Ezra, the Good Man Who Taught God's Law

Ezra, the Good Man Who Taught God's Law
Ezra 7:10; Nehemiah 8

King Artaxerxes gives the Jews their liberty.


YEARS PASSED BY, and another change came in the Persian rule. A new king, name Artaxerxes, sat on the throne in Shushan and governed the people in many lands. His kingdom included the land of Judah, where Zerubbabel had gone long before with a company of Jews to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Now Artaxerxes, wished to know how things were going in Judah, and he planned to send a messenger to Jerusalem to learn about the people and their needs. The messenger whom he chose to send was Ezra, the priest.
Ezra was an earnest-hearted Jew, as Daniel had been. He was also called a scribe, because he wrote the words of God in books. And he longed to teach the Jews everywhere about the law of God, which had been given by Moses to the Israelites.
At the King's command he assembled other Jews from Babylon and from the country places and cities near by who wished to go to Judah and help strengthen the courage of the poor Jews who lived there.
Ezra had talked much to the King about the true God, and about his great power and his willingness to care for those who love and serve him. And the King was interested.
He believed that the God of the Jews must be a very powerful God indeed. He feared to displease such a great God, so he commanded that much gold and silver be given to Ezra and his companions to carry back to Jerusalem and use in the temple of the Lord.
When Ezra and his companions were ready to start on their long journey, they first spent some time fasting and praying God to bless them and protect them from the many dangers along their way.
For the road over which they must travel led through dangerous places and wild people of the desert often stopped travelers and robbed them of their possessions.
Ezra knew this, and he had no soldiers of the king to go with him and protect him and his companions from the attack of robber bands. He was ashamed to ask the King for soldiers because he had told the King that God would care for those who served him.
So he and his companions prayed earnestly that God would bring them through the dangers without letting any harm befall them. Then they started down the long, long road.
After about four months of travel, this company of Jews reached Judah in safety. They had lost nothing by the way, for God had heard their prayers and had cared for them. And they came with joy to the city where the temple of the Lord stood, just as Zerubbabel had built it.
After resting for three days they brought their gifts of silver and gold, which the King had sent, and gave them to the priests who had charge of the temple.
Ezra soon found out that things had not been going well in Judah. The poor Jews had become much discouraged, and some of them had made friends with their heathen neighbors.
They had even allowed their sons and their daughters to marry heathen people, and they were not teaching their children to keep the law as God gave it to Moses. They had never rebuilt the city of Jerusalem, and the walls lay in ruins just as Nebuchadnezzar and his army had left them long years before.
When Ezra learned about the condition of the poor Jews, he was deeply troubled. He knew they had sinned again by marrying heathen women, and he saw that God could never bless them while they were not obeying his law. So he prayed earnestly that God would forgive their sins, and he called them to Jerusalem to warn them about the wrong that they had done.
The people were glad to have Ezra teach them what to do. They needed a teacher from God, like this good man, and they listened to his words. For a long time they had been without God's law, and now, when they heard his words, they quit their wrong-doing.
Ezra stayed with the people for some time and taught them the words of God. He read to them from the great rolls that he had written, and they never grew tired of listening.
They had no copies of God's law in their homes, for books were very few in those days and only rich people could afford them. Ezra had collected the books that Moses and Samuel and David had written, and the books of the prophets. These were the books from which he read to the Jews.
Tomorrow: Nehemiah-The King's Cupbearer

Book of Psalm Chapter 129

Welcome to Psalm 129, I hope you enjoy reading this Psalm. But before we get right into Psalm 129 let us give homage to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and after doing this we can read Book of Psalm .



8 May no one who passes by say to those who hate Zion, “May the blessing of the Lord be on you.
    We bless you in the name of the Lord.”



John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.


Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.


1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations



Psalm 129

A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.

1 Here is what Israel should say.
    Many times my enemies have beaten me down ever since I was a young nation.
2 Many times my enemies have beaten me down ever since I was a young nation,
    but they haven’t won the battle.
3 They have made deep wounds in my back.
    It looks like a field a farmer has plowed.
4 The Lord does what is right.
    Sinners had tied me up with ropes. But the Lord has set me free.
5 May all those who hate Zion
    be driven back in shame.
6 May they be like grass that grows on the roof of a house.
    It dries up before it can grow.
7 There isn’t enough of it to fill a person’s hand.
    There isn’t enough to tie up and carry away.
8 May no one who passes by say to those who hate Zion,
    “May the blessing of the Lord be on you.
    We bless you in the name of the Lord.”

