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STT: Study Like a King

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Scroll Hebrew textAfter checking Ezra's and Daniel's Bible study examples, this week we'll look at the model for kings.

In Deuteronomy, in some of Moses' final teachings to Israel, he gives the standard for future kings of Israel.

Also it shall be, when [the king] sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel. Deuteronomy 17:18-20

Did you catch those details?
 1. Write out a copy – longhand.
2. Keep it close.
3. Read it every single day

Moses then lists several reasons and benefits for the king if he follows this program.
1. He'll learn to fear God
2. He'll be careful to obey it God's laws. If he knows the law by heart, he won't deviate from it.
3. He won't think he's better than his subjects.
4. His reign will be extended, and his children will succeed him.

Sadly, the Old Testament history books show that few of the kings took Moses' advice.

Do you think the model is still valid? 

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STT: Daniel’s Example

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Worn BibleLast week, we looked at Ezra's example of progressing Bible study. Today, we'll see what Daniel can teach us.
 
He says in Daniel 9:2 "In the first year of [Darius'] reign I, Daniel, understood … the word of the Lord through Jeremiah." 
 
 
A super short reading, but there's a great model even in those few words. So what can we draw from this?
 
Never stop studying. There are always new insights to be gained. 
By this time, Daniel was around 85 years old, having lived in Babylon for the last 70 of those years. And finally, after years of reading, studying, fasting and praying, God made a specific portion of the word come into clear focus for him. 
 
Keep studying what you think you know.
No doubt, Daniel had read Jeremiah over and over and over in the course of his life. However, his diligence was rewarded.
 
God's word can help put your situation in perspective.
Jeremiah's writing helped Daniel see the Babylonian captivity as part of God's larger plan for dealing with the nation of Israel. He could see a purpose behind the difficult years in Babylon and a hope for the future.
 
Finally- did you see not only did Daniel keep notes about his study, but he shared what he learned? Just sayin' :-)

 

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STT: Prayers in Scripture

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Man prayingLast on our menu of Biblical writing is prayer and praise. However, rather than take these together in one giant post, let's look at them separately.

Prayers recorded in Scripture aren't much different from those we pray ourselves. Look for God's name and then the requests usually follow with the verbs leading the way.

  • "Our Father in heaven … give us this day our daily bread, … forgive us … do not lead us into temptation …" Matthew 6:9-13
  • "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay." Daniel 9:19
  • "Now Lord, look on their threats and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word." Acts 4:29

Sometimes that order is reversed, with the request coming first.

  • "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved, for You are my praise." Jeremiah 17:14
  • "Remember me, O my God, for good." Nehemiah 13:30
  • "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties." Psalm 139:23

Some other prayer markers to watch for are the words "may" and "let".

  • "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
  • "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Which Biblical prayers mean the most to you?

 

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God Knows

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My Wednesday night kids and I began a new study last night. They wanted to tackle Revelation next, (mostly because my son wants to draw the monsters described) so we started with Daniel to give a framework. I want them to get the big picture for prophecy and not just parade a succession of beasts past them. So, we studied Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great statue with the golden head.

If you’ve not read the story in a while, it’s the one where the king has this dream that completely freaks him out. He’s no fool either. He knows that his wise men can come up with a decent interpretation given a chance, so to make sure they are telling him the real interpretation, he demands they tell him the dream first. Of course no one can tell what someone else dreamed. (We tried this last night- it was funny for the kids to try to guess dreams, although once they knew the dreams, they had some convincing interpretations.) God not only told Daniel the dream AND the meaning behind it, He revealed what the king was pondering before he dropped off to sleep.

Prophecy aside, there are some powerful lessons that struck me as I recapped the story.

1. There are some things only God can do. (like reveal and interpret dreams or the lay out the future)

2. Enlist prayer partners. Daniel’s first move was to get his friends praying for him. (2:17-19)

3. Sometimes He goes beyond what we ask Him for. (like detailing what the king was thinking about)

4. God is sovereign over the affairs of men. 2:21 says God sets up and removes kings. We may never grasp why He chooses some rulers, but He does choose.

5. God knows the future.

6. God wants us to know. Daniel 2:30 says, ‘but for our sakes…’ and ‘that you may know’. Granted, God doesn’t tell us everything, or the daily details, but He lets us know there is a greater purpose, an overarching plan to all of this.

It’s challenging enough for me to plan out a year of school lessons. (My battle this week) What a God we serve who “reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness and light dwells with Him.”

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