"Passionate, Penitent Prayer"

Scripture Passage

Daniel 6:1-28; Daniel 9:1-27; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-11; 1 Chronicles 3:17-19

Scripture Focus

“O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act!” (Daniel 9:19 NLT)

Observation

Well, I don’t know how to get my mind around everything we’re reading together. Today’s reading contains three particularly significant Biblical passages—the familiar story of Daniel in the lion’s den, the remarkable prophecy regarding “seventy sets of seven” (9:24), and the prophecy-fulfilling decree by Cyrus that the Jews could return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple!

Given all that, my attention is drawn to Daniel as a person of passionate, penitent prayer. Daniel’s commitment to prayer is evident in the story of the lion’s den, and affirmed and expanded in chapter 9, where Daniel “learned from reading the word of the LORD, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years” (9:2). It’s significant that “even before any formal endorsement had been accorded them, he included Jeremiah’s writings as inspired Scripture” (Zondervan’s NIV Bible Commentary).

Jeremiah had prophesied that Jerusalem would lie desolate for seventy years. Most likely, Daniel dated the beginning of that time from the date of his own deportation to Babylon and would have read this prophetic word three or four years short of the passing of the full seventy years. This was not too far in advance for Daniel to start praying! Daniel’s prayers prompt all sorts of observations. For example…

• Daniel’s prayers grew from “reading the word of the Lord.”
• Daniel asked God to do what He had already promised to do.
• Daniel repented for sins that weren’t his personally, but those of his people.
• Daniel acknowledged the “rightness” of the judgments of God.
• Daniel grounded his requests completely in the mercies of God.

So…what do you see about Daniel’s prayers, and how might Daniel’s praying change the way you do your praying?

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"For Sale: Harp, Wings, and Cloud—Like New"

Scripture Passage

Daniel 7:1-8:27; Daniel 5:1-31

Scripture Focus

Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him.” (Daniel 7:27 NLT)

Observation

I’m one guy who’s cautious about overly specific interpretation of prophetic passages. If our loving Father had wanted us to know that the fifth toe on the fourth beast in the seventh seal of the fourteenth vision was the sixty-third governor of the State of Connecticut (hmmm—never noticed the second “c” in Connecticut until now), He most certainly could have simply dictated that information to his servant verbatim and eliminated any confusion. God chose, instead, to reveal future events in visionary, descriptive language that I think is intentionally indistinct. Impressionist painters were not the first to see beauty and value in calculatingly blurred images.

But the bottom line is always there to be found—“anchor points,” I’ve called them in previous posts—navigational buoys that mark the way in murky waters. One of today’s is Daniel 7:27. Daniel experiences a vision that is explained as “four kingdoms that will arise from the earth” (7:17). The fourth will be particularly terrifying and marked by particularly arrogant leadership—leadership that “will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High” (7:25). But this oppressive kingdom and its arrogant leader will be called to account (read verses 9-10 for a beautiful, powerful, and poetic description), God's court will pronounce judgment, and then…

…the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him.” (Daniel 7:27 NLT).

This is a particularly remarkable verse! The kingdom of the Most High “will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him”. Believers “get” that…we preach well the eternal authority of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But believers ought to read again carefully the first half of the verse, as well:

Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. (Daniel 7:27a NLT)

I don’t know the full implications of all that statement declares, but I am reminded again that our eternity—the eternity of those who’ve trusted Christ and brought their lives under His authority in this age—will not consist of angels wings and harps and floating on fluffy clouds. This verse says quite directly that my responsibilities and opportunities to serve my Lord will continue and, indeed, increase in the age to come. Jesus’ words to faithful servants in Matthew 25 come to mind: “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” That, my friend, is a strong outlook for a remarkable, delightful, full-of-promise future!

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Scripture Passage

Ezekiel 47-48:35; Ezekiel 29:17-30:19; 2 Kings 25:27-30; Jeremiah 52:31-34

Scripture Focus

Life will flourish wherever this water flows. (Ezekiel 47:9 NLT)

Observation

Today we get to the third prominent theme of Ezekiel 40-48. Two days ago we focused on the return of the glory of the Lord to the temple, and yesterday on the priests who would teach the people of God to distinguish between the holy and the common. Today Ezekiel relays the image of a river that flows from this visionary temple.