Book of Psalm Chapter 128

Welcome to Psalm 128, I hope you enjoy reading this Psalm. But before we get right into Psalm 128 let us give homage to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and after doing this we can read Book of Psalm .



2 Your work will give you what you need. Blessings and good things will come to you.



John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.


Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.


1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations




New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Psalm 128



1 Blessed are all those who have respect for the Lord.
    They live as he wants them to live.
2 Your work will give you what you need.
    Blessings and good things will come to you.
3 As a vine bears a lot of fruit,
    so your wife will have many children by you.
They will sit around your table
    like young olive trees.
4 Only a man who has respect for the Lord
    will be blessed like that.
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion.
    May you enjoy the good things that come to Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6     May you live to see your grandchildren.
May Israel enjoy peace.

Book of Psalm Chapter 127

Welcome to Psalm 127, I hope you enjoy reading this Psalm. But before we get right into Psalm 127 let us give homage to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and after doing this we can read Book of Psalm .


 1 If the Lord doesn't build a house, the work of its builders is useless.


John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.


Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.


1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations




Psalm 127

A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. A psalm of Solomon.

1 If the Lord doesn’t build a house,
    the work of its builders is useless.
If the Lord doesn’t watch over a city,
    it’s useless for those on guard duty to stand watch over it.
2 It’s useless for you to work from early morning
    until late at night
just to get food to eat.
    God provides for those he loves even while they sleep.
3 Children are a gift from the Lord.
    They are a reward from him.
4 Children who are born to people when they are young
    are like arrows in the hands of a soldier.
5 Blessed are those
    who have many children.
They won’t be put to shame
    when they go up against their enemies in court.

Daniel in the Lions Den

Daniel in the Lions Den Daniel 6

God protects Daniel from the lions. KING DARIUS, THE new ruler, chose one hundred and twenty princes to help him govern the people of his great kingdom. Over these princes he appointed three presidents, and because he found that Daniel was a very wise old man he made Daniel the first president. So Daniel was more highly honored than any of the princes or other presidents. A better feeling of jealousy began to stir in the hearts of these princes and presidents. They hated Daniel because the King had honored him so greatly. They decided to watch him carefully, and find fault with him at their first opportunity. But their careful watching only revealed to them the fact that Daniel was a very faithful man, with no faults that might displease the King. Their careful watching revealed another fact, too; and this one was that Daniel was deeply religious. Often they saw him kneel before his open window and pray to his God. He never seemed too busy to take time to pray. At last the men confessed among themselves that they could find no fault with Daniel. But they planned another way to rob him of his great honor. A cruel way, it was, but they were wicked men and they did not mind at all. Darius was surprised to see the great company of his princes assembled before him. He did not notice that Daniel was not among them. He did not guess that they were plotting against his faithful servant. So he permitted them to tell the purpose that had brought them to his palace, and they said, "King Darius, live forever. All the presidents of the kingdom, and the princes, the governors, the counselors, and the captains have planned to establish a royal law and to make it very binding. This is the law: That whoever shall ask a request of any god or man for thirty days, except of you, O King, he shall be cast into a den of lions." Now the truth was that all the presidents of the kingdom had not helped to plan that law, for Daniel had no part in it. But the King did not know. And because he was a heathen king, with a proud heart, he felt flattered to hear the law. So he readily consented to it, and he caused it to become published among all the people. Of course Daniel heard about the law. But three times every day Daniel knelt, just as he had done before, and prayed by his opened window with his face toward Jerusalem, the city where God's house used to stand. And there these men found him on his knees thanking God. Now they were sure they should soon be rid of this good man whom they despised. So they came to tell the King how Daniel had dared to disobey the new law. They reminded the King that the laws he made could not be changed, and Daniel would have to be punished for his disobedience. Darius understood, when too late, why this law had been made. He knew the presidents and princes had not desired to honor him, but only to rid themselves of the one whom they hated. And Darius was sorry, very sorry, that he had listened to the flattering words of these wicked men. All day long he tried to think of some way in which to spare Daniel from such a cruel fate; all day long he worked hard, studying the laws of his country and hoping to find something that would release him from enforcing such a punishment upon his faithful servant. But finally the sun went down, and the presidents and princes came impatiently to the palace and told the King that his new law must be obeyed. And Darius feared to try longer to save Daniel, so he told them to bring him out and cast him into the lions' den. The King told Daniel how sorry he was to see this dreadful punishment brought upon him. And he said, "The God whom you serve so faithfully surely will deliver you from the lions." Then he saw Daniel thrown into the den, making Daniel a prisoner inside among the savage beasts. Afterwards, according to the law of his country, he put his own seal upon the great stone, so that no one would dare to remove it without the King's command. Then, with a heavy heart, he went back to his palace. All that night long Darius could not sleep. He was too troubled to enjoy any kind of entertainment, for he thought constantly about his faithful servant in that terrible den. He longed for the morning light, and with the first break of dawn he rose up from his bed and ran quickly to the lions' den. Then, in a troubled, anxious voice, he cried out, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God whom you have served so faithfully able to save you from the lions?" Then the King listened, and soon he heard an answering voice from the deep pit, saying, "O King, live forever. My God has sent his angel, and the angel has shut the mouths of these savage beasts, and they have done me no harm at all. For God has seen that I was not guilty of any wrong-doing before him nor even before you." Darius was very glad, and he called his servants to come and take Daniel up out of the den. Then he commanded that the wicked men be brought who had planned to get rid of Daniel, and he told his servants to cast them into the den of lions where Daniel had been all the long night. When they fell, screaming, into the deep pit, the lions rushed upon them and tore them in pieces, for they were not worthy to live. Darius wrote letters to the people of every nation, telling them about the wonderful way in which God had delivered Daniel from the lions. And he made a law that all the people in his great kingdom should fear the God of the Jews. Tomorrow: Daniel's Angel Visitor

