YAHWEH, THE LIVING GOD, RESCUES DANIEL FROM A DEN OF LIONS
Daniel 6:1-28
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. The plot of the jealous satraps and administrators to try to get rid of Daniel (Daniel 6:1-9).
A. The ruler Darius the Mede was mentioned only in the book of Daniel (Dan. 5:30 ; 6:1, 6, 9; 9:1) and not in Persian history. So who was this Medo-Persian ruler who started at the end of 539 B.C.?
1. Some believe it to be Darius I who ruled from 522 B.C. to
486 B.C. However, if he started at 62 years old and ruled 36 years, he would have ended at 98 years old. History does not agree with these ages.
2. Some believe it might have been King Cyrus himself who ruled from 559 B.C. to 530 B.C. These would believe that the alternative translation of Daniel 6:28 and the historical record give this view a leg up. However, why was he called a Mede when the rest of Scripture calls him a Persian?
3. Some believe Darius was a Medo-Persian royal name similar to the Roman “Caesar” or “Augustus.” So in this view, King Cyrus could have assigned someone to rule the city of Babylon under his authority and the Mede was added as a distinction of this person. We know from the Nabonidus-Cyrus Chronicle historically that a governor Gubaru (many times mixed up with Ugbaru) was appointed by King Cyrus as vice-regent of the Chaldean domains on October 29, 539 B.C. If this was the case, then King Cyrus could have had his own formal Coronation two years later. This view seems to fit the texts of Daniel 2:21; 6:1, 28; 9:1; and 10:1 as well as the known historical record in my opinion.
B. Daniel would have been about 80 years old in 539 B.C. w hen he was appointed as one of the three administrators over the Medo-Persian kingdom (Daniel 6:1-4).
1. He showed the same Yahweh anointed exceptional qualities as he has already showed previously (verse 3; Daniel 2:48 ).
2. Daniel’s Yahweh inspired qualities included not being corrupt, being trustworthy and not being negligent (being diligent). These are very good traits to find in any employee or ruler!
C. All the other rulers trick King Darius into enacting an irrevocable law in order to lay a trap for Daniel (Daniel 6:5-9). See how this also happened under King Xerxes I around 483 B.C. in Esther 1:19; 8:8).
Thought: Daniel exhibited many of the traits of the New Testament believer found in I Peter 3:8-17. What do we need to entrust to Yahweh today?
II. Daniel’s habit of praying remained the same even after the decree. Daniel’s spiritual strength came out of his daily walk with Yahweh (Daniel 6:10 -17).
A. His habit in exile was to face Jerusalem (I Kings 8:41 -43), get down on his knees (I Kings 8:54 ; Ezra 9:5; Psalms 95:6), and pray three times a day (Psalms 55:17)(verse 10).
B. Daniel asked God for help (verse 11, possibly meditating on Psalm 22?).
C. The den comes from an Aramaic word which gives the idea of an underground pit. A lid was placed over it with the official wax seal surrounding it (verses 12-17).
Thought: When we go through various trials, it’s a time to become very diligent with our daily walk.
III. There are three books of the Apocrypha that are inserted in the Catholic Bible for the book of Daniel.
A. The word “apocrypha” in the Greek means things that are hidden. It is a collection of 14 or 15 books or parts of books which were inserted into the older English Bible (as well as the Septuagint). They were never part of the Canon of Scripture (the list of what is now 66 books including 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament).
B. To be part of the Canon, books are subjected to three main criteria:
1) Authority – internal words claiming authority by God (God breathed) and written by a prophet, apostle, or close associate;
2) Agreement – internal evidence that it agrees with the rest of Scripture;
3) Acceptance – wide acceptance among churches and church leaders.
C. The three apocryphal works surrounding Daniel include:
1) The Song of the Three Holy Children,
2) The History of Susanna, and
3) Bel and the Dragon. None of them show the inspiration of real Scripture and they have several inaccuracies compared to Daniel and other Scriptures.
