Destroy Not the Wise Men - Daniel 2:24

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prayed, “blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his. And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding. He reveals the deep and secret things: he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. I thank you, and praise you, O you God of my fathers, who has given me wisdom and might, and have made known unto me now what we desired of you: for you have now made known unto us the king's matter”, and in Daniel chapter two and verse twenty-four of his book Daniel said, “destroy not the wise men … bring me in” where we read,

Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will show unto the king the interpretation.

The verse reads, “Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon:” Daniel began with the words, “therefore Daniel” or “wherefore, then and on this account Daniel whose name means God is my judge” “went in unto Arioch” which means “entered and came forth to Arioch whose name means lion-like”, “whom the king had ordained” or “that the royal ruler and leader, Nebuchadnezzar, reckoned and appointed” “to destroy the wise men” which means “to make perish, vanish and kill the learned and soothsaying male human beings” “of Babylon” or “belonging to Babylon whose name means confusion (by mixing) and was the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates”. Daniel shared how he entered the place where “Arioch” was who was appointed by King Nebuchadnezzar to kill and make vanish the learned men and soothsayers belonging to “Babylon”.

The verse continues, “he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will show unto the king the interpretation.” Daniel added the words, “he went and said thus unto him” which means “he, Daniel, entered and uttered, declared and proclaimed the following words to him, Arioch”; “Destroy not the wise men” or “do not kill and make vanish the learned men and soothsayers” “of Babylon” which means “belonging to Babylon whose name means confusion (by mixing) and was the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates”: “bring me in” or “lead me, Daniel” “before the king” which means “in front and in the presences of the royal ruler and leader”, “and I will show unto the king” or “and I, Daniel, shall disclose and reveal to the royal ruler and leader” “the interpretation” which means “the rendering and meaning”. Daniel said he entered into the place where “Arioch” was located and told him not to kill the men of cognitive content and soothsayers belonging to “Babylon”, and that he should lead him into the presence of King Nebuchadnezzar to tell him the dream and the meaning of it. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he departed to the place where “Arioch”was located and instructed him not to kille the learned men and soothsayers belonging to “Babylon”. Daniel desired to be lead into the presence of King Nebuchadnezzar so he could disclose his dream and the meaning of it to him. God informed Daniel of the “secret things”, and Daniel was to tell them to the king. Nothing is hidden from our omniscient Almighty God, and when He decides to reveal them, He is able. Jesus said, “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (See Matthew 12:36), and Paul the apostle said, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (2 Corinthians 5:10-11) John the apostle wrote, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (See Revelation 20:12) In other words, God knows everything we do and say, and that is why He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and raised Him from the dead so when we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and fulfill the Psalmists words, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (See Psalm 103:12)

Next time Daniel shares how Arioch tells King Nebuchadnezzar, “I have found a man … that will make known … the interpretation”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

I Thank and Praise You O God of My Fathers - Daniel 2:23

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how he “blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his. And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding. He reveals the deep and secret things: he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him”, and in Daniel chapter two and verse twenty-three Daniel said God, “I thank you, and praise you, O you God of my Fathers” where we read,

I thank you, and praise you, O you God of my fathers, who has given me wisdom and might, and have made known unto me now what we desired of you: for you have now made known unto us the king's matter.

The verse reads, “I thank you, and praise you, O you God of my fathers, who has given me wisdom and might, ...” Daniel began with the words, “I thank you” or “I, Daniel, praise and give thanksgiving to you, Jehovah God”, “and praise you”which means “and laud and adulate you, Jehovah God”, “O God of my fathers” or “O Supreme Deity pertaining to my, Daniel's, male progenitors and ancestors”, “who has given me wisdom” which means “has granted, provided, delivered and yielded to me, Daniel, cognitive content and sapience” “and might” or “and power, ability and strength”. Daniel gave praise and adoration to Jehovah God who was the Supreme Deity belonging to his male progenitors, and he knew God provided him with cognitive content and ability. 

