 One of the things about the Book of Daniel that puzzles me is it’s placement in the Protestant canon differs from the Jewish canon. In the Protestant canon, Daniel is among the Latter Prophets section. In the Jewish canon, Daniel is in the Writings section that makes up the last part of the Hebrew Bible. Why is there such a divergence on its placement?
The question revolves around whether Daniel was a prophet or not. Protestant Christians do view Daniel as seeing the future of the kingdom and predicting the coming of the Messiah (Daniel 9:24-27). Jews, on the other hand, believe the Spirit of the Holy One dwelled in Daniel and enabled his human mind to perceive divine realities. There would be nothing heard or seen by Daniel to distinguish him as a prophet to the Rabbis. Daniel is seen as a sage not a prophet to the Jewish mind. Another portion where there is no agreement is when the book was written. Many Protestants hold that that book is written sometime around 540 BCE. Jews adhere to the time of 168 BCE. How do we account for the disparity here? What makes this a difficult book for many to read is the apocalyptic genre that this book is written. The corpus of images of rams, goats, bears, leopards and lions fighting and coming out of the sea, do make it hard to follow what is happening. This may be where we want to start though. Let the form of the book take shape on our mind and sit down and read it in one sitting (12 chapters in total). What are your thoughts on the Book of Daniel? How do you read it? What has been helpful for you?
0 Comments
 The redemption of Israel from the bondage of Egypt is what made them holy unto the Lord. They were God’s chosen possession to be priests unto God in the world. The event of the crossing of Yam Suph (Sea of Reeds) was one that was the decisive finality of Israel’s life in Egypt. Although Israel had left Egypt after the death of every Egyptian firstborn son at Pharaoh’s release, it was at the waters where Israel’s life with God will be free. After Pharaoh changes his mind (what else do you expect? Pharaoh had changed his mind on many of the plagues) he sends 600 chariots to chase after the mass band of Hebrew slaves. Moses led the Israelites by God’s instructions. These orders by the Lord led to Israel facing the sea. Israel panicked seeing the Egyptians coming for them. Moses himself wondered what shall be done. Then the Lord called on Moses to go forward and to stretch out his staff over the sea to divide it. Sure enough that is what happens, as a strong eastern wind came upon the waters and the sea divided: and the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left (Exodus 14:22).
The wall of water that led to Israel’s salvation will ruse the Egyptians into thinking they can capture the Israelites. That is until the Lord sets Himself against the Egyptians plan. The Lord instructs Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea that was used to divide it and now cause the sea to come over the Egyptians. The wall of water falls flat upon the Egyptians and they become instant fish food. Another significant event in Israel’s life takes place when they enter the Land of Canaan. The first city they are positioned to subdue is Jericho. The description of Jericho is that of being a fortified bastion. The leadership of Joshua comes to the forefront when he leads Israel to conquer Jericho. The leadership of the priesthood bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord will guide Israel to victory. Over the duration of seven days (hardly accidental) Israel is quiet marching around the city. On the seventh day, Joshua sounds the ram’s horn and the people shout. The outcome of their shout of praise is the wall of Jericho falls flat. Where have we heard this story before? The imagery of walls falling flat on Israel’s enemies at two pivotal moments in their history is purposeful, instructive and of God’s doing. Walls are symbolic of protection and defence. Egypt though found out that walls of water don’t stay up when God is for His people. Jericho found out that when God is for His people, the walls don’t stay up either. The crossing of the Red Sea and the taking over of the city of Jericho in the Promise Land are tied together. These twin events show that getting out Egypt was not the whole point. It is the giving of a place for God’s people to dwell that God’s Name be celebrated and known and loved and feared. Deuteronomy 6:23 says, “And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give to our fathers.” God brings His people out that God might bring us in. That is the logic of God’s deliverance. God rescues a people for Himself who do not just get loose of chains but live into the sonship that is our inheritance. It wasn’t enough for the walls to come down, it was to be a testimony of the power of God to gather a people unto Himself. The justice of God prevails as God’s people celebrate God’s victory in the world. The apostle Peter puts it this way: but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). The celebration of God’s victory in the world is why we sing, we listen to sermons, give tithes, share at the communion table and receive a benediction. God graciously blesses His people who are claimed, personalized and humanized with His Spirit. May we enact our identity as God’s people to God’s glory in God’s world.  The third gospel in the Newer Testament is written by Luke. Of course we do not have his signature to prove this (we do not even have the original manuscript any longer too), but church tradition informs us that this is the case. Luke’s authorship also extends to the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. These are two books of substantial length which make up almost a quarter of the NT. What is more, Luke is the only Gentile to write in the NT. Luke’s Gentile background is of interest because of his partnership with Paul the apostle. In Acts, there will be times where the language suddenly changes from narrating the event in the third person to the first person (see Acts 21). Luke is also described in terms of his occupation. At the end of the letter to the Colossians, Paul informs the church that Luke the beloved physician greets you (Colossians 4:14). Luke is a unique witness in the canon of the NT.
