The greenleaf guide to ancient literature lessons 12and 3?

Answer 1

The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 10 Lesson One Daniel, Chapters 1-4 Texts you will read in this course: The Epic of Gilgamesh The Odyssey, Homer Oedipus, Sophocles Oedipus at Colonus (selections), Sophocles Antigone, Sophocles Antigone, Jean Anouilh As you can see after looking over the list of texts you will be studying in this course, we'll spend most of our time studying pagan literature. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a Babylonian flood story that has much in common with the account of Noah's flood given in Genesis. The Odyssey is the second epic poem the Greek poet, Homer, wrote about the Trojan War. The first part, The Iliad tells the story of the war itself. As it ends, all of the Greek forces leave for their homes. The Odyssey tells the story of one Greek general, Ulysses, or Odysseus, as he struggles to return to his home and family. Since the writers of these works were neither Jewish nor Christian, they are obviously unconcerned about violating Old Testament prohibitions against idol worship. The stories told by the Babylonian writer of Gilgamesh and the Greek poet, Homer, were consistent with the Babylonian and Greek understandings about who the gods were. So how can studying these things be of any benefit to a Christian? Can a Christian even read the stuff in "good faith," so to speak? This is a serious question. It is important for you to have a clear and Biblically accurate answer to it, before you begin your study. 1. Read Deuteronomy 18:9-12. 2. List the activities or people God says we are to avoid. After you make this list, I would recommend that you highlight it in your own Bible and memorize at least the reference, if not the whole passage. Chances are you will need to refer to it again, yourself. You will probably have more than one occasion to take others there as well. 3. What can you learn from Deuteronomy about how we should not approach ancient literature, writings, or culture? Lesson One, Daniel 11 4. Can you think of any examples of Godly men who knew something about pagan culture? 5. Read Acts 7:22. Who is described in this verse? How is he described? 6. Read Acts 17:16-34. Who do you read about in this passage? What is he doing? How would you describe his knowledge and understanding of Greek religion and culture? What use does he make of this knowledge? Background Information: An educated Greek was expected to know the Greek Poets, and to quote them in conversation. By demonstrating his familiarity with the poets, he would show that he was a educated, cultured, and thus gave him credibility with his peers. The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 12 7. The next section of this worksheet will ask you to read through Daniel chapters 1-4. It is reprinted here so that as you read, you can mark certain things in the text. The next few questions will ask you to read a section of Daniel more than once. (Some of you will think, "AHA! I can read it through once and just look for all the answers the first time!" And you might be able to do that, BUT there are some advantages to doing it the hard way. Each time you read through the text, you will become more and more familiar with the passage. And each time you read through it, you will see things you hadn't noticed before. You will shortchange yourself if you only skim the surface for the most obvious answers. 8. Read through each of the four chapters of Daniel. Find out WHEN the story takes place. Underline those words or phrases that tell you WHEN, and record your findings on the appropriate "Daniel Overview" charts beginning on page 17. 9. Read through each of the four chapters and find out WHERE the story takes place. Draw a box around all the places the writer mentions. Now list those places in the appropriate "Daniel Overview" chart. 10. Read through each of the four chapters and circle the names of all the PEOPLE mentioned in the text. Anytime you see a reference to God, draw a triangle around His Name (or pronouns that refer to Him). List these in the appropriate "Daniel Overview" chart. 11. Now read Chapter 1 again carefully. 12. What does Nebuchadnezzar decree? 13. What does that decree mean for Daniel and his friends? 14. How does Daniel respond to the news of the decree? Lesson One, Daniel 13 15. What does Daniel refuse to do? Why does he refuse? 16. What does he not refuse to do? 17. Notice Daniel's attitude throughout this chapter. How would you describe it? 18. Read Chapter 1 again once more. Mark every time God does something. What do you learn about God from this? (Remember these observations. We will come back to them later as we study The Epic of Gilgamesh and compare God's character with the character of the gods worshipped by the Babylonians. 19. What kind of contact does Nebuchadnezzar have with the four Hebrews? How does he respond to them? 20. Read Daniel 2:9. Review the entries you made in the Overview Chart for Chapter 2. Notice when and where the events of this chapter take place. Notice who is involved. The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 14 21. As Chapter 2 opens, what has just happened? Who is called before the king? 22. What do we learn about Nebuchadnezzar? His wise men? His relationship with his wise men? 23. What does Nebuchadnezzar ask of his wise men this time? 24. How do they respond to his demand? What do they ask him to give them? 25. How does Nebuchadnezzar respond to their request? 26. Read verses 14-16 of chapter 2. Compare Nebuchadnezzar's response to the wise men's request for more time with his response to Daniel's request for more time. 27. Why do you think he responds differently to Daniel? (Hint: check Chapter 1 again.) 