The Strange Handwriting on the Wall of the Palace

The Strange Handwriting on the Wall of the Palace Daniel 5

Daniel interprets the strange handwriting on the wall. A GREAT FEAST was being held in the palace of Babylon. The king, Belshazzar , had invited a thousand princes and nobles to enjoy the feast with him and his many wives. And the palace was ringing with their voices and laughter and song. Presently, while they were drinking wine together, the King remembered the beautiful vessels of gold that Nebuchadnezzar had brought from the temple of the Lord, in Jerusalem He commanded his servants to bring the vessels into the palace, that he and his company might drink wine from them. And the vessels were brought, and the King commanded that they be filled with wine and passed among the guests, Then, as they drank from the golden vessels they praised the gods of gold, and of silver, and of wood, and of stone. Belshazzar's heart was merry, and he felt very secure and happy in his palace-home among his guests. He joined with them in praising the gods of gold, silver, wood, and stone. Then suddenly he turned pale, and the gladness died out of his heart. A great fear swept over him, and caused his knees to tremble. For there on the wall of the palace, over near the candlestick, he saw the fingers of a man's hand writing strange words, which he could not read. All at once everything grew quiet in the banquet-hall.. And everybody became afraid, for no one could understand the strange words that the hand had written. Then the King commanded that the wise Chaldeans be brought in at once; for he thought they might be able to read the words and tell their meaning. He promised to give a rich reward to the one who could do this; but none of the Chaldeans were able to earn that reward. They could not read the writing on the wall. News of the strange handwriting spread rapidly through the palace, and soon the old Queen Mother heard about it. She heard, to, that the wise men could not read the writing nor tell its meaning. So she came into the banquet-hall, where the King sat trembling among his frightened guests. And she said, "O King, there is in this city a very wise man whom you have quite forgotten. In the days of Nebuchadnezzar, the king, this man was the master of all the king's wise men, for the spirit of the gods dwells in him. Now send for him, and he will tell you the meaning of this strange handwriting on the wall." Daniel was now an old man. For a long time he had lived quietly in Babylon, for the kings who followed Nebuchadnezzar had not set him up to places of honor in the kingdom. And he was almost forgotten. The Queen Mother, however, remembered how he had interpreted the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar, and she knew that his wisdom was greater than any of the wisdom of the Chaldeans. Belshazzar sent in haste for Daniel, and when the old man came before him he asked, excitedly, "Are you that Daniel whom my fathers brought out of the land of the Jews?" Daniel replied that he was, and the King said, "I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods dwells with you and enables you to understand deep mysteries. Now, if you can read the writing upon the wall and tell its meaning, I will cause you to be dressed in royal garments, and will make you the third ruler in this kingdom." Daniel did not care for the honors of the Babylonian kingdom. He did not care for the beautiful, kingly robes, and he told the King to give those gifts to someone else. But he said, "I will read the writing, and will cause you to understand its meaning." First Daniel reminded Belshazzar of great punishment that God had sent upon Nebuchadnezzar because of his wickedness and pride. Belshazzar had known about this, yet he had dared to be proud and to despise the God of heaven and earth. He had dared to use the vessels that belonged in the Lord's house, in Jerusalem, for drinking wine, and he and his guests had praised the gods of gold and of silver and of wood and of stone, which can not see nor hear. Daniel told Belshazzar about these things, and then he said, "Because you did these things, God sent his hand to write upon the wall of your banquet-room, that you might see it and become afraid. The words that this hand has written are Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin, and they mean this: "Mene; God has numbered your kingdom and finished it. "Tekel; you are weighed in the balances and found wanting. "Upharsin; your kingdom is divided, and is given to the Medes and Persians." Belshazzar commanded his servants to bring a royal garment and put it on Daniel, then he fastened a gold chain about Daniel's neck and proclaimed before all the guests that Daniel was the third ruler in the kingdom. But that very night the kingdom of Babylon was destroyed; for the Medes and Persians came into the city and killed Belshazzar, and placed the Median king Darius upon the throne. Tomorrow: Daniel in the Lions Den