IV. Yahweh, the only living God, rescues Daniel and receives praise from King Darius (Daniel 6:18 -28).
A. Daniel praises his God for sending his angel and shutting the mouths of the lions (verses 18-21).
1. This is similar wording to Psalm 22:13, 21 which Da niel might have been praying through.
2. The Messiah of Isaiah 11:6 (possibly the same Yahweh messenger in verse 21) will manifest perfect control over the animals in his Millennial Reign!
B. King Darius praises Daniel’s God as the one living God who is the Eternal King and who has the power to rescue and save His people (verses 22-27).
C. Daniel prospered all the way to the rule of Cyrus the Persian (verse 28). He remained in an administrative role until the first year of King Cyrus (Daniel 1:21 ) which was possibly two years after King Darius.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Daniel 5:1-31
THE FALL OF BABYLON IS WRITTEN ON THE WALL
Daniel 5:1-31
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. King Belshazzar, along with the Babylonian kingdom, feasts, fears, and finally fatally falters under Yahweh’s mighty hand (Daniel 5:1-12).
A. King Belshazzar, while feasting, blasphemes the God of Israel even though he should have known better (Daniel 5:1-4).
1. Belshazzar (“Bel, protect the king”) was the son of Nebonidus, (who was married to the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar and who was also a General under Nebuchadnezzar), the last historically recorded King of Babylon.
a. Nebonidus ruled the Babylonian empire from 556-539 B.C.
However, due to frequent traveling and illness, he assigned his son Belshazzar as co-ruler with him and Belshazzar spent most of his time ruling from the city of Babylon itself.
b. There are two historical, legal documents recorded by Nebonidus proclaiming Belshazzar as both Co-regent and Crown Prince in the 12th and 13th year of his reign (the Nebonidus-Cyrus Chronicle discovered in Nineveh , Iraq in 1879 and presently located in the British Museum ).
c. This would also make Belshazzar Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson on his mother’s side (verses 2, 11,13 and 18 use the term “father” which can be used for father, grandfather, or ancestor).
d. Before this chronicle was discovered, many scholars did not believe that a Belshazzar who was a “son” of Nebuchadnezzar ever historically existed. However, for supernatural loving Yahweh honoring believers, the prophecy in Jeremiah 27:5-7 was perfectly accurate!
2 . The Jerusalem Temple articles were taken to Babylon in stages (605 B.C. – Daniel 1:2 and 586 B.C. – Jer. 27:19-22; Lam. 1:10 ) and probably placed in the Temple of Marduk (verse 3). So these had been sitting in the hands of unbelievers from 47 years and up to 66 years.
3. As the feasters drank from the Jerusalem Temple ’s sacred vessels, they toasted and praised their gods but not the God, Yahweh the Most High King of Heaven! The timing is right for Yahweh to once again speak clearly.
B. The perfect timing of Yahweh’s prophecy, human responsibility, and God’s sovereign rule work together for another amazing wonder – the writing on the wall! (verses 5-9).
1. Belshazzar cannot stand under the power of what he was seeing on the wall (verses 5, 6). (A large 55 foot wide, 165 feet long hall has been excavated in Babylon with white plastered walls!)
2. The third ruler would put that person next in line to the throne behind Nebonidus and Belshazzar (verses 7, 8).
C. Even though the wise men of Babylon again are useless, the Queen Mother, (Belshazzar’s mother and Nebuchadnezzar’s daughter), remembered Daniel and the events of her father’s life as already described in Daniel chapters 1-4 (verses 10-12).
Thought: Daniel 5:1-12 should encourage us as believers because it shows us
that Yahweh’s timing is perfect. He is faithful to His covenant and He is faithful
to His Word. Are we struggling today with acknowledging His perfect timing or
His ability to carry out His covenant or His Word as He has promised us?
II. Daniel gives the meaning of the writing on the wall to King Belshazzar
(Daniel 5:13-29).
A. Daniel would have been around 80 years old at this time (verses 13-16).
According to historical records, the kingdom of Babylon fell to the kingdom of Medo-Persia in October 539 B.C.