28. Read verses 17-49 of chapter 2. Especially notice the king's response to Daniel's interpretation in verses 46-49. Lesson One, Daniel 15 29. How do you think this story would have been different if Daniel and his friends had been lazy students? 30. Read Daniel 3 and 4. Notice Nebuchadnezzar's response to the God of Heaven. Who is the author of Daniel Chapter 4? Application Time! If you, as a student, were to adopt Daniel as your model, what would that mean for you? How would that affect the way you approach your course work? Your purpose for study? The quality of your work? How was God able to use Daniel because he excelled? Think about the way the educated pagan world often sees Christians. If Christians followed Daniel's example, how might that opinion change? The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 16 A Challenge and Exhortation to everyone doing this study: If you read further, you will find that not everyone loves Daniel like Nebuchadnezzar does. In Daniel 6, Daniel runs into a group of folks who resent him because he is respected by those in authority. Because they are jealous of his success, they want him dead. There are lessons to be learned from both Nebuchadnezzar's and the jealous official's reactions to Daniel. But that's another study… I believe God was able to use Daniel in Nebuchadnezzar's life because of two things. Daniel had an unshakable commitment to obeying God. He knew the Scriptures and was determined to remain faithful to their teachings. He feared God more than he feared any man. Secondly, Daniel was faithful in his Babylonian studies-language, literature, and customs of that culture. Daniel excelled in his studies. He was able to speak clearly to Nebuchadnezzar about the God of Heaven in terms that Nebuchadnezzar understood. When Nebuchadnezzar looked at Daniel, he saw a young man of integrity and diligence. He knew that Daniel could be trusted. Similarly, Paul was able to stand at Mars Hill and speak clearly to the Greeks about the One True God in terms that they understood. How are you preparing yourself to speak to your culture about the Gospel? Lesson One, Daniel 17 DANIEL OVERVIEW CHART -- CHAPTER 1 WHEN? WHERE? WHAT HAPPENS HERE? WHO IS MENTIONED? WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THEM? The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 18 DANIEL OVERVIEW CHART -- CHAPTER 2 WHEN? WHERE? WHAT HAPPENS HERE? WHO IS MENTIONED? WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THEM? Lesson One, Daniel 19 DANIEL OVERVIEW CHART -- CHAPTER 3 WHEN? WHERE? WHAT HAPPENS HERE? WHO IS MENTIONED? WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THEM? The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 20 DANIEL OVERVIEW CHART -- CHAPTER 4 WHEN? WHERE? WHAT HAPPENS HERE? WHO IS MENTIONED? WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THEM? Lesson One, Daniel 21 Daniel 1 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, 4 youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every [branch of] wisdom, endowed with understanding, and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king's court; and [he ordered him] to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily ration from the king's choice food and from the wine which he drank, and [appointed] that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king's personal service. 6 Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 Then the commander of the officials assigned [new] names to them; and to Daniel he assigned [the name] Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach, and to Azariah Abed-nego. 8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought [permission] from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 22 9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, 10 and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king." 11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 "Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 "Then let our appearance be observed in your presence, and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king's choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see." 14 So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king's choice food. 16 So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables. 17 And as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every [branch of] literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all [kinds of] visions and dreams. 18 Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's personal service. Lesson One, Daniel 23 20 And as for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians [and] conjurers who [were] in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued until the first year of Cyrus the king. The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 24 Daniel 2 1 Now in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. 2 Then the king gave orders to call in the magicians, the conjurers, the sorcerers and the Chaldeans, to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3 And the king said to them, "I had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand the dream." 4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic: "O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation." 5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, "The command from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be made a rubbish heap. 6 "But if you declare the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts and a reward and great honor; therefore declare to me the dream and its interpretation." 7 They answered a second time and said, "Let the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will declare the interpretation." 