Daniel Chapter 8

Daniel Chapter 8

The Persian & Greek Empires

The High Priest Jedua showed Alexander this prophetic Daniel chapter 8, written 200 years earlier, which caused him to spare Jerusalem, convinced it spoke of him.

Daniel Chapter 8:  This is part of the image, only Persia and Greece

http://www.khouse.org/articles/1995/80/


(Daniel 8:1 [KJV])
In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

• The time is when they are still in Babylon.

(Daniel 8:2 [KJV])
And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.

• Shushan is in Persia, the capital of the Medo-Persian Empire, Daniel would not even be there, just dreaming and having a vision of and about it.  
• He was probably there in spirit, like John in Revelation
• Babylon is still somewhat prominent, because the timing is before chapter 5
• This is the home of Esther, throughout the book, most chapters (1-9) refer to it
• It is the city of Nehemiah
• The Code of Hammurabi was found here. It reads like the O.T. laws
• "Persian kingdom appeared as a ram with clean feet and sharp pointed horns. Also, whenever the Persians went into battle, the Persian king stood at the head of his army wearing the head of a ram on his head instead of a crown."
• Elam is the place of the Persian Empire, previously named Elam

(Genesis 10:22 [KJV])
The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.

(Genesis 14:1 [KJV])
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;

(Genesis 14:9 [KJV])
With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.

(Nehemiah 1:1 [KJV])
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,

(Daniel 8:3 [KJV])
Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

• A ram which had two horns” will be identified later as Media-Persia (see v. 20).
• In the Zodiac, Aries the Ram is representative of Persia 
• The Persian King also wore a Ram's Headress instead of a Royal Diadem (Crown of Jewels)
• "Came up last" is referring to Cyrus the Persian who was king of the Medes and Persians after Darius the Mede.
• "but one was higher than the other" Under him and his successors Persia was a much more powerful kingdom than ever was under the Medes, so the Medo-Persian Empire eventually became the Persian Empire because the Persians were stronger
• Xerxes was the last King around the time of Esther-unpredictable
• 480 B.C.: Attacked Greece with 300,000 people-men, women, children-got his clock cleaned
• Called the Battle of Thermopylae
• Then attacked with 300 ships, lost them all in a storm
• When he heard of that, he went down to the sea and beat the waves with his belt!
• Why the Greeks hated Persians

(Daniel 8:4 [KJV])
I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

• Not to the East because he is from the East
• Chapter 7 it was the Bear, now it is the Ram, which is Cyrus of the Persian Empire
• The Persian Empire was very, very powerful

(Daniel 8:5 [KJV])
And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.

Alexander III of Macedon (July 20th-21st, 356 B.C.– June 10th/11th, 323 B.C.)  Reigned from 332-323 B.C.

• This unicorned He Goat is Greece
• That horn is Alexander the Great Greek Leader, who was actually a Macedonian (a state in Northern Greece, only about twice the size of Massachusettes)
• Father: Phillip II of Macedon
• Mother: Olympias-rumored to have had her husband Phillip II assassinated so Alexander could reign.
• She spread the rumor also that he was the result of her intercourse with a snake.  
• Took only six years for him to conquer the Persians.
• Started conquering at 20, died at 32-33
• 30 years old, made it to India (Punjab)
• Wanted New World Order, as a ruthless dictator and a visionary
• With only 35,000 men, against the million man army of the Persians, he prevailed and was then known as "Alexander the Great".
• This was over many battles, concluding with the Battle of Thermopylae
• Aristotle taught him until the age of sixteen
• Alexander was undefeated in all of his battles and wars
• He had a tactic in war of extremely rapid movement, getting on, taking control, defeating the enemy
• Alexandria in Egypt named after him, as well as other places
• Military leaders still teach some of his war tactics and military strategies
• Alexander spent only twelve years on his conquests, Napolean, three times as long
• According to historian Diodorus, Alexander was asked on his deathbed to whom he would bequeath or had bequeathed his kingdom; his short and instant reply was "tôi kratistôi", meaning "to the strongest"
• Died young, in a drunken stupor, walking outside in the cold, got pneumonia, strong, young like verse 8 says
• Dies in Babylon at 32-33, 323 B.C. in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II, in Babylon,with nothing left to conquer
• Like all evil dictators, Alexander the Great Shed the blood of millions to exalt himself, whereas...
• Jesus Christ shed His own Blood Himself to exalt millions of us.