The verse goes on to say, “... and have made known unto me now what we desired of you: for you have now made known unto us the king's matter.” Daniel continued with the words, “and have made known unto me now” which means “and communicated, certified and informed to me, Daniel, at this particular time” “what we desired of you” or “that which we, Daniel and the other Hebrew children, sought, desired and made petition of you, Jehovah God”: “for you have made known unto me” which means “because, since and on account that you, Jehovah God, have disclosed and revealed to me, Daniel” “now what we desired of you” or “at this time that which we sought, desired and made petition of you, Jehovah God”: “for you have now made known unto us the king's matter” which means “because, since and on account that you, Jehovah God, have at this time revealed and informed us, Daniel and the Hebrew children, they royal ruler and leader's discourse and subject”. Daniel said Jehovah God revealed to him what he, “Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah” requested of him.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Daniel gave praise, honor and glory to Jehovah God who was the Supreme Deity of his forefathers, and because he bestowed cognitive content and ability to him, God showed him and the other Hebrew children what they desired from Him because He revealed the royal ruler's concern and dream to them. God knew King Nebuchadnezzar's dream and the interpretation of it well before he dreamed it, and at this time He was informing “Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah” about it's content and meaning. This demonstrates an intimate relationship with Daniel that Jehovah God desires to have with every person through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him who was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to reveal to us that which He desires according to His Divine purposes and plans. 

Next time Daniel says, “destroy not the wise men … bring me in”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

God Reveals the Deep and Secret Things - Daniel 2:22

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how he “blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his. And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding”, and in Daniel chapter two and verse twenty-two Daniel said God, “reveals the secret things” where we read,

He reveals the deep and secret things:

he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.

The verse reads, “He reveals the deep and secret things:” Daniel began with the words, “he reveals” or “he, the Supreme Deity Jehovah, uncovers and exposes” “the deep” which means “the profound and unsearchable” “and secret things” or “and hidden and concealed matters”. Daniel shared how Jehovah God uncovers matters which are profoundly hidden and concealed. 

The verse continues, “he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” Daniel added the words, “he knows” which means “he, the Supreme Deity Jehovah, is informed, perceives and has knowledge of” “what is in the darkness” or “that which exists within the shadows or darkened scene”, “and the light” which means “and illumination and wisdoms” “dwells with him” or “lives, abides and inhabits him, Jehovah God”. Daniel said Jehovah God is aware of what exists within the shadows and darkened scenes, and illumination and wisdom abides within Him.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Jehovah God is aware of everything that exists within the unsearchable and hidden matters, and He is also informed about all that exists within the shadows because illumination lives within Him. God is omniscient, and whether there exists that which is “dark or hidden”, He is aware of it all. God knows everything about us, and even what we do in the dark, He sees. God knows we need a “Savior” because we have sinned against Him, and this is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and resurrected Him from the dead after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to keep us from that which is done in the dark and secret places of the world. 

Next time Daniel says, “I thank you, and praise you, O you God of my Fathers”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

God Removes and Sets Up Kings - Daniel 2:21

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams that he summoned magicians, astrologers and Chaldeans to interpret. However, they were unable to reveal his dream, but “Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his”, and in Daniel chapter two and verse twenty-one of his book, Daniel said God, “changes the times and the seasons: He removes kings, and sets up kings” where we read,

And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings:

he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

The verse reads, “And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings:” Daniel began with the words, “and he changes” or “and he, the Supreme Deity Jehovah, transforms and alters” “the times and the seasons”which means “the years and set, appointed times”:  “he removes kings” or “he, the Supreme Deity Jehovah, passes on and deposes royal rulers and leaders”, “and sets up kings” which means “and raises, establishes and appoints royal rulers and leaders”. Daniel shared how Jehovah God alters the years and appointed times, and He deposes and appoints royal rulers and leaders. 

