The Book of Daniel - part 1
The Message of Daniel
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.
The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
Daniel 1:1-7
Who is Daniel? : Daniel 1:1-7
Before answering ‘who is Daniel’, it will also help to answer ‘what is Babylon?’ Babylon was the great cultural center in the Middle East from the 18th to 6th century BC. The city itself changed hands several times by the time Daniel entered, but at the time of our story, it was under Nebuchadnezzar’s control as the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Though our story takes place some 2600 years ago, Babylon shares many similarities with modern civilization. First, Babylon was known for its architecture, art, and literature. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World comes from Babylon—the Hanging Gardens.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Built by Nebuchadnezzar II around 600 BC
Second, the Babylons were known to be foodies. Archaeologists have found ancient recipes and other relics that demonstrate a variety of meats, spices, and other cuisines used for noble feasts. (In case you would like to try one of their recipes, check this out.) But, most importantly, as beautiful and amazing Babylon was, its greatest fault was its lack of knowledge and faith in the One True God. Today, churches can be found all over the United States, but more and more people lack basic knowledge about who God is, what Jesus accomplished for us, and some are even antagonistic to very idea of God. When we look at Daniel living in Babylon, we see a young man standing out of the crowd.
Interestingly, Daniel is a statesman first. We consider him a prophet in the general sense, because he did hear from God and passed that on to the people around him. He also was inspired to write by the Holy Spirit which is what gives us the Book of Daniel. However, what makes Daniel unique among the prophetic books is that he was not a prophet by vocation. A similar prophet would be Amos. Amos was a farmer by trade, but when God spoke and told him to speak to Israel, he did just that. Here, Daniel is taken into captivity and must deal with being a Hebrew in a pagan environment. But through this scenario, Daniel is prompted by God to prophesy, teach, and ultimately lead others to the knowledge of the one true God.
Daniel is a prophet of Yahweh to both the Hebrews and to his pagan countrymen.
Parts of Daniel are written in Hebrew, the language of the Jewish nation, and parts are in Aramaic, the common language of Babylon and Persia. Daniel is called to speak to both Hebrews in captivity and to the pagan captors. That means whether or not a person believes in the God of Daniel, his book has a message for them.
When was Daniel?
Daniel was born during the reign of King Josiah, about 620 BC. He would have seen the last of the kings of Judah fail to serve as Josiah had, and thus Babylon took over. It is noteworthy that Daniel would undoubtedly have heard the prophet Jeremiah preach. In his formative years, Daniel watched the crowds of Israel ridicule, imprison, and generally disregard the prophet of God, only to see Jeremiah vindicated with the fall of Judah. Likewise, Ezekiel was contemporary with Daniel, so the two prophets, though living in different areas, speak to the people of God to trust God during their Exile.
Daniel prophesied during the Jewish Exile which lasted about 70 years, ministering to those without a home.
We must remember as we read that Daniel’s message is for those who are traveling and living in lands that are not their own. God’s people found themselves without a home, and now they must learn to live as ‘sojourners and strangers’ in a foreign land. Daniel’s book has much to say to Christians today, as we find ourselves away from Home. As we travel in this land, which is becoming less and less like home for us, we can learn the lessons of Daniel who successfully lived for God as a stranger in a strange land.
What themes will we see in Daniel?
The Sovereignty and faithfulness of God
Seen in God’s power to save from pagan oppressors (Dan. 1&3)
The humiliation of Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4)
Judgment of Belshazzar (Dan. 5)
Rescue of Daniel from the Lions (Dan. 6)
The Coming Messiah
His first and second Advent are mentioned
Seventy Sevens (Dan. 9)
Eschatology: The end of this age
Tribulation at the close of this era
Messiah’s role in ushering the new age
Latter half deal with the visions of the End
What do critics say about Daniel?
One glaring debate exists in theological circles today in which Daniel is a part. The debate is whether supernatural prophecy exists. Did God really tell certain people what would happen in the future, and did they really predict the future? For those who say ‘no’, God did not give supernatural knowledge of future events, they would like to date Daniel to the second century BC, interpreting the work as a commentary on the Maccabean Wars. For those who say “Yes, God did in fact give prophetic knowledge to Daniel, and a host of other prophets,” they date Daniel to the sixth century BC, when the events took place. Far beyond the implications of dating a piece of literature, the debate centers on the Sovereignty and Interaction of God with His people. If we concede the ability of God to supernaturally intervene in history, then we lose all credibility as a people of faith. And, more importantly, if we concede God did not speak to His people, then why would we believe God entered history sending His Son, Jesus Christ?