God Humbles the Proud Heart of Nebuchadnezzar

God Humbles the Proud Heart of Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 4

For seven years, God gave Nebuchadnezzar a heart like a beast's instead of a man's ONE NIGHT WHILE Nebuchadnezzar lay asleep in his palace, God caused him to have another strange dream. This time when he awoke in the morning he remembered what the dream had been, and he wondered about its meaning. So he sent again for the wise Chaldeans, and told them about the dream that was troubling his mind. The Chaldeans were glad because Nebuchadnezzar had remembered his dream; but when they listened to it they could not tell its meaning. So the King sent them away and called for Daniel. He believed that the spirit of Daniel's God dwelt in Daniel and caused him to understand the deepest mysteries. And he called Daniel the master of all his wise men. Daniel listened while Nebuchadnezzar told the dream that was troubling him. And God caused Daniel to understand what the dream meant. But at first he was afraid to tell the King. For a whole hour he sat quietly, wondering that he should do. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Do not be afraid, nor let the dream or its meaning trouble you." So Daniel took courage and spoke to the great ruler. Now, the dream had been this: Nebuchadnezzar had seen a tree grow up in the earth and become so great that the top of it reached to the sky. Underneath its branches all the beasts of the field found shelter, and in its leafy boughs all the bird of the air made their nests. And the people of the earth from the near and far came to eat of its fruit. Then Nebuchadnezzar had seen the Lord come down from heaven and cry out: "Cut down the great tree; cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts get away from under the shadow of it, and let the dew come upon it for seven years. But let the stump of the great tree remain with its roots in the ground until the seven years be passed. Let this be, that all who live may know there is a God in heaven who rules over all the kingdoms of earth." Daniel knew the dream was sent as a warning from God to the proud King. He knew Nebuchadnezzar was not willing to believe in the great God, who is over all. But he spoke bravely and said, "This great tree which you have seen means you, for you have become a great king and you are known in every part of the land. And the meaning of that voice which you heard crying out that the great tree should be cut down is that you shall lose your kingdom for seven years and go out from men to live among the beasts of the field. You shall eat grass like an ox, and the dew of heaven shall be upon you. But when you humble yourself and believe that the Most High God rules in the kingdoms of earth, giving them to whomever he pleases, then you shall return again to live among men and be restored to your kingdom." Daniel knew that God is very merciful, and he believed that God would save the King from such severe punishment if only the King would quit his sins and do right. So he urged Nebuchadnezzar to turn away from his wicked doings and begin to live differently. Then he went back to his own house. One year passed by, and nothing unusual happened. Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar almost forgot the strange dream, at least he did not try to do as Daniel had urged him to do. He saw about him all the splendors of his kingdom and all the beauties of his palace grounds. He saw the famous city of Babylon, which he had helped to beautify, and his heart grew more proud and haughty. Then one day as he walked about in his kingly palace, admiring the grandeur of his surroundings, he said, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for my own royal house by my own power and for my glory?" And while he spoke the words a voice called him from heaven, saying, "O King Nebuchadnezzar to you it is spoken: The Kingdom is taken from you.!" In that very hour the great king lost his mind and became like a wild beast. And the people were afraid of him, and they drove him out of the city. There he lived in the fields and ate grass like the oxen. And his hair grew like eagle's feathers and his nails grew like claws. For seven years he roamed about in the fields, with a heart like a beast's instead of a man's. Then God allowed his mind to return again, and his heart to become like a man's heart, and Nebuchadnezzar rose up like a man and thanked God for his mercies, and praised him for his greatness. When the people of Babylon saw that their King had returned again to their city with the mind of a well man, they welcomed him back. And they honored him as their king just as they had done before. But Nebuchadnezzar did not forget the lesson that God taught him, and he no longer believed that his greatness and his glory had come by his own strength. Tomorrow: The Strange Handwriting on the Wall of the Palace