Adding to this, I have reason to think that Luke had a thing for trees. In his gospel, Luke brings up trees as ways of Jesus teaching His disciples or the crowds. Recall the parable of a fruitless fig tree. The conversation is about whether to cut it down and they decide not to but to give it another year to bear fruit. Consider Luke’s Jesus selectivity in talking about a mulberry tree. It is the kind of tree that ends up taking its roots way down deep. Only Luke’s Jesus makes this observation of the type of tree. Then there is the famous Zacchaeus, whom Luke is the only gospel writer to bring up. Recall Zacchaeus goes up a sycamore fig tree to get a view of Jesus who is coming his way. It is there that Jesus calls on the chief tax collector to come down because the Son of God must have a meal with him. Then in Jesus’ apocalyptic discourse in chapter 21, He calls on His disciples (and us the reader/hearer) to look at the fig tree and all the trees. The last part of the sentence is unique to Luke. He alone would have us to look at all the trees, and not just the fig tree alone. It is also of interest that Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree that is narrated in Matthew and Mark is not found in Luke. It does not suit his need for his hearers. What then is Luke up to when Jesus is discussing trees? The clue comes in the second volume, the Book of Acts. There are only three references made to a tree in Acts: But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." (5:29-31) As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. (10:36-41) And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. (13:28-31) These three references come from the mouth of Peter and Paul, apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. The focus is on Jesus’ death on a tree. Jesus’ died on a tree? I thought it was a cross? Luke undertakes an imaginative look at Jesus’ death. But let us be clear that Luke is not making this up in his head. This is a Spirit-led evangelist who is searching the Scriptures where life is promised. It appears the Scripture that captures Luke’s mind is in the Book of Deuteronomy: "And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance. (Deut. 21:22-23) Luke sees Jesus’ death as that of an innocent man who is condemned as a common criminal. He dies on the cross then as a curse, for a hanged man is cursed by God. Yet no sooner do we learn of Jesus dying an ignominious death that the apostolic witness proclaims God raised Him from the dead. On the third day, God vindicated His servant who trusted Him and acted wisely. Luke’s interest in trees then goes beyond a hobby or preference. It is all tied into the purposes of salvation and the way God blessed the world at the tree where His Son died for the sins of the world. God took our curse upon Himself in Christ and rescues us from the damnation of living in bondage to the sin, death and the devil. Alleluia for God’s righteous deed that makes us righteous through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Amen.  You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. And there shall be six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. And on the lampstand itself there shall be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers, and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out from the lampstand. Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it, the whole of it a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it. Its tongs and their trays shall be of pure gold. It shall be made, with all these utensils, out of a talent of pure gold. And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain. (Exodus 25:31-40)
He also made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand of hammered work. Its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers were of one piece with it. And there were six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. And on the lampstand itself were four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers, and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out of it. Their calyxes and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole of it was a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. And he made its seven lamps and its tongs and its trays of pure gold. He made it and all its utensils out of a talent of pure gold. (Exodus 37:17-24) The two Scriptural references listed above are similar in its outlook. The difference between the two is that the Lord has instructed Moses the way the Tent of Meeting is to be erected and the latter Scripture shows Bezalel and Oholiab constructing the lampstand just the way the Lord had commanded. It is this sort of descriptiveness, detail and repetition that makes an important event in the life of Israel become redundant, banal and dull to our modern ears. Yet this is far from the way we were meant to approach this key piece of narrative. This is must stuff for us to recover biblical literacy that illuminates the way this lampstand does for Israel. The Tent of Meeting is of seismic