DANIEL: YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS Many Hebrew words convey word-pictures. Some are found in the opening stories of Daniel. The name “Chaldeans” (Dan. 1:4) comes from the Babylonian root “kaldu,” which alludes to constructing astronomical maps. Their magical specialty, if you will. They used their skills to predict the future—astrology, determining human destiny by astral movement. Daniel and the other Hebrews were expected to become experts in the science of divination. The word “magician” (Dan. 2:2:) is “charat” (pronounced “ka’rat”). It means “to cut” or “engrave.” We use this same word today when we speak of a diamond that is “cut” into carats. But the Babylonian magicians were not cutting carats or carrots. Archeologist have noted that ancient pagan cultures would cut animals open in order “read” their body parts (the guts) and divine the future. This would explain why the “magicians” are mentioned right alongside the “astrologers and sorcerers.” It appears that all of the kings men had a hand in divination—special powers to predict the future. Of course, Daniel’s opening stories show the fallacy in these. Because Daniel worshipped the Creator and believed in Him only, he refused in his heart to buy into Babylon’s training program. In the end, “God gave” him and the others all the “knowledge and skill…and wisdom and…understanding” necessary (1:17). In the very next story, we discover that these charlatans almost found their necks on the chopping block (“There is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me!”), when the Babylonian king needed an immediate and truthful answer about his destiny (2:1-5, 8-10)! That would have been the end of them, had it not been for Daniel, who believed only in the God of heaven (2:13, 17-18). Thousands of years later, many are unfamiliar with the inspired events in Daniel. Many are still turning to the same old Babylonian-based practices for “advise” about their lives. From Ouija (spirit) boards to palm-readers, Tarot cards to horoscopes, people are still seeking to know the future from things made of “[plastic and] stone and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk” (see Dan. 5:4). Interestingly, under the trumpet-plagues of the Apocalypse, the unrepentant at the end of time are falsely caught up by the lies inherit in the “[plastic and] stone and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk” (Rev. 9:20). And let’s be honest, these things do lie—even the pagan king knew that! That black “Magic 8 Ball” didn’t give us kids all the correct answers. And look at today’s horoscope? Actually, I have no idea what it has to say about today, but I’ll assure you that many things will go right today and some things won’t—that’s life, regardless how the planets line up! We can’t have it both ways, friend. Either God alone knows the future—because He alone is God—or He does not. Likewise, the things of earth below us and the things in the heavens above us were created by God—and are not equal to God, and not able to foretell the future as only God can.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 20:38:35 +0000
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