In a Foreign Land

I've always had a fond affection for the book of Daniel; it was one of those stories most Christians would've carried with them from their childhood, along with such famous tales as those of Adam, Eve, Moses, David and Jonah.

Subsequent readings have yielded newer perspectives, showing the book to be more than 'Daniel in the Lions' Den.' I'd learnt about the prophecies, and the other adventures of his friends -- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

But this time around, I must admit I was challenged to take a different view to everything: it is what I would call the 'exile' perspective. I suppose this probably came about because of the previous books on the exile, and so they naturally lead to this.

I wonder, what was it like to live in a foreign land, having been deported by unscrupulous leaders to a new world? To be exposed to bizarre customs and maybe even climate? What is it like to bring with you knowledge of your true home, and spend your life away from it? Allow me to digress first.

Kings and the Kingdom

The first half of Daniel tells the story of four Jews and three foreign kings.

Nebuchadnezzar: The Kingdom

There are three accounts here: the dream, the furnace and the humbling.

Nebuchadnezzar seems to exhibit varying attitudes throughout, and it begins with his honouring the God of heaven, later forgetting about it and declaring himself God, and finally being humbled to exalt God once again.

I quote a few sayings from the three accounts that struck a chord in me as I read:

"God of heaven..." - spoken by Daniel, it departs from the usual Old Testament address of God, either Sovereign LORD or GOD or something of the sort. But here, Daniel acknowledges something about God that is especially apt in his circumstances; all the other wise men were merely men of earth, but Daniel appealed to the force from beyond. Only the seeing can lead the blind.

"But even if he doesn't" - spoken by Daniel's friends, it demostrates an abiding faith on their part, that it is better to live in the supposed existence of God, than in the absence of him. I am reminded of secular humanism's efforts to deny the presence of God, and I am brought back time and again to this resolution: even if God does not exist, I will live my life as if he does.

"Leaders out of losers" - spoken by Nebuchadnezzar after the seven years of humbling. It reflects the great kingdom paradox, of the weak being made strong, and the poor blessed. Obviously, the kingdom was by now much clearer to the king who at first caught glimpses of it, but never took it seriously.

Belshazzar: Judgement

The words of judgement, Mene, Teqel and Peres, say it all. Belshazzar's sin was that he neither added up, nor weighed much. The verdict was "you have known and yet..."

This reminds me of Solomon, to whom much was given, but little given back in return. Both had little to show for the blessings that were endowed upon them.

Darius: Grace

There is a stark contrast between the attitudes of Nebuchadnezzar and Darius. While the former was furious at the disobedience of the Jewish trio towards his law, the latter was upset by the sheer stupidity of his rash actions. While the former mocked God, saying "who is the god who can save you?", the latter hoped that God would protect Daniel.

It is a story of grace upon Daniel and Darius. God protected Daniel because he trusted (and this was just one of many such messages he was to receive), while Darius was given a chance to start again. And what a great change came upon Darius, evidenced in his proclamation that God alone is to be worshipped!

Prophecies of the Future

The second half deals with some of the most vivid and mysterious prophecies of the Old Testament.

While many have sought to unravel the cryptic codes, I attempted to focus more on the messages accompanying the visions.

Vision 1: The four creatures

In the middle of the vision, Daniel sees "a son of man" -- Jesus is the only assurance we have that all is in his control.

Vision 2: Ram and goat

"The Prince of all princes" is again the sole assurance that all is in God's control. Daniel was upset and couldn't make sense. He lays a precedent, if you will, that it is OK not to know. There are some things that are best left in the hands of God.

Interlude: A prayer of repentance

Words of a great prayer: "act out of who you are, not out of what we are... our appeal is to your compassion."

Max Lucado wrote that a prayer is powerful, not because of the one who says it, but the one who hears it. But how often do we focus on ourselves! We are worried we mispronounce 'justification', fret if our usage of the word 'grace' was in the right context, make a checklist to say "thank you God" and end everything with "in Jesus' name Amen."