B. Daniel explains to Belshazzar that his motive for interpreting the writing was not monetary but was rather to honor the only true and Most High God (verses 17-24).
1. Daniel takes the opportunity to relay how Yahweh humbled Nebuchadnezzar (Belshazzar’s grandfather) when he was prideful (verses 18-21; Daniel 4:1-37).
2. Daniel takes the opportunity to explain to Belshazzar that this same Most High God that “holds in His hand your life” is the same one who “sent this palm hand.” (verses 22-24).
a. There is a Hebrew word-play with the word hand which brings about emphasis and interest (see how the Apostle John does this in the Greek language in John 10:27 -30).
b. There is also a word-play going on between false gods who cannot see, hear, or understand and the one true God who does all of these as well as communicate His message perfectly with a human hand (also verse 4).
III. The message on the wall was written in Aramaic as a brief three word message with the first word repeated for emphasis (Daniel 5:25 -28).
A. Mene, mene means “to number or reckon.” It is the verb form for a unit of weight (called a mina in Greek) equal to 50 shekels or 1 ¼ pounds. God has numbered and numbered again (probably the start and finish of the Babylonian kingdom).
B. Tekel means “to weigh.” God has weighed Belshazzar and the Babylonian kingdom and found them to be deficient (probably to remain as the reigning world kingdom).
C. Upharsin is the plural form of pares “to divide” so the Babylonian kingdom will be divided and given to two kingdoms. Daniel tells us that there will be the Medes and Persians.
IV. The very night of the feast that blasphemed Yahweh, Daniel was recognized, Belshazzar was slain, and the Medo-Persian army too k over Babylon
(Daniel 5:29, 30).
A. Historically, it is chronicled that Babylon was already under assault by the Medo-Persian army led by King Cyrus during the time of this feast. However, Babylon had stored up a 20 year supply of food with the Euphrates River running through it for water. It was surrounded by a high outer and inner wall with a road between them wide enough to span two chariots abreast. It had a mote surrounding the whole city. It was viewed by those in the city as impenetrable.
B. However, evidently before or during the feast, the army figured out that they could divert the water of the Euphrates north of the city by building a canal system to a nearby lake. As the level of the water receded, the Medo-Persi an army went under the sluice gate and defeated the city October 12, 539 B.C. (see Isaiah 47:1-5 and Daniel 2:32 , 39).
C. Darius the Mede was probably an official named Gubaru whom King Cyrus appointed as his vice-regent before his formal coronation two years later (see Daniel 9:1).
Thought: Can you trust Yahweh, the King of Heaven, who sets up and takes
down world kingdoms with your life situations today?
Daniel 5:1-31
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. King Belshazzar, along with the Babylonian kingdom, feasts, fears, and finally fatally falters under Yahweh’s mighty hand (Daniel 5:1-12).
A. King Belshazzar, while feasting, blasphemes the God of Israel even though he should have known better (Daniel 5:1-4).
1. Belshazzar (“Bel, protect the king”) was the son of Nebonidus, (who was married to the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar and who was also a General under Nebuchadnezzar), the last historically recorded King of Babylon.
a. Nebonidus ruled the Babylonian empire from 556-539 B.C.
However, due to frequent traveling and illness, he assigned his son Belshazzar as co-ruler with him and Belshazzar spent most of his time ruling from the city of Babylon itself.
b. There are two historical, legal documents recorded by Nebonidus proclaiming Belshazzar as both Co-regent and Crown Prince in the 12th and 13th year of his reign (the Nebonidus-Cyrus Chronicle discovered in Nineveh , Iraq in 1879 and presently located in the British Museum ).
c. This would also make Belshazzar Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson on his mother’s side (verses 2, 11,13 and 18 use the term “father” which can be used for father, grandfather, or ancestor).
d. Before this chronicle was discovered, many scholars did not believe that a Belshazzar who was a “son” of Nebuchadnezzar ever historically existed. However, for supernatural loving Yahweh honoring believers, the prophecy in Jeremiah 27:5-7 was perfectly accurate!
