Chapters 5 and 6 also bring their lot of ‘surprises’. In chapter 5, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, asked for the vessels of gold and of silver that his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem and drank in with his lords, wives, and concubines and party. Immediately, the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote something mysterious on the wall. As he was scared, the king summoned the wise men, aka the enchanters, astrologers and soothsayers. They could not read the writing nor give its meaning. So, the queen (who had not been invited to the party for the king to indulge in his orgies) came and said (vs. 11-12): “There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father--your father the king--made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.” Now, let me ask you this: As the chief of all the ‘wise men’, how come all of Daniel’s subordinates were aware of the king’s summon and he wasn’t? How could such a man be ignored? You may have other explanations, but this is what I think.
A title doesn’t necessarily give you the authority which goes with it. Normally, the king’s envoy should have gone straight to Daniel who would have been the one to gather his troops. However, he was overlooked -especially as the king promised great honours to the solver of the riddle. A few weeks ago, I watched an English movie, Secret State. The title says it all. The British Prime Minister was only one by name. There was a real mafia below him and he was just a (relatively naive) pawn on the chessboard. At some point, he gave an injunction to someone and added: “I am the PM!” The other guy almost laughed at him and carried on doing just as he willed. He gave a public ultimatum to an oil mogul who simply ignored it and did not even lower himself to picking up his calls. The embarrassment was beyond description. Power is more than a title: it is also a series of influential networks. Nobody even bothered asking the astrologers where their chief was. Even the king could not remember him and yet, Daniel was supposed to be the wisest and the leader of his wise men (vs. 2.48). Everybody should have been talking of him...
This reminds me even more of the fact that talent alone is not enough. Everybody may know your talent, but if GOD, the Master of times and circumstances, does not create opportunities for your exposure, some ill-intentioned and jealous people may burry you with all your talents and gifts. This is the topic of the second part of my book, Catalysts of Favour.
It also reminds me of the fact that tenebrous people do not like light and holiness. Everybody knew that Daniel had the spirit of the holy gods and a divine light in him. I don’t know about you, but I would have never left such a person, personally. I would have never done a thing without first consulting with him or her. However, John said two things: The world hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil, and also, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (Jn 7:7b & 1:5). Holiness disturbs. People deeply feel judged by your mere presence, by the fact that you do not lie, swear and get drunk with them. Even when you say nothing, their conscience accuses them and your steadfastness reminds them of their weakness and cowardice. Light can shine as much as it wants in darkness, darkness will not receive it. People do not want GOD to put His nose in their businesses. They want to call on Him on their terms and when it is convenient for them. In any case He is just the last resort when everything ELSE has failed. Indeed, despite the fact that Daniel outshone everyone once more, no magi, no enchanter and no astrologer asked him to teach them how to solve riddles and problems. Instead, they plotted against him. Listen to them: "O King Darius, live forever! All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked." Vs. 6.5, 6-8. You see how they are manipulating the king? He thinks he is signing something from his own accord while it is the people under him who are actually pulling the ropes.
This is how a royal edict which will affect a whole nation can be promulgated even though its real target is just one person? How many similar decrees are signed worldwide? Decrees affecting millions of people negatively just because someone or a little group of persons has decided to please or destroy an individual? Because some wanted to offer the Iraki oil to a small clique along with contract deals for the reconstruction of the country, look at the state of the Middle East today, all this in the name of getting rid of Saddam Hussein… Fortunately enough, when Daniel paid them a visit, the lions were fasting (and maybe praying for a fatter meat as well). However, when the plotters’ turn came, they had just ended their fast and gave thanks as they ate the succulent meal that God had just served to them.
The Church must go back to militancy. As we enter 2013, let’s pray for the spirit of Daniel to rest on us: we have/ need to counsel kings and authorities.
HAPPY NEW YEAR and GOD BLESS YOU!
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