Nebuchadnezzar's dream

Dan 2:1-4

1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams; and his spirit was troubled, and his sleep went from him. 2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the enchanters, and 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 unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream. 4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in the Syrian language, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation. 

Second year of his rein? (Vs 1)

Jer 25:1 says his first year was just before Nebuchadnezzar surrounded Jerusalem w army and took most people to Babylon.

Maybe add three years from Dan 1 to it: maybe 4 years?

Or maybe: "in the second year", that is, after Daniel and his companions had been presented to the king and promoted?

Or maybe: the second year of his reigning alone, or the fourth from his first reigning jointly with his father?

vs4

Here begins the Chaldee portion of Daniel, which continues to the end of the seventh chapter. The other parts, are in Hebrew.

Dan 2:5-7

5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye make not known unto me the dream and the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. 6 But if ye show the dream and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor: therefore show me the dream and the interpretation thereof. 7 They answered the second time and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation. 

Why might Nebuchadnezzar be so harsh with them?

-testing them?

-angry with them?

-cruel and ruthless tyrant?

-God's way of promoting Daniel?

Dan 2:8-13

8 The king answered and said, I know of a certainty that ye would gain time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. 9 But if ye make not known unto me the dream, there is but one law for you; for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation thereof. 10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king's matter, forasmuch as no king, lord, or ruler, hath asked such a thing of any magician, or enchanter, or Chaldean. 11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is no other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. 12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree went forth, and the wise men were to be slain; and they sought Daniel and his companions to be slain. 

**Why were Daniel and friends included? 

-This event had to occur after Dan 1 where the king "he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm."

-evidently they were counted as wiseman, magicians or enchanters

Dan 2:14-18

14 Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, who was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon; 15 he answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Wherefore is the decree so urgent from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. 16 And Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would appoint him a time, and he would show the king the interpretation. 17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 18 that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his companions should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 

Arioch 

- lion-like

-captain of the executioners

Daniel

-Why so harsh or severe a decree? 

Any assumptions about Daniel and friends positions?

Daniel and friends knew little or nothing of the matter prior to this?

Despite the king finding them "ten times better" than all the other prophets, they weren't immediately elevated to some super high position within the Babylonian kingdom.

Action steps by Daniel?

nothing to lose, gonna die anyway

Tries to schedule appt with king to show interpretation

Then Daniel goes home to friends pray for mercy concerning secret (dream) so they wouldn't die like rest of the wisemen

**Is it fair to describe this event as another period of "Ten Days" for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah?

Daniel 2:19-23

19 Then was the secret revealed unto 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 for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are his. 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons; he removeth kings, and setteth up kings; he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that have understanding; 22 he revealeth the deep and secret things; he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast now made known unto me what we desired of thee; for thou hast made known unto us the king's matter. 

***Crazy, great bold action steps of Daniel and friends result in Daniel learning the secret in a vision of the night.

Who did Daniel answer in verse 20?

God?

Why might Daniel have said in verse 21 "And he changeth the times and the seasons; he removeth kings, and setteth up kings…"?

Dan 2:24-28

24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said thus unto him: Destroy not the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show unto the king the interpretation. 25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the children of the captivity of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. 26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof? 27 Daniel answered before the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded can neither wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor soothsayers, show unto the king; 28 but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and he hath made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these: 

Summary

Daniel goes to Arioch, I know the interpretation

Arioch brings Daniel into the king alarmed and prob frightened

Says "this man of the captivity of Judah" will make known your interpretation

King says " will you make known my dream AND the interpretation?

Daniel gives all glory to God as the "revealer of secrets" and tells him that the enchanters, wiseman, magicians and soothsayers can't know it, only God.

Tell him that the dream is "what shall be in the LATTER DAYS"

Dan 2:28-31

28 but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and he hath made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these: 29 as for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter; and he that revealeth secrets hath made known to thee what shall come to pass. 30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that thou mayest know the thoughts of thy heart. 31 Thou, O king, sawest, and, behold, a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the aspect thereof was terrible.

***Nebuchadnezzar, a heathen king was shown "what should come to pass" in the latter days. Wonder why? 

Image 

- idolatrous figure; from root word meaning: shade; a phantom, i.e. (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol:—image, vain shew.

Psa 39:6 

Surely every man walketh in a vain show; Surely they are disquieted in vain: He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

Psalms 39:6 AMP

Surely every man walks around like a shadow [in a charade]; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; Each one builds up riches, not knowing who will receive them.

Psa 73:20

 As a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.

Whose image? 

