Seeds of Faith Podcast » deliverance

November 22, 2009: Daniel in the Lions’ Den

Ryan Markel — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:30:07 +0000

The text for this lesson is Daniel 6.

Key Points

He, Jesus, who saved Daniel, would Himself be given over to the satanic lion to save the world.
Law: In the world, evil is called good, and those who seek to do good suffer and are brought down by sinners who hate anything good.
Gospel: In Christ, I am blessed when I suffer for His name. He is with me, granting me His comfort and strength and preserving me for salvation in Him.

Context

Daniel was among the youths from Jerusalem whom King Nebuchadnezzar exiled to Babylon in 605 BC to be trained in the “literature and language of the Chaldeans” (Daniel 1:4). When Daniel interpreted the king’s dream, the king was so impressed that he made Daniel “ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men” (2:48). When the Babylonians lost their top spot on the world’s totem pole, ousted by the Persians, Daniel kept his high political position. He was part of King Darius’s threeman cabinet, as we might call it, in charge of the 120 regional governors of Persia, called satraps. When Daniel “became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps” (6:3), his political peers became bitter and envious. They began to plot how they might rid themselves of this foreigner, “one of the exiles from Judah” (6:13), as they contemptuously referred to him.

Discussion Questions

What do you think of politics? What kinds of things do you hope government can accomplish? What kinds of things should it not get involved in? What are some of the difficulties and evils of politics?
Who is the king now? Do you remember who was king when Daniel first went into exile to Babylon? Who succeeded him? What happens to Daniel with each of these kings? Why?
Even though Daniel did nothing as a basis for a complaint against him, his enemies still built a false case against him. Trace the development of their conspiracy and sin!
What does Daniel do in verse 10? Is he trying to flaunt his behavior and incense the king?
After Daniel is accused, the story’s parallels to the trial, burial, and resurrection of Jesus become more prominent. What details of the account of Daniel’s accusation, confinement, and release can be compared to Jesus’ trial, burial, and resurrection?
What happens to the conspirators after Daniel is brought out of the pit unharmed? What decree does Darius make? How does it compare and contrast with Nebuchadnezzar’s decree following the miracle of the three young men in the fiery furnace?
We referred to the practice of daily prayer in ancient Israel and as conducted by Daniel while in exile. What about daily prayer today? What is the custom of the Church? What do you do for daily prayer?
In many ways, the practical lesson of the story of Daniel is just like that of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God’s rescue of the faithful people is an example of God’s never-ending faithfulness toward His own. Review some of these points again. What is your fate if you do not remain faithful?

November 15, 2009: The Three Men in the Fiery Furnace

Ryan Markel — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:01:19 +0000

The text for this lesson is Daniel 3.

Key Points

Just as Jesus was with and saved the three men in the fiery furnace, so our Savior is with us and saves us in His Word and Sacraments, sustaining us when we suffer for His name.
Law: In sin, I choose what makes the world, my flesh, and the devil happy and try to avoid the suffering or trouble that sometimes comes my way because of my faith in God.
Gospel: He who once walked unharmed with the three faithful men in the fiery furnace was incinerated by fiery wrath for my sins to make me a citizen of heaven.

Context

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was the most powerful man in the world in his day (late seventh and early sixth centuries BC). It’s no surprise that such power went to his head, as this story illustrates (see also Daniel 4). When Nebuchadnezzar began his takeover of Jerusalem, he took the best and brightest of the citizens as POWs to Babylon. Among such captives were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When they risked punishment by sticking with kosher foods only, God rewarded their fidelity (Daniel 1). All four, though Israelites, rose to prominence in this Gentile court.

