The Amazing Aspects of the Bible (Part 10)

Daniel

The most powerful and compact book of prophecy is Daniel. The first half of the book reveals the power of God in several events; the latter half is mostly prophecy. The opening of the book gives a specific time and place. Daniel and his three friends have been taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar and were living in Babylon. The king had a dream that so disturbed him he could not sleep (2:1). He was anxious to know the meaning of it. However, he told all of his wise men that they would have to tell him first what the dream was and then provide him with an interpretation. He told the men that anyone could interpret a dream. To know they were legitimate in their interpretation, they must first tell him the dream. They replied: "There is not a man on earth who can tell the king's matter" (2:10), adding that no one had ever asked such a thing from magicians, astrologers, or Chaldeans.

When Daniel stepped forth, telling the king both the dream and the interpretation, the king rightfully concluded: "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret" (2:47). What else could any honest soul do? No one has the ability to know what another individual has dreamed. The king might also have wondered how he was capable of conquering such a nation whose God was this Lord. The answer is that Jerusalem had become exceedingly corrupt and was worshiping idols; therefore God determined to punish them. At this time there were still some youths who had not been given over to corruption, such as Daniel.

However, equally significant was the meaning of the dream, which refers to four world kingdoms, which are not all named; Babylon is specified; Nebuchadnezzar is the head of gold. Three more would arise, two of which are identified later as Medo-Persia and Greece (8:20-21). Rome is not named, but it is obvious that it is the fourth world empire, since it was historically the nation that conquered Greece and was prominent for the next 500 years. In the days of those kings would be set up a kingdom which would never be destroyed—the same one as identified previously by Isaiah (Isa. 2:2-3).

God would set up this kingdom, and it would stand forever (Dan. 2:44). This is the kingdom of heaven (the church) that John the Baptizer began to proclaim and that Jesus also said was "at hand" (Matt. 3:2; 4:17). Notice how detailed this prophecy given in dream form to King Nebuchadnezzar is. The four world empires are easy to identify; no one could historically misunderstand the time frame. The nature of the eternal kingdom was to be spiritual, not physical, which is the precise fulfillment in the New Testament. Even if the book of Daniel was written later than the sixth century B.C., as some critics claim, it was still translated into the Greek (the Septuagint) no later than 250 B.C. before Rome was a major power. Ironically, despite the indications of a spiritual kingdom to come, most of the Jews were expecting a physical one over which the Christ would reign. But both the prophecies and the fulfillments are accurate.

Daniel sees a vision of his own relating to the ascension of Christ, which is in accord with Acts 1:9-11 and 2:33. It should be observed that the Son of Man is approaching heaven, not coming from there. The kingdom he receives is a spiritual one. Daniel saw

one like the Son of Man, coming in the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall never be destroyed (7:13-14).

Daniel contains other prophecies concerning what would happen in the time period leading up to the establishment of the church; in particular, he describes in advance what would happen between the testaments (a period of about 400 years), in which the Greek Empire was split into four parts, followed by various conflicts. Then there is the famous prophecy concerning "70 weeks" (Dan. 9:24-27), which is always of keen interest to Bible students.

The book of Daniel also includes three marvelous accounts of God's people standing firm and refusing to compromise. The first involved the diet that the king wanted to impose on the young men. They made an arrangement, however, to use a cuisine that harmonized with their religion. After a trial basis, they were allowed to continue (Dan. 1). In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused to bow down and worship the gold image of Nebuchadnezzar which he had set up. Disobeying the king's command caused him in his anger to have them thrown into the fiery furnace. When they emerged, they were neither burned nor singed. Once again, the king's respect was gained, and he proclaimed that "there is no other God who can deliver like this" (3:29).

Almost everyone knows the story of Daniel in the lion's den\\\Hhow he was unharmed because God preserved him. The story leading up to that eventuality is one of jealousy for power on the part of men to whom Daniel had done no harm. Nevertheless, he refused to hide or change his habit of praying to God, which is the reason he won God's favor. As so many people who plot against another, the enemies of Daniel had not planned further than achieving their main objective. Apparently, they did not realize the king could see through their devices. Even if Daniel had not been saved from that horrible fate they had marked out for him, the king might still have had them killed. Anger causes people to lose focus on all of the possibilities (Dan. 6). This book of the Old Testament is valuable both in terms of its prophecies and the encouragement it provides for God's people to remain faithful.

Hosea

Often in the prophetic books the character of God is revealed. In the book of Hosea the patience of God is highlighted at the very outset. God uses the illustration of Hosea taking back an unfaithful wife as an example of His willingness to receive Israel back even though she had been unfaithful. First of all, how many husbands would be willing to forgive to that extent? Yet God is\\\Hif His people repent. He offers them far more than they have ever deserved. Yet Israel continued to reject Him, and Hosea records the simplest yet most profound statement: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (4:6). The prophet also states another principle that many still do not grasp\\\Hthat God wants His people to offer sincere worship and to live by His principles: "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings" (6:6). Religion cannot be for outward show.

Joel

Although this book has other values, the passage that comes quickly to mind is Joel 2:28-32, which Peter cites as having been fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. This is a prophecy of the Holy Spirit being poured out. Cloven tongues like as of fire sat upon each of the apostles, and they spoke in languages that they had never studied. Other gifts of the Holy Spirit are mentioned elsewhere, but Pentecost was the beginning of God's people receiving these supernatural abilities. Although this prophecy was made over seven centuries in advance, Pentecost (and the era that followed) is the only possible time of its fulfillment. It is not difficult to see why skeptics choose to ignore such passages.