(Daniel 8:6 [KJV])
And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.

• Rams are larger, more powerful
• Running into it is necessary, plus perfect aim!
• Ram=Persia=Aries in Zodiac
• Capricorn=Goat=Greece in Zodiac (Caper=Goat + Cornu=Horn)
• One Horned Goat=Macedonia, near Greece, not Greece

Alexander versus Persia:

• May 334 B.C.-crosses Hellespont River with only 30,000 troops
• November 333 B.C. (1.5 years later) engages Persia again at the Battle of Issus
• October 331 B.C., defeats Persia finally at Arbella, a place near Ninevah (Syria)
• That is three years to defeat a mighty Empire
• In Six Years, he conquered everything he could.

Daniel 11 Covers the empires after this, for and in the 400 silent years

(Daniel 8:7 [KJV])
And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.

• Alexander was known for having a fast army, quick decisions
• This was not typical for army movements to move fast, so it is a surprise
• His army was much smaller (35,000 Greek soldiers to Xerxes 1,000,000 Persian man army)
• This was small groups as in and out guerrilla-type warfare

(Daniel 8:8 [KJV])
Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

• Nothing breaks the horn, so he was not killed or conquered
• Alexandria Egypt is his capital city-name founded by him after he conquered Egypt.
• Went to Afghanistan, married a woman and had a child
• He thought that a Macedonian man in his army, Cleitus, who had saved his life in battle, was looking at his wife, so he stabbed him in the back while they were drunk at a huge gala in the palace
• The quarrel was also about re-arranging generals for troops and Cleitus did not like the change.
• This made Alexander lose lots of face with his army, but he re-mustered them again to take India.
• Alexander is at his peak, aged 32-33 (when he was strong) he died of a fever after a drinking bout
• When dying on his deathbed, he was asked what to do with his empire, he said, "Give it to the strong"
• All three empires (Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greek, all died in a drunken stupor
• Four Generals divide up empire :
• 321 B.C. Ptolemy conquers Egypt (the south), North Africa, parts of Asia Minor, Syrian areas
• In 317 B.C. Cassander too over by assumption as the head of Macedon and takes over Greece (Macedonia, Europe  the west). Brother-in-law to Alexander
• In 311 B.C. Seleucus took over Babylon and Syria, all of the way to India (the east).
• In 306 B.C. Antigonus declared himself king of Asia Minor (the north). He was slain in battle in 301 B.C. and was succeeded by Lysimachus. Today this is mostly Turkey.

(Daniel 8:9 [KJV])
And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

• Not the anti-Christ, one of the four generals, Seleucid
• Seleucid empire wanted to take Israel (the "Pleasant Land")
• Antiochus IV, Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the Great, (175 B.C.-164 B.C.) in 170 B.C. put image of Zeus/Jupiter, sacrificed a pig and boiled it in wine
• Called himself "Theos Epiphanes"  or "God manifested"
• Also called himself "Antiochus Epiphanes", "The Illustrious One"
• The Jews called him "Antiochus Epimanes", "The Madman"
• He was a Seleucid family member
• Start of the Maccabean revolt, intense anti-Semitism, intense hatred for the Jews
• Demanded to be worshipped, statue of himself in Temple
• 40,000 Jews killed in one day because they refused to worship him
• Perhaps a million more Jews killed in coming months
• Scrolls, books, Bibles, burned at his command
• Butchered pig on altar in Temple, smeared blood all over everywhere
• Made the High Priest and other priests to drink the blood
• This is all well documented history, from any good encyclopedia, etc.

(Daniel 8:10 [KJV])
And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

• This is the Son of Antiochus IV, or Antiochus the Great, part of Syrian, Seleucid Dynasty 175-164 B.C.
• He was considered worse than Hitler and, by some, is called "Caesar Nero"
• He does what the anti-Christ will do
• The Capitals of the Empire
• Seleucia on the Tigris (305–240 BC)
• Antioch (240–64 BC)

(Daniel 8:11 [KJV])
Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.

• He (Antiochus Epiphanes) sent letters to the Jews, recorded in 1 Maccabees 1:41-50
• Maccabees is not Scripture, but Jewish history
• He outlawed Judaism
  
  41: Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people,
  42: And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king.
  43: Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath.
  44: For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that they should follow the strange laws of the land,
  45: And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days:
  46: And pollute the sanctuary and holy people:
  47: Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine's flesh, and unclean beasts:
  48: That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation:
  49: To the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances.
  50: And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die.