***Look at this Ps 73 carefully.

-properity of wicked - vs 1-3

-eyes stand out with fatness - v7-9

-have more than heart could wish - v7

-they speak loftily v8

-mouth set in heaven, tongue walks thru the earth - vs9

-how does God know? vs11-12

-is God watching? vs11

-always at ease vs12

Until…

-their latter end v17-18

-cast down to destruction v18

-God despises their image v20

Who are they that God despises their image?

-them that play the harlot -vs27

-them that depart from God -vs27

Images

Eze 7:20 

As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty; but they made the images of their abominations and their detestable things therein: therefore have I made it unto them as an unclean thing.

Eze 16:17 

Thou didst also take thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest for thee images of men, and didst play the harlot with them;

Daniel 2:32-35

32 As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass, 33 its legs of iron, its feet part of iron, and part of clay. 34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon its feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them in pieces. 35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors; and the wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. 

Image

Head of gold

Breast and arms of silver

Belly and thighs of brass

Legs of iron (prob lower legs)

Feet are part iron, part clay

Stone 

cut w/o hands strikes the feet of iron and clay

Breaks the feet

Then iron, clay, brass, silver and gold break too

They become like chaff of the summer threshing floor

Wind carries them away, no place found for them

Stone 

-becomes a great mountain (or rock) and fills the earth.

Who is the stone cut without hands? 

Jesus

Mat 21:43-44 to Pharisees

43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And he that falleth on this stone shall be broken to pieces: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.

Rev 9:20 

And the rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk:

Deu 4:28 

And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

Interpretation

Dan 2:36-38

36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. 37 Thou, O king, art king of kings, unto whom the God of heaven hath given the kingdom, the power, and the strength, and the glory; 38 and wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens hath he given into thy hand, and hath made thee to rule over them all: thou art the head of gold. 

Vs36 - "we will tell" ???

Nebuchadnezzar (Head of gold)

king of kings (vs 37)

God of heaven has given the kingdom? What kingdom? (Vs 37) 

Given rule over...

Wherever children of men dwell

Beasts of the field

Birds of the heavens

Eze 31:12-13 

12 And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the watercourses of the land; and all the peoples of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him. 13 Upon his ruin all the birds of the heavens shall dwell, and all the beasts of the field shall be upon his branches;

Dan 2:39-43

39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee; and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. 40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron, forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things; and as iron that crusheth all these, shall it break in pieces and crush. 41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43 And whereas thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron doth not mingle with clay.

Greater to lesser

Gold - Nebuchadnezzar (or Babylon)

-head

Silver - lesser kingdom ? 

-breast and arms

Brass - even lesser kingdom ?

-belly and thighs

Iron - even lesser kingdom in value?

-lower leg

Strong

Breaks in pieces and subdues

Breaks in pieces and crushed

Iron/Potters clay - even lesser value ?

-toes

Mixture

Part iron, part Potters clay/miry clay

Divided kingdom

Partly strong/partly broken

Shall mix, but shall not adhering to each other. Shall mix themselves with the seed of men

What could this represent?

Nations including Babylon that ruled that area of the world? Medio-Persians, Greece, Rome

God giving over spiritual kingdom to Babylon?

Unknown plan of God

 

Dan 2:44-46

44 And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. 

Stone made w/o hands: 

-Jesus, God sets Him up in the days of these kings

-won't be destroyed

-sovereignty won't be left to another people

-it shall break in pieces all the kingdoms mentioned (gold, silver, brass, iron and mixture)

-it will stand forever

*God shows Nebuchadnezzar what will occur.

It is certain and the interpretation is sure.

Why?

Does Daniel really interpret the dream for Nebuchadnezzar?

-not really, not entirely

-maybe as far as Nebuchadnezzar desires

-why doesn't he desire to know the rest?

Dan 2:46-49

46Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odors unto him. 47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou hast been able to reveal this secret. 48 Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him to rule over the whole province of Babylon, and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 And Daniel requested of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel was in the gate of the king.

**This event ushers Daniel and friends to positions of prominance.

**Seems that these "ten-day" periods or events are what God uses to elevate his people.

***Why are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah referred to with their Babylonian names here? 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego

**Why isn't Daniel referred to as Belteshazzar?

Act 17:29 

Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man.

Ten Days

 Ten days

2Th 1:3-5

 3 We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth; 4 so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure; 5 which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

Dan 1:1-2

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god: and he brought the vessels into the treasure-house of his god. 