2 . The Jerusalem Temple articles were taken to Babylon in stages (605 B.C. – Daniel 1:2 and 586 B.C. – Jer. 27:19-22; Lam. 1:10 ) and probably placed in the Temple of Marduk (verse 3). So these had been sitting in the hands of unbelievers from 47 years and up to 66 years.
3. As the feasters drank from the Jerusalem Temple ’s sacred vessels, they toasted and praised their gods but not the God, Yahweh the Most High King of Heaven! The timing is right for Yahweh to once again speak clearly.
B. The perfect timing of Yahweh’s prophecy, human responsibility, and God’s sovereign rule work together for another amazing wonder – the writing on the wall! (verses 5-9).
1. Belshazzar cannot stand under the power of what he was seeing on the wall (verses 5, 6). (A large 55 foot wide, 165 feet long hall has been excavated in Babylon with white plastered walls!)
2. The third ruler would put that person next in line to the throne behind Nebonidus and Belshazzar (verses 7, 8).
C. Even though the wise men of Babylon again are useless, the Queen Mother, (Belshazzar’s mother and Nebuchadnezzar’s daughter), remembered Daniel and the events of her father’s life as already described in Daniel chapters 1-4 (verses 10-12).
Thought: Daniel 5:1-12 should encourage us as believers because it shows us
that Yahweh’s timing is perfect. He is faithful to His covenant and He is faithful
to His Word. Are we struggling today with acknowledging His perfect timing or
His ability to carry out His covenant or His Word as He has promised us?
II. Daniel gives the meaning of the writing on the wall to King Belshazzar
(Daniel 5:13-29).
A. Daniel would have been around 80 years old at this time (verses 13-16).
According to historical records, the kingdom of Babylon fell to the kingdom of Medo-Persia in October 539 B.C.
B. Daniel explains to Belshazzar that his motive for interpreting the writing was not monetary but was rather to honor the only true and Most High God (verses 17-24).
1. Daniel takes the opportunity to relay how Yahweh humbled Nebuchadnezzar (Belshazzar’s grandfather) when he was prideful (verses 18-21; Daniel 4:1-37).
2. Daniel takes the opportunity to explain to Belshazzar that this same Most High God that “holds in His hand your life” is the same one who “sent this palm hand.” (verses 22-24).
a. There is a Hebrew word-play with the word hand which brings about emphasis and interest (see how the Apostle John does this in the Greek language in John 10:27 -30).
b. There is also a word-play going on between false gods who cannot see, hear, or understand and the one true God who does all of these as well as communicate His message perfectly with a human hand (also verse 4).
III. The message on the wall was written in Aramaic as a brief three word message with the first word repeated for emphasis (Daniel 5:25 -28).
A. Mene, mene means “to number or reckon.” It is the verb form for a unit of weight (called a mina in Greek) equal to 50 shekels or 1 ¼ pounds. God has numbered and numbered again (probably the start and finish of the Babylonian kingdom).
B. Tekel means “to weigh.” God has weighed Belshazzar and the Babylonian kingdom and found them to be deficient (probably to remain as the reigning world kingdom).
C. Upharsin is the plural form of pares “to divide” so the Babylonian kingdom will be divided and given to two kingdoms. Daniel tells us that there will be the Medes and Persians.
IV. The very night of the feast that blasphemed Yahweh, Daniel was recognized, Belshazzar was slain, and the Medo-Persian army too k over Babylon
(Daniel 5:29, 30).
A. Historically, it is chronicled that Babylon was already under assault by the Medo-Persian army led by King Cyrus during the time of this feast. However, Babylon had stored up a 20 year supply of food with the Euphrates River running through it for water. It was surrounded by a high outer and inner wall with a road between them wide enough to span two chariots abreast. It had a mote surrounding the whole city. It was viewed by those in the city as impenetrable.