(Daniel 8:12 [KJV])
And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

• This was a God-allowed persecution of Israel by the Pagans

(Daniel 8:13 [KJV])
Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

• This is Antiochus Epiphanes still
• The "transgression of desolation"  is the "abomination of desolation"

(Daniel 8:14 [KJV])
And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

• Seventh Day Adventism came from this verse precisely as a "Day-Year interpretation"
• Christ's return was said to be in 1843, after 2,300 YEARS (not days)
• William Miller (very sincere), his followers, Ellen G. White, came up with this theory and calculated it out
• 70,000 went up to a mountain in white robes for Christ's return
• Said it was recalculated, said it happened spiritually in the heavens
• "Sanctuary that shall be cleansed" was claimed to be the earth
• Mattathias a man refused to follow Antiochus and was killed.  
• He had five sons, one of which was called Judas, who was called Maccabeus
•  This was the Maccabeean Revolt.
• ROUGHLY 6-7 years, landing around the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, meaning that this was fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes, and ended with Judas Maccabees revolt
• Literal Temple in Jerusalem was literally cleansed and rededicated then
• Channukah comes from this, they had a "Festival of Lights"
• Judas Maccabean revolt, revolted, repelled, overthrew Antiochus Epiphanes
• No oil but for one day for lamps, prayed, eight days
• Feast of Dedication, Feast of Lights, Channukah 
• This was 2,300 days exactly to fulfill the prophecy

(Daniel 8:15 [KJV])
And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

• "Appearance of a man", but apparently not a man.

(Revelation 21:17)
And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.(Daniel 8:16 [KJV])
And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

• The first introduction to Gabriel in the Bible

(Daniel 8:17 [KJV])
So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

• This fulfillment is double, and the anti-Christ is typified here.
• "This is the time of the end", so Antiochus is a picture of the anti-Christ
• The other little horn at the end of the Gentiles is THE anti-Christ

(Daniel 8:18 [KJV])
Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.

• Humility leads to being lifted up

(1 Peter 5:6 [KJV])
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

(Daniel 8:19-21 [KJV])
And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.
The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

• Alexander the Great being the horn
• The Goat is Greece, the Aegean Sea means "Sea of the Goat"
• His son was Augus, "Son of the Goat"
• Alexander shown this saw that he was the goat.
• In some way this will be related to the anti-Christ kingdom

(Daniel 8:22 [KJV])
Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

• All would be of lesser power than Alexander the Great, none would be able to take over all of it or even conquer more.
• This four were the  four who fought over his kingdom
• But this, not being in his power, is the anti-Christ 
• Lysimachus, Cassander,Ptolemy, and Seleucus--divide the empire after his death just as the passages indicated.²

• Ptolemy I Soter conquered Egypt, declaring himself to be Pharoah. The Ptolemaic dynasty of rule lasted until 30 B.C.
• Antipater assumed the government of Macedonia but died soon after. His son Cassander eventually became king (305 B.C.).
• Seleucus took over Babylon, Persia, Mesopotamia and adjacent areas. He was founder of the Seleucid Empire.
• Lysimachus ruled over Thrace, Asia Minor and Macedon. 

(Daniel 8:23-25 [KJV])
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.  And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

• This is a world leader
• Time when the transgressors come to the full
• His method of destruction of the Holy people, etc.
• Crafty
• Mighty but not by his own power (Revelation 17)
• This is total deceit, trickery, false miracles, etc.
• EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE
• This is the anti-Christ
• False miracles
• False peace
• Stand up to Jesus (Revelation 13)
• Destroyed by Jesus Himself, no human intervention
• This is the White to the Red horse of the apocolypse
• Will solve economic problems, Middle East problems, religious problems

• THE FIRST HOLOCAUST IN GERMANY UNDER HITLER DESTROYED ONE THIRD OF ALL JEWS
• THE LAST HOLOCAUST UNDER THE ANTI-CHRIST WILL DESTROY TWO THIRDS OF ALL JEWS

THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION
(Matthew 24:15 [KJV])
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

(Mark 13:14 [KJV])
But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

DESTRUCTION BY PEACE
(Revelation 6:4 [KJV])
And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

(1 Thessalonians 5:3 [KJV])
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

(Jeremiah 6:14 [KJV])
They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

(Daniel 8:26 [KJV])
And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.