Discussion Questions

Does your identity as a Christian ever seem to be a burden or a threat? Is there anything about being a Christian that you would be afraid to tell others? Is there any kind of ridicule, temptation, or persecution that you are afraid you will have to face someday as a Christian? How would you respond in facing this?
Our pressures and temptations are surely real. Yet think about who Nebuchadnezzar was, the influence and authority he exercised, and the pressure that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would feel in this particular situation. Look particularly at verses 1–7. Work together to describe what this was like, and discuss what temptations were facing the three young men. Oh, and, anybody know what a trigon is?
Notice how Nebuchadnezzar, even though he is demanding worship of this idol, has really presumed himself to be a god. He is not satisfied with his earthly authority. What are some phrases in verses 8–15 that indicate Nebuchadnezzar’s delusions of deity? What does this suggest about the temptation of political and worldly authority?
How do Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego respond to Nebuchadnezzar? What is at stake? From a secular perspective, how likely is it that Nebuchadnezzar will listen to what they say?
How does Nebuchadnezzar react to the men’s confession? What does he command regarding them and the furnace? Who become the casualties of his wrath?
How does God bring about His good and gracious will, stopping the violence and affirming life? What is the condition of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego after being cast into the furnace?
Who is this fourth man whom Nebuchadnezzar sees in the furnace? What does this man’s presence teach us about our own situations of temptation and peril?
What does this account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego tell us about God’s work in situations of our own temptations and persecutions? What is our fundamental and ultimate hope?

November 8, 2009: Hezekiah Prays

Ryan Markel — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:49:28 +0000

The text for this lesson is 2 Kings 18—19.

Key Points

Just as Hezekiah prayed in faith to God and was delivered, so Jesus, our mediator and advocate with the Father, intercedes for and with us, granting us deliverance from sin, death, and the devil.
Law: My sin makes me proud; thinking I can be self-sufficient and don’t need God, I avoid Him.
Gospel: My heavenly Father is always ready to hear me and my cries for help, giving me His Son for my salvation.

Context

In the late eighth century, Assyria was the world power of the ancient Near East. Led by Sennacherib, their armies went on a blitzkrieg across various lands. Ruling Judah was Hezekiah, a top-notch king. Along with Josiah, he was one of the two Israelite rulers after David who received not a word of criticism from the biblical writer (see 18:1–8). Though he initially caved in to Assyrian pres-sure, paying them tribute (vv. 13–16), Hezekiah later refused to bow to their demands. As the story in 2 Kings 18–19 recounts, Sennacherib would pay dearly for his mocking of the true God. Assyrian records echo the biblical account of his demise, that he was slain by his own sons as he knelt praying before a god who could not save (19:37).

Discussion Questions

This lesson focuses on the faith and prayer of Hezekiah. If you overheard someone say, “I have strong faith and my prayers are powerful,” how would you gently critique that statement?
This lesson focuses on Judah, the southern kingdom. However, 2 Kings 18:9–12 mentions what happened to Israel, the Northern Kingdom. What became of Israel, and why? What was Judah to learn from all this?
The prophet Isaiah plays an important role in this narrative. In fact, Isaiah 36–37 tells the same story as 2 Kings 18–19, and it is necessary to keep many of Isaiah’s prophecies in chapters 1–35 in view while studying what happened to Judah in 2 Kings. What did Isaiah say was wrong with Judah? See Isaiah 1:2–4. According to 1:7–9 and 10:5–6, what would eventually happen to Judah?
Hezekiah was praised for his faith and many good deeds. What were these? See 2 Kings 18:1–8.
Hezekiah was a great king, but we should not get the impression that he was perfect, as if he were so faithful to the Lord that he never sinned. In what ways had he displeased the Lord, failing to heed His prophet’s advice? See Isaiah 30:1–3.
What tactics and threats did the Assyrian delegates use to attempt to get Jerusalem not to follow Hezekiah but to surrender? See 2 Kings 18:19–35.
Why would Hezekiah respond to Assyria’s threats by tearing his clothes, covering himself with sackcloth, going to the house of the Lord, and sending for Isaiah (19:1–4)? See 2 Chronicles 7:11–15. What appeal does Hezekiah make to the Lord? See 19:14– 19.
What moved the Lord to answer Hezekiah’s prayer with a “Yes!” and save Jerusalem? See 2 Kings 19:20–34.
The angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrians in one night to save Jerusalem. What act of “salvation” had the Lord accomplished in a similar fashion centuries before? See Exodus 12:12– 13. When the Lord went about saving the whole world, what different approach did He take? See Matthew 26:52–54 and Philippians 2:5–11.
What do Hezekiah’s actions in 2 Kings 19:1–4 suggest to us about our Christian prayer life?