Notice:

1. In the 3rd year (after 2000 yrs)

2. Babylon besieged Jerusalem

3. King of Judah given into hand of king of Babylon

4. Part of the vessels of God are carried into Shinar (Babylon), to the house of his god

Dan 1:3-5

3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in certain of the children of Israel, even of the seed royal and of the nobles; 4 youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skilful in all wisdom, and endued with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's dainties, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at the end thereof they should stand before the king. 

Ashpenaz - means " I will make prominent the sprinkled"

Dainties - meat or provision

Wine - doctrine, that which you get intoxicated on

Dan 1:6-8

6 Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 And the prince of the eunuchs gave names unto them: unto Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego. 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 

Who has been hijacked by Babylon today?

-The leavened church

Who might Daniel and his three friends represent?

-bride? Unlike Rebekah, they are unable to leave Babylon

-Anyone seeking to not be spiritually defiled

Daniel seemed to realize that the king's wine and meat would defile him. Why?

-Prob against Jewish law

-Spiritually speaking, Babylon's wine & meat defile God's people today. Any examples?

1. buying/selling

2. sexually deprived

3. Doctrines of demons

Dan 1:9-14

9 Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths that are of your own age? so would ye endanger my head with the king. 11 Then said Daniel to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king's dainties; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14 So he hearkened unto them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

1. At first Daniel requests the eunuch that he might not defile himself. 

2. The sympathetic eunuch  who likes Daniel is concerned about his own status/job/life from the king. The eunuch does not seem to want to do this.

3. Daniel proposes a test to prove to the "steward" that his countenance would not be worse looking (sad, angry, wroth). 

4. Give US a "ten days" of herbs (veggies) and water. Sly. 

5. Do whatever seems fit as a result after "ten days". So the eunuch tested them.

Dan 1:15-17

15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths that did eat of the king's dainties. 16 So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse. 17 Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 

After ten days, the four youths were:

1. Good, pleasant, agreeable

2. Plump (or firm) in body/skin/body

So the steward consented to giving them only herbs (veggies) and water.

Dan 1:18-21

18 And at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

Vs 18 - How long had the king allotted for them to be nourished and trained by the eunuchs? 

Vs 5 - says 3 years

Were Daniel and his three friends the only ones trained by the eunuchs? How do you know?

Vs 19 says "among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah"

Not only did the king found them ten times better in wisdom and understanding than all the other Jewish youths that stood before him, but better than ALL the magicians and enchanters in his entire realm.

Guess the king hired Daniel!

But we didn't discuss this verse. Verse 17...

17 Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

**Guess this is what God gives to his set apart bride who follows Him as best she is able despite the circumstances.

1. Knowledge

2. Skill in all learning

3. Skill in all wisdom

4. To Daniel, understanding in dreams and visions

What does "ten days" in Daniel 1 symbolize?

• A testing of sorts of God's people to see if they will stand or continue in their walk with God by eating and drinking what he has set out for them to eat.

• If so, He blesses them

Another instance of "ten days"

Rev 2:8-9 

8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:  These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived again: 9 I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Smyrna - means myrrh

-Wise men have Jesus myrrh (Matt 2:11)

-Esther used myrrh for 6 months as a part of her beauty treatments. (Est 2:12) Myrrh not only brings nutrients for the skin, but has an emotional, balancing effect. 

-It was also used in embalming.

Who is?

These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived again:

-Jesus

Smyrna 

1. one of the seven churches in Rev

2. Poverty

3. Tribulation

4. Rich altho hidden behind poverty and tribulation

5. Prob living in a "time" with "Jews" who really are not "Jews" and these blaspheme. 

6. But really are a synagogue of Satan.

 

Who are Jews in NT?

Rom 2:28-29 

28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Gal 6:15-16 

15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

(Note: Who is the Israel of God in the NT?)

Rev 2:10-11 

10 Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Ten Days

Seems to be a set period denoting suffering, trial (proving), and/or tribulation 

If faithful, into death (or maybe "death" to self or flesh), a crown of life is given.

Crown of life

Jas 1:12 

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.

Crown of righteousness

(Is this the same crown?)

2Ti 4:7-8 

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: 8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.

Comparison:

Dan 1 vs Church of Smyrna in Rev 2

1. Both endured a period of "10 days"; testing, trial, proving

2. If successful, receive blessings (knowledge, wisdom, skill in learning,  understanding in dreams/visions) or crown of life

What about James and Paul?

Re-read James 1:12 & 2Ti 4:7-8

Jas 1:12 

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.