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace Daniel 3

Nebuchadnezzar sees four men, unbound and walking freely about in the midst of the fire. NEBUCHADNEZZAR, THE king, grew in power until he became the greatest king in the world at that time. Year after year he added new countries to his kingdom, and in every country the people feared him greatly. These things caused him to become very proud, and to think himself a wonderful man indeed. Then Nebuchadnezzar decided to make a god and compel the people of every country to worship that god. So he built a great image, ninety feet high, and covered it with gold. This image he set up on the plain of Dura, which was near Babylon. There it could be seen at a great distance. After the image had been set up, the King sent a command to the princes and rulers and officers in every nation, that they should come to the great gathering on the plain of Dura. And they dared not disobey. When they came together, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Daniel's three friends, were among them. For some reason Daniel himself was not there. King Nebuchadnezzar was pleased to see such a vast company of men assembled on the plain before the image. He wished to have every one of them bow down and worship the god that he had made, so he caused one of his servants to cry out in a loud voice and say: "O people, nations, and languages, to you it is commanded that when the sound of music is heard you must fall down upon your knees before this great image of gold, which the King has set up. But if you refuse to fall down and worship the image, then you shall be thrown into a furnace of fire." Soon afterwards the music began to play, and the people feel down on their knees, trembling in fear of the great King who had given such a stern command. All the people except three men bowed with their faces to the ground. These three stood up boldly, and would not kneel at all. They were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Because Nebuchadnezzar had given these young men positions of honor in the kingdom, some of the Chaldeans were jealous of them. And now these jealous Chaldeans watched to see if Daniel's friends would kneel before the image. When they saw the young men standing bravely alone among all the kneeling princes and nobles, they hurried to tell Nebuchadnezzar. And Nebuchadnezzar was surprised to hear that these men had dared to disobey his command. He knew they were good rulers, and he did not wish to destroy them in the furnace of fire. He thought perhaps they might have misunderstood, so he sent for them at once, and told them that he would give them another chance to obey. But they bravely answered: "O King, we will not accept another chance. We will not bow before your image, for we will not worship any god except the one true God. And our God is so great that he can deliver us from the fiery furnace that you have prepared. But even if he will not deliver us from any such a death, we will not worship any other god." Nebuchadnezzar could not understand why these Jews should refuse to worship the image, and he was very angry indeed. He believed these young men were too stubborn to obey him, and he no longer wished to spare their lives from the cruel furnace. He commanded his servants to throw more fuel into the fire and make it seven times hotter than it had been before. Then he called the mightiest men of his army and gave them orders to bind stout cords around Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and throw them like pieces of wood into the fire. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not afraid. They stood quietly while the mighty men wound the cords tightly around their bodies, and they did not cry out when the men picked them up and threw them into the furnace. But the flames leaped out of the furnace door and killed the mighty soldiers who carried them to the place of burning. Nebuchadnezzar sat in his royal chair near by, watching. He saw the flames leap out and burn the soldiers to death. He saw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fall, bound hand and foot, into the fire. Then his eyes grew wide in surprise; for he saw the three men who had dared to disobey his command rise up and walk about in the fire with no cords to hinder them. And another Person, one who looked to the astonished King like a god, was walking about with them in the furnace. At first Nebuchadnezzar refused to believe his own eyes. He called to the nobles who stood near his chair and asked, "Did we not cast only three men into the fire?" They replied, "True, O King." "But now I see four men, unbound and walking freely about in the midst of the awful flame!" he cried out. "They seem to have no hurt and the fourth one is like a god." Now Nebuchadnezzar rose from his royal chair in haste and ran to the door of the furnace. He called loudly to the three men and said, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the Most High God, come forth! and come to me at once!" The princes and nobles and rulers of the kingdom gathered around in amazement to see these three men walk out of the fire and come before Nebuchadnezzar. And they saw that the fire had not harmed these Jews at all. Not even had their hair been singed by the flames, and the smell of fire was not noticed on their garments. But the stout cords that the soldiers had wrapped tightly around them before throwing them into the furnace had been burned to ashes. Nebuchadnezzar was no longer angry with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Now he believed they were great men, and he wished to honor them. He knew they served a great God, one who could do miracles, and he blessed the God of the Jews. He said to all the people, "Now I shall make another commandment, that no man in all my kingdom shall speak one word against the God of these brave men." And after this Nebuchadnezzar set these men up in higher places in his kingdom. Tomorrow: God Humbles the Proud Heart of Nebuchadnezzar

