9.1 Daniel 4-6

Bekah Weidner

9.1.2020

Daniel 4-6

Summarize what you read in one paragraph:

In these chapters, you see Daniel interact with three different Babylonian kings. The first is King Nebuchadnezzar, who has a troubling dream. Daniel interprets the dream, advising him to repent, but he remains prideful and is driven to graze amongst the wild animals. When the King returns to his senses, he praises God. The second king is Belshazzar, who was drinking wine a at a feast with goblets from the temple in Jerusalem. A finger like a human hand writes on the wall and Daniel interprets the writing, predicting the king’s death and division of his kingdom. Finally, there is the story involving king Darius and the decree that those who pray to any god

be thrown into the Lion’s den. Daniel continued to pray to God, who rescued him from the mouth of the lions. The chapters end with Darius praising God before all his subjects and Daniel continuing to prosper.

What is one key verse?

“Finally these men said, ‘We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.’”

Daniel 6:5

How does what you read change your vision of God?

When I look at these stories, I see how God went to great (and very creative) lengths to make a point of humbling the kings who became proud and ceased to acknowledge him. I also see the powerful way that God used Daniel as his messenger and blessed Daniel’s life for aligning himself with God.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

When I think of Daniel, I think of someone who walked in integrity regardless of what the outcome could be. In each of these stories, Daniel was put in a difficult position, whether having to deliver a difficult message to a king or where he could literally be attacked by lions for continuing to pray to his God. He continued to humbly align himself with God, and give God the glory in everything, to the point where even great kings couldn’t help but praise God. Daniel could have easily become prideful when put in a position of power or been tempted to advance through following the ways of the world.

For me, it inspires me to walk with integrity in my workplace. I want my coworkers to be able to say that same statement that the satraps said about Daniel. It also motivates me that when we walk with integrity, it makes God known to the world. King Darius literally decreed for all his subjects to worship God!

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

I am reminded of 1 Peter 2:12 where Peter admonishes the disciples to “live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God.” Jesus also preached in Matthew 5:16 to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” I want to go with God by walking in integrity in my daily life, especially at work, so that others may glorify God because of me.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

At the end of Chapter 6, King Darius glorifies God before all his subjects, saying God’s kingdom will never be destroyed, and that he is a God who saves and rescues. I can’t help but see Jesus in this passage, who ushered in that new kingdom, and saved and rescued us through his death. It was so powerful to see those words uttered by a king who didn’t have the knowledge we have of what was to come!