1. Endured

2. Approved?

3. Receive crown of life

4. Promised to them that "love him"

2Ti 4:5-8 

5 But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: 8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.

1. Fought and finished the course

2. Kept the faith

3. Crown of righteousness given

4. Promised to those who "loved his appearing"

***Those that "loved his appearing"???

Strong's #2015 -epiphaneia -"epiphany," 

• an appearing or appearance

• From g2016, which is from g2014

What might this mean?

Appearing in the form of a trial?

Appearing in us after the trial?

Strong's #2014 -epiphaino - 

• shine upon, that is, become (literally) visible or (figuratively) known: - appear, give light

***Those that "loved his appearing"???

Other examples of "-epiphaino"

Luk 1:79 

To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death;  To guide our feet into the way of peace.

Tit 2:11-12 

11 For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; 

*Grace of God "appeared" or "became visible", bringing salvation to all men?

Or is it only bringing salvation to those that see that "appearance"?

***AND if we see it, we apply vs12 to our life.

Continue…

Tit 2:13-14

13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.

**Are we looking to the "appearing" of the God and Jesus for his second coming???

Or are we looking for his "appearing" in our life so we can allow him to actually do verse 14?

1. Redeem us from all iniquity

2. Purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works

Pauls words to a heavily persecuted and beaten up church at Thessalonica.

2Th 1:3-5 

3 We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth; 4 so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure; 5 which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

Looking back at Daniel..

Did Daniel and his friends have to endure more hardship even after their successful "ten days"?

1. Lions den

2. Fiery furnace

***Anything else from Dan?

Luk 1:79 

To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death;  To guide our feet into the way of peace.

Rebekah

Rebekah

Gen 24:1-4

1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and Jehovah had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 And Abraham said unto his servant, the elder of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: 3 and I will make thee swear by Jehovah, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that thou wilt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: 4 but thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac. 

-Abraham is old and Sarah, his wife had recently died

-Isaac is single, and already almost been sacrificed

-Abraham is looking for a wife for his son

-Abraham calls his eldest servant (possibly a guy named Eliezer from Gen 15:2?)

1. Why not a wife from Canaan?

2. Where is his country?

-either in Chaldea/Mesopotamia

3. Who are Abraham's kindred?

-Father was Terah (dead)

-Two brothers are Haran and Nahor

-Haran died before Abraham left Ur of the Chaldean

-only one left alive was Nahor (and his family)

4. Abraham had a half sister. What was her name?

Sarai (Gen 20:12)

Gen 24:5-8

5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? 6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. 7 Jehovah, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house, and from the land of my nativity, and who spake unto me, and who sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he will send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife for my son from thence. 8 And if the woman be not willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath; only thou shalt not bring my son thither again. 

**Why didn't Abraham want Isaac to go back to Chaldea/Mesopotamia himself?

-maybe he is afraid Isaac will go back, meet his wife and stay in Chaldea??

-didn't want to undo what he had done in obedience to God

Remember the promise given Abraham and his seed (Isaac):

Gen 22:17 

that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Gen 24:9-10

9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning this matter. 10 And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and departed, having all goodly things of his master's in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. 

Types/Shadows - see any?

1. Abraham = God the Father

2. Isaac = Jesus the son

• Isaac is almost sacrificed

• Jesus is sacrificed, then resurrected

3. Servant = Holy Spirit

• Ruled over all things of Abraham, the Father

• Was sent to the Earth by Jesus

Servant = Eliezer = God is help

Gen 15:2 

And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?

Joh 15:26 

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall bear witness of me:

4. Wife? 

Rev 18:4 

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues

Jer 50:8 

Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, ...

Rev 18:23 

and the light of a lamp shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the princes of the earth; for with thy sorcery were all the nations deceived.

Rev 21:2 

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

***So God sends the HS to Earth to find a bride for His son Jesus. The bride should "set apart" people who have come out of Babylon.

Gen 24:10-14

10 And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and departed, having all goodly things of his master's in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. 11 And he made the camels to kneel down without the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, send me, I pray thee, good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the fountain of water; and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water: 14 and let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast showed kindness unto my master. 

Well of water for those who are thirsty, seeking spiritual water.

Joh 4:10 

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Gen 24:15-16

15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the fountain, and filled her pitcher, and came up. 

Who is Nahor? 

-Abraham's brother/kindrid.

-Rebekah is great-niece to Abraham and second cousin to Isaac

-Virgin

Gen 24:17-21

17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Give me to drink, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher. 18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. 19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. 20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw, and drew for all his camels. 21 And the man looked stedfastly on her, holding his peace, to know whether Jehovah had made his journey prosperous or not. 

