I have decided to suspend maintenance and updates on this site.
Lahag Shalom was started with the intention of being an interactive tool for readers to use in their own study of Scripture. I read a chapter, journal my thoughts, and encourage the reader to interact with their own thoughts on the passage, or with my thoughts. Over the course of 50+ posts, there were only 7 comments, all from one reader. Thus far, this blog has not met its purpose of being an interactive tool, and I have decided to move on.
I may return to this idea in the future if it becomes a benefit in my community (virtual or physical), but for now, do not expect new content here in the near future.
For those who have been reading, thank you. For you who have interacted, thank you greatly.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Daniel Chapter Seven
Read Today's Passage
This chapter is chock full of Jewish Apocalyptic literature. It reads so much like the book of Revelation, that it makes me think of Revelation, and the intended audience. Were they familiar with Daniel and his work? Of his interpretations of dreams like this one?
And just how far into Daniel's (or our) future is this fourth kingdom supposed to take root?
This chapter is chock full of Jewish Apocalyptic literature. It reads so much like the book of Revelation, that it makes me think of Revelation, and the intended audience. Were they familiar with Daniel and his work? Of his interpretations of dreams like this one?
And just how far into Daniel's (or our) future is this fourth kingdom supposed to take root?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Daniel Chapter Six
Read Today's Passage
Daniel is now in his third reign of oppression over Israel. And once again, he is found blameless before the King and other men. Yet their jealousy consumes them and they find a way to get him out of the picture.
I think what strikes me the most from this passage is not that Daniel survives the lion's den. Or that the others wanted him dead. I think what catches me the most is that after Daniel is removed from the land, Darius has the others thrown in the den with THEIR FAMILIES as well, and then issues a decree throughout the land that everyone is to fear and reverence God, 24 hours after he has decreed that everyone must worship him. This is God at work, taking a proud man down to his lowest and humbling him, and through that beginning a new work in the people this man oversees. This seems to be why Daniel did not fight back, but worked within the governmental structure when Israel was invaded.
Could I do that?
Daniel is now in his third reign of oppression over Israel. And once again, he is found blameless before the King and other men. Yet their jealousy consumes them and they find a way to get him out of the picture.
I think what strikes me the most from this passage is not that Daniel survives the lion's den. Or that the others wanted him dead. I think what catches me the most is that after Daniel is removed from the land, Darius has the others thrown in the den with THEIR FAMILIES as well, and then issues a decree throughout the land that everyone is to fear and reverence God, 24 hours after he has decreed that everyone must worship him. This is God at work, taking a proud man down to his lowest and humbling him, and through that beginning a new work in the people this man oversees. This seems to be why Daniel did not fight back, but worked within the governmental structure when Israel was invaded.
Could I do that?
Monday, November 17, 2008
Daniel Chapter Five
Read Today's Passage
So all of a sudden we are into the next king of Babylon, Belshazzar, who likes to party evidently. And this hand starts writing on the wall. How in the world does he not think of Daniel, who interpreted his father's dreams for him? He goes straight to the astrologers and diviners. And he refuses to learn from his father's mistakes! And that very night he pays for it. I just wonder, why honor Daniel for such an interpretation, when it foretold of the end of his reign? Did he begin to try to change at all that day? Or was he waiting to?
Hmm...
So all of a sudden we are into the next king of Babylon, Belshazzar, who likes to party evidently. And this hand starts writing on the wall. How in the world does he not think of Daniel, who interpreted his father's dreams for him? He goes straight to the astrologers and diviners. And he refuses to learn from his father's mistakes! And that very night he pays for it. I just wonder, why honor Daniel for such an interpretation, when it foretold of the end of his reign? Did he begin to try to change at all that day? Or was he waiting to?
Hmm...
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Daniel Chapter Four
Read Today's Passage
Very interesting dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had. And to hear that interpretation after eh had praised God's mighty works? And then a year later to fall back into his prideful ways. And then, and only then does the prophecy happen. I wonder how much he was aware of while he was like one of the animals?
