Category: OLD TESTAMENT

DREAMS

 King Nebuchadnezzar and his counselors 2:1-13.

2:1 King has a bad dream.
2:2-3 Calls his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans to interpret.
Compare Ezekiel 7:11 Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of any of their’s: neither shall there be wailing for them.
Compare Isaiah 47:12-13 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.
2:4 O yea, we can help.
2:5-6 king promises punishments or gifts and rewards and great honour.
2:7 Tell us the dream… we will interpret it.
2:8 The stall
2:9 What am I paying you for? Interpret the Dream.
Compare Esther 4:11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
2:10-11 What you want is a miracle … which we can’t do.
There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter
2:12-13 DEATH TO ALL … the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
Compare Psalm 76:10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
Daniel Gets Involved
2:14-15 Daniel hears of the threat.
2:16 He asks for some time.
2:17-18 The Prayer meetin
2:19 God speaks to Daniel the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision

Continue Daniel 2 Part 2

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2:20-23 Daniel Praises God
Compare Jeremiah 27:5 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.
Compare Jeremiah 32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
Compare Esther 1:13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
Compare Psalm 75:6-7 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
Compare Job 12:22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.,
Compare Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
Compare Psalm 21:2 Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
Compare Psalm 21:4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
2:24 Daniel seeks an audience with the King
2:25-26 Daniel Before the King
Compare Genesis 41:14 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
2:27 Your men couldn’t do it
2:28 BUT GOD CAN
2:29-30 Ok king here’s the deal…
2:31-35 The Dream the King Had
The Dream
The great image … A Man
Materials it was made from (top to Bottom) … Gold, Silver, Brass, Iron, Iron mixed with Clay
What did the stone do? Smote the Image
What did the Stone Become? A Mountain
Nebuchadnezzar was Called: A king of kings
His kingdom was symbolized by the head of Gold.
Names the medals represented:
Gold … Babylon, Silver…Persa/Medes, Brass…Greek, Iron…Rome, Iron/Clay…revised Rome.
Stone that became Mountain…Christ’s Kingdom
Stone cut without hands…It comes from God!
Compare Isaiah 2:2-3 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
2:36-45 The interpretation
Compare Isaiah 47:5 Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.
2:46-49 Daniel gets the Promotion
The Lesson …. Always put God FIRST in our Life.

Continue Daniel 3 Fiery Furnace

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Take a Stand         
1:1-3 Daniel, who was of Royal Jewish Blood was taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar, and taken back to the land of Babylon in about 606 BC.
There they tried to Brainwash him (and some other captives.
They tried to “teach the learnings and the tongue of the Chaldeans” to these young captives, even changing their Names: From Jewish to Babylonian
Daniel – God is my Judge – Belteshazzar – Prince of Bel
Hananiah – Beloved of the Lord – Shadrach -Illuminated by (Rach) Sun God
Mishael — Who is God – Meshach – Who is like Venus
Azariah – The Lord is my help – Abed-Nego – Servant of Fire God (Nego)
Compare Isaiah 39:7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
When everything appeared hopeless –
(AS Believers, we need to take a stand for God!)

1:8 Daniel took a stand. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank:
1:9 God blessed Daniel. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
1:10-12 Daniel puts forth a test.
1:13-14 The test lasts 10 days.
1:15-16 The test results are in.
The final results for Daniels Stand …
1:17-21 God blessed, the prince of the eunuchs was relieved, King Nebuchadnezzar was happy.
God always rewards faith.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Continue Daniel 2 Daniel’s Dream

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The prophet Daniel wrote it around 530 B.C. and his writings records the events of the Babylonian captivity in 560-536 B.C. to which Daniel was a servant. It also describes the apocalyptic visions given by God, and reveals the events and plans for everyone’s future. Key personalities of this book include Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Belshazzar, and Darius. The book of Daniel stands as a unique mix in the Old Testament, for while it begins with history, it makes a strong transition at chapter 7, where it contains visions of future events significant to the Jews.
Each Chapter is looked into:
Daniel 1 Take a Stand
Daniel 2 Dreams
Daniel 3 Fiery Furnace
Daniel 4 Dream of a TREE
Daniel 5 Belshazzar’s Banquet
Daniel 6 Lion’s den
Daniel 7 Four Beasts
Daniel 8 The Ram and the Goat
Daniel 9 70 weeks
Daniel 10 In the Latter Days
Daniel 11 The Kings of the North and South
Daniel 12 End Times