B. However, evidently before or during the feast, the army figured out that they could divert the water of the Euphrates north of the city by building a canal system to a nearby lake. As the level of the water receded, the Medo-Persi an army went under the sluice gate and defeated the city October 12, 539 B.C. (see Isaiah 47:1-5 and Daniel 2:32 , 39).
C. Darius the Mede was probably an official named Gubaru whom King Cyrus appointed as his vice-regent before his formal coronation two years later (see Daniel 9:1).
Thought: Can you trust Yahweh, the King of Heaven, who sets up and takes
down world kingdoms with your life situations today?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Daniel 4:1-37
THE MOST HIGH GOD IN HEAVEN RULES OVER HUMAN KINGDOMS
Daniel 4:1-37
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. The setting and events of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, about the enormous tree, as told by Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:1- 18).
A. Nebuchadnezzar has had an experience with the Most High God of which he desires to tell to all the world (verses 1-3).
1. He has personally had an encounter with the Most High God’s miraculous signs (God’s intervention through the amazing timing and direction of natural phenomena) and miraculous wonders (God’s supernatural manifestations unexplainable using natural phenomena) (verse 2).
2. Through this event (which we will find out lasted over eight years), Nebuchadnezzar found out that only the Most High God’s Kingdom is eternal and that He ultimately rules through human kingdoms now (verse 3).
3. The Sep tuagint and Hebrew Text (MT) includes these three verses at the end of chapter 3 and starts chapter 4 with verse 4. However, most Biblical scholars see a better link with this chapter, as an introduction statement, because it fits so perfectly with the statement of Daniel 4:37.
B. When this dream happened, Nebuchadnezzar was in his palace in a contented and prosperous place in his life (verse 4). This might help us to figure out a possible timing of this event as it relates to Nebuchadnezzar’s rule which was from 605-562 B.C.
1. When a king says this it usually means that he is not fighting any more wars (2 Samuel 7:1). Nebuchadnezzar’s last two wars were Egypt (588-587 B.C.) and Jerusalem (587-586 B.C.). Following these were a protracted 10 to 13 year siege of <>Tyre which probably ended around 570 B.C. (Ezek. 26:7-14).
2. We also know from Daniel 4:4, 29, 30 and history that Nebuchadnezzar built up his palace, the hanging gardens, the structures inside Babylon, and the walls with amazing detail and in an ornate and opulent manor for all the world to see. This was probably going on during the wars and especially during the siege of Tyre.
3. We know that if Nebuchadnezzar was in on the final siege of Tyre (Ezek. 26:7) which ended in 570 B.C. that he would have presumably been in his right mind by then.
4. We know that Nebuchadnezzar’s reign of Babylon went from 605 B.C. to 562 B.C. Therefore, given the fact that he was eventually restored to his right mind and appears to rule for several years after (Dan. 4:36, 37), the best probability for the timing of this 8-9 year event would have been a few years after Jerusalem’s destruction.
C. Nebuchadnezzar again calls on Daniel (Belteshazzar) to help him interpret his dream after finding his own wise men useless (verses 5-18).
1. Before this event in Nebuchadnezzar’s life, his main god is Bel (Babylon’s counterpart to the Baal of the Canaanites) whose name is Marduk. Belteshazzar’s name, “Lady prote ct the king,” includes the wife of this god, the goddess Surpanitu, protecting the king. It can also be a shortened form for Bel-Belteshazzar “Bel, protect his life” (verses 5-8).
2. This enormous tree is described by the heavenly watchman as both a cut down yet preserved tree and as a man whose mind will change into an animal and yet be restored after seven times (verses 9-16).
3. The purpose of this dream was so that those living would understand that it’s the Most High (Highest God) that domineers over the kingdoms of men and sets their rulers in place at His pleasure (verses 17, 18).
Thought: How has Yahweh, the God of the Universe, gotten your attention
through events in your life? Is He trying to get your attention now?
II. Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (verses 19-27).