Daniel in Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

Daniel in Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Daniel 2

Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream. AFTER YOUNG DANIEL and his free friends were numbered among the wise men in Babylon, one night the King had a very strange dream. When he awoke from the dream he could not go to sleep again. And the dream troubled him greatly. He believed that surely that dream must have a deep meaning, and he decided to call the wise men in his kingdom and have them explain the meaning to him. Morning came at last, and Nebuchadnezzar arose from his bed. But now he could no longer recall his dream. This fact troubled him, too, for he knew the dream had been strange and he believed it had a deep meaning. He sent at once for the wise men who had often stood before him, and when they came he told them about his troubled thoughts regarding the strange dream which he could no longer remember. He asked them to tell the dream and the meaning of it. The wise men were puzzled at this request from their King. They thought he was being unreasonable, for they did not know what he had dreamed about. So they asked him to tell the dream first, and then they would tell the meaning. "I have forgotten the dream," replied the King, impatiently, "and if you are as wise as you claim to be you can tell me what it was. Then you can tell its meaning." When the wise men insisted that no human being could do such a thing as tell what some one else had dreamed and forgotten, the King became very angry with them. He said, "Unless you tell this dream and its meaning you shall all be killed." Even this cruel threat could not enable the wise men to know the dream, so they turned away from his presence in great fear. Nebuchadnezzar then called the captain of his guard and commanded him to kill all the wise men in Babylon. So Arioch, the captain, took his sword and prepared himself to do the terrible deed. When he came to Daniel's house he found that the brave young man and his three friends had heard nothing about the the King's command. They had not appeared with the other wise men before Nebuchadnezzar. When Daniel heard what had happened he begged the captain to delay the cruel work until he might first speak with the King. Then he hurried to the palace and went boldly in to tell Nebuchadnezzar that he would find out the dream and its interpretation if only a little time were given him to prepare. And Nebuchadnezzar granted him a little time. Daniel knew that no living person could be wise enough in himself to do what the King had required; but Daniel knew also that secret things are known by the great God of all the earth, whom he and his three friends were serving. So the four young men prayed very earnestly that God would cause Daniel to know his dream, and that night God showed Daniel in a vision what the dream had been and what it meant. Now Daniel was very thankful to God. He knelt down and prayed a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving. Then he went quickly to Arioch, the captain of the King's guard, and said, "Do not destroy the wise men, but bring me in to speak with the King; for I can tell the interpretation of his dream." Arioch was glad, and he took Daniel and brought him to the palace. Then he told the King that he had found a man among the captives from Judah who could make known the strange dream and its meaning. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that the power to make know his dream was given by the great God in heaven, for no wise man of earth could know such secret and reveal them. Then he said: "O King, when you lay down to sleep on your bed you wondered what should come to pass in future years. Then you fell asleep, and in your dream God showed you what would happen hereafter. And this was your dream: You saw a great image, exceedingly bright, standing before you. The head of this image was of gold, the breast and arms were of silver, and the waist and hips were of brass, the legs were of iron, and the feet were part of iron and part of clay. Then you saw a stone that was cut without hands roll toward this great image and strike the feet of it. And the stone broke the feet, and the whole image fell to the ground in broken pieces, and it became like dust, which the wind can blow away. Then while you looked in wonder, the stone grew until it became a great mountain, which filled the whole earth." Nebuchadnezzar listened eagerly to the young man's words. Then Daniel continued: "Now I will tell you what this dream means, for God intends to teach you something by it. This great image represents four great kingdoms of earth. Your kingdom is the first, and the head of gold represents this kingdom. After you there will come another king not so great, and he is like the breast and arms of silver. The third kingdom is shown in the dream by the parts of brass, and the fourth by the iron legs and the feet. This fourth kingdom will be very strong at first, but afterwards it will become weaker; for the iron in the feet was mixed with clay. "In the days of these kings," said Daniel, "God will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and his kingdom is represented in your dream by that stone cut out without hands, which smote the great image till it fell. God's kingdom will increase until it fills the whole earth, and it will break in pieces every other kingdom. This, O King, was your dream, and this is the meaning of it." Nebuchadnezzar was astonished at the wisdom of this young Jew. He believed that Daniel was a wonderful person, like a god, and he fell on the floor before Daniel to worship him. But Daniel had told him that the God in heaven had made known the dream and the meaning to him, so Nebuchadnezzar said, "Of a truth, your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets." Then Nebuchadnezzar gave many great gifts to Daniel, and made him the ruler of all the province of Babylon, and the chief of all the wise men in his kingdom. He did not allow his captain to destroy the wise men, after Daniel had revealed the meaning of his dream. At Daniel's request the King placed Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in honorable offices of the province, among the governors of the land. And the names of these young men were known to the King as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Tomorrow: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace

