Line Upon Line

DANIEL AND ESTHER MAY HAVE POWERED THE GOSPELS FOUNDATIONS

The courage of Daniel probably paved the way for Darius to authorize the return of the Jews to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple of God. Remember, the second Temple was needed for the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth the Messiah. Otherwise, Jesus and His apostles New Covenant gospel would not exist on such a special stage. Note Daniel’s influence on the Emperor of the Persians who sent the Jews back to the Holy Land.

Daniel 6:16 NKJV 16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”

The king was hoping and asserting that the God of Israel could and would save him. Note:

Daniel 6:26-28 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom, men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

We can speculate that one reason these pagan kings allowed the people of God to return to the Holy Land and rebuild the Temple was the courage and trust in God shown to these rulers.

Ezra 1:2-3 NKJV 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. 3 Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.

Courageous believers had convinced these pagan rulers that the God of Israel is the real deity. Cyrus allowed the return by exiles 538 B.C. And Darius 521 B.C. for Temple completion. Esther saves the Jews within the Empire 479 B.C. Her courage was dramatically important to demonstrating who is the true God.

Esther 4:14-16 … Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

The favor she created as queen within the royal family, probably helped Nehemiah in securing Jerusalem 445B.C.! Nehemiah displayed a unique form of courage as well.

Nehemiah 6:10-11 who was a secret informer; and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you;..11 And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!”

Many clever threats to his life did NOT deter him from rebuilding the protective walls of Jerusalem. His courage helped prepare the nation for the time when Jesus would arrive.

THE PRAYERS AND HEROISM OF PROPHETS POWERED THE GOSPEL

Daniel realized that the time for the people of God to return to the Holy Land was approaching. He knew he was too elderly for such a return but his prayer for forgiveness was crucial in the process as well as his courage.

Daniel 9:17-19 NKJV 17 “Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 “O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. 19 “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

He knew that he could not base the forgiveness on the goodness of the exiles but on God’s great mercies. His prayer was vital and he also received a lot more information like that the Messiah would be cutoff in the midst of the week. Further two of the Messiah proteges demonstrated great courage in propelling that gospel forward.

NIV Acts 4:2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw THE COURAGE OF PETER AND JOHN and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

These apostles demonstrated courage while facing their rulers. The rulers concluded that the gospel could not be stopped if it were of God. God rewards courage.

Acts 4:18-21 NKJV 18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.

Their courage shook up all of Jerusalem. Also the bravery of Stephen’s martyrdom no doubt made a lasting impression on Paul. Note this message about his courage connection:

Acts 26:12-14 NKJV 12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 “at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 “And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.‘

The power of the gospel propelled by courageous people was goading and herding the future apostle toward the truth. Deep down when struck down-on the road to Damascus he knew that the gospel was true. The courage of Stephen and others had prepared him to join them in promoting the truth like no one else. Paul later would show powerful courage as he witnessed to nearly the entire city of Jerusalem at once. Look at Acts.

Acts 22:1-2 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” 2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said:..22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!”

Paul lived for many years facing down angry mobs courageously promoting the true gospel at the risk of his life. God loves courage !