importance for the Biblical story. Recall in the Garden of Eden the shrewd serpent deceives Eve and Adam subsequently eats of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In this event the primal couple loses its fellowship with the Lord. In contrast, what was lost in Eden is being regained in the wilderness. The importance of recovery is why not only does it need to be detailed commands given by the Lord, but also we need to hear of its fulfillment in terms of human obedience. This is what is held out to us here in the Book of Exodus. Going further then with this approach, the lampstand is of peculiar interest. The hammered gold of one piece is representative of the Tree of Life. It is lit continually before the Lord and offers us a look into the promise of life held out for those restored to fellowship with the Lord. The lampstand is a shining symbol of God giving us hope. In effect, the Lord is showing us early on in Israel’s history that the Tree of Life will be ours one day. In Christ we partake of this tree which holds out hope for what is to come. In the Spirit, the oil provides the light that shines for others. The lampstand in Israel’s life is well known as a menorah. This seven branched lighting tree is a witness of God’s saving faithfulness. May the people of God be a shining light for others who dwell in deep darkness.  A common time for God to meet with His leaders was first thing in the morning. Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his only son Isaac and we read of Abraham rising early in the morning (Genesis 22:3). Moses would perform many of the plagues in the morning. Manna would be scattered over the desert floor for Israel in the morning (Exodus 16:12). Also, Moses met the Lord on the mountain early in the morning as a habit (Ex. 19:16; 24:4; 34:4). The priests were instructed to offer sacrifices in the morning (Leviticus 6:12, 20; 7:15). Joshua would get up early in the morning to meet the Lord and do what God called on him to do (Joshua 3:1; 6:12; 7:16). In the Psalms, morning is a set time for prayer (Psalm 59:16; 88:13). Jesus retreated into solitary places to pray, often before any other human being is awake yet (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16).
The start of people’s day is different than it has been for civilization before 1950s. Most people did not even own a refrigerator until after World War II. Being a morning person was something you wouldn’t ask anyone, but would rather know everyone who works is up in the morning. This is a far cry from today. You don’t necessarily need to work in the morning in order to work. You can work in the afternoon or the night. All this has happened because we have electricity. This was all put into perspective for us in Toronto near the end of 2013 when the ice storm hit. We realized that days without power started causing us to question what we can do to pass the time. The shoring up of electricity for people living is a major reason for urban life looking the way it does today. Consider as well that many people lived in rural towns and woke up at the crack of dawn to start their day. Waking up with the sun was the way everyone around the world used to live. Not anymore. We rely on alarm clocks to help us get up since we are able to stay up late into the night because we have lights to do that. Living in the 21st century is radically different than ages gone by. So what then of the morning devotional? We realize this might not be as mandatory as it used to be. The biblical leaders who connected with God in the morning did so because the sun would rise and that would be how you start your day. There is wisdom in waking up with God the one you attend to. In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis makes this point: “It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.” Note where it all begins is when we open up our eyes. We must learn submission by attending to God. Listening to His voice, knowing fully well we have an agenda packed with activities for the day ahead. Why not make it your discipline to wake up with Jesus the One you will listen to by reading the Bible and praying? Start your day in such a way that the rest of day is shaped by your moments with God.  In Jesus’ most well-known sermon, He addresses devotional acts of alms-giving, prayer and fasting. With these three, Jesus makes it clear that the Pharisees are doing their religious acts as a way for others to see them. This in turn leads to Jesus saying they have received their reward. It got me thinking about us when Jesus makes mention of this topic. Are we the kind of people that have our rewards here and now? Remember Jesus does contrast the Pharisees’ righteousness over against the kind Jesus is describing. Jesus says that there are those who will get their reward now and others who will get it later. Which one are we? I have found one of the safest ways to ensure you have a reward here is to look at our expectations when it comes to God. Do we have any desperation, thirsts and longings that are unquenchable?
