Monday, October 18, 2021

Dear colleagues, friends and NewLifers: 

I want to share with you how I identify the key point of Chapter 2 of the Book of Daniel. Firstly, I used markers (a technical term called wayiqtto; some of the English versions use “And” or “Then” to translate this and it always appears in the beginning of a sentence) embedded in the Hebrew text to identify sequential or consequential actions in order to draw an outline. Secondly, since the genre of Daniel is narrative, we should use Narrative Criticism to identify the plot and the main character. There are five parts of the plot: Setting, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. The outline often fits well into the framework of the plot:    

1.   Setting: The setting of a story/episode. 

Daniel 2: 1 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his                         spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. 

2. Rising Action: A series of events develop into a conflict and move toward a climax in the action.

Daniel 2: 2-13 Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned 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 troubled to know the dream.” 4 Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, … Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. 13 So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them. 

3.  Climax or Turning Point:  After the climax, everything changes: the problem is solved and the tension relieved. The main character appears here -- Daniel is the main character and God the main character behind the scene.

Daniel 2: 14-23 “ Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. 15 He declared to Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. 16 And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king. 17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said:                

     “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. 21  He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;  22  he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. 23  To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.” 

 

4.  Falling Action: There may be moments of suspense, but conflict begins to resolve. 

Daniel 2: 24-45   24 Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.” 25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.” 26 The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?”  27 Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days… 45 A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.” 

 

5.    Resolution (denouement): This is the final state of affairs within the narrative. This is where the main character ends up dead, living happily ever after, being promoted, etc.

Daniel 2:46-49:   Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. 47 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to

reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.

The actions in the climax reveal a core theological message:

  1. V. 14 -- “Then Daniel replied with prudence

  2. Vv. 17-18 -- “Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, …”

  3. Vv. 19b-23“Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said: (Daniel’s adoration to God)               

So, the message is: It was precisely because of Daniel’s prudent reply and the prayers of Daniel and his three companions that the crisis was resolved and lives were saved.

 

Pastor Paul Tong


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