8 The king answered and said, "I know for certain that you are bargaining for time, inasmuch as you have seen that the command from me is firm, 9 that if you do not make the dream known to me, there is only one decree for you. For you have agreed together to speak lying and corrupt words before me until the situation is changed; therefore tell me the dream, that I may know that you can declare to me its interpretation. " 10 The Chaldeans answered the king and said, "There is not a man on earth who could declare the matter for the king, inasmuch as no great king or Lesson One, Daniel 25 ruler has [ever] asked anything like this of any magician, conjurer or Chaldean. 11 "Moreover, the thing which the king demands is difficult, and there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods, whose dwelling place is not with [mortal] flesh." 12 Because of this the king became indignant and very furious, and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they looked for Daniel and his friends to kill [them.] 14 Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king's bodyguard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon; 15 he answered and said to Arioch, the king's commander, "For what reason is the decree from the king [so] urgent?" Then Arioch informed Daniel about the matter. 16 So Daniel went in and requested of the king that he would give him time, in order that he might declare the interpretation to the king. 17 Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, 18 in order that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; 20 Daniel answered and said, "Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. 21 "And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to men of understanding. The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 26 22 "It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. 23 "To Thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For Thou hast given me wisdom and power; Even now Thou hast made known to me what we requested of Thee, For Thou hast made known to us the king's matter." 24 Therefore, Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and spoke to him as follows: "Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon! Take me into the king's presence, and I will declare the interpretation to the king." 25 Then Arioch hurriedly brought Daniel into the king's presence and spoke to him as follows: "I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can make the interpretation known to the king!" 26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen and its interpretation?" 27 Daniel answered before the king and said, "As for the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, conjurers, magicians, [nor] diviners are able to declare [it] to the king. 28 "However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. This was your dream and the visions in your mind [while] on your bed. 29 "As for you, O king, [while] on your bed your thoughts turned to what would take place in the future; and He who reveals mysteries has made known to you what will take place. 30 "But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me for any wisdom residing in me more than [in] any [other] living man, but for the Lesson One, Daniel 27 purpose of making the interpretation known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind. 31 "You, O king, were looking and behold, there was a single great statue; that statue, which was large and of extraordinary splendor, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was awesome. 32 "The head of that statue [was made] of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 "You continued looking until a stone was cut out without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them. 35 "Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 36 "This [was] the dream; now we shall tell its interpretation before the king. 37 "You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength, and the glory; 38 and wherever the sons of men dwell, [or] the beasts of the field, or the birds of the sky, He has given [them] into your hand and has caused you to rule over them all. You are the head of gold. 39 "And after you there will arise another kingdom inferior to you, then another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule over all the earth. 40 "Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so, like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces. 41 "And in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have in it the toughness of iron, inasmuch as you saw the iron mixed with common clay. The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 28 42 "And [as] the toes of the feet [were] partly of iron and partly of pottery, [so] some of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle. 43 "And in that you saw the iron mixed with common clay, they will combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery. 44 "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and [that] kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. 45 "Inasmuch as you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future; so the dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy." 46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and fragrant incense. 47 The king answered Daniel and said, "Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery." 