A. He speaks in a gentle and respectful tone (verses 19-21; I Peter 3:15).
B. He speaks the truth in love (verses 22-27; Eph. 4:15).
1. The king is the tree (verse 22). This showed Daniel’s boldness.
2. The Babylonian kingdom is large but not exhaustive (compare verse 22 with verse 11). Daniel was gently corrective.
3. The king will lose his mind for seven years but will eventually be restored to his place as ruler of Babylon when he acknowledges the one ruling over him (verses 23-26). Daniel used the help of the Holy Spirit and the skill of Scriptural interpretation.
a. The seven times in the text are seven years (comparing Jeremiah 25:11, 12; 29:10 with Dan. 7:25; Dan. 9:2, 24-27; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:1-4; Rev. 11:2, 3; 13:5). Besides seven weeks or months would not have been enough time for his nails and hair to grow out.
b. Current day psychiatry and psychology have a classification of mental disease called clinical Lycanthropy which involves a person having a delusion that they are transforming into an animal. Zoanthropy is the delusion that he/she is an animal. Boanthropy is being transformed into a cow such as what Nebuchadnezzar probably had.
4. The king i s asked to repent of his pride (vs 27). Daniel showed a deep intimacy with Yahweh.
Thought: When you or someone close to you is going through a hard time, it is a
good possibility that Yahweh wants to speak through you to others about
what you are learning.
III. After a year of grace, Nebuchadnezzar’s pride activates Yahweh’s humbling, seven years of cow-like behavior, followed by repentance and restoration
(Daniel 4:28-37).
A. Outside the city of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar grazes with the cattle, doesn’t groom his hair or nails, and stays in a psychotic state for seven years (verses 28-34).
B. After seven years Nebuchadnezzar repents, submits his authority to the Most High King of Heaven (Yahweh) and is restored to his kingdom (verses 35-37).
Daniel 4:1-37
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. The setting and events of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, about the enormous tree, as told by Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:1- 18).
A. Nebuchadnezzar has had an experience with the Most High God of which he desires to tell to all the world (verses 1-3).
1. He has personally had an encounter with the Most High God’s miraculous signs (God’s intervention through the amazing timing and direction of natural phenomena) and miraculous wonders (God’s supernatural manifestations unexplainable using natural phenomena) (verse 2).
2. Through this event (which we will find out lasted over eight years), Nebuchadnezzar found out that only the Most High God’s Kingdom is eternal and that He ultimately rules through human kingdoms now (verse 3).
3. The Sep tuagint and Hebrew Text (MT) includes these three verses at the end of chapter 3 and starts chapter 4 with verse 4. However, most Biblical scholars see a better link with this chapter, as an introduction statement, because it fits so perfectly with the statement of Daniel 4:37.
B. When this dream happened, Nebuchadnezzar was in his palace in a contented and prosperous place in his life (verse 4). This might help us to figure out a possible timing of this event as it relates to Nebuchadnezzar’s rule which was from 605-562 B.C.
1. When a king says this it usually means that he is not fighting any more wars (2 Samuel 7:1). Nebuchadnezzar’s last two wars were Egypt (588-587 B.C.) and Jerusalem (587-586 B.C.). Following these were a protracted 10 to 13 year siege of <>Tyre which probably ended around 570 B.C. (Ezek. 26:7-14).
2. We also know from Daniel 4:4, 29, 30 and history that Nebuchadnezzar built up his palace, the hanging gardens, the structures inside Babylon, and the walls with amazing detail and in an ornate and opulent manor for all the world to see. This was probably going on during the wars and especially during the siege of Tyre.
3. We know that if Nebuchadnezzar was in on the final siege of Tyre (Ezek. 26:7) which ended in 570 B.C. that he would have presumably been in his right mind by then.
4. We know that Nebuchadnezzar’s reign of Babylon went from 605 B.C. to 562 B.C. Therefore, given the fact that he was eventually restored to his right mind and appears to rule for several years after (Dan. 4:36, 37), the best probability for the timing of this 8-9 year event would have been a few years after Jerusalem’s destruction.
C. Nebuchadnezzar again calls on Daniel (Belteshazzar) to help him interpret his dream after finding his own wise men useless (verses 5-18).
