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OT-- Daniel 1:1-3:30
Sorry, I did not read my scripture yesterday due to the chicken harvest, the mistletoe hunt and my market. But, you have to read the first chapter of ANY Bible book, especially Daniel.
Vs. 1:21 says that Daniel was in Nebuchadnezzar's service until the first year of Cyrus' reign which makes Daniel be in the king's service for all 70 years of the exile. An amazingly long life for a youth captured with Jerusalem.
God gave Daniel and his buddies special talents. In Daniel's case, the ability to intepret dreams and visions 'of all kinds'. This is a very rare talent indeed. In Daniel's case, he didn't even need to be told the dream to interpret it.
The book of Daniel contains several stories that we tell our children -- Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego in the fiery furnace, Daniel in the lions den and the writings on the wall. However, there is also a large apocalyptic part of Daniel which is not part of normal Bible readings. It is these apocalyptic parts that scholars think date to 161 BCE making it the most recent of the OT books. Based on the way the book is laid out, it is clear that there were several stories of the hero Daniel who is named in the Book of Ezekiel. They were compiled and then the apocalyptic stories were added during the time of the Maccabean Revolt.
What are we to learn from Daniel? Steadfastness. The ability to do a good job even when you are not in ideal situations. The ability to remain faithful even when besieged.
Looking forward to a great read.
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