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 And Daniel made request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego over the administration of the province of Babylon, while Daniel [was] at the king's court. Lesson One, Daniel 29 Daniel 3 1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, the height of which [was] sixty cubits [and] its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent [word] to assemble the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 3 Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces were assembled for the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed: "To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and [men of every] language, 5 that at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. 6 "But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire." 7 Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and [men of every] language fell down [and] worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 8 For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews. 9 They responded and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: "O king, live forever! The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 30 10 "You yourself, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image. 11 "But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire. 12 "There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, [namely] Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up." 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar responded and said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 "Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, [very well.] But if you will not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17 "If it be [so,] our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 "But [even] if [He does] not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." Lesson One, Daniel 31 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he commanded certain valiant warriors who [were] in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, in order to cast [them] into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their [other] clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. 22 For this reason, because the king's command [was] urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. 23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire [still] tied up. 24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he responded and said to his high officials, "Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "Certainly, O king." 25 He answered and said, "Look! I see four men loosed [and] walking [about] in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of [the] gods!" 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire. 27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king's high officials gathered around [and] saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 32 nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire [even] come upon them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king's command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 "Therefore, I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way." 30 Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon. Lesson One, Daniel 33 Daniel 4 4:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and [men of every] language that live in all the earth: "May your peace abound! 2 "It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the Most High God has done for me. 3 "How great are His signs, And how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation. 4 "I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace. 5 "I saw a dream and it made me fearful; and [these] fantasies [as I lay] on my bed and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. 6 "So I gave orders to bring into my presence all the wise men of Babylon, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 "Then the magicians, the conjurers, the Chaldeans, and the diviners came in, and I related the dream to them; but they could not make its interpretation known to me. 8 "But finally Daniel came in before me, whose name is Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is a spirit of the holy gods; and I related the dream to him, [saying,] 9 'O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, since I know that a spirit of the holy gods is in you and no mystery baffles you, tell [me] the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation. 10 'Now [these were] the visions in my mind [as I lay] on my bed: I was looking, and behold, [there was] a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height [was] great. 11 'The tree grew large and became strong, And its height reached to the sky, And it [was] visible to the end of the whole earth. The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 34 12 'Its foliage [was] beautiful and its fruit abundant, And in it [was] food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, And the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches, And all living creatures fed themselves from it. 13 'I was looking in the visions in my mind [as I lay] on my bed, and behold, an [angelic] watcher, a holy one, descended from heaven. 14 'He shouted out and spoke as follows: "Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, Strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit; Let the beasts flee from under it, And the birds from its branches. 