Daniel à Babylone, et le songe de Nabuchodonosor

English to French translation

Daniel à Babylone, et le songe de Nabuchodonosor


Après que le jeune Daniel et ses amis libres étaient comptés parmi les sages de Babylone, une nuit, le roi a fait un rêve très étrange.
Quand il se réveilla de son rêve, il ne pouvait pas se rendormir. Et le rêve le troublait énormément. Il croyait que sûrement que le rêve doit avoir un sens profond, et il a décidé d'appeler les sages de son royaume et de les faire expliquer la signification pour lui.

Matin vint enfin, et Nabuchodonosor se leva de son lit. Mais maintenant, il ne se souvenait plus de son rêve. Ce fait le troublait, lui aussi, car il savait que le rêve avait été étrange et il croyait qu'il avait une signification profonde.

Il a envoyé à la fois pour les hommes sages qui avaient souvent debout devant lui, et quand ils sont venus, il leur a parlé de ses pensées troublées concernant le rêve étrange dont il ne pouvait plus retenir. Il leur a demandé de raconter le rêve et la signification de celle-ci.

Les sages étaient perplexes devant cette demande de leur roi. Ils ont pensé qu'il était déraisonnable, car ils ne savaient pas ce qu'il avait rêvé. Alors ils lui ont demandé de dire le premier rêve, et alors ils disent le sens.

«J'ai oublié le rêve», répondit le roi, avec impatience, "et si vous êtes aussi sage que vous prétendez être, vous pouvez me dire ce que c'était. Ensuite, vous pouvez dire tout son sens."

Lorsque les sages ont insisté qu'aucun être humain ne pouvait faire une telle chose que dire ce que quelqu'un d'autre avait rêvé et oublié, le roi est devenu très en colère contre eux.

Il a dit, "Si vous dites que ce rêve et sa signification, vous seront tous tués."

Même cette menace cruelle ne pouvait permettre les sages de connaître le rêve, ils se détournèrent de sa présence dans une grande crainte.

Nabuchodonosor, alors appelé le capitaine de ses gardes et lui ordonna de tuer tous les sages de Babylone. Alors Arjoc, le capitaine, prit son épée et se prépara à faire l'acte terrible.

Quand il est venu à la maison de Daniel, il trouva que le brave jeune homme et ses trois amis n'avaient rien entendu au sujet de la commande du roi. Ils n'avaient pas apparu avec les autres hommes sages Nebucadnetsar.

Quand Daniel entendit ce qui s'était passé il pria le capitaine de retarder les travaux jusqu'à ce qu'il pourrait cruelle d'abord parler avec le roi. Puis il se précipita vers le palais et se rendit audacieusement pour dire à Nebucadnetsar qu'il trouverait le rêve et son interprétation si seulement un peu de temps ont été donnés lui pour se préparer. Et Nebucadnetsar, lui a accordé un peu de temps.