**The choosing of the bride! 

Gen 24:22-28

22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold, 23 and said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee. Is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in? 24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bare unto Nahor. 25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. 26 And the man bowed his head, and worshipped Jehovah. 27 And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, who hath not forsaken his lovingkindness and his truth toward my master: as for me, Jehovah hath led me in the way to the house of my master's brethren. 28 And the damsel ran, and told her mother's house according to these words. 

What might this mean?

23. Is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in? ( The servant/ HS)

Gen 24:29-33

29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the fountain. 30 And it came to pass, when he saw the ring, and the bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he was standing by the camels at the fountain. 31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of Jehovah; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels. 32 And the man came into the house, and he ungirded the camels; and he gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men that were with him. 33 And there was set food before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. 

Significance?

Vs 30 - Laban - "when he saw the ring, and the bracelets upon his sister's hands…"

How bout vs 31? Used car sales man? :)

Gen 24:34-36

34 And he said, I am Abraham's servant. 35 And Jehovah hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and men-servants and maid-servants, and camels and asses. 36 And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.

Joh 3:35 

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

Gen 24:37-49

37 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell: 38 but thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son. 39 And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me. 40 And he said unto me, Jehovah, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house: 41 then shalt thou be clear from my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give her not to thee, thou shalt be clear from my oath. 42 And I came this day unto the fountain, and said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go: 43 behold, I am standing by the fountain of water; and let it come to pass, that the maiden that cometh forth to draw, to whom I shall say, Give me, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher to drink; 44 and she shall say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom Jehovah hath appointed for my master's son. 45 And before I had done speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder. And she went down unto the fountain, and drew; and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee. 46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also. 47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the ring upon her nose, and the bracelets upon her hands. 48 And I bowed my head, and worshipped Jehovah, and blessed Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter for his son. 49 And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left. 

Recap of story by servant/HS

***Should I list them?

Gen 24:50-58

50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from Jehovah: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as Jehovah hath spoken. 52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth unto Jehovah. 53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. 54 And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master. 55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. 56 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing Jehovah hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master. 57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth. 58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. 

Is the bride "the bride" if she doesn't leave Mom/Dad's house and follow the spirit where ever He leads?

What is the job of the HS?

2Th 2:13 

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Eph 5:27 

that he might present the church to himself (Jesus) a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

***The process of sanctification***

Gen 24:59-62

59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let thy seed possess the gate of those that hate them. 61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. 62 And Isaac came from the way of Beer-lahairoi; for he dwelt in the land of the South. 

Beer-lahairoi

-"the well of him that liveth and seeth me"

-the well of the living God that sees me

Gen 24:63-67

63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she alighted from the camel. 65 And she said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant said, It is my master: and she took her veil, and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

What might this mean?

66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 

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“Why cannot God increase? Why is it that in the first few years of the church’s history there was such a going on and on and on in life, ever and on in life, and growing, growing, growing? Just think of all that happened in the short life of Paul alone; the churches over the whole then-known world in one short life – and nearly two thousand years since, and the world is not yet touched with the gospel. The contrast is terrible, but why? Why? And the answer is clearly and definitely this: that somehow or other man has come into this business of God and turned it to himself. The Cross has not been kept in its place to give God a clear, full, free way.”

“It is a lesson that you and I have to learn very deeply in our own lives, that nothing is given increase except on the ground that it is deeply marked by the Cross as to our own flesh and natural life. Everything has to carry with it the sign of, on the one hand, death to the principle of Self, and on the other hand, Life in the realm where it is only of God and all of the Lord. That is in each individual Christian life for life and increase; that a local assembly has got to be marked in this way; it has to be a crucified (and thoroughly crucified) company of the Lord’s people so far as any personal ambitions and interests are concerned. It is just like that. This is the way of Christ so clearly in His own case: the way of the Cross.” (1)

TEN

It has been already pointed out that ten is one of the perfect numbers, and signifies the perfection of Divine order, commencing, as it does, an altogether new series of numbers. The first decade is the representative of the whole numeral system, and originates the system of calculation called "decimals," because the whole system of numeration consists of so many tens, of which the first is a type of the whole.

Completeness of order, marking the entire round of anything, is, therefore, the ever-present signification of the number ten. It implies that nothing is wanting; that the number and order are perfect; that the whole cycle is complete.

We first meet Rebekah in Genesis 24:15, where she is identified as “the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.” This would have made Rebekah a great-niece to Abraham and second cousin to Isaac.

Abraham marries Sarah

Have could named Isaac

Nahor marries Milkah

Have son named Bethuel

Bethuel has daughter named Rebekah.