The verse goes on to say, “he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:” Daniel continued with the words, “he gives wisdom” which means “he, Jehovah God, grants, bestows and assigns practical knowledge and cognitive content” “unto the wise” or “to people who have cognitive content and practical understanding”, “and knowledge” which means “and reason and intelligence” “to them that know understanding” or “to the people who perceive, are informed and learned”. Daniel said Jehovah God grants cognitive content to people who have practical understanding, and He bestows reason and intelligence upon people who are informed and learned.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel that God Almighty is responsible for the establishing and pulling down of leaders, and He also grants and bestows “wisdom” upon upon people who are prone to practical understanding. He assigns perception to people who are informed and learned. In other words, all these abilities come from God. Although people often take credit and glory for their positions and perception, without God no one possesses or knows anything. God wants us to recognize Him for who He is, God Almighty, and that He desires a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the grave after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and establish and depose us from positions of authority as He desires while granting His “wisdom and understanding” to us according to His Divine purpose and will. 

Next time Daniel shares how God, “reveals the secret things”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Blessed Be the Name of God - Daniel 2:20

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams that he summoned magicians, astrologers and Chaldeans to interpret. However, they were unable to reveal his dream, and “Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven”, and in Daniel chapter two and verse twenty Daniel said, “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever” where we read,

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: 

for wisdom and might are his:

The verse reads, “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:” Daniel began with the words, “Daniel answered and said” or “Daniel whose name means God is my judge replied, responded, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “Blessed be the name of God” which means “praised exists the name and everything the name represents belonging to the Supreme Deity” “for ever and ever” or “from perpetuity to perpetuity”. Daniel responded by declaring that the “name” of Jehovah God the Supreme Deity is to be praised from remote time to remote time or everlasting. 

The verse continues, “for wisdom and might are his:” Daniel added the words, “for wisdom” which means “because, since and on account that cognitive content and foreknowledge” “and might” or “and power, strength and ability” “are his” which means “exists as his, Jehovah God the Supreme Deity's”. Daniel continued to praise Jehovah God by proclaiming that God's name was to be “blessed” because He possesses foreknowledge and power. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel about his spontaneous praise that was declared toward Jehovah God because he knew God possessed foreknowledge and power. God is omniscient, and He is omnipotent. He is omnipresent and nothing is hidden from Him. He knows we are in need of a “Savior” because we have sin in our lives that leads to death. (See Romans 3:23; 6;23) This is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will teach us about Him and His wonderful “wisdom and might” so we may give Him praise and honor for all eternity. 

Next time Daniel shares how God, “changes the times and the seasons: He removes kings, and sets up kings”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

The Secret Revealed - Daniel 2:19

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams that he summoned magicians, astrologers and Chaldeans to interpret. However, they were unable to reveal his dream, and “the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon. He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon”, and in Daniel chapter two and verse nineteen of his book Daniel said, “then was the secret revealed” where we read,

Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

The verse reads, “Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision.” Daniel began with the words, “then was the secret reveal” or “at that time was the hidden mystery made known” “unto Daniel” which means “to Daniel whose name means God is my judge” “in a night vision” or “within a nighttime sight or appearance”. Daniel shared how the hidden mystery or “dream” was made known to him during a nighttime appearance. 

The verse goes on to say, “Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.” Daniel continued with the words, “then Daniel” which means “at that time Daniel whose name means God is my judge” “blessed the God” or “praised and gave glory to the Supreme Deity” “of heaven” which means “in the visible sky, atmosphere and sidereal heaven where God dwells and other spiritual beings”. Daniel shared how he praised the Supreme Deity of the sidereal “heaven” after having the“dream” made known to him. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God informed Daniel about King Nebuchadnezzar's “dream”, and He gave Him the interpretation of it as well. This caused Daniel to break out in praise toward Jehovah God who is the Supreme Deity. God gave this special ability to Daniel, and he used it in God's Kingdom. God wants all of us to be involved in His Kingdom work, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins and raised Him from the dead after three days so all who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” may be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given the gifts of His Holy Spirit to function in the world according to His perfect will and plan for our lives. 

Next time Daniel says, “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".