Author: Norm

SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:13-31 OBSERVATION: Paul attends the synagogue (Jewish church) service, though his primary mission is to the Gentiles. He briefly reviews the history of Old Testament Israel, showing how Jesus is the fulfllment of Old Testament promises and prophecies, the ultimate king (messiah). Paul also quotes the message of John the Baptist, that Jesus is…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:1-12 OBSERVATION: While the Christ-followers in Antioch were together, speaking together about the greatness of the Lord, and renewing their commitment to Him by fasting, they sensed the Spirit setting apart Barnabas and Saul for their mission to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15-16). The laying on of hands was a symbolic way of commissioning them for…

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 4:28-37 OBSERVATION: This is a remarkable story. It seems that when pride got to Nebuchadnezzar’s head, God humbled him to the level of animals (see Acts 12:1-24 for similar account). In both cases the purpose of the Lord is what endures, even against those who are in power. Nebuchadnezzar had plenty of opportunities to see…

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 4:19-27 OBSERVATION: Daniel seems to like and support Nebuchadnezzar, wishing that this bad dream was not for him but for his enemies. Even oppressive governments (as Babylon’s was to many nations) can have positive results for those under its authority (providing food for all, nesting places for the birds). God may use oppressive governments…

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 4:1-18 OBSERVATION: The wise men probably feared to tell the king what it meant, for it was not a good dream. By this point Daniel has proven himself (the spirit of the holy gods is with him). Nebuchadnezzar still speaks of the Most High God (4:2), having learned from experience that Daniel’s God “is…

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 3:19-30 OBSERVATION: The fury of the world may be unleashed against those who choose to be loyal to the Lord. The heat of the fire kills the soldiers who bring them, but they don’t even smell like fire/smoke. God waits until the last possible moment, until they are in the fire. No doubt they…

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 3:1-18 OBSERVATION: What about Daniel? Maybe he was exempt because he was so high up. These guys are identified by their new Babylonian names. They are fully engaged in Babylonian life (Jeremiah 31:4-7), but they refuse to compromise their loyalty to God (Jeremiah 24:4-7). They are ‘in’ the world but not ‘of’ the world, and trust…

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2:36-49 OBSERVATION: This story begins with God ‘defeated’ by the god of Babylon (symbolized by the temple relics placed in temple of Bel, 1:2), and His people ‘subjected’ to the king od Babylon (symbolized by Daniel, who name is changed to Belteshazzar, ie “prince of Bel”). This passage shows that God remains in charge,…

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2:24-35 OBSERVATION: God speaks to Nebuchadnezzar through a vision/dream. He speaks to the wise men through a star (astrology, Matthew 2:1-12). God does not just speak to those who know Him, He speaks to everyone in a variety of ways. The role and task of His servants (Daniel) is to help others discern what God…

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2:1-23 OBSERVATION: The true source of wisdom and power. The king had power to demand and execute, but not the wisdom to interpret; the wise men (including Daniel) had wisdom to interpret and explain, but not the power to read minds or stop the king. Daniel was wise enough to know that God has…