It’s not a question that easily comes with the answers. But that’s the point. It’s supposed to make you think. That’s what Jesus is up to in His ministry to people. Jesus is looking to take people and make them deep. Remember the fishermen on the job in Galilee? Jesus calls four fishermen and calls them to follow. In other words, the fish you fish for is fine and well but let’s go deeper than we could ever imagine. Let’s fish for people and thereby become deep people who let down their nets and watch fish come in droves. Jesus Christ has come to make you a deep person. So then, the question of insatiable longings is directly connected to not having your reward yet. Maybe not even in this life. It was how Jesus introduced His sermon. Congratulations to everyone here who is suffering poverty in your human spirit, who is mourning for the Messiah’s return, who is meek but everyone thinks you are weak, who are having belly growls for what’s right to come out on top, who are treating people not according to what you think they deserve, or who have single minded motives to bless others, to make peace and not merely keep peace, who get a bad rap for being a God follower…I tell you today, congratulations! Even though it looks like Jesus just affirmed the opposite, it turns out that rewards in heaven are manifold and plentiful when God fulfills all things. Till then we look to walk, live and behave like those whom the kingdom of God has made a difference. Having a reward of filled bellies, lots of laughter, absence of any worry, strife or heartache may be blessing we all wish to have. But then again, Jesus came to make us deep people. That will mean we will need to relinquish our power. Jesus would have us to know that having a life that prizes our own safety and happiness may be symptomatic of rewards in the here and now. Being well-liked by everyone may show we are enslaved to people’s opinions. Having an image of someone who is all put together might leave us looking outside the kingdom. Let’s defer our rewards to the age to come and wait on God to make all things new. Until then, go about trusting, loving and hoping in the good Lord here and now and don’t worry about the results. Leave that to the Lord.  This topic was brought to my attention by Scripture Union Canada. They reported that 4,500 Canadians were polled by Angus Reid about Bible engagement study. The findings of the study report that most Canadians not only do not read their Bible but are not interested in reading it. Since 1996, Bible reading has gone down 60% and only 14% of Canadians read their Bible at least once a month.
The study results shows that: (1) in general, confidence in the Bible is at an all-time low; (2) many Canadians no longer believe that the Bible is the Word of God; (3) some Christians question the reliability and trustworthiness of the Bible; (4) since 1996, church attendance (which has a strong link to Bible reading and engagement) has plummeted in Canada. It is precisely studies like this that are released that remind why I believe world mission must include Canada as a place of serious engagement. Any notions of a Christian country are misguided and deluded. I imagine that the 4,500 people polled for this study would include Christians. It makes me wonder if what the prophet Amos said is not happening in our midst: “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. This is an occasion for lament in a land that celebrates freedom, diversity and human rights. We sing in our anthem for God to keep our land glorious and free, meanwhile the Bible is seen as a thing of a bygone age. It is sobering but helps us to better grasp our calling as the church. Many churches undertake ESL classes for new people to our country or who need better English proficiency. The Bible is a worthy companion for such a venture. The Canadian Bible Engagement Study found that Canadians with real, meaningful Bible engagement have three behaviours in common: 1) Community: They are involved in a worshipping community; they go to church regularly and participate in church community. 2) Conversation: They discuss and explore the Bible with their friends. They're having conversations about the Bible, often in small groups. 