15 "Yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground, But with a band of iron and bronze [around it] In the new grass of the field; And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, And let him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth. 16 "Let his mind be changed from [that of] a man, And let a beast's mind be given to him, And let seven periods of time pass over him. 17 "This sentence is by the decree of the [angelic] watchers, And the decision is a command of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, And bestows it on whom He wishes, And sets over it the lowliest of men." 18 'This is the dream [which] I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell [me] its interpretation, inasmuch as none of the wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for a spirit of the holy gods is in you.' 19 "Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his thoughts alarmed him. The king responded and said, 'Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.' Belteshazzar answered and said, 'My lord, [if only] the dream applied to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries! Lesson One, Daniel 35 20 'The tree that you saw, which became large and grew strong, whose height reached to the sky and was visible to all the earth, 21 and whose foliage [was] beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which [was] food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt and in whose branches the birds of the sky lodged-- 22 it is you, O king; for you have become great and grown strong, and your majesty has become great and reached to the sky and your dominion to the end of the earth. 23 'And in that the king saw an [angelic] watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, "Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground, but with a band of iron and bronze [around it] in the new grass of the field, and let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him share with the beasts of the field until seven periods of time pass over him"; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 25 that you be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes. 26 'And in that it was commanded to leave the stump with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will be assured to you after you recognize that [it is] Heaven [that] rules. 27 'Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: break away now from your sins by [doing] righteousness, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to [the] poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity.' 28 "All [this] happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature 36 29 "Twelve months later he was walking on the [roof of] the royal palace of Babylon. 30 "The king reflected and said, 'Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?' 31 "While the word [was] in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, [saying,] 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, 32 and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place [will be] with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes.' 33 "Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair had grown like eagles' [feathers] and his nails like birds' [claws]. 34 "But at the end of that period I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom [endures] from generation to generation. 35 "And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And [among] the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What hast Thou done?' 36 "At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and Lesson One, Daniel 37

Answer 2

Literature 1 1. Read Deuteronomy 18:9-12. 2. List the activities or people God says we are to avoid. After you make this list, I would recommend that you highlight it in your own Bible and memorize at least the reference, if not the whole passage. Chances are you will need to refer to it again, yourself. You will probably have more than one occasion to take others there as well. A. List of activities or people God says we are to avoid. * Do not follow practices of other nations. * Do not sacrifice children as offerings. * Do not tell fortunes or interpret omens. * Do not become a sorcerer, charmer, medium, necromancer, or one who inquires of the dead. 3. What can you learn from Deuteronomy about how we should not approach ancient literature, writings, or culture? A. Although we read about other cultures and religions we do not have to follow their principle of thinking. We just have to obey God by doing his will. 4. Can you think of any examples of Godly men who knew something about pagan culture? A. Daniel, Joseph, Paul, and Moses 5. Read Acts 7:22. Who is described in this verse? How is he described? A. Moses was described as a mighty man in words and deeds 6. Read Acts 17:16-34. Who do you read about in this passage? What is he doing? How would you describe his knowledge and understanding of Greek religion and culture? What use does he make of this knowledge? A. Paul is seen in this passage preaching to people in the synagogue. Paul knew the Greek religion and culture and made use of it by taking their own religion to tell them about ours. 8. Read through each of the four chapters of Daniel. Find out WHEN the story takes place. Underline those words or phrases that tell you WHEN, and record your findings on the appropriate "Daniel Overview" charts beginning on page 17. 9. Read through each of the four chapters and find out WHERE the story takes place. Draw a box around all the places the writer mentions. Now list those places in the appropriate "Daniel Overview" chart. 10. Read through each of the four chapters and circle the names of all the PEOPLE mentioned in the text. Anytime you see a reference to God, draw a triangle around His Name (or pronouns that refer to Him). List these in the appropriate "Daniel Overview" chart. 11. Now read Chapter 1 again carefully. 