THOUGHT OF TODAYS CHAPTER (Daniel 04). [18 August, 2014] Thoughts From South Korea The divine message added a time-element: until seven times pass by for him. The Babylonians used a six counting system alternated with a 10 counting one, but where did the seven come from? It is one of the most difficult answers for modern scholars as to why Mesopotamia became so fascinated by the number seven. It is not out of place for God to use seven for allocating a period of time. The Creation week was in seven days and the Sabbath is on the seventh day. The “seven times mentioned was not strange to Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel. The Hemerologies were texts used by the fortunetellers in Babylons palace to tell the king the message from the gods as to what he should do every day (hemera). For the fortune-tellers the expression one time meant one year of 360 days. Nebuchadnezzar also knew that when the word time was used it meant one full year. So Daniel did not have to explain the term to Nebuchadnezzar. The problem was not that Nebuchadnezzar did not know how long the period was, the problem is that scholars and interpreters through the ages did not know what to make of seven times. Some have thought that it meant “seasons.” The Calvinist commentary editor said that according to Calvins opinion it meant an indefinite number. So why should the word “seven times” mean seven years. Nebuchadnezzar knew the Spirit of the holy gods was in Daniel (v. 18). His problem was that he wanted to embrace all gods. From verse 19 Daniel explained, in the most diplomatic and careful manner he could, the application of the dream which God had given (v. 24). Then at the end Daniel added some advice (v. 27) suggesting that Nebuchadnezzar repent of his sins. Otherwise this disaster will surely take place to help him acknowledge where his breath and life are coming from (v. 25). When Daniel walked out of the court, exactly one time or twelve months passed and nothing happened (v. 29). Nebuchadnezzar forgot the Word of God and shifted from belief to carelessness and self-exaltation just like Lucifer during the Rebellion in Heaven (v. 30). One day while Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the palace roof, this time it was not a messenger from heaven but God Himself who spoke to Nebuchadnezzar telling him that his authority had been taken away (v. 31). The change came immediately and Nebuchadnezzar left the palace to live with animals in nature (v. 33). As we can see, self-exaltation is really self-destructive. After seven years, Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes toward heaven (v. 34) and praised God; honored Him, glorified Him, and recognized Him for who He is. Immediately, his sanity returned, he was given back his throne, and He was even greater than before (v. 36). No doubt, that those who walk in pride, God is able to humble (v. 37). Dear God, Also we have the problem of self entering our good works and tainting them with the mind games of our greatness. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus to rescue us from ourselves. Amen. Koot van Wyk, DLitt et Phil, Th.D. Kyungpook National University Sangju, South Korea.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 17:13:39 +0000
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