Four Beasts, the Human Being, and the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7)

Thoughts on Daniel 7
I have been sharing a few words (or more than a few words) about the Book of Daniel, one of the more challenging books of the Hebrew Bible. Like the Book of Revelation, it has a strong apocalyptic component. In the first six chapters of the book we encounter six court tales, stories of life lived by exiles in Babylon. Daniel and three friends find themselves selected for training to serve King Nebuchadnezzar. From there we read of their adventures. There are visions to be interpreted, flames to be avoided, and lions’ mouths to be closed. The message throughout seems to be that despite the situation God is in control. Things might look bad, but God is present. The question is, of course, the nature of this sovereignty. Is God pulling the strings, or do Daniel and his companions have some agency here? I think you can interpret either way, though due to my embrace of the idea that God's love is uncontrolling, this is more difficult for me to say God is in control…
I have been sharing a few words (or more than a few words) about the Book of Daniel, one of the more challenging books of the Hebrew Bible. Like the Book of Revelation, it has a strong apocalyptic component. In the first six chapters of the book we encounter six court tales, stories of life lived by exiles in Babylon. Daniel and three friends find themselves selected for training to serve King Nebuchadnezzar. From there we read of their adventures. There are visions to be interpreted, flames to be avoided, and lions’ mouths to be closed. The message throughout seems to be that despite the situation God is in control. Things might look bad, but God is present. The question is, of course, the nature of this sovereignty. Is God pulling the strings, or do Daniel and his companions have some agency here? I think you can interpret either way, though due to my embrace of the idea that God's love is uncontrolling, this is more difficult for me to say God is in control…