the time of danger, when somebody needed to step forward and confront an ungodly king.

Daniel had courage to do that and he even rebuked Belshazzar for his behavior.

Because this king went too far in challenging the God of heaven.

Who, as Daniel said, in his hand was holding his life.

Chapter six talks about God's protection and it has many parallels with chapter three.

That is found in this book, Daniel's absence in chapter three.

Is something that has puzzled the readers of the book of Daniel and interpreters for long time.

But whatever answer we give to that question of Daniel's absence in the story in chapter three.

Here we find now Daniel undergoing a similar test of faith.

And God protects his faithful servant.

That's basically what the story teaches.

Time and again, when I teach the book of Daniel or I present seminars, students like to say, this is my favorite story in the Bible.

So chapter six is well known.

And that's why we are making it a part of this important module.

Would like to say one more thing and that is about the role of prayer in Daniel's life.

Several years ago, at the Andrews University Seminary, a whole PhD dissertation was written on this topic.

Prayers in Daniel.

And there is no doubt that prayer played an important role in Daniel's spiritual life.

And this chapter underlines this very important.

Especially around the time of the fall of Babylon, at the time when when an opportunity was opened for God's people to go back home.

That's when Daniel in a special way again focused on God and he prayed to him three times a day as the text specifies here.

So please, for this module this week, read chapters five and six of Daniel in one sitting.

By taking careful notes of what's in there.

And the reading of the textbook and the pages are specified in the module will supply some background information.

And the lessons that we can draw from these two stories.

I would like to remind you about the discussion postings, both original and threaded.

And please prepare for the test.

The test again will be the same.

We will follow the same format.

And lastly, I would like to encourage you to continue writing your paper because at the end of the week nine or at the end of the ninth volume.

I'm sorry, module, I meant.

At the end of the ninth module, you will be turning in your paper.

So it is good to keep that somewhere in the back of your mind as you make progress on your paper writing.

So, I'm here to support you and there are many other people.

There are those who are praying for your success.

The Lord is by your side, never forget that.

And please this week, take time and focus on the lessons that are found in this module.

And I'm sure that you will experience great blessings and remember that I'm here praying for your success.

May God bless you.