I realize that more often than not, my prayers are inward rather than outward. Indoctrination has led me to believe that God is in my heart, while it is all the more probable that I am in his heart. I am way too self-conscious. We should all learn to make mistakes... no, wait... there can be no mistakes in prayer. Mistakes are when we do something wrong. Prayer is good, and as long as our attention is on God, there is absolutely no mistake we can make.

Ah, Satan, thy wiles defeat us not.

This prayer of repentance seems to be an indication that the exile has led, at least in part, to the fulfillment of God's intentions. His purpose was that the Israelites might turn to him in their despair and nothingness, and here, at least one man did.

Vision 3: Seventy Sevens

Whatever the numbers mean, we must remember that time is in God's hands. We would do well to operate on the grace of the moment, day by day.

Vision 4: Big war

God's purpose for suffering is that in his testing, he may "refine, cleanse and purify those who keep their heads on straight and stay true" to him.

At the end of the book, the angel says "relax". Daniel is told not to fret. The only other person in the Bible to be given such vivid prophecies of the future is the apostle John. Even at the end of his gospel, Jesus tells Peter to mind his own business.

The one reminder that accompanies all prophecy is this: don't worry about what it means or when it will come to pass. These matters are in God's hands. As for you, live in the continuing expectation of God's kingdom, and when you are resurrected to life, receive your reward.

Reflections

Back to those earlier questions. Daniel and his friends trusted God in Babylon. The prophetic messages have been interpreted in many ways, but probably their true purpose is not so much to give us clues by which to anticipate the future, but rather an assurance that we can know nothing about it (event-wise) for sure. After all, in the book of Acts, the angels ask the apostles, "Men of Galilee, why do you stare at the sky?"

We are to trust God even as we are led into the unknown, just as they trusted God in a foreign land. Sometimes this kind of thought makes people think, "Oh, I'm supposed to trust God when adverse circumstances strike, such as if I'm sent to prison or my house is burnt down or I'm involved in an accident."

But wait, isn't this world a foreign land? Are we not, in actuality, children of the kingdom? I believe Daniel is really a story about us, for the earth is really Babylon, and 'home' is the heavenly kingdom of God. No, not a land of clouds and gold castles and pearly gates, but a land of truth and hope and reality so beyond this, that earth is a shadow compared to it.

After the Leaders' Camp last year, I suggested doing a series on end-time prophecies during Christian Union meetings in school. They never happened, and I am relieved that this is so. I once thought that people these days are interested in the fantastic, or else the scientific debates about God. I held on to books like Revelation and Genesis as being of greatest interest to the people of today.

How wrong I was. God showed me, through a variety of books, people and experiences, that in our culture today, especially that of the postmoderns, many have declared that no one really knows anything for sure.

What they do believe, they believe on simple evidence, e.g. God exists because there's gotta be something out there; he's my friend, and there's no particular reason why. While it makes them more gullible, they are also less cynical.

Hence, scientists get the cold shoulder from such as them, for they (scientists) take things too seriously. And end-time 'prophets' who are keen to get them 'saved', may find them more interested in the fantastic, only for the sake of hearing a little here and there. They will move on to other things, for this culture is seeking joy that will last, and they will not remain stagnant.

A Final Note

Just as I reached the end of Chapter One, I received a phone call from someone who offered me a part-time 'job' in writing. She asked if we could meet up one of these days to discuss what it's really all about, and I was thinking, "Sure, but I wonder what my parents will say, this being exam period and all"... though for the next two weeks (after this Tuesday), there'll be a short Deepavali and Hari Raya break.

She first called during my trial exam, and I'd intended to re-establish contact on Wednesday. But the call today was unexpected. I'd prayed this morning for God to make his will in my life clearer, so I would know where to head for my tertiary education, and I wonder if this is one of the signposts along the road.

It was also raining when she called, quite a storm actually. As I have written before, rain has become something of a significant sign to me; Sivin and I discussed mentoring in the rain, and during storms, I am reminded of my sin, of God's grace, of the carpenter who stands up in torrents, saying to the wind and the waves, "Be still!"

Perhaps this is going to open up a new phase in my life... perhaps not. As with Daniel, I am reminded that whatever may develop, my trust must be in the one who knows all things. And so I commit myself to God.