3) Confidence: They have a growing confidence in the Bible as the way to know God and hear from Him. These three activities are to be intentionally undertaken for people, communities and lives to turn for the glory of God. Community, conversation and confidence all make for the thrill of engaging the Bible together. This is what the church is calling us into each and every time we gather in Christ’s name. We cannot simply be satisfied with people going to church on Sunday. We need discipleship to take us beyond the pettiness of our own lives being the major project of our generation. The Gospel is calling on each and every one of us to be committed to the church as never before. What ways are you connecting with your local church beyond attendance to a service on Sunday morning? God is calling on us to share our delight with friends about the story of Scripture. Discovering life in the Word makes for joyous venture together. Thirdly, the LORD calls on us to have faith in His Word. We meet Jesus Christ authoritatively in the Bible (First & Second Testaments). Have confidence in the Spirit of God aiding our lives in life together. When we hold community, conversation and confidence together as a people who are journeying with Jesus Christ in His world, then our humanity is regained, our lives are deep and we live out the joy we have planted in our lives. This Saturday is Bible Study with Tribe Genesis and Challengers. This study reminds me why we continue to pray earnestly for the Lord to give us a greater hunger for His Word than our necessary bread, rice or potatoes. Dear Christian sisters and brothers, pray we would have an unquenchable thirst for God’s Word than our need for water. Indeed, human beings do not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Take up in community and read together in conversation and have confidence who is addressing us is the One who breathes life from His Word. Maybe then we show that God is by no means done with us by employing the sword of the Spirit through His body, the church. Amen.  Amos is unique. He did not go to seminary to study and prepare for ministry. His education was neither formal nor in a relatable field with what he knows. After all, these are all relative once the LORD calls. We don’t know if Amos struggled with being called. One can imagine though the unorthodox approach God takes with Amos. I say unorthodox meaning unusual. A major reason has to do with Amos being a cattle-rancher from Tekoa belonging to the Southern Kingdom of Judah is sent to the Northern Kingdom in the region of Bethel. Bethel is where one of the two major worship centres in Israel was stationed. Hearing of Amos’ background in pasturing cattle and probably some sheep too is reminiscent of Israel’s first King David. Recall that David was minding sheep and was anointed by God to do His work. Or think of Moses who was a shepherd of his father-in-law Jethro’s sheep. He too would be called (while on the job) through encountering an un-consuming bush. The other observation about Amos’ ministry will be its duration. It ends up spanning two years before the earthquake (Amos 1:1). This earthquake is documented to have happened in 750 B.C.E. This will uniquely show Amos’ impact on prophetic ministry.
The book of Amos begins with “the words of Amos” and ends with the covenant formula (used only one time in the entire book) “says the LORD your God.” The relationship between the two is inseparable. God has bound Himself to His people and the prophet’s words function as God’s very own words. The major contest to take place in Amos happens in 7:10-17. There the prophet Amos is in Bethel and a temple priest by the name of Amaziah confronts Amos. He calls on Amos to get out of Israel and go and make his money down south in Judah. Amaziah says to the king that the land is weary of the words of Amos. In this action, we find that Amos’s words are rejected. The rejection of Amos’ words means the rejection of the word of God too. The outcome of this will be a seismic tectonic plate shift. The impact of the land being unable to endure Amos’ words will be to writhe and shake. This is Amos’ prophetic legacy. Many other prophets pick up on this theme like Isaiah 2:19, 21; Joel 3:16 and Haggai 2:6, 21. Matthew’s Gospel narrates an earthquake at Jesus’ crucifixion and on Easter morning (Matthew 27:51; 28:2). The earth is part of God’s creation that human beings who are God’s image-bearers are called to care and serve. When Israel rejects God’s words through his appointed prophet, the earth will shake. Such is the devastating consequences of unbelief and rejection of the wisdom of God. Israel will intend head into exile and not return. That is, until a unique Galilean prophet from Nazareth named Jesus comes on the scene and seeks out his lost sheep. |
A Word from the PastorGreetings to all of you in Christ's name. This blog is for you to consider in your walk with God. Shalom. Archives
November 2016
Categories |
RSS Feed
Join us every Sunday! |
Redeemer Chinese Evangelical Free Church. Updated 2021-10-03