Call to Worship: (sung)
Gathered here in the presence of this hour,
Gathered here in one strong body
Gathered here in the mercy and the pow'r,
Spirit draw near.
Song:
"This Little Light of Mine"
Reading (by person in "regal" setting):
Who are these four Hebrews who have been taken captive from Jerusalem (500 miles east) to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar (605 BC?) and find themselves in the foreigner's palace?
A. The Training and Testing of the Remnant
(Daniel 1:3-7) Daniel whose name means "God is my judge" realizes that he is asked to indulge in something consecrated by a heathen religious rite. To eat would be comparable to idol worship. He assertively speaks to the palace master, but gets nowhere. (Daniel 1:8-10) So he goes another route and makes a specific proposal, which flies. This guy is serious about his diet! (Daniel 1:11-17) So begins "the triumph of God's power and grace in Babylon." Which means they could discern the false and true in their instructions (literature) and whatever constituted local diplomacy or statecraft, i.e. politics (wisdom). So now the three years of training are over and all the young men are scrutinized by royalty. (Daniel 1:18-19 ) The powers that be are impressed. Promotions to the white house! Heady stuff for lowly Jews to be cabinet insiders! (Daniel 1:20) Daniel's 60 years under a series of kings continue.
B. King Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Daniel's Interpretation
Now moving further into Nebuchadnezzar's reign, we note the king is baffled by nightmares. To tell the dream and its interpretation is too tough even for the court magicians and sorcerers. (Daniel 2:10-11) A volatile enraged monarch issues a death order. Arbitrary? An unjust law -- common to even present occupations. (Daniel 2:12-13) Daniel, spokesperson for the four, judiciously intervenes. (Intervention tactics didn't begin in the 20th century) asking for time, first with Arioch, and then goes right to the top. (Daniel 2:14-16) Another nonviolent direct action strategy now surfaces. Daniel:
a) works in Anabaptist fashion as a team
b) invites prayer, connecting with the source of life and mystery
c) is motivated by life over death and not only for himself (Daniel 2:17-18)
It's after this that a miracle occurs – the impossible happens! (Daniel 2:19) A hymn of thanksgiving follows. God rightfully is credited. (Daniel 2:20-23 litany format) With the vision of the dream and its meaning secure in his hip pocket, Daniel goes back to Arioch. (Daniel 2:24) Well, this Arioch knows which side is up when it comes to saving lives, and he moves to action. (Daniel 2:25-30) Fait accompli! In the end lives are saved. (Daniel 2:46-49) God is glorified and Daniel is promoted once again.
C. The Golden Image and the Fiery Furnace
But now the idolatrous saga continues. The king has learned nothing from his earlier dream. Pride and power prevail. He erects a 90-foot high image (of himself?) to be dedicated, i.e. worshiped. Compulsory state religion. No religious freedom evident for natives or foreigners... So the scene is set. The dignit Arioches are assembled. Let the worship begin. The command is clear; the penalty severe. (Daniel 3:3b-6) Everyone acquiesced, no questions asked. It's the law! (Daniel 3:7) But wait. There are some resisters present. Non-compliance must be punished. Racism and jealousy prevail. (Daniel 3:8-12) Another kingly rage episode follows. Daniel's friends are brought in and tried. Recant or be burned. (Daniel 3:14-15) What a response! Non-defensive, clear, trusting of God. (Daniel 3:16-18) Prefigures the Gospel promises in the courts (Mark 13:9-12). The sentence is immediate. Execution! (Daniel 3:19-23) Again a miraculous deliverance occurs – even as an unidentified Other One joins the faithful. (Daniel 3:24-30)
D. King Nebuchadnezzar's Insanity
King Nebuchadnezzar has a second troubling dream of a great tree. Only Daniel is able to explain it. His call to repentance being ignored, the king is punished and loses his mind for a time. Years later, he repents and praises. (Daniel 4:34-35)
E. King Bel's Festival and Punishment
In Daniel 5, King Belshazzar (son of Nebuchadnezzar?) has a great festival for 1000 of his cronies. A drunken orgy ensues, using sacred vessels from the Jews' temple. A mysterious message appears on the palace wall. (Daniel 5:4-9) A woman intervenes. Daniel is summoned. In Babylon, the queen Mother held the palace's highest rank. (Daniel 5:10-12) Daniel is welcomed. (Daniel 5:13-16) Daniel announces God's judgment and interprets the writing. (Daniel 5:20-31)
F. Daniel and the Den of Lions
The account of resistance is not over. Divine obedience by a faithful minority continues. Group witness (Daniel 2 and 3) is followed now by Daniel's solitary witness, not unlike that of Franz Jagerstatter, who resisted the Nazi regime in the 20th century. Darius the king elevates Daniel to one of three presidents. Jealousy among the powerful rears its ugly head. Destroy the favorite foreigner! (Daniel 6:3-5) Because the king is regarded as God's sole representative on earth, the opposition decides to attack the religious aspect. (Daniel 6:6-9) A new law is signed by an unsuspecting ruler. What follows is a story of courage and faithfulness in the face of opposition. (Daniel 6:10-13) The opposition succeeds in getting their man. (Daniel 6:14-18) Amazing intervention, this time by God, results in an unharmed Daniel, while his accusers are punished. (Daniel 6:19-24) And thus we have the account of yet another king in the Babylonian empire fearing God. Another life-giving, death-defying decree is passed. (Daniel 6:25-27– litany)
Reflections
Prayers
Song:
"It Doesn't Matter"