• This past history whch was under Antiochus Epiphanes was to be repeated, in the future, only much, much worse.

(Daniel 8:27 [KJV])
And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

• All Prophecies in Chapter 8 were fulfilled within 200 years. 
• The second, double fulfillment is future and very soon
• To view Revelation on earth in the flesh is sickening, what will happen then and there.

The chapter has a double fulfillment.  One was Antiochus Epiphanes, the last, the very last, fulfillment is the anti-Christ.  The end is without our help, without an army, without a war, and finally certain, and certainly final.  The enemy is crushed by the Word of God.  Many days for Daniel is now our time, the Last Days.

Daniel Chapter 6

Babylon:

• Babylon is called "the city of man", or "the city of the devil"
  
• Jerusalem is city of God
  
• Babylon is alluded to in Christ's genealogy three times
  
• Spoken of more than 300 times in the Bible
  
• Nimrod's capital, first dictator, perhaps the last dictator
  
• Mystery Babylon will be around in Revelation
  
• Conquered here without a battle
  
• Never to be inhabited again, building, materials never used
  
  
• All false worship and the occultic mystery religions started at Babel, in Babylon
  

Darius: THE SKEPTICS

• "Darius the Mede only exists in the Bible!  He has never been found to be real!  The Bible is in error!"
• Darius the Mede, the word "Darius" is possibly an honorable title name, meaning "holder of the scepter" and was used after this for five more Persian  leaders.  (less likely)
• In the secular world, Darius the Mede (Daniel 5:31) is considered a fictional character
• It could just be a name, Darius (less likely)
• It could be used for Cyrus or his son unclear)
• He died shortly after taking over
• Most likely, he was appointed:
  

(Daniel 9:1)
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;

Daniel:  THE MAN

• In the Hebrews 11 Hall of Fame
• Never spoken bad of, like Joseph
• One of very few prophets not actually rejected by the Jews and martyred for his prophecies
• Kidnapped as a teen, brought into Babylon, then rises to become great leader, maybe took care of Nebuchadnezzar for his seven year animal exile (Talmud)
• 83 years old here, 66 years in public service

(Daniel 6:1)
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

• Could be 120 officers, not necessarily 120 areas to rule
• It is pleasing to have people in charge for order

(Daniel 6:2)
And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

• Daniel was over all three presidents
• One job, it seems, was protection..........from the presidents?  OR others? Or both? 
• Another was protection from stealing, embezzlement, which is common in dictatorships where the populace is kept poor and downtrodden 
• You only get this job if you are trustworthy. Period.

(Daniel 6:3)
Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

• Leadership, integrity, character, etc.
• The covetousness was over his future promotion
• Favor with both God and man is rare
• An old Jewish  man in charge of a pagan kingdom

(1 Samuel 2:26) 
And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.  

(Luke 2:52) 
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

(Daniel 6:4)
Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

• Leadership, integrity, character, faultless, etc......leads to ENVY
• 120 people could find fault or error in him
• No fault was found, but David was called a man after God's own heart!

(1 Samuel 13:14) 
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.  

(1 Peter 5:8) 
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

(Daniel 6:5)
Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

• These are not just your average 120 people
• They are leaders
• They have envy and hatred towards Daniel
• They therefore have motives and desires to remove Daniel 
• They knew he WOULD keep that Law of God, and BREAK any law against God, 100%

(Daniel 6:6)
Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

• There is the "Live forever" again, and means what it says to them, "eternal life", divinity of kings, the divine right of kings, starts in Genesis 6
  
• Many with this same attitude here towards Daniel will come together to attack Jesus Christ hundreds of years later

(Psalms 2:2) 
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,  Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens  shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

(Daniel 6:7)
All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

• This starts with, "All the.....".
• Compulsion into any religion which is not of God is a snare and a trap, with attached strings
• Why thirty days?
• Does this sort of religion sound familiar today?
• This is a tremendous play on the pride and ego of Darius, 
• Nebuchadnezzar/Babylonians, he was above the law as a despotic dictatorial ruler
• Darius/Persians, culturally and politically bound by the law, not above it. He could not even change a law
• This is proof that, if God is not your supplier, then you will turn to man and a system of man for provision-God or government
• We see this here today happening, where God was rejected, so man relies on redistribution of wealth and the government for his well being
• Do an image search for "babylonian lion wall"

(Daniel 6:8-9)
Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

• This confirms the above and will trap Daniel and the Jews who worship God
• No mention of Daniel being a future victim here, out of both "spite and sleight"
• Basically, ENTRAPMENT

(Daniel 6:10)
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

• His usual day, like any other day
• Jerusalem 200 miles west, in rubble
• Kneeled upon his knees
• Three times a day

TOWARDS JERUSALEM 

(1 Kings 8:44) 
If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have built for thy name: 

(2 Chronicles 6:20-21) 
That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place. Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.