Amos

This wonderful, prophetic book begins by outlining the punishment of several nations and concludes with five interesting visions concerning the nation of Israel. God always brings judgment on nations when they practice unrighteousness\\\Hsomething that ought to concern this country\\\Hespecially at this particular time. What makes it worse is that people think that being prosperous is a sign of God's approval. "Woe to you who are at ease in Zion\\…" (6:1). The prophet describes those who are spending a great portion of their time with frivolous pursuits. Their complacency would help bring about their judgment; what a warning any nation should see in their example!

Obadiah

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, and it deals with one main subject\\\HGod bringing judgment on the Edomites for their rejoicing over the fall of Israel. Even though Edom and Israel are related by blood (the nations were descended from the twins Esau and Jacob), they actually helped Judah's enemies by cutting off their escape routes. No one should take satisfaction in the destruction of another. "What goes around comes around," which we so often hear today is nothing more than a paraphrase of: "As you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head" (15b-c).

Jonah

Probably none of the minor prophets is known so well as Jonah. Skeptics want to challenge the idea that no human being could have survived in a big fish three days and three nights, as though the God who created the universe could not possibly have that much power over what He created. How silly and vain are man's thoughts! The key message is that God accepts genuine repentance, as evidenced by His treatment of the Assyrians. The entire city was spared when it repented of its sins. This was no longer a theory; it was now a known fact. Yet God's people did not profit from the example of this pagan culture. Jonah himself serves as a type of Christ: both were "buried" for three days and three nights (cf. Matt. 12:38-40).

Micah

Micah 4:1-3 contains the same information as Isaiah 2:2-4; it is another great prophecy of the establishment of the church. The contents of most of the prophetic books are related to two primary concerns: 1) judgment for wrongdoing and the refusal to repent of sins; 2) the establishment of the kingdom and the better days that lie ahead after the captivity. Once again, we read: "For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (4:2), which is what actually does occur in the Book of Acts. But Micah records another piece of information that would be impossible to know without Divine inspiration that comes from God. Centuries in advance, he writes that the one to be ruler in Israel is going to come from the relatively small town of Bethlehem (5:2). No one could know this information hundreds of years in advance unless he received it from God. Furthermore, Micah describes Jesus as One "Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" which means that Jesus is eternal, as are the Father and the Holy Spirit (cf. Phil. 2:5). Micah knew that the Word would be made flesh centuries before John wrote it all down for mankind (John 1:1-3, 14).

Micah agrees with Hosea that religion should not be about outward rituals. He says: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Mic. 6:8). Doing justly and being merciful require treating others with fairness and impartiality. Walking humbly before God helps us keep in perspective our relations with our fellowman and that Our Maker is the One to Whom we must someday give account of the way we live and serve Him.

Nahum

God is always portrayed as being loving, which is true; many people, however, think that love is His only attribute. He is also jealous, He avenges, He reserves wrath for His enemies, and although He is slow to anger, He "will not at all acquit the wicked" (1:2-3). "His fury is poured out like water" (1:6). Furthermore, God and His Word are unchanging. All that was prophesied of Nineveh came to pass. God's attitude toward sin and judgment remain the same. Though the people of Nineveh repented in Jonah's day, they were now going to be punished for their return to sin and their impenitence. Obedience to God must be continual.

Habakkuk

This book begins with the prophet complaining about the wickedness of God's people. When God assures him they shall be punished by Babylon, he becomes even more perplexed because Babylon is an even worse nation. God assures Habakkuk that He knows their condition and will take care of them, also, but the thing to remember is that "the just shall live by his faith" (2:4), a verse that is quoted three times in the New Testament.

Zephaniah

For a certainty, judgment is coming upon God's people. We know (from the descriptions in 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah, and Lamentations) how severe these were. After the captivity, however, will come a time of joy and singing (unlike after the Day of Judgment). Zephaniah emphasizes the hope that lies ahead.

Haggai

This short book is intended to build a fire under God's people who have grown lax since their return to the land. It consists of four discourses. In the first one, Haggai chides the people for thinking that it was time to dwell in their paneled houses, but it was not time to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed when Jerusalem was conquered. The people paid heed and accomplished the great task; God began to bless them once again.

Zechariah

This book contains significant prophecies concerning Jesus\\\Hthat He would come riding on a donkey (9:9) and: "Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered" (13:7). Yet one of the most intriguing prophecies is in 13:1-2:

"In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. It shall be in that day," says the Lord of hosts, "that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land."

That great fountain of blood was opened up when Jesus died on the cross, and the various changes described occurred by the end of the first century. As with Micah, Zechariah presents several visions (eight) that tell of God's blessings that will be part of their future.

Malachi

The final prophetic book of the Old Testament contains many powerful verses that again reveal the nature of God. He will not accept less than the very best man has to offer Him (1). He hates divorce (2:16). He tells His people that they have robbed Him in tithes and offerings (3:8). These messages are both bold and blunt, yet Malachi also points out that a messenger is coming to the people who will prepare the way before the Lord (3:1; 4:5-6). God has done so much for mankind (daily blessings as well as the implementation of His scheme of redemption). All that He expects in return is the honor that is due Him, which involves taking Him at His Word and living according to His precepts (1:6).

All these books show us the character of God and provide prophecies at which we still marvel. Skeptics have, unfortunately for themselves, closed the door on great riches, from which the rest of us profit.