Daniel 4:24-27
Summary for Dan 4:25-26: 4:25-26 a until you learn that the Most High rules: God’s goal was proper recognition of God’s rule.4:27 b Stop sinning and do what is right: Righteousness and justice exalt a nation and extend the reign of a king; the lack of it dooms a people. Daniel humbly pled with the king to change his ways.
• be merciful to the poor: This was a requirement of God’s law (Exod 23:6-11 c; Deut 15:10-11 d; Prov 29:14 e; 31:9 f) as well as Babylon’s. A former great king of Babylon, Hammurabi (about 1792–1750 BC), claimed to have been charged by his god Marduk to shepherd and protect the orphaned, the widowed, and the oppressed.
• Perhaps then: Daniel recognized that God was free to act or not act (cp. Dan 3:16-18 g); because he is a merciful God, he might take pity on the condemned king (cp. Exod 32:30 h; 1 Sam 14:6 i; 2 Sam 12:22 j; Joel 2:14 k; Amos 5:15 l; Zeph 2:3 m; 2 Tim 2:25 n).
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