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Dream of a Tree … The Year was 577 BC
4:1-3 Nebuchadnezzar the king, was a great king of Babylon. He was the Greatest King in all the world.
4:4-5 He has a dream that distributes him.
4:6-7 He calls for help, but they fail him.
4:8-9 Daniel (Belteshazzar) brought in.
4:10-12 The Dream – The good part
4:13-17 The Dream — The troubling part
Compare Ezekiel 31:10-14 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness.And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.Upon his ruin shall all the fowls of the heaven remain, and all the beasts of the field shall be upon his branches:To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.
Compare Job 14:7-9 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
4:18 Daniel (Belteshazzar) please interpret, and Daniel is astonied for one hour.
4:19-23 Daniel considers the Dream
Compare Jeremiah 27:6-8 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the Lord, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.
4:24-28 The interpretation.
Compare Job 40:11-1212 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
Compare Zechariah 1:6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
4:29 Twelve months pass. (1 Year)
4:30-33 The dream fulfilled. (7 Years)
… they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, …
4:34-36 Nebuchadnezzar is restored.
Compare Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.
4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
As the Lord Jesus said But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Nebuchadnezzar forgot who God is. The dream was to warm him to amend his ways. When he didn’t, the dream became a reality. At the end he acknowledged who God is.

We should not forget who God is and how He blesses us.

Continue Daniel 5 Belshazzar’s Banquet

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Even a cursory reading of the Bible is all that is needed to show us, we are in a battle, a war, and it is to the finish. We (who have trusted in Christ) will be the victors. (1 Corinthians 15:57) We are conquerors (Romans 8:37) But we need to realize even though the outcome is sure, the battle is still raging on (Ephesians 6:12)

…..Our commission is sure (Acts 1:8)
…..Our acts are set (1 Timothy 1:18,6:12)
…..Our position is secure (2 Timothy 2:3)
…..Our weapons are listed (Ephesians 6:13-18)

When we rely upon God, He will deliver ….

Let’s look at a Biblical Soldier in 1 Samuel 17:1-3
The battle scene is described. The PHILISTINES were 1st mentioned in
Genesis 21:32, 26:18. They occupied 5 major cities to the south of Israel. At times they were friendly, bu they were used by God to chastise the Jews when the disobeyed Him, especially during the times of the Judges and into the times of the Kings.

Read 1 Samuel 17:4-7 Just how big was Golliath? A cubit is generally accepted at 18” and a span at 9”. Picture of giant of a man.
So 18 x 6 = 108 +9 =117 / 12 = 9’ 9” or If a cubit is 20” he would be 10’ 9”.
Needless to say he was a BIG man.

Read 1 Samuel 17:8-10 Goliath was not only big but his pride was in his size.

Read 1 Samuel 17:11  Israel was in a state of apostasy, they didn’t lean upon God but upon self which resulted in their being “dismayed and terrified”. We are in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12) and we need God in our lives. Jesus taught us who to fear. (Matthew 10:28)

Read 1 Samuel 17:12-25 Without God, man will try anything, but even a high prize failed to produce a HERO.

Read 1 Samuel 17:26-32  David could step up to the Challenge because his faith and trust was in God. Psalm 118:6-8 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

Read 1 Samuel 17:33-51 For actual Battle Details.

DAVID WAS THE VICTOR because GOD GAVE HIM THE VICTORY

As believers we MUST stand for God. When we do He gives the victory!
2 Chronicles 16:9, Psalm 34:7, 91:4, 125:2

When we rely upon God, He will deliver!

⇛ continue reading David & Goliath Part 2
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More thoughts about Cain.
Think about Adam and Eve. Expelled from the Garden, no more walks in the Garden with God, work by the sweat of the brow, knowing they would die.
Then, Eve delivers a SON, she cries “ I have gotten a man from the LORD”.
How happy they both must be. Then another son (and some daughters).
They taught their children how the sacrifice to the Lord.
The sons grow and go out, one becoming a shepherd and the other a farmer.
Then comes the time for them to bring an offering to the Lord.
Genesis 4:3-4 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Remember Adam and Eve shown them how this was done.
Abel brings his offering, the shed blood, to atone for sin.
Cain brings his, THE WORK OF HIS HANDS!
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Cain gets angry. Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
The LORD offers Cain another chance. Genesis 4:6-7 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Many Christians today are guilty of ‘The way of Cain’, not trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, BUT by their own works.
NOT the way of Cain, BUT the way of the Cross.

Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Titus 3:5-7 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
The Lord said: Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
NOT the way of Cain, BUT the way of the Cross.

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