Contemplative Bible Reading

Some thoughts about Bible verses

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Short-Term Nonsense (at least to a guy like me)

August 19th, 2017 · No Comments

Daniel 6:1-3 (New Living Translation)

1 Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province. 2 The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests. 3 Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.

Daniel was chosen to supervise the high officers of the land. He was chosen to protect the interests of the king. Daniel excelled. Daniel was then placed over not only the land, but the empire—all the lands conquered by the king.

Let’s back up a step or two. Daniel’s people were smashed by this king. Jerusalem and the Temple of God were looted by this king. This king was horrible toward God’s people.  Why is Daniel working so hard and so well for this king? Please, explain this one to me.

Well, you have to look at the big picture. But what if I don’t want to look at the big picture? Someone explain why God is having these horrible people prosper. Short term. Right now.

If God doesn’t do things that make sense to me…well, I’m gonna’ do something or other to really hurt God. Well, I’ll just…

Enough silliness. It didn’t make any short-term sense for Daniel to help Darius prosper. God had a plan for His people to be stuck there for 70 years. Prosperity meant prosperity for God’s people. Any fun to be one of the stuck-ees who didn’t live in the palace like Daniel? No. Any fun to watch your parent grow old and die in a foreign land. No, again.

Was it possible in all this to love God and love your neighbor? Yes. Oh, we go back to the important stuff. Hmmm. Maybe all that other stuff wasn’t so important. Maybe I need to keep my mind and heart on the important stuff.

 

Tags: Daniel · Old Testament

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