In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, and Daniel said, “This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king. That they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; your kingdom shall be sure unto you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule”, and in chapter four and verse twenty-seven of his book Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar, “let my counsel be acceptable unto you” where we read,
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto you,
and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of your tranquillity.
The verse reads, “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto you, …” Daniel began with the words, “wherefore, O king” or “therefore, then and on account of this, O royal ruler and leader”, “let my counsel” which means “allow and permit my, Daniel’s, sense of consultation and advice” “be acceptable unto you” or “exist as seemly, good and pleasing to you, King Nebuchadnezzar”. Daniel shared how he called upon King Nebuchadnezzar to allow his advice to be good and pleasing to him.
The verse continues, “… and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of your tranquillity.” Daniel added the words, “and break off your sins” which means “and discontinue your, King Nebuchadnezzar’s, errors, wrongs and mistakes” “by righteousness” or “through the means of doing right and giving alms”, “and your iniquities” which means “and your, King Nebuchadnezzar’s, perversities” “by showing mercy to the poor” or “through the means of exploring, entreating and making supplication toward people who are impoverished, humble and lowly”; “if it may be a lengthening of your tranquillity” which means “whether and in case King Nebuchadnezzar’s obedience might exist as a prolongation pertaining to your, King Nebuchadnezzar’s, ease, prosperity and calm”. Daniel shared how he instructed King Nebuchadnezzar to discontinue his wicked ways and to rather demonstrate and provide compassion and pity to people who are impoverished and his prosperity and calm would be extended.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel that King Nebuchadnezzar was not only to change in his thinking, but also in his actions. God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a way to be redeemed, and if he complied, his life would align with the ways of God. God wants everyone to humble themselves, turn from their sins and receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of everyone and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth so we are aligned with His ways as well.
Next time Daniel says, “all this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar”, 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".
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