C hapter T wo I n D aniel 1:1, 2, we find this vital book of the Old Testament open ing with a statement which is both an accurate, historical record and a fulfillment of divine prophecy. The original kingdom of Israel began under the leadership of David. After Solomon it was divided into two separate monarchies. Ten of the tribes formed the Northern King dom, while Judah and Benjamin re mained loyal to Rehoboam, making Jerusalem their capital. There fol lowed a steady decline into apostasy, sin and idolatry. In Deuteronomy 31:17 we see God’s promise of His anger kindled against them should they follow the path of degradation they had chosen. God’s servants the prophets had repeated this warning over and over again. Still the people rebelled. As a result, there were many national d isa s te rs . Judges, Kings, and Chronicles record the sad history of Israel’s many defeats, bringing eventual destruction. The first chapter of Daniel shows the divine revelation relating to the nation’s downfall at the hands of the Babylonians. The captivity of Judah was the judgment of God. Such backsliding incurred the wrath of God. The Babylonian captivity was predicted in detail both in Isaiah (39:5ff) and Jeremiah (25: 8-12; 27:6ff). These verses tell us some of the particulars about the captivity, including its cause. God always settles His accounts with those who refuse to heed His warn ings. Very early in the nation’s history, God had set forth a proposition for His people Israel. It concerned the use of soil for agriculture. Known as the law of the land, the ground was to be tilled and planted for six consecutive years, ■ but not the sev enth, when it was to remain idle. This command was accompanied by
assurance that enough food could be produced in six years to provide for the people during the Sabbatic year. We see all of this carefully defined in Leviticus 25:1-7. In the next chapter there is a solemn warning. God says, “I will scatter you among the heathen.” The leaders, as well as the people of the nation, knew precisely what was expected of them in relation to God’s law of the land. Still, they disregarded what they knew to be true. The human heart is capable of varied and numerous ex cuses when confronted w ith it s wrong-doing. Sin pays its wages. Judah’s transgression against the law of the land continued for some 490 years. In their mercenary and materialistic spirit, they th ough t they had outmaneuvered God. How true the words, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). This should teach us as well that none of us can persist in disobedience to God’s laws and expect to escape the inevitable judgment. This is the first and important les son Daniel gives us. It’s good for us to recognize that the hand of God is in the rise and fall of nations (Dan. 2:21). Some times it’s difficult to understand the strange providential ways of the Lord. Yes, God is sovereign over the destinies of men. This includes even ruthless despots such as Nebuchad nezzar. Such tyrants have certain liberties, but they’re definitely bound by divine limitations. The most pow erful and proudest of rulers will come to naught. God raised up an evil man like Nebuchadnezzar as an instrument of judgment. The Baby lonian captivity clearly illustrates this principle. So, the purpose of the book of Daniel is to show how the Lord by His providence directs the history of nations. Will you let Him control and direct your life, too? 5
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