KNEELED ON HIS KNEES  
(Luke 22:41) (Jesus) 
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 

(Acts 7:60) (Stephen) 
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 

(Acts 9:40) (Peter) 
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

(Daniel 6:11)
Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

• Caught in the very act of talking to God!
• This was his routine, and this law was not about to interrupt his commitment to God

(Daniel 6:12)
Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

• The entire purpose of the decree was not to get people to pray to Darius or to the gods of Persia, but to catch Daniel in something they knew he would do anyways-pray to God.
• This is a set of modern day lawyers who want the fine print taken care of, and are here to make sure it is signed, sealed so they can execute Daniel

(Daniel 6:13)
Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

• When people want someone else harmed out of covetousness, they will say anything to anyone, true or not.  
• These men could care less about the king and the fact that Daniel is going against the king. 
• It is about Daniel being punished, not the king or the gods

(Daniel 6:14)
Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

• The King is not displeased with the attorneys, not displeased with Daniel, just HIMSELF
• Again, Persian law was binding law
• The king signed that law
• The king could not "unsign" that law
• The king never thought about the consequences to Daniel or whether Daniel would obey the decree one bit
• He saw he was trapped by his own people/advisers
• He went to other lawyers to find a way out, in order to get Daniel freed from the lions

(Daniel 6:15)
Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

• There is no indication of a trial but, if Daniel were asked about this, he would have refused to pray to anyone else as it is, given the chance, so either way he would have gone into the lion's den
• This again confirms that the laws were binding. Period. Even the king could not go back on this

(Daniel 6:16)
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

• "Here is hoping your God will come through"?
• "I know your God will deliver you"?
• "I know your God and I know that your God will deliver you"?
• One thing he knows is that Daniel serves his God continually-can people say that of us?
• The ONE bad thing that they could say is a virtue before God-prayer to God, thrice daily

(Daniel 6:17)
And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

• If the decree was binding, so was the sentence for disobeying it, officially
• It was also officially sealed by many. 
• The others sealing it meant that even the KING HIMSELF could not open it
• What more certainty that Daniel would be eaten than no one, not even the king, can save him?

(Matthew 27:64) 
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

(Daniel 6:18)
Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

• Darius obviously had the idea that Daniel might not make it through the night
• Darius also had the idea that he inadvertently was duped and was responsible if anything happened to Daniel
• Daniel probably fell asleep or spoke with the LORD all night long

(Daniel 6:19)
Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

• If the lions did not get Daniel overnight, apparently he was to be let out immediately
• Apparently also, if he was alive, he was innocent and his accusers were guilty

(Daniel 6:20)
And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

• Our God is alive, not a dead god of stone, hay, gold, silver, iron
• "Servant of the living God" is a good title
• Because we serve a living God, we are alive
• Because God is the God of the living, when HE speaks of those departed, He is also ensuring and reminding us that that they are still very much alive (Exodus 3:6)

(John 1:4) 
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. nbsp;

(1 Peter 1:3-5) 
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  

(Matthew 22:32) 
I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 

(Mark 12:27) 
He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err. 

(Luke 20:38) 
For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. 

(Exodus 3:6) 
Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

(Daniel 6:21)
Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

• There is that phrase again

(Daniel 6:22)
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I   done no hurt.

• Daniel was perfect before God, and this was an illustration of salvation
• Daniel also went along, not wanting any harm to the king, and took the consequences, grace or death, willingly
• Many were martyred then and are martyred today; it is up to God to allow or disallow
• Either way, we are to praise God

DANIEL, HALL OF FAME

(Hebrews 11:33) 
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

PAUL, SAVED FROM LIONS

(2 Timothy 4:17)
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

GOD USING BEASTS TO DESTROY HIS ENEMIES

(Revelation 6:8)
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

A ROARING LION<

(Revelation 13:2)
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

(Daniel 6:23)
Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

• This says something both for Darius and Daniel
• Daniel was respected as a man, if not for his religion
• Darius respected and honored Daniel
• It is likely that, had Darius thought that Daniel would have been the one to be thrown into the lion's den, he would not have ever signed the decree