Daniel’s message from God is this: The Lord can and will save His people.
As we move through the Book of Daniel, we will see evidence for its existence in the sixth century which in turn is evidence that we can believe God does intervene in history, and He is able to protect His people.
The Measure of Daniel’s Faithfulness : Daniel 1:8-16
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
Daniel 1:8-16
He chooses not to be defiled by the king’s food and wine.
Daniel maintains the Law of God, even though no one is around to hold him accountable.
Why would the food and wine defile him? First, the food was not kosher by Jewish standards. Undoubtedly, the food consisted of pigs and other unclean animals. In addition, the food was undoubtedly offered to the deities of Babylon. Some scholars have noted that meat and wine is festival food, so instead of celebrating the conquest of Judah with their captors, Daniel and his friends prefer to remain in mourning.
Now, the chief of eunuchs has a problem with their abstinence, because if some of the youth in his charge are found weak or lacking, then he would find himself without a job…or a head. But, Daniel offers a 10-day challenge. They would eat vegetables and water for 10 days, and then, if they are to be treated as the chief would see fit. Of course, we see God blessed the youth for their faithfulness to the Law, and they were found in greater health than any of the other youth.
Now, I should interject the story here with a comment on this very 21st century phenomenon of the “Daniel Fast”. Now, the administrators behind daniel-fast.com want to be clear the ‘Daniel Fast’ is not a diet…but that hasn’t stopped many well-meaning Christians from treating it like one. So, first, this passage is not a prescription for your diet. Nothing about the text implies Daniel was blessed because he suddenly became a vegetarian. The passage does credit Daniel for his faith compelling him to live differently than his pagan, and less-faithful Jewish, counterparts. So, second, if one wishes to use the Daniel Fast as a means of drawing closer to God, then by all means have at it. But, if you walk away from this passage with only a diet plan, you have completely missed the point.
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Daniel 1:17-21
Notice how these four friends were able to excel in learning, skill, and wisdom. God gave them these skills. And, for Daniel, who took the lead in their 10-day challenge, God granted the ability to interpret dreams and visions.
When the king sees these four, none were found like them! They were not just in the top of their class, they were the top of their class! Notice by how much in verse 20—10 times better than the experienced magicians and enchanters!
God gave Daniel and his friends learning, skill, and wisdom far beyond what the king had ever seen.
Daniel and the three friends’ faithfulness was rewarded. Consider what the Lord told Israel through Moses before they entered the Promised Land.
Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors.
Deuteronomy 8:1
The Israelites failed to observe the Law, and God sent them into Exile. Here, Daniel observes the Law in the midst of a pagan environment, and God grants that Daniel and the three friends essentially conquer the land. Now, they certainly do not establish an Israelite government, but look at what they do:
They become the greatest in academics.
They become great leaders in the kingdom.
They lead the kingdom when Nebuchadnezzar goes into an animal fit.
Babylon may not be Israel, and these four friends will continue to face adversity, but they will also exercise control over this nation in ways that only prove God’s Sovereignty over all nations. They are given Babylon, because they remain faithful to the LORD.
Concluding Implications
The message of Daniel is “The Lord can and will save His people.” By implication, that means
We can be faithful to God, because He is faithful to us.
In this world, we will continue to face adversity as Christians. Periodically, Christians have been able to carve out a place of peace for themselves, and the US used to be one of those places. But, as our society and world continue to move to a more combative state against Christians, we can rest in the Truth that God can and will save His people.
He first saved us by sending His Son. Parts of Daniel point directly to the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ, who came to save us 2000 years ago. He lived a sinless life, laid that life down on the cross, and then resurrected so that we can be saved. We can have eternal life with Him, if we will repent from our sins and ask Him for forgiveness.
But we also know that Jesus is coming back. Again, parts of Daniel point to this fact, as well. Jesus came the first time to seek and save those who were lost in their sin. At some point in the future, He will come again to establish a new heaven and new earth for His people.
Today, come back to your Creator by putting your faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who takes away sin and gives eternal life.