Falling Hard: A Lesson in Humility
One week, I talked with someone about Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”, which could be a fitting title for chapter 4 of Daniel. Proverbs 16:18 states that “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall”, for which this narrative is a prime example. Despite previous examples of Godâs sovereignty (https://robert-a-l-blake.com/god-delivers-us/), Nebuchadnezzar apparently needed another lesson in humility. He had twice previously confessed the God of heaven as the God of gods (Daniel 2:47; Daniel 3:28-29), but still appeared to be unconvinced. It reminds me of Peter and his denial of Christ (Mark 14:29, 66-72) and his subsequent acceptance of Christ’s commission (John 21:15-19).
A Lesson in Humility
God presented Nebuchadnezzar with his third and final lesson in humility. Not only was he forewarned in a dream, as in a previous chapter (Daniel 2), but he stumbled down the same unyielding path as before by requesting help from so-called wise men. After Daniel pointed him in the right direction, along with an admonition of warning, he took the final plunge. The most powerful man on earth then lived as a beast in the field for seven years. True to the prophecy, however, he finally lifted his eyes to heaven and acknowledged the God of Heaven (Daniel 4:37).
Did it take all of that to erase pride? Obviously it did. The Bible also states that they wrote these things as examples (1 Corinthians 10:11). For whom? For us! Nebuchadnezzar needed three experiences of a lesson in humility to recognize the true source of his wealth and power. Some of us may require more or less.
We serve a merciful and gracious God. He longs for our success. Sometimes we get ahead of Him and forget the Source of our blessings. He allows us to experience lessons of humility, but still extends grace and mercy.
Prayer
Loving Lord, thank You for patiently teaching us to trust in You. When we fall, You pick us up. You never give up on us. A lesson in humility is just another evidence of Your love and desire for us to be more like You. Thank you for Your grace and mercy. Amen.
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God Delivers Us
Daniel is curiously absent in the narrative for chapter 3. We can safely assume that he was not there and definitely did not bow. What is concerning, however, is that we can safely assume that there were others of their nationality present who bowed. So that Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah did not bow poses even greater significance to the story. Not only did they stand up and stand out among those that didnât believe in God the Creator but also among their peers, which is often much harder to do. To do what is right among those that know it is right, but still choose to do wrong, takes courage. Unfortunately, however, it is our peer group who often gives us a bad name or even sells us out! Things have not changed, still God delivers us.
God Delivers Us
As the drama unfolds past the building of the immense statue, obviously King Nebuchadnezzar wanted the âhead of goldâ to exist in perpetuity. He seems to have forgotten the âstone kingdomâ portion of the dream. The three young men find themselves face to face with the king for testing again. The king presented the challenge to them, yet they did not waver. In response to so-called options, they retorted in uncompromising fashion. The English Standard Version renders it this way in verse 17: âIf this be so, our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.â At first read, the word âifâ seems to pose an element of doubt or capitulation.
Given the context of their previously displayed faith (Daniel chapter 1, https://robert-a-l-blake.com/dream-of-the-king/), I believe it is appropriate to substitute the words âsinceâ or âbecauseâ in place of the conditional word âifâ. Based on their follow-up statement in verse 18ââbut if notâ, the condition did not implicate Godâs existence or power. Instead, it reflected on His willingness to rescue them. We find the latter to be true, as not only does God allow them to be cast into the furnace, but joins them there! We read the kingâs response to this climactic close to the chapter (Daniel 3:24-30), but one can only imagine the impression this made on their fellow countrymen.
Prayer
âHeavenly Father, help us stand for You at all times, no matter who is looking or compromising their beliefs. Keep us faithful to You, knowing that if we stand up for You, that You will stand up for and deliver us. In Jesusâ wonderful name we pray, amen.â
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Dream of the King
Daniel chapter 2 is the first of the bookâs prophecies and brings Daniel himself more into the forefront, as alluded to earlier (https://robert-a-l-blake.com/integrity-without-exception-daniel-the-narrative/). God sends a dream to King Nebuchadnezzar, who is a heathen deity. Yet, he is not beyond the capability of being used by God. In fact, this dream of the king outlined the stage of world events from his time to the second coming of Christ.
Why didnât Daniel or one of his companions receive the dream directly? God can use anyone and wants to save everyone. The apostle Paul describes it this way: âFor this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, Who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.â I Timothy 2:3, 4. The king has a close encounter with the Monarch of heaven and confesses Him as God of all, as we will see later on in the book!
Who is in charge here?
This is the core of the book of Daniel. Yes, the other prophecies are important and serve as bulwark components of faith. The underlying theme is God as the Master Conductor of history and world events on the universal stage. This point is so crucial that it echoes and weaves itself throughout the pages of Scripture. It is paramount that we understand and acknowledge this. He is the same God today Who desires to be intimately involved in each of our lives. There is great potential in store for our lives if we connect our lives with Godâthe possibilities are limitless!
The Dream’s Interpretation
Daniel received the dream’s interpretation because of earnest prayer after failure by the so-called magicians â a nod to the Moses-Pharaoh drama 1,000 years previously (Exodus 8:19). God is the same todayââIf ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.â John 15:7. We often take this verse out of context to mean literally what it saysâanythingâa Ferrari, $10 million! The verses before and following this text set the stage for what is the objectâthe Fatherâs glory and obedience to His commandments. Daniel exemplified the latter part of James 5:16ââThe effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.â
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us spend time in Your word in order to receive direction for each aspect of life. Help each of us to develop a close relationship with You that when You speak, we will recognize Your voice. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
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Integrity Without Exception
Have you ever read the book of Daniel? For many, it can be foreboding and quite intimidating. There are a lot of strange characters, symbols, and seemingly secret meanings. That is on the surface. When one inspects the narrative, it is understandable and indeed quite relevant to us today. Daniel is the story of a young man who made the best of challenging circumstances and made himself available for service. He didnât volunteer for his life-altering journey, but accepted it. Daniel showed integrity without exception.
Examples of Integrity Without Exception: Joseph and Daniel
In reviewing the story of Daniel, I canât help but compare and contrast him to Joseph (Genesis 37, 39-50). Interestingly, at least 1,000 years them, yet we know God is timeless! They both ended up in similar positions in two of the most prominent nations of the earth at their respective times. Though they ended up with similar ranks (#2), they entered their respective nations in different fashion. Both entered as captives and presumably in chains. Joseph entered as a slave, whereas Daniel entered as an âinternational exchange studentâ, if you will. Joseph, though imprisoned, never literally faced loss of life; whereas Daniel, though not imprisoned, faced a loss of lifeâtwice. Both passed their series of trials and showed complete allegiance to God, Who rewarded them stupendously. Joseph and Daniel showed unfailing integrity, without exception.
Daniel chapter 1
Daniel and his compatriots entered the first scene (Daniel 1) in quite dramatic fashion with a test, which was seemingly unintended by King Nebuchadnezzar. Yes, the kingâs goal was an attempt to brainwash them, but he didnât expect resistance. He intended it to be a rather routine indoctrination in Babylonian culture, but the young men recognized it as an overt challenge to their relationship with their God. Considering that their forefathers had compromised in spirituality, which resulted in this abrupt relocation for these gentlemen, they sought to stay loyal to God no matter the cost.
Each step was progressiveâinitially a name change, then forbidden diet, and finally disavowal of God as the Sovereign Lord. Though not tests from the king, God allowed them to prove His servants. They passed the series of tests and stood in stark contrast to other trainees, among which were other young men of similar background. God expects, notices, and rewards obedience.
Heavenly Father, I pray for the readers of this post that they will understand and love Your Word. In Jesusâ name, Amen.
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