And a great image it is. The man leading Ezekiel on this “temple tour” checks the depth of the river every 1750 feet as it flows east away from the temple. The river is first ankle deep, then knee deep, waist deep, and finally “deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through” (Ezekiel 47:5 NLT). What a remarkable picture of an expanding flow of the Holy Spirit, streaming from a temple renewed in the presence of God and a people renewed in an understanding of His holiness.

The result is astonishing. The salty waters of the Dead Sea are made fresh and pure. Swarms of living things find a life source in this holy water. Fishing flourishes. Fruit trees along the banks abound—every month a fresh crop. “The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing” (Ezekiel 47:12 NLT).

What a contrast to current conditions! The salt content in the Dead Sea is presently so concentrated that the water cannot even sustain aquatic life. But everything changes when the river from the temple traverses the land!

I don’t understand everything I wish I did about these closing chapters of Ezekiel, but I think I get the big picture loud and clear. When the presence of the living God fills the temple of God and the people of God embrace a deeper understanding of the holiness of God, and the river of God flows out of the temple and throughout the land, *everything* is renewed!

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"What is Holy...What is Common"

Scripture Passage

Ezekiel 44:1-46:24

Scripture Focus

“They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.” (Ezekiel 44:23 NLT)

Observation

Ezekiel 40-48 is perhaps best understood as a visionary portrait of the future that’s really somewhat apocalyptic in nature, not unlike the Book of Revelation. While Ezekiel describes the temple grounds and temple worship very specifically, interpreting and applying what he is describing still remains debatable—enough like Revelation that many differing interpretations have been offered. On the whole, these chapters speak of the future culmination of God’s promises but for all its specificity, the passage is more ambiguous than clear and more descriptive than definitive. (If that’s not true for you—if what Ezekiel describes and how it fits into God’s eternal plans overall is as plain as the nose on your face—by all means, my friend, start writing your bestseller, ‘cause stacks of scholars and Bible students would love to know!)

There are, however, a few points that seem remarkably clear to me. They serve as handles, of sorts—anchor points to latch onto—as I read. Yesterday’s anchor was the return of the glory of the God of Israel to the temple. Today’s has to do with one thing, at least, God will someday accomplish through the priesthood Ezekiel describes:

“They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.” (Ezekiel 44:23 NLT)

I think that’s a more difficult task than we generally understand it to be. We often frame holiness in terms that are very specific but ultimately legalistic, i.e., holiness tends to be living by the rules we obey that others don’t. (Ever heard an overweight preacher speak about “the lust of the eyes” in only sexual terms? I say, “Put down your fork, buddy, back away from the cinnamon rolls, and then talk to me about holy living.”) Lists of rules to obey end up being an inadequate understanding of “what is holy.”

And yet it’s clear from this passage that some things are holy and some things are not—they’re described here as “common.” At the least, that means my life can’t be one where anything and everything goes—that my life is an opportunity to reflect the holiness of God…and that I need all the understanding along those lines that I can possibly garner.

So my prayer is that I’d get a sneak preview today of what Ezekiel describes as future…some advance understanding regarding how my life can reflect God…not only His love, His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness, but—yes—even His holiness.

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"Suddenly!"

Scripture Passage

Ezekiel 40:38-43:27

Scripture Focus

Suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel appeared from the east. The sound of his coming was like the roar of rushing waters, and the whole landscape shone with his glory. (Ezekiel 43:2 NLT)

Observation

I studied Ezekiel long ago as part of a class led by an instructor who was far, far more of a scholar than I’ll ever be. Even then, however, he seemed an ancient man to me, soft-spoken and reserved. He would sometimes fall asleep in mid-sentence, only to awaken moments later and complete his thought. This was both remarkable and frustrating! The class met early in the day and his lectures—though filled with significant information—often became exercises in endurance.

Occasionally, however, something about the text of Ezekiel would capture the professor's affections and he would ignite our souls with his words regarding Ezekiel. For a few moments, we’d be captured by the wonder of this unique and colorful prophet and his powerful message.

It never occurred to me until today how much the book of Ezekiel and my professor had in common. Ezekiel seems, sometimes, to drone on and on with information I’m sure is vital—but certainly not invigorating! I confess—though I’m sure they’re significant measurements—I really don’t want to know every dimension of the temple mount Ezekiel has seen in his vision. I’m not beyond nodding off in mid-sentence myself!