12. What does Nebuchadnezzar decree? A. Nebuchadnezzar decreed for Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, 4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 13. What does that decree mean for Daniel and his friends? A. It meant that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah would have to be taken away from their families in Israel to go and live in the palace in Babylon where they would serve the king. 14. How does Daniel respond to the news of the decree? A. Daniel obeyed God by responding to it reasonably but still obeyed him by not eating the king's food. 15. What does Daniel refuse to do? Why does he refuse? A. Daniel refuses to eat the king's food and drink his wine because God forbid Jews to. 16. What does he not refuse to do? A. Obey the king but at the same time obey God. 17. Notice Daniel's attitude throughout this chapter. How would you describe it? A. Willing, Humble, Cooperative 18. Read Chapter 1 again once more. Mark every time God does something. What do you learn about God from this? (Remember these observations. We will come back to them later as we study The Epic of Gilgamesh and compare God's character with the character of the gods worshipped by the Babylonians. A. Things that God did in Daniel 1 * The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into Nebuchadnezzar's hand. * God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs. * God gave Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego learning and skill in all literature and wisdom. 19. What kind of contact does Nebuchadnezzar have with the four Hebrews? How does he respond to them? A. The king was impressed by them. 20. Read Daniel 2:9. Review the entries you made in the Overview Chart for Chapter 2. Notice when and where the events of this chapter take place. Notice who is involved. 21. As Chapter 2 opens, what has just happened? Who is called before the king? A. The king called the magicians, enchanters, and the sorcerers. 22. What do we learn about Nebuchadnezzar? His wise men? His relationship with his wise men? A. We learn that Nebuchadnezzar is superstitious and did not have a good relationship with his "wise men" because if he did he would not have killed them for not interpreting the dream. 23. What does Nebuchadnezzar ask of his wise men this time? A. To tell and interpret his dream. 24. How do they respond to his demand? What do they ask him to give them? A. They say it is impossible and asked him for more time. 25. How does Nebuchadnezzar respond to their request? A. He says no and kills them. 26. Read verses 14-16 of chapter 2. Compare Nebuchadnezzar's response to the wise men's request for more time with his response to Daniel's request for more time. A. Daniel replied with prudence and discretion when he requested the king to appoint him a time that he might show the interpretation to the king. 27. Why do you think he responds differently to Daniel? (Hint: check Chapter 1 again.) A. Because God was with Daniel. 28. Read verses 17-49 of chapter 2. Especially notice the king's response to Daniel's interpretation in verses 46-49. 29. How do you think this story would have been different if Daniel and his friends had been lazy students? A. Yes. They would have all died and Daniel would not have the promotion. 30. Read Daniel 3 and 4. Notice Nebuchadnezzar's response to the God of Heaven. Who is the author of Daniel Chapter 4? A. Nebuchadnezzar is the author of chapter 4. DANIEL OVERVIEW CHART -- CHAPTER 1 WHEN? Third year in the reign of Jehoiakim. WHERE? WHAT HAPPENS HERE? Judah (Where Jehoiakim ruled), Babylon (Where Nebuchadnezzar ruled), the Palace (Where Nebuchadnezzar lived), Shinar (The house of Nebuchadnezzar's god), Israel (where Daniel lived). WHO IS MENTIONED? WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THEM? Jehoiakim (King of Judah), Nebuchadnezzar (King of Babylon), Jews (People who were captured), God, Ashpenaz (The chief of Nebuchadnezzar's officials), Daniel, Hananiah (A friend of Daniel), Mishael (A friend of Daniel), Azariah (A friend of Daniel), Belteshazzar (Daniel's Persian name), Shadrach (Hananiah's Persian name), Meshach (Mishael's Persian name), Abednego (Azariah's Persian name), Cyrus (Another king of Babylon), Chaldeans (An ethnic group), Arioch (The captain of the king's bodyguard). DANIEL OVERVIEW CHART -- CHAPTER 2 WHEN? During the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. WHERE? WHAT HAPPENS HERE? The Great Mountain (It crushed the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream), Judah (Where Jehoiakim ruled), the Palace (Where Nebuchadnezzar lived), The King's bed (Where the king had his dream), Babylon (Where Nebuchadnezzar ruled). WHO IS MENTIONED? WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THEM? Nebuchadnezzar (The king of Babylon), Chaldeans (An ethnic group), Daniel, Arioch (The captain of the king's bodyguard), Belteshazzar (Daniel's Persian name), Shadrach (Hananiah's Persian name), Meshach (Mishael's Persian name), Abednego (Azariah's Persian name). DANIEL OVERVIEW CHART -- CHAPTER 3 WHEN? Unknown. WHERE? WHAT HAPPENS HERE? Plain of Dura (Where Nebuchadnezzar made the golden statue), Babylon (Where Nebuchadnezzar ruled), WHO IS MENTIONED? WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THEM? Nebuchadnezzar (The king of Babylon), Chaldeans (An ethnic group), Jews (People who were captured), Shadrach (Hananiah's Persian name), Meshach (Mishael's Persian name), Abednego (Azariah's Persian name), God, valiant warriors (They threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace). DANIEL OVERVIEW CHART -- CHAPTER 4 WHEN? Unknown. WHERE? WHAT HAPPENS HERE? The King's bed (Where the king had his dream), the roof of the palace (Where Nebuchadnezzar said, 'Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?'), WHO IS MENTIONED? WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THEM? Nebuchadnezzar (The king of Babylon), God, Chaldeans (An ethnic group), Babylon (Where Nebuchadnezzar ruled), Daniel, Belteshazzar (Daniel's Persian name),