The Book of Daniel
Daniel records events that took place during Israel's captivity and encourages the people to trust in the God who controls all history.
In several passages, such as 9:2 and 10:2, the book itself mentions Daniel as the author. Jesus Himself referred to Daniel as the author (Matthew 24:15). Objective evidence indicates the book was written about 530 B.C., shortly after the capture of Babylon by Cyrus in 539.
The theological theme of the book is God's sovereignty: "The Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind" (5:21). Daniel's visions always show God as triumphant. The climax of His sovereignty is described in Revelation 11:15 (compare Daniel 2:44; 7:27).
The purpose of this book is to provide a historical account how the Lord God protected and provided for His faithful followers while in captivity; it also includes a vision of future redemption and hope.
In chapters 1-6, Daniel writes about his own life in captivity. He was
selected to work for the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel (or
Belteshazzar; his Babylonian name), and his friends made tough decisions and several times displayed their integrity to stand for Godliness instead of culture; these include rejecting the king’s food, praying when it was illegal to do so, and refusing to bow to the king’s idol, for which they were thrown into the fiery furnace. Daniel interpreted the king’s dreams twice then was promoted as chief over all the wise men in Babylon. Yet, through all the great things that Daniel did He claimed it was God that did it through him and he gave all the glory to God, “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and
the light dwells with Him” (2:22).
Chapters 7-12 contain the visions that Daniel received from God and the
events that are involved in his prophetic ministry. A portion of these includes the results of the earthly kingdoms that he lived in. They also mention the coming Messiah and the apocalyptic events to come. “As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for
these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time” (12:8-9).
Foreshadowing of Jesus
We see in the stories of the fiery furnace and Daniel in the lions’ den a
foreshadowing of the salvation provided by Christ. The three men declare that God is a saving God who can provide a way of escape from the fire (Daniel 3:17). In the same way, by sending Jesus to die for our sins, God
has provided an escape from the fires of hell (1 Peter 3:18). In Daniel’s case, God provided an angel to shut the lions’ mouths
and saved Daniel from death. Jesus Christ is our provision from the dangers of
the sin that threatens to consume us.
continue to Hosea…
In several passages, such as 9:2 and 10:2, the book itself mentions Daniel as the author. Jesus Himself referred to Daniel as the author (Matthew 24:15). Objective evidence indicates the book was written about 530 B.C., shortly after the capture of Babylon by Cyrus in 539.
The theological theme of the book is God's sovereignty: "The Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind" (5:21). Daniel's visions always show God as triumphant. The climax of His sovereignty is described in Revelation 11:15 (compare Daniel 2:44; 7:27).
The purpose of this book is to provide a historical account how the Lord God protected and provided for His faithful followers while in captivity; it also includes a vision of future redemption and hope.
In chapters 1-6, Daniel writes about his own life in captivity. He was
selected to work for the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel (or
Belteshazzar; his Babylonian name), and his friends made tough decisions and several times displayed their integrity to stand for Godliness instead of culture; these include rejecting the king’s food, praying when it was illegal to do so, and refusing to bow to the king’s idol, for which they were thrown into the fiery furnace. Daniel interpreted the king’s dreams twice then was promoted as chief over all the wise men in Babylon. Yet, through all the great things that Daniel did He claimed it was God that did it through him and he gave all the glory to God, “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and
the light dwells with Him” (2:22).
Chapters 7-12 contain the visions that Daniel received from God and the
events that are involved in his prophetic ministry. A portion of these includes the results of the earthly kingdoms that he lived in. They also mention the coming Messiah and the apocalyptic events to come. “As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for
these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time” (12:8-9).
Foreshadowing of Jesus
We see in the stories of the fiery furnace and Daniel in the lions’ den a
foreshadowing of the salvation provided by Christ. The three men declare that God is a saving God who can provide a way of escape from the fire (Daniel 3:17). In the same way, by sending Jesus to die for our sins, God
has provided an escape from the fires of hell (1 Peter 3:18). In Daniel’s case, God provided an angel to shut the lions’ mouths
and saved Daniel from death. Jesus Christ is our provision from the dangers of
the sin that threatens to consume us.
continue to Hosea…