(Daniel 6:24)
And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery  of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

• The skeptic likes to claim that these are old, not-hungry lions.  
• This is about 120 people (v.1) and their families, so these lions were hungry and voracious!
• Archaeology confirms the Persians had these lions's dens
• There is an old saying for false witnesses, in Assyrian that stands for slander, "To eat the pieces of a man"
• As was said earlier, apparently also, if he was alive, he was innocent and his accusers were guilty
• The lion and the false accuser both are behind this plot, and always is in the spiritual realm
• This is not to say that the flesh is incapable and needs no assistance-it is just the enemy is always ready, waiting and able to assist
• God is bigger than any false accuser or roaring lion
• The device by Haman to destroy the Jews was also used on himself in the end

(Esther 8:7) 
Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.

(Revelation 12:10) 
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  

(1 Peter 5:8)
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

(1 John 4:4) 
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

(Daniel 6:25)
Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

• This also would be binding
• Because Daniel was not interested in vengeance, but rather peace, he would never falsely or otherwise accuse

(Daniel 6:26)
I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall  not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

• Did Darius get saved? Like Nebuchadnezzar?

(Daniel 6:27)
He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

• Darius recognizes the protection and provision of God Himself

(Daniel 6:28)
So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

• Cyrus the Great-legendary leader, quality  1971 Iran, 2,500th anniversary of Cyrus
• Cyrus established the Medo-Persian empire, he is part Median, part Persian.
• Herodatus says he was responsible for lowering  the Euphrates to a man's thigh to conquer Babylon.  
• Daniel gives him a scroll of Isaiah (which was written 150 years earlier) with his name.   
• Herodatus said also that they city was intact. 
• Alexander visited here and was greeted after conquering the Medes and was welcomed. He made Babylon his capital city and lived there.

(Isaiah 44:28) 
That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. (Isaiah  45:1) Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; 

THE MAGI: 

(Jeremiah 39:3)
And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.

 (Jeremiah 39:13)
So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;

Rab-Mag=Chief of the Magi, an appointment for Daniel

This was a hereditary for Persians, not for a Jew to hold.

Genesis Chapter 21

Genesis Chapter 21

(Genesis 21:1 [KJV])
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
• Finally, promise fulfilled!
• "as he had said" is an understatement
• God always delivers on His promises. Always.

(Genesis 15:4 [KJV])
And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

(Genesis 17:15-16, 19 [KJV])
And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her....
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

(Genesis 18:10 [KJV])
And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

(Genesis 18:14 [KJV])
Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

(Genesis 21:2 [KJV])
For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
• Abraham is old and older now
• This is the time God meant

(Genesis 21:3 [KJV])
And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
• The real laugh is now on Sarah and Abraham
• Outside of Christ, the birth of Isaac is probably the most expected, hoped for, waited for, anticipated birth ever in the history of mankind.
• Previously, for Ishmael, God did not say "that was born unto him"

(Genesis 16:15 [KJV])
And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.

(Genesis 21:4 [KJV])
And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
• Abraham's obedience: It's been too long to mess this part up!

(Genesis 21:5 [KJV])
And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
• "born unto him" is repeated
• This is truly a miracle baby, on purpose
• Isaac is a type of Christ: both births are humanly impossible

ISAAC AS A TYPE OF CHRIST
1. Abraham was "as good as dead". Joseph was not even involved
2. Sarah was past childbearing years; Mary a virgin
3. Isaac was promised; Jesus was promised
4. Isaac was offered up in sacrifice but not sacrificed; Jesus was offered up as a sacrifice and crucified
5. Both carried the wood to their place of sacrifice
6. Both are children of faith
7. Both mothers were doubting
8. Both were named ahead of time
9. The enemy tried to destroy the Plan of God before, during and after the births
10. Sarah and Mary both believed God in the end
11. Both sets of parents were given the child's name beforehand

THE QUESTIONING OF SARAH AND MARY
(Genesis 18:12 [KJV])
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

(Luke 1:34 [KJV])
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

THE FAITH OF SARAH AND MARY
(Hebrews 11:11 [KJV])
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

(Luke 1:38 [KJV])
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM AND JOSEPH
(Romans 4:17-19 [KJV])(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:

(Hebrews 11:12 [KJV])
Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

(Matthew 1:18-25 [KJV])
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

(Genesis 21:6 [KJV])
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
• Amazing how that story today is still told, the name, the account-and people still laugh!

