The One Year Chronological Bible - Week 37 Reflection Questions

Week 37 (Sept. 7-13): Daniel 5:1-12:13, 1 Chronicles 3:17-24, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-6:14, Haggai, Zechariah

As you read through these passages of the Bible, reflect upon these questions individually, through journaling, in pairs, or in small groups...

1. (9/7) In Daniel 7, we read of a dream that four beasts and horns.  It also described the "Ancient of Days." Is this how you would imagine God?  What does this imagery tell us about God?
2. In the vision of the four beasts, we also read of one like a "son of man."  When the vision is explained, nothing is mentioned about him.  From a New Testament vantage point, who would we say this was?  What significance does this hold for us?
3. In Daniel's vision of the Ram and the Goat, it was Gabrielle who told him the meaning of the vision.  He told of a time to come and instructed Daniel to seal up the vision for it pertains to a distant future.  Imagine that you were Daniel and that you had a vision like this but were told to keep it to yourself.  How do you imagine this would feel?  How would you  process this?  How would you carry this burden?
4. In Daniel 5, we read of King Belshazzar.  Before he even knew what the writing on the wall meant, he turned pale.  Why do you imagine that he was fearful?  When have you been struck by "the writing on the wall?"
5. Joseph became 2nd in command in Egypt.  Why did Daniel only receive the rank of 3rd for his efforts?
6. It was a servant girl that told Naaman of Elisha.  And it was the queen who told Belshazzar about Daniel.  What similarities and differences do you see here?
7. The king offered a reward, but Daniel said that it wasn't necessary and that he would interpret the words anyway.  Why might Daniel have approached things in this way?
8. What did Belshazzar do that got him in trouble with God?  What were the underlying roots of what he did?
9. (9/8) Though Daniel was righteous, the satraps tried to find something against him.  When none was found, they created an alternate plan.  What other examples of this do we find in scripture?  How are they similar and/or different?
10. After Daniel was spared the king punished the men who accused him and their families.  Why would the punishment extend to the families?  How are we to reconcile this?
11. In Daniel 9, we read of Daniel's reading of Jeremiah.  What are other instances of scripture referring to scripture?
12. In Daniel 9, he prayed on behalf of all his people; interceding and asking for forgiveness.  What is the role of intercession in our own lives?
13. As New Testament people, how do we understand the words of Daniel9:25-27?
14. Compare and Contrast 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 with5:18-30.
15. (9/9) In Ezra 3, we read that the people began making sacrifices on an altar before the foundation of the temple had even been laid.  What is the significance of knowing this?  What does this say to us?
16.  Memorize the lyrics of the song in Ezra 3:11, "He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever," and incorporate this into your prayer life.
17. Ezra 4 tells of those who offered to help with the rebuilding of the temple and the reply of those who returned.  How are we to interpret these actions?  What are modern day examples of this?
18. (9/10) In Daniel 10, Daniel recorded a vision that only he saw, and yet affected the people around him causing them to hide.  Does this vision still speak to us today; and if so, what does it have to say to us?
19. The one speaking to Daniel in chapter 10 said that he was detained by the prince/king of Persia.  How to you imagine that this royal person was able to detain this messenger for so long?
20. Haggai 1 suggests that the people are living well in their own homes, but resistant to  the work of rebuilding God's home/temple.  How do we still live into this dynamic in our own lives?
21.

 May the Lord bless and shape us through our individual reading and corporate study of His word this year.