Daniel

Daniel

Historical Background and Purpose

The book of Daniel was most likely written by Daniel.  The name "Daniel" means "God is my Judge".  Daniel was a Jew of noble birth who was exiled to Babylon in 605 BC.  Daniel became a high ranking official during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar (of Babylon).  He maintained a position of great influence after the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar as well.  Daniel even held a position of great influence during the reign of King Darius (of Persia).  Daniel's life could be "characterized by faith, prayer, courage, consistency, and lack of compromise" (see Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts page 229).  "Babylon rebelled against the Assyrian Empire in 626 B.C., overthrew the Assyrian capital of Nineveh in 612 B.C., and became master of the ancient Near East when it defeated Egypt at the battle of Carchemish in 605 B.C. Later that year, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar subdued Jerusalem and took prominent citizens of the city as hostages to Babylon, a group that included young Daniel" (see Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts page 230).  During the reign of the Babylonians, many of Judah's inhabitants had been taken into captivity (including Daniel).  The Babylonians also destroyed God's temple.  The Babylonians maintained power and control of the region until they were overthrown by the Persians in 539 BC.

Character and Nature of God

The one true God is sovereign over all.  Kings will come and kings will go; however, God is God and He reigns over all.  King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon became very powerful while ruling here on earth.  He probably seemed like a god to his subjects.  He became very proud then God humbled him.  After his time of humbling, King Nebuchadnezzar praised, honored, glorified, and worshiped the God Most High / King of heaven (see Daniel 4:34-37).  In other words, the most powerful king on earth recognized that there is someone even more powerful than himself.  King Nebuchadnezzar eventually came to realize and understand that the one true God is the One who is truly sovereign over all.  In the book of Daniel, God honors those who honor Him.  For example, God revealed to Daniel what King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was as well as its interpretation.  God miraculously saved the lives of the three boys (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) who had been thrown into the fiery furnace (see story in Daniel 3:8-30).  They honored God and God rescued them.  Daniel was thrown into the den of lions.  Daniel honored God and God saved him from the lions (see story in Daniel 6:1-28).  Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego honored God with their lives and God honored them.  God honors those who honor Him.

God's Redemptive Plan for Mankind

The coming Messiah will reign forever!  King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that greatly troubled him.  He demanded that his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers tell him what his dream meant; however, he would not tell them what he had dreamt.  He promised a great reward for the person who could tell him what he dreamed and what his dream meant; however, he threatened to tear them from limb to limb and burn their houses down if they could not (see story in Daniel 2:1-11).  Daniel heard of the king's demand and earnestly sought God for the answer.  God then revealed King Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its interpretation to Daniel who in turn revealed both the dream and its interpretation to King Nebuchadnezzar.  While Daniel was explaining the interpretation of the dream, he mentioned, "During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered.  It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever.  That is the meaning of the rock cut from the mountain, though not by human hands, that crushed to pieces the statue of iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold.  The great God was showing the king what will happen in the future.  The dream is true and its meaning is certain" (Daniel 2:44-45).  Daniel had other dreams and visions as well.  Daniel 7:13-14 states, "As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven.  He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him.  His rule is eternal - it will never end.  His kingdom will never be destroyed."  These verses and others in the book of Daniel refer to the coming Messiah.  Kings on earth will come and go; however, the coming Messiah will rule forever!

Personal Application/Point of Passion

While reading and studying the book of Daniel, I was reminded of the character of Daniel.  Daniel was a man of great integrity.  Daniel was a man who was known for his faith in the one true God.  Daniel was a man who was known for his prayer life.  Daniel was known as a man who is always responsible.  Daniel was known as a man who is completely trustworthy. Daniel was a man who was known for his consistency.  Daniel was a man who was known for his courage.  Daniel was a man known for his uncompromising beliefs and actions.  Even those close to him who were seeking to accuse him could not find any faults in him.  I desire to be such a man.  The man, Daniel, truly honored God with his life and God honored him.  My desire is to live my life in such a way as to bring honor and glory to God! I will encourage others to do the same!  I will be responsible and encourage others to be responsible as well. I will be trustworthy and encourage others to be trustworthy as well I will be uncompromising and encourage others to be uncompromising as well.  I will be faithful to God and encourage others to be faithful to God as well. I desire to live a life that truly honors God and I will encourage others to live lives that truly honor God as well.