1. Before this event in Nebuchadnezzar’s life, his main god is Bel (Babylon’s counterpart to the Baal of the Canaanites) whose name is Marduk. Belteshazzar’s name, “Lady prote ct the king,” includes the wife of this god, the goddess Surpanitu, protecting the king. It can also be a shortened form for Bel-Belteshazzar “Bel, protect his life” (verses 5-8).
2. This enormous tree is described by the heavenly watchman as both a cut down yet preserved tree and as a man whose mind will change into an animal and yet be restored after seven times (verses 9-16).
3. The purpose of this dream was so that those living would understand that it’s the Most High (Highest God) that domineers over the kingdoms of men and sets their rulers in place at His pleasure (verses 17, 18).
Thought: How has Yahweh, the God of the Universe, gotten your attention
through events in your life? Is He trying to get your attention now?
II. Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (verses 19-27).
A. He speaks in a gentle and respectful tone (verses 19-21; I Peter 3:15).
B. He speaks the truth in love (verses 22-27; Eph. 4:15).
1. The king is the tree (verse 22). This showed Daniel’s boldness.
2. The Babylonian kingdom is large but not exhaustive (compare verse 22 with verse 11). Daniel was gently corrective.
3. The king will lose his mind for seven years but will eventually be restored to his place as ruler of Babylon when he acknowledges the one ruling over him (verses 23-26). Daniel used the help of the Holy Spirit and the skill of Scriptural interpretation.
a. The seven times in the text are seven years (comparing Jeremiah 25:11, 12; 29:10 with Dan. 7:25; Dan. 9:2, 24-27; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:1-4; Rev. 11:2, 3; 13:5). Besides seven weeks or months would not have been enough time for his nails and hair to grow out.
b. Current day psychiatry and psychology have a classification of mental disease called clinical Lycanthropy which involves a person having a delusion that they are transforming into an animal. Zoanthropy is the delusion that he/she is an animal. Boanthropy is being transformed into a cow such as what Nebuchadnezzar probably had.
4. The king i s asked to repent of his pride (vs 27). Daniel showed a deep intimacy with Yahweh.
Thought: When you or someone close to you is going through a hard time, it is a
good possibility that Yahweh wants to speak through you to others about
what you are learning.
III. After a year of grace, Nebuchadnezzar’s pride activates Yahweh’s humbling, seven years of cow-like behavior, followed by repentance and restoration
(Daniel 4:28-37).
A. Outside the city of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar grazes with the cattle, doesn’t groom his hair or nails, and stays in a psychotic state for seven years (verses 28-34).
B. After seven years Nebuchadnezzar repents, submits his authority to the Most High King of Heaven (Yahweh) and is restored to his kingdom (verses 35-37).
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Daniel 3:1-30
YAHWEH, THE MOST HIGH GOD, RESCUES HIS PEOPLE!
Daniel 3:1-30
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Nebuchadnezzar has a huge golden image made for the purpose of the Babylonian Empire’s worship (Daniel 3:1-7).
A. This image was 90 feet tall=2 0and 9 feet wide and covered in gold. It was more than likely an image of Nebuchadnezzar himself or of the Babylonian god Nebo (Nabu) from where his name was derived. (Nebuchadnezzar means, “Nebo, protect my boundary.”)
B. Dura (which means “any place enclosed by a mountain or a wall”) was most likely located six miles south of the city of Babylon . In this location, there has been a 45 foot square, 20 foot high platform discovered from archeological digs which probably served as its platform.
C. In conservative, supernatural loving scholarship, there are three possible dates for this occurrence.
1. The Greek Septuagent starts Daniel 3 off with, “In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign,” which would have been 588-587 B.C. This would have been about one year before Jerusalem ’s final fall in 586 B.C.
2. Jeremiah 51:59 says that King Zedekiah and his staff officer Seraiah were summoned to Babylon for a meeting between 594-593 B.C. When they arrived at Babylon , Seriah was supposed to deliver Jeremiah’s prophecy. This could have been that meeting.
