Tuesday 16 April 2013

Background

There are many echoes of other biblical stories within the Bookof Daniel. Daniel's encounter with the powerful Babylonian kingNebuchadnezzar, for example, is strongly reminiscent of Joseph'sinterpretations of Pharaoh's dreams in the book of Genesis (Genesis 41:1-36). However, unlike that story,here the narrative is less straightforward.

It begins with Nebuchadnezzar's own proclamation and thedisorientating suggestion that he is somehow God's intermediaryspeaking to an audience of which we, the readers, are part. Has theking of Babylon really become a true disciple of the God of Israel?Our confusion is exacerbated by the fact that Daniel is summoned tocourt by his Babylonian name, Belteshazzar - a name that reflectsthat of the Babylonian god!

The king speaks of the "signs and wonders" that the Most HighGod has worked for [him]" (vv. 2-3). We may be as amazed or assceptical as the early Christians who saw their persecutor Paulexecute a volte face and embrace the message of Jesus.

Nebuchadnezzar's new position has been reached on the strengthof the vision that he now shares. The tree he describes sounds verylike the 'tree of life' - a tree that provides shelter and goodthings for all people, not just the king's Babylonian subjects. Tocut down the tree surely constitutes an ecological and humanitariandisaster, but our focus is drawn to the stump that remains. It mayhave positive connotations of rebirth (reminding us of "the shoot... from the stump of Jesse" described in Isaiah11:1) or it may be an image of judgement, as when Ezekieldescribes the fall of Pharaoh (Ezekiel 31). Given that the stump somehowbecomes one whose mind is now transformed into that of a beast(verse 16), the signs are not good.

Like any good serial, this episode finishes on a cliffhanger.How will Daniel interpret the dream of this powerful, fickle king?Reader, return tomorrow and find out.

To Ponder

• Have you heard or felt a sense of God's dream for this world inunexpected people or places? If so, when and where?

• To what extent are we too sceptical and rational nowadays tobelieve in "signs and wonders" that speak to our faith? Do theystill occur?