(Genesis 21:7 [KJV])
And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
• Not only was Abraham too old, but his wife was even worse off, being past her childbearing years
• All according to the plan of God
• Abraham had six other sons with Keturah after Sarah died (Genesis 25:2)

(Genesis 21:8 [KJV])
And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
• Isaac was for sure a loved boy
• He was raised in the way of righteousness
• This sort of celebration would have included everyone in Abraham's life, from family, to servants, to neighbors
• The neighbors were also Philistines (21:34, below)

(Genesis 18:19 [KJV])For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

(Genesis 21:9 [KJV])
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.

• Ishmael is the firstborn son and sixteen years old by now, a typical teenager
• Often the oldest boy is spoiled
• He was an only child as well, so Isaac is his first competition for affection
• In addition to this, Isaac is only his HALF-brother, not a full brother from both parents
• Natural resentment always builds.
• Earlier Sarah was resentful of his mom, Hagar
• Now the reverse has happened, but with the same reaction from Sarah...

(Genesis 21:10 [KJV])
Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.

• This is the age old struggle with Israel and her eventual enemies
• Sarah was not a bondwoman, but a free woman, her son being a type of Christ who is of faith and frees us
• Hagar was a bondwoman, whose child is of the flesh and not of faith, and which enslaves us
• As God commanded Abraham this time to obey Sarah, it is for the purpose of casting out the flesh and keeping the child of the promise of God, of faith.
• This is also God's command to us-cast out the flesh, let in the faith.
• the second part of the verse shows Sarah's disdain for Ishmael, since she is very adamant that

Ishmael will not have any part of the inheritance, the promise of God to Isaac

THE BONDWOMAN, HAGAR
(Genesis 21:10 [KJV])
Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.

(Genesis 21:12 [KJV])
And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

(Genesis 21:13 [KJV])
And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.

(Galatians 4:23 [KJV])
But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

(Galatians 4:30 [KJV])
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

(Galatians 4:31 [KJV])
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

ISAAC, NOT ISHMAEL
(Genesis 21:12 [KJV])And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

(Romans 9:7 [KJV])
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

(Hebrews 11:18 [KJV])
Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

(Genesis 21:11 [KJV])
And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.

• His wife telling him to throw out his son probably bothered Abraham greatly
• Regardless of how a child is born, God loves that child and expects its parents to love it also

(Genesis 21:12 [KJV])
And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

• God most likely knew that Isaac would be persecuted as an innocent lad, as Israel is today, and Ishmael would grow into a threat.
• Letting Ishmael go away was the solution, and a way to fulfill the "great nations" prophecy
• These great nations, if left with Isaac in direct contact, would become a direct contact warring faction in close proximity
• It was absolutely impossible, we know today, for them to exist side by side

The Lesson: There was then for Abraham, no human solution. Ishmael was his son, and not Sarah's his wife's. Sarah had the resentment, but Abraham did not:

(Genesis 17:18 [KJV])
And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

To this day, there is no human solution in the war in the Middle East against God's chosen people, Israel. We are all still in Abraham's shoes

1. Love your enemies, even though they hate you and want you dead, applies to the church and Israel
2. Israel is today still surrounded by "great nations" of enemies, descendants of Ishmael
3. The nation of Abraham and Isaac (and later Jacob, Israel) is still God's chosen people of great and precious promises.
4. Israel's enemies constantly war against her, killing innocents, building up arms, and want her annihilated permanently, forever
5. The world still tries to make peace between the sides, without success
6. This is also the story of ourselves: The flesh and the Spirit

(Genesis 21:13 [KJV])
And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.

• The fleshy people of the world outnumber the people of faith, the Christians, many times over. Some things never change.
• The enemies of Israel, surrounding the nation of Israel, outnumber the people of Israel many times over, still today.

(Genesis 21:14 [KJV])
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

• Hot desert, hot wilderness
• Food and water, a little provisions
• No word on if he gave her any money
• Only place she knew to go back to was Egypt
• Ultimately though, Ishmael being the representation of the flesh, works and the law today as Islamic Republics, must be separated from the child of Promise, of Grace and Faith-Isaac.
• The same can be said for Hagar, the woman of the flesh and Sarah, the woman of faith.

