DBG - September 15 - Daniel 1-3

Daniel (“judgment of God”) was a Jewish captive in Babylon who held high government offices in the Babylonian and Persian Empires.  This book is a favorite of many with its adventurous records of Daniel’s life and its vivid prophecies of history and the End Times.  It is a favorite target of critics because it is simply too accurate to be anything other than true.

A few quick facts about Daniel

In this chapter Daniel and his friends stand for their Jewish beliefs.

vs. 1-2 – The year is 606 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar first took captives from Jerusalem and Daniel is among them. 

vs. 3-5 – Ashpenaz (“horse-nose”) oversees the selection, education, and assimilation of the “best and brightest” captives from Israel in a three-year program.  They are made into eunuchs as part of the process.  They are provided with food from the king’s own store.  This food would not have been acceptable to the Jewish dietary restrictions.

vs. 6-7 – Part of the assimilation process is the giving of Babylonian names to the captives.  Daniel (“judgment of God”) is made Belteshazzar (“Bel, protect the king”). Hananiah (“gift of God”) becomes Shadrach (“command of Aku”), Mishael (“who is what God is?”) becomes Meshach (“who is like Aku”), and Azariah (“whom the Lord helps”)  becomes Abednego (“servant of Nebo”). Bel is the Babylonian form of Baal, Aku is the moon god, and Nebo is the god of letters and learning.

vs. 8-20 – Daniel takes a stand to remember his Jewish heritage and honor the Lord.  He leads his friends in refusal to eat the forbidden foods.  This is given a ten-day test period, after which the faithful young men are healthier and more productive.  When put to the examination at then end of the three-year program, they are “ten times’ better than all others.  God had blessed their faithful stand.

vs. 21 – This verse notes that Daniel outlasted the Babylonian Empire and served under the Persian king Cyrus the Great.  His faithfulness was blessed with longevity.

In this chapter is Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great statue.

vs. 1-13 – Reese’s Chronological Bible dates this chapter to 603 B.C.  Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that troubles him, but he does not remember.  He makes an impossible request of the brightest minds in the kingdom by making them reveal the dream he could not even remember.  The king is enraged at their failure, ordering all the wise men in the kingdom to be executed as frauds.  But Daniel and His God had not been given their chance.

vs. 14-23 – Arioch (“lion-like”) is the guard (literally “executioner”) sent to slay the wise men of the kingdom.   Daniel requests more time, and the king grants Daniel time to seek an answer.  He and his friends immediately began praying.  God reveals the dream to Daniel and he responds in praise.

vs. 24-28 – Arioch is told that Daniel has the answer and speedily brings him before the king.  Daniel acknowledges the impossibility of the king’s request but then points to the one true God who knows all things.  He is immediately giving all praise and glory to God.

vs. 29-45 – The dream is revealed.  Nebuchadnezzar had seen a giant statue made from various materials that was destroyed by a stone “cut without hands”.  Daniel then gives its interpretation, which is a revelation of kingdoms to come.  The head of gold represented the Babylonian Empire (605-539 B.C.), the chest of silver represented the Persian Empire (539-331 B.C.), the torso of brass represented the Greek Empire (331-168 B.C.), the legs of iron represented the historic Roman Empire (168 B.C.-476 A.D.?), and the feet of iron mixed with clay represented the remnants of the Roman Empire that will exist in the End Times.  The stone that pulverizes the stature is the Kingdom of God, which is the coming Millennial Kingdom of Christ.

vs. 46-49 – Daniel is promoted by the king for revealing the dream.

In this chapter are the golden statute of Nebuchadnezzar and the fiery furnace.

vs. 1-7 – Reese’s Chronological Bible dates this chapter to 587 B.C.  Nebuchadnezzar erects a 90-foot-tall golden statue and orders all members of his government to swear loyalty it (and him by the act).  It has been suggested that there may have been some sort of rebellion or intrigue taking place and he was attempting to control it.  Note the long lists of officers and instruments.  This attention to the most minute detail is a feature of writings from the Babylonian and more so the Persian periods.

vs. 8-18 – It is revealed that Daniel’s friends had not bowed to the statue because they refused to honor anyone but God.  They are offered a second chance but refuse.  Note their powerful response in vs. 16-18.  Where is Daniel through this?  He was either exempted because of his status or not present.

vs. 19-25 – The furnace used here is likely one used for making bricks or refining metal.  They could reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.    The men are bound and thrown in by strong soldiers, who die from intense heat.  Nebuchadnezzar looks and sees not three men, but four inside, walking around showing no signs of injury.  The fourth he knows instinctively is the Son of God.

vs. 26-30 – Nebuchadnezzar calls that men walk out of the furnace.  Their bonds had burned, but no part of them or their clothes had been singed or even smelled of smoke.  The men are promoted and God is glorified.

The Book of Daniel is remarkable for many reasons, but we cannot overlook how remarkable a person Daniel was.  This book would not exist unless he faithfully took a stand for his beliefs.  He would be lost to history had he not believed that God would reveal a forgotten dream  We see the impact of his leadership in the faithfulness of his friends.  He is a man of deep faith and a mighty prayer warrior.  Oh, how we could use such leaders today in our own nation!

Our hymn today is “God of Israel’s Faithful Three” by Charles Wesley.

God of Israel's faithful three,

who braved a tyrant's ire,

nobly scorned to bow their knee

and walked unhurt in fire;

breathe their faith into my breast,

arm me in this fiery hour,

stand, O Son of Man! confessed

in all Thy saving power.

Lo! On dangers, deaths and snares,

I every moment tread,

hell without a veil appears

and flames around my head;

sin increases more and more,

sin in all its strength returns,

seven times hotter than before

the fiery furnace burns.

But while Thou, my Lord, art nigh

my soul distains to fear;

sin and Satan I defy

still impotently near.

Earth and hell their wars may wage,

calm I mark their vain design,

smile to see them idly rage

against a child of Thine.

Unto Thee, my help, my hope,

my safeguard and my tower,

confident I still look up

and still receive Thy power.

All the alien's host I chase

blast and scatter with mine eyes

Satan comes, I turn my face

and lo! the temptor flies!

Sin in me the inbred foe,

awhile subsists in chains,

but then all Thy power shalt show,

and slay its last remains.

Thou hast conquered my desire,

Thou shalt quench it with they blood,

fill me with a purer fire,

and make me all like God.