Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Daniel reveals the images that the king saw in his dream, a great statue made of many materials that gets destroyed by a stone. Human kingdoms will come and go and replace each other over and over.  Until all of humanity recognizes God and establishes a kingdom  that will last forever.

The King is bothered by an awful dream, but can't even remember the content of the dream, let alone its' interpretation.  All of his magicians cannot help him, and he is enraged. A decree sending all the wise men (or not-so-wise men) to the executioner is declared, and Daniel and his friend's lives are in jeapordy.  From Daniel's response, we learn the secrets of what prayer truly is.

Four young Judean captives are taken into King Nebuchadnezzar's royal complex.  After being given Babylonian names, they are set to be trained and indrinated in the ways and the wisdom of their new country.  The leader of the four, Daniel, faces his first major problem.  How do we eat the food that we are being givne if it is clearly not Kosher?  We begin to see the special wisdom and grace of this remarkable young man as he navigates the challenges of remaining faithful to the God of his ancestors in a foreign country that wants him to adopt their new ways.

The book of Jeremiah ends with a recap of the destruction of Jerusalem, and the dismantling of the Holy Temple. The final words of Jeremiah remind us that rays of hope and light appear even in the darkness of exile.  

We read of a conversation between God and Jerusalem. The people are ashamed of their sins, that brought about the destruction wrought by Babylon. God promises revenge, a total revenge for all of the nations taht were oppressed by Babylon.  Jeremiah sends his prophecy in the form of a scroll on a diplomatic mission to Babylon.  Babylon clearly does not take heed and continues on their evil path.

Jeremiah continues his prophecy regarding the future destruction of Babylon.  He describes the terrible error that people make.  They think they are mighty and strong, but nothing human can compare to the greatness of God the Creator.  This is the portion of the children of jacob, to teach this lesson to the other nations so they all come to serve God in Zion.

Jeremiah prophecies about the ultimate fall of Babylon, and the return of the peoples it had subjugated to their lands.  Israel will make their way back to their land when Babylon falls to Persia, and so will the other nations.  God warns babylon, if you are arrogant before me, your armies and fortresses cannot keep you safe from the vengeance of God.

Jeremiah turns his attention to three more nations, and we discuss their sins and ultimate fate.

Jeremiah turns his attention to two more implacable foes of the people of Israel, the nations of Ammon and Edom.  We also summarize the attitudes of the prophets towards these nations.

In this chapter, the prophet turns his attention to the Moabites. Jeremiah describes their sins, and their ultimate fate. Their sins of arrigance, haughtiness, pride in their wealth and jeering at those who were not as fortunate as they.  The destruction of their nation and culture that the prophet foretells is awful indeed.