3. This might have been early on in Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, maybe 602-600 B.C., to establish his ultimate rule over his Babylonian kingdom.
D. All the government officials of Babylon were supposed to come to the dedication of this image and after a proclamation and song were commanded to bow down and worship it (verses 2-7).
E. During the seven-year tribulation period, before Christ’s Kingdom is fully realized on this earth, there will be another image that will be set up to be worshipped (2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13:11-18, 14:9-11).
Thought: What are the “gods” of this world which believers need to avoid worshipping?
II. Three Jewish believers refuse to worship the image and are miraculously saved by Yahweh’s messenger (Dan. 3:8-27).
A. Nebuchadnezzar reacts with furious rage and arrogant blasphemy against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (and their God Yahweh) at their refusal to worship the image (verses 8-15).
1. Another contest between the Babylonian gods and Yahweh has been set up by the words of Nebuchadnezzar (verse 15).
2. Daniel was not with these three at this time. He could have either been out of the area on business for the Babylonian kingdom or “untouchable” due to his recently elevated status.
B. Great bravery, faith, and resolve were demonstrated by these Jewish believers (verses 16-18).
1. They knew the Torah (Scriptures) of Yahweh. Some of the verses that they may have meditated on were the Shema (Deut. 6:4,5), the Ten Commandments (Ex.20; Deut. 5), and Isaiah (43:1,2; 46:1-5).
2. They answered the king in a courteous and respectful manner (verse 16; I Peter 3:15 ,16).
3. They did not know the exact will of Yahweh for the moment (for this life) but they proclaimed their uncompromising faith in Yahweh’s ability to rescue them (as His believers) and glorify Himself as an eternal principal (verses 17,18). The Apostle Paul also showed this attitude (Acts 20:24 ).
C. The three Jewish believers were bound and thrown into a large furnace (verses 19-24) and rescued by a Yahweh sent messenger (verses 19-27).
1. There have been some large brick-kiln type furnaces archeologically excavated in the Middle East and Babylonian area the size of 10 feet by 8 feet rooms.
2. They were not burnt in any way, did not smell of smoke, and a fourth person was seen with them.
a. The idea of a triune God called Yahweh who was the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit was progressively being revealed in the Old Testament.
b. An appearance of Christ, the Son, in the Old Testament, before being incarnated as Jesus the Christ, is called a Theophany (“God manifestation”). Even though Jewish scholars usually assign this person to be the angel Gabriel, this fourth person walking in the furnace seems to be one of these theophanies of Christ (also see Gen. 16:7-13; 18:1-15; Ex. 3; 14:19-24; 33:11; Josh. 5:13–6:2; I Cor. 10:1-6).
Thought: In the midst of your situations right now, are you believing that your God Yahweh is with you in it through Jesus Christ? Are you believing that He is ultimately going to re scue you and therefore you can live in His peace now? (Heb. 13:5-8; Rom. 8:37,28; I Thes. 1:10).
III. There were three main outcomes from the Biblical account of the fiery furnace (Dan. 3:28 -30).
A. The God of Israel (Yahweh) is praised by the mouth of the heathen King Nebuchadnezzar.
B. All Jewish exiles will now receive a certain amount of political protection and religious freedom in Babylon .
C. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego receive another promotion.
Thought: Trusting God in the midst of life’s struggles brings God praise and brings His Kingdom into a visible and tangible form here now on earth.
Daniel 3:1-30
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Nebuchadnezzar has a huge golden image made for the purpose of the Babylonian Empire’s worship (Daniel 3:1-7).
A. This image was 90 feet tall=2 0and 9 feet wide and covered in gold. It was more than likely an image of Nebuchadnezzar himself or of the Babylonian god Nebo (Nabu) from where his name was derived. (Nebuchadnezzar means, “Nebo, protect my boundary.”)
B. Dura (which means “any place enclosed by a mountain or a wall”) was most likely located six miles south of the city of Babylon . In this location, there has been a 45 foot square, 20 foot high platform discