There is much for digging deeper in the last two chapters of Daniel. History tells about those kings, and we know from what Jesus said and what is written in Revelation, that God plans for history to repeat itself. The main take away points are clear, just as they are in Revelation: Blessed are those who endure and live wise and holy lives.
It is a great time now to return to the three small remaining books of history left for us to read, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. These books allow us to see the fulfilment of prophecies we have read about. King Cyrus was one of the kings served by Daniel and alluded to in his prophetic visions. Now, in Ezra, we will read Cyrus’ proclamation, which is in accordance with Jeremiah’s prophecy about the 70 year duration of the exile in Babylonia. And we haven’t read it yet, but Isaiah specifically names Cyrus twice. Isaiah wrote those prophecies some 150 to 200 years before Cyrus was born.
Ezra, a scribe and priest, doesn’t start speaking about himself until chapter 7. Originally the books of Ezra and Nehemiah were one book, and Jewish tradition holds that Ezra wrote both of them. The dates of writing are somewhere between 458 and 420 BC. Ezra deals with two periods of time: The rebuilding of the temple, and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.
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The advantage of reading a meaning based translation like the NLT is that you readers and listeners had the pleasure of understanding the mocking of the people of Israel toward God, and God’s mocking response (in yesterday’s reading, v. 7-13). Then in that context, it is shocking to find the famous verses quoted in the New Testament:
16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
“Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem,
a firm and tested stone.
It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on.
Whoever believes need never be shaken.
Note that the verses in the New Testament are a bit different because they are quoted from the Septuagint (the ancient translation of the OT into Greek).
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The heart of what Paul was teaching about in chapter 9 the practice of Christian charity is this:
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
Note that (like Philippians 4) the promise that God will generously provide is in the context of people who are sharing. Verses like that should not be isolated from their context.
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