But then—suddenly—the glory of the God of Israel appears in a vision just like the others Ezekiel has seen! The glorious God of Israel re-enters this re-visioned temple, and declares…

“This is the place of my throne and the place where I will rest my feet. I will live here forever among the people of Israel. They and their kings will not defile my holy name any longer by their adulterous worship of other gods or by honoring the relics of their kings who have died” (Ezekiel 43:7 NLT)

What a vision—what a promise—of restoration! The glory of God that departed the temple in Ezekiel chapter 10 has returned, reclaiming His throne and reclaiming His people! Wow! (I mean—can you write that strongly enough? “Wow!”)

And there’s more to come. I think the best part shows up in chapter 47. But we’re not there yet, right? So here’s a prayer for today based on Isaiah 55, and another, quoting Habakkuk:

“Oh that the glory of God—the Holy One of Israel—would endow

His people with His splendor once again!”

LORD, I have heard of your fame;
     I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD.
Renew them in our day,
     in our time make them known;
     in wrath remember mercy.
                      (Habakkuk 3:2 NIV)

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"Large and in Charge!"

Scripture Passage

1 Chronicles 8:29-9:1; Daniel 4:1-37; Ezekiel 40:1-37

(Oops, sorry--wrong guy.)

Scripture Focus

…the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. (Daniel 4:32 NLT)

Observation

There’s so much I like (or at least am challenged by) from today’s Daniel passage. I like Daniel’s appeal to King Nebuchadnezzar…

“King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper” (Daniel 4:27 NLT).

“Perhaps then,” Daniel says. In other words, “There’s no guarantee you won’t have to bear the fruit of your arrogance, but there is the possibility. And that's a possibility I'd encourage you to act on!”

I think it’s interesting that it was “twelve months later” (4:28) when Nebuchadnezzar suffered the punishment his deeds had earned him. Given Daniel’s warning and appeal, I’m reminded of Jesus’ parable of the fruitless fig tree in Luke 13—“Leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down” (Luke 13:8-9 NIV).

But mostly I like Daniel 4:32…

“…the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses” (Daniel 4:32 NLT).

We live in a distinctly secular society, having removed any genuine awareness of an all-powerful deity from our consciousness (just as Nebuchadnezzar had done). But eliminating our awareness of God does nothing to remove Him from the equation. As Nebuchadnezzar learned…

His rule is everlasting,
     and his kingdom is eternal.
All the people of the earth
     are nothing compared to him.
He does as he pleases
     among the angels of heaven
     and among the people of the earth.
No one can stop him or say to him,
     ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’
                               (Daniel 4:34-35 NLT)

I think Nebuchadnezzar’s experience reminds me that I *will* learn that lesson—one way or the other! Which leads me full circle, back to Daniel’s counsel for the Babylonian king…

“King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper” (Daniel 4:27 NLT).

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"Me a Priest?"

Scripture Passage

1 Chronicles 5:18-26; 1 Chronicles 6:3; 1 Chronicles 6:49; 1 Chronicles 6:4-15; 1 Chronicles 7-8:28

Scripture Focus

Only Aaron and his descendants served as priests. (1 Chronicles 6:49 NLT)

Observation

I confess I don’t know where to latch on today. I don’t like genealogies—there’s little there that “feeds the soul” for me.   (I say that fully respecting these Scriptures as Holy Writ, and fully aware that someone more skilled and scholarly than I could likely make them come alive with wonder.) Still, I feel obliged to recognize these genealogies as the bulk of today’s reading and point out how necessary these were to a people exiled to a foreign land.

Israel was (and is) a people uniquely belonging to God. It was terribly significant that their linage be recorded and preserved. And God cared enough about each genealogical line and about His people as a whole to see that their family names and lineage were recorded and preserved as Scripture even when the nation ceased to exist as it’s own entity. Powerful is the love of God! I like it, as well, that they’re known by name, not just by number. All of this speaks to the watch-care and covering of our great God.

But my attention is primarily drawn to a distinction between Israel’s covenant with God and mine. 1 Chronicles 6:49 makes it clear—under Israel’s covenant—“Only Aaron and his descendants served as priests.” But about Jesus and those He’s redeemed, Revelation 5:9-10 makes this clear:

"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:9-10 NIV)

Under this new covenant Jesus instituted by His death and resurrection, I have a standing and calling that, previously, only one tribe within Israel ever knew—I’ve been made a priest. Indeed, collectively, we—the people of God—are being made priests. Not ordained to hold some man-made office within the institutional church, but ordained to be a people who offer ourselves before God and intercede for others.

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV)

So, my fellow priest, what priestly opportunity will you be taking on today?

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