Saturday, November 12-guest post by Pamela

Today's reading from the Chronological OT/NT Reading Plan is Daniel 5-7; Titus 3

I've been working on writing report cards on the computer for the last few days and my thoughts are starting to jumble together and hopefully this post isn't too random...

Today's passage begins with God's reaction to Belshazzar's blatant mockery of God's temple items by drinking wine from gold and silver goblets and praising idols. Can you imagine what it must have been like to see a human hand appear and write a message. It's like a scene right out of a horror movie. When the message of the writing is revealed, Belshazzar learns that his reign is about to end. I found it interesting that this news did not seem to anger the King and instead he chooses to celebrate Daniel-despite Daniel's initial refusal-and I wonder if he did humble himself after learning his fate before he was killed later that night?

The story of Daniel and the lion's den is another well-known bible story and my elementary school actually preformed this story for a Spring concert and I got to play the role of Darius. I thought about it then, and again now, if Darius was the King, why could he not change the law to prevent Daniel from his fate. I realize that God used the situation to demonstrate His power over everything but I've always wondered why the law could not be changed even by someone who made the law. It actually makes me think of Pilate's role in Jesus' death sentence. Wasn't he the ruler and leader? Couldn't he have stopped the inevitable? I think it bears repeating that we need to be surrounded by positive influences and to not be swayed by the people around us. I think this is especially true for leaders. This passage indicates that it is even more true for the families of the men who tricked Darius into creating a law that would trap Daniel; they were punished by death too.

Another thing I've always wondered...who keeps a den full of lions? Seriously! What purpose would it serve? Was it the capital punishment technique of the time?

The last part of today's reading in Daniel is about Daniel's dream and the interpretation of it. God often spoke in dreams and only allowed certain individuals the ability to interpret dreams and Daniel was again privy to this experience. In this case, Daniel kept the information to himself (verse 28). Does God still speak the same way through dreams today?

Titus 3:8 speaks about being obedient to our leaders, even when they make bad decisions (like Belshazzar did). We are to be obedient and respectful and lead by example.

I am chewing on these verses:

⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. ¹¹ You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

So often peace is interrupted over the silliest of things. We waste time, argue, and pick sides when things don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. When it says "have nothing to do with him" does that mean that people who constantly cause you trouble and disturb your peace over silly things should be cut from your life? Is it just over quarrels about the law or is it other things too? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this as I am currently dealing with separating myself from people who insist on focusing on "foolish controversies". What is my role?

Tomorrow's passage: Daniel 8-10 - Philemon