Daniel 1

The book of Daniel begins with the historical account of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, besieging Jerusalem during the 3rd year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. After vanquishing Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar plundered the Temple of Jerusalem, and took the vessels to Shinar.

However, the Babylonian also authorised Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to select healthy, well favoured, and clever Israeli children, with the aim of teaching them the science and language of the Chaldeans. Daniel (Belteshazzar), Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednego) were four such special Israeli children taken to Babylon. Since they were to be fed with the king’s own food and wine, Daniel requested his guardians to provide them with pulses and water. Obviously, his guardians were reluctant since they did not want the children to look emaciated, but at the end of ten days, they looked much fairer and fatter after their undefiled diet of pulses and water.

God blessed these four children with knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and they were ten times more competent than all the magicians and astrologers. Daniel also had the special gift of understanding visions and dreams.

Thoughts on Genesis 43-50

43- 44
It was quite heartless of the brothers to leave Simeon in the prison, whilst they enjoyed the food which they brought from Egypt!

45
Joseph’s faith in God is paramount: he firmly believes that all his troubles had a purpose, i.e, God sent him to Egypt so that he can preserve the life of the 12 tribes. So, God’s purpose might have walks in the deserts, incarceration, starvation, calumny, but then, the one who stays firm in the Lord gets a great reward, as in the case of Joseph, who practically became the ruler of Egypt. It also struck me that Canaan, the land flowing with milk and honey, was not spared from the famine. So, even famine can strike paradise.

47
Joseph’s management of the famine clearly indicates that he has a MBA summa cum laude from the best Management school in the world! Jokes apart, evidently God gave him the wisdom to deal with this crisis effectively- often, such situations only incites the general public to rebel against authority. However, Joseph’s preparations before the famine, and his steps during the famine, ensured that the Pharaoh effectively controlled all Egypt.

50
As Joseph explains, his brothers’ callous behaviour (in selling him as a slave) was converted by God into something good- an action by which Israel survived the famine. However, it seems odd that Joseph was able to bury Jacob in the family grave, but couldn’t do so in his own case but entrusts his descendants with the task of taking his body back.

Acts 21 and 22

These chapters (written by Luke) presents Paul’s travels in Coos, Rhodes, Patara, Tyre, and Caesarea, as well as his time in Jerusalem. At Tyre (v 4), the Holy Spirit, via the disciples, warns him not to go to Jerusalem. Although this warning is repeated by the prophet Agabus of Caesarea, Paul goes to Jerusalem, perhaps disobeying the Holy Spirit (God’s plan may have been something much greater), where, although he follows the advice of the followers (v. 20-25) and undergoes the purification ritual, he is still captured by the Jews.

In Acts 22, Paul speaks to the Jews about his background: As a Jew of Tarsus, the zealous child, Saul, was educated by Gamaliel. Consequently, he captured (subsequently killed) all those who departed from the religion. It was on to the road to Damascus, when sent to convey such prisoners to Jerusalem, that he was confronted by a great light at noon time, and heard a voice of asking him why he was persecuting Him (obviously, the persecution of each Christian equates to repeated persecution of Jesus). Saul was puzzled about the identity of this Supreme Being, and Jesus identifies Himself and directs him to Damascus where he will receive more directions. His companions saw the light, but did not hear the voice. Blinded, he was led to Damascus where Jesus healed him through Ananias. Ananias informs him that he was chosen by God to know His will, see Jesus (‘The Just One’), and hear him (v. 14), so that he will be His witness. When Paul returned to Jerusalem, Jesus tells him to leave the city. Paul is reluctant since his testimony will carry much weight since everyone knows of how he persecuted Christians. Still, Jesus had planned to send him to the Gentiles.