Daniel savait qu'aucune personne vivante pouvait être assez sage en lui-même pour faire ce que le roi avait besoin; mais Daniel savait aussi que les choses secrètes sont connues par le grand Dieu de toute la terre, que lui et ses trois amis ont été de servir.

Ainsi, les quatre jeunes hommes priaient avec ferveur pour que Dieu la cause de Daniel connaître son rêve, et que Dieu a montré la nuit Daniel dans une vision ce que le rêve avait été et ce qu'elle signifiait.

Maintenant Daniel était très reconnaissante à Dieu. Il s'agenouilla et pria une belle prière d'action de grâces.

Puis il alla rapidement à Arjoc, le capitaine des gardes du roi, et dit: «Ne détruisez pas les sages, mais me faire, pour parler avec le roi;. Car je ne peux dire à l'interprétation de son rêve»

Arjoc était heureux, et il prit Daniel et l'a amené au palais. Puis il dit au roi qu'il avait trouvé un homme parmi les captifs de Juda, qui pourrait faire connaître le rêve étrange et sa signification.

Daniel dit Nabuchodonosor, que le pouvoir de faire connaître son rêve a été donné par le grand Dieu dans le ciel, car aucun homme sage de la terre pourrait connaître un tel secret et de les révéler.

Puis il dit: «O roi, quand vous couchez pour dormir sur votre lit, vous me demandais ce qui devrait arriver dans les prochaines années alors tu t'es endormi, et dans votre rêve de Dieu vous a montré ce qui se passerait ci-après et cela a été votre rêve.. : Vous avez vu une grande statue, extrêmement brillante, debout devant toi la tête de cette image était d'or, la poitrine et les bras étaient d'argent, et la taille et les hanches étaient d'airain, les jambes étaient de fer, et les pieds ont été. partie de fer et en partie d'argile.

Puis vous avez vu une pierre qui a été coupé sans rouleau mains vers cette grande image et frapper les pieds de celui-ci. Et la pierre a brisé le pied, et toute l'image est tombé au sol dans les pièces cassées, et il est devenu comme la poussière que le vent peut souffler. Puis pendant que vous regardé avec émerveillement, la pierre a grandi jusqu'à ce qu'il devint une grande montagne, qui remplit toute la terre. "

Nabuchodonosor, écoutait avidement les paroles du jeune homme. Alors Daniel continua:

"Maintenant, je vais vous dire ce que signifie ce rêve, car Dieu entend vous apprendre quelque chose par elle. Cette image représente une grande quatre grands royaumes de la terre. Votre royaume est le premier, et la tête d'or représente ce royaume.

Après il viendra un autre roi n'est pas si grande, et il est comme la poitrine et les bras d'argent. Le troisième royaume est montré dans le rêve par les parties de cuivres, et le quatrième par les jambes de fer et les pieds. Ce quatrième royaume sera très forte au début, mais après, il deviendra plus faible, car le fer contenu dans les pieds a été mélangé avec de l'argile.

"Dans les jours de ces rois», dit Daniel, «Dieu suscitera un royaume qui ne sera jamais détruit, et son royaume est représenté dans votre rêve par cette pierre détachée sans mains, qui frappa la grande image jusqu'à ce qu'il tombe.

Le royaume de Dieu va augmenter jusqu'à ce qu'elle remplisse toute la terre, et il se brisera en pièces tous les autre royaume. Ceci, ô roi, a été votre rêve, et c'est le sens de celui-ci. "

Nabuchodonosor était étonné de la sagesse de ce jeune Juif. Il croyait que Daniel était une personne merveilleuse, comme un dieu, et il tomba sur le sol devant Daniel pour l'adorer.

Mais Daniel lui avait dit que le Dieu du ciel avait fait connaître le rêve et le sens à lui, alors Nabuchodonosor dit: "En vérité, votre Dieu est un Dieu des dieux, et le Seigneur des rois, et le révélateur des secrets. "

Alors Nebucadnetsar a donné de nombreux grands cadeaux à Daniel, et fait de lui le souverain de toute la province de Babylone, et le chef de tous les sages de son royaume. Il n'a pas laissé son capitaine pour détruire les sages, après que Daniel avait révélé la signification de son rêve.

A la demande de Daniel le roi placé Hanania, Mischaël et Azaria dans les bureaux d'honneur de la province, parmi les gouverneurs de la terre. Et les noms de ces jeunes hommes étaient connus pour le roi que Schadrac, Méschac et Abed-Nego.