Week 11: Day 1
This week, we're joined by Lois! Today she asks: is there a situation that would be transformed today by the wisdom of God?
The queen, hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!” she said. “Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”
So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it. Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
Intro: Hi, Welcome to Orbit. My name is Lois and I’m going to be leading us through a Bible study reflection on Daniel 5:10-16.
Bible:
The queen, hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!” she said. “Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”
So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it. Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
Thoughts: The background to this story is that the king is having a party and something crazy happens – a human hands appears on the wall and writes and inscription.
The queen comes in and tells people not to be alarmed as Daniel is in the Kingdom. What’s so striking about this passage is that Daniel’s presence is an assurance to those around him. It’s amazing that Daniel’s spirit is so distinctive to those around him that they know that all will be well if he is around. Even though the people don’t fully understand all of who Daniel is, they know that he has the spirit of God in him. Not only did they understand that, but they knew what they meant for them – that he could bring his insight, wisdom and understanding which meant that they didn’t have to worry about their situation.
This passage reminds me that the light of spirit of God shines through us – that the wisdom and insight of God isn’t just something that we keep to ourselves, it’s something that is for all of those around us. Whatever situations we’re in as we walk through our daily lives, God has something to say about them, and that as Christians are marked with the spirit of the living God. People are going to notice that – whether they understand it or not.
The key point for me from this passage is that we may not actually understand the impact we’re having just by being carriers of the spirit of God. That presents us with amazing potential but also, it’s an amazing privilege. It’s a privilege to be a carrier of the spirit of God. We’re told in scripture in the New Testament, in the words of Jesus himself, that we’re promised a helper, we’re promised the Holy Spirit. As we become those who take Jesus at his word, that rust him, that ask him to come and live within us, that we are carriers of the spirit of God – the same spirit and power who raised Jesus from the dead is the sprit and power that lives in us as Christians.
Often, it can be really easy to think of the power of Spirit in these grand, supernatural ways – in terms of healing and the things we read in the book of Acts – but this passage reminds us that the power of Spirit has the ability to transform the everyday things we see around us. Whether that’s situations where there is conflict, situations that need of the creativity of God, situations that need the kindness of God or – as in this situation – the wisdom of God! The Holy Spirit is made available to us and as carriers of the Holy Spirit, we get to bring God into those situations we are in. How amazing is that!
Prayer: Let’s pray. Lord I thank you that you the spirit that raised Christ Jesus lives in each of us. I pray that you would fill us afresh, would you lead us, guide us and enable us to bring your goodness, wisdom and insight into every situation we find ourselves in today. Would you fill us with your boldness and courage. Amen.
Challenge: Today, have a think about if there’s a situation that needs a touch of the Holy Spirit – whether that’s a situation where there’s conflict, or you need the creativity of God, or the kindness of God. As you encounter that situation today, take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit to come and fill you and enable you to bring the spirit of God into that situation and see what happens.
Outro: I hope you guys have a great day – thank you for listening and I’ll see you soon!