 (Galatians 4:21-31 [KJV])Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.  Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

(Genesis 21:15 [KJV])
And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.

• Water is everything, physically and spiritually
• You can go a long time without food
• Abraham was rich, but gave them so little to subsist on. Perhaps he believed God's promise of making Ishmael a great nation, like he believe with Isaac being born and will soon believe when asked to offer him as a sacrifice.
• In the desert, most is three days without water.
• God is everyone's Living Water:  Jew, Gentile, Egyptian, Samaritan

(Jeremiah 17:13 [KJV])O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

(Zechariah 14:8 [KJV])And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

(John 4:10 [KJV])Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

(John 7:38 [KJV])He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

(Genesis 21:16 [KJV])
And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.

• A mother would never want to see her child die
• It is obvious in the human realm that death was certain and imminent
• In the desert with no living water is where God finds us and we can know the source of our water.

(Genesis 21:17 [KJV])
And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

• The mother cried, but God listened to Ishmael.
• This has to have been comforting to Hagar
• She has heretofore heard about or heard God talking to Abraham and Sarah so she probably did not expect to hear directly from Him

(2 Corinthians 1:3-6 [KJV])Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.  And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

(Genesis 21:18 [KJV])
Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.

• Stand up
• Have personal touch
• Believe the promise
• God asks the same of us
o Stand
o Touch the LORD Jesus Christ
o Believe

STAND

(Ephesians 6:11,   13-14 [KJV])Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil...

...Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

TOUCH

(Matthew 9:20 [KJV])And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

(Matthew 14:36 [KJV])And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

BELIEVE

(Acts 16:31 [KJV])And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

(Acts 19:4 [KJV])Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

(Genesis 21:19 [KJV])
And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
• Sometimes the answer is right with us, but because of our lack of faith, we never even see it.
• God opens eyes to His provisions and Himself

(Genesis 21:20-21 [KJV])
And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.  And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
• Out of all of the things promised to Hagar in regards to the lad, the best was the fact that "God was with the lad"
• The return to Egypt to live and find Ishmael a wife is why there is such an abundance of Israel haters there today, surrounding her, wanting to wipe her out.

(Genesis 21:22 [KJV])
And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:
• For someone who is an unbeliever to say that to a believer, there has to be something visible in their life
• Most likely he is looking at the abundance of riches in the physical realm Abraham had.

(Genesis 21:23 [KJV])
Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.
• The above is clear because he does not trust Abraham and his descendants to be a good neighbor
• The same outward appearance of the abundance of physical blessings can be said of some mega-churches today.  The world does not (rightly) trust them to do right, but they do see the physical, earthly riches that they possess.

(Genesis 21:24 [KJV])
And Abraham said, I will swear.
• Very short sentence, very certain answer.  It was all he had to do and his word was apparently immediately accepted

(Genesis 21:25 [KJV])
And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
• Often, when people go around not trusting all or many other people, it is simply because they themselves are shifty in some way.
• Stealing water is like stealing life itself.   Wells of water were and still are scarce in the Middle East.
• The well dug by Abraham (v.30) anyways

(Genesis 21:26 [KJV])
And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.
• It may be that he did not know because his servants did not ever tell him what they were doing
• Abraham will have to trust God to protect him during this time

(Genesis 21:27 [KJV])
And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
• It may be that they did the same thing that God did with him, split the animals and this time, walked through the middle to affirm the covenant.
• This was a portion of the gift that Abimelech had given Abraham earlier

(Genesis 21:28-29 [KJV])
And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.  And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
• Seven is the perfect number
• This was perfect confirmation and a contract to be complete

(Genesis 21:30 [KJV])
And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
• This was to prevent any and all future disputes

(Genesis 21:31 [KJV])
Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.
• Beersheba means "the well of the earth" or "the well of the many"
• It is possible that Abraham wanted to even share this, just not have it taken by force and removed from himself.

(Genesis 21:32 [KJV])
Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.
•

(Genesis 21:33 [KJV])
And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
• A good use for water is to appreciate it and thank God for it

(Genesis 21:34 [KJV])
And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days.
• As long as he was not in Egypt, he was in God's will
• Everyone has to live some place
• Every place was enemy territory before they had a homeland
• We are all sojourners on this planet
• They as a group were already strangers in Egypt as it was

(Exodus 22:21 [KJV])
Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

(1 Peter 2:11 [KJV])
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

(Hebrews 11:13-16 [KJV])
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.