And in the end, he still praised God once again. Wow.
Very interesting dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had. And to hear that interpretation after eh had praised God's mighty works? And then a year later to fall back into his prideful ways. And then, and only then does the prophecy happen. I wonder how much he was aware of while he was like one of the animals?
And in the end, he still praised God once again. Wow.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Daniel Chapter Three
Read Today's Passage
Look at the 90-foot tall golden idol! It is majestic, is it not? So worthy of being worshiped, the inanimate object symbolizing a fallen man. I have always wondered just who came up with the idea of making the people worship this idol. Was it Neduchadnezzar on his own? Did one of his advisers suggest it? Was it a common practice to cast yourself in gold as tall as a modest skyscraper and force your subjects to revere it as if it were a god? Was the time that the music would play signifying the beginning of worship time regular or random? Did the people know when they would be forced to bow, or were they always wondering if it would happen in the next minute? (I would hate to be the guy on the toilet [yeah, no indoor plumbing, I know] when that music played).
And how much further can Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego be promoted?
In any event, these three men stood up for themselves and even though the men throwing them into the furnace died because of the flames, they were unscathed and had the son of God walking around in the furnace with them. Hmmm. Makes you wonder why some people have such a hard time trusting that God will take care of them when they stand up for Him. Sure, not everyone will be protected like this (This act changed the course of an entire kingdom), but He will take care of us. Why is that so hard to believe with such great examples littered throughout Scripture?
Look at the 90-foot tall golden idol! It is majestic, is it not? So worthy of being worshiped, the inanimate object symbolizing a fallen man. I have always wondered just who came up with the idea of making the people worship this idol. Was it Neduchadnezzar on his own? Did one of his advisers suggest it? Was it a common practice to cast yourself in gold as tall as a modest skyscraper and force your subjects to revere it as if it were a god? Was the time that the music would play signifying the beginning of worship time regular or random? Did the people know when they would be forced to bow, or were they always wondering if it would happen in the next minute? (I would hate to be the guy on the toilet [yeah, no indoor plumbing, I know] when that music played).
And how much further can Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego be promoted?
In any event, these three men stood up for themselves and even though the men throwing them into the furnace died because of the flames, they were unscathed and had the son of God walking around in the furnace with them. Hmmm. Makes you wonder why some people have such a hard time trusting that God will take care of them when they stand up for Him. Sure, not everyone will be protected like this (This act changed the course of an entire kingdom), but He will take care of us. Why is that so hard to believe with such great examples littered throughout Scripture?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Daniel Chapter Two
Read Today's Passage
I love how Nebuchadnezzar really puts his astrologers and wise men to the test. If only more people today would put psychics and mediums to the test, and not be so susceptible top the power of suggestion. And is not death a fitting punishment for men who pretend to possess the powers of God? And before Daniel goes to explain the dream, he and his friends pray for wisdom in interpreting the dream, and SLEPT ON IT! Not a rash decision that required God to show up at the last minute, but allowing God to work in His time.
And after Daniel had interpreted the dream, the king was so thankful that he granted Daniel's request to elevate his friends' status, an not his own.
There is a lot we can learn from Daniel in this one passage today. Wow.
I love how Nebuchadnezzar really puts his astrologers and wise men to the test. If only more people today would put psychics and mediums to the test, and not be so susceptible top the power of suggestion. And is not death a fitting punishment for men who pretend to possess the powers of God? And before Daniel goes to explain the dream, he and his friends pray for wisdom in interpreting the dream, and SLEPT ON IT! Not a rash decision that required God to show up at the last minute, but allowing God to work in His time.
And after Daniel had interpreted the dream, the king was so thankful that he granted Daniel's request to elevate his friends' status, an not his own.
There is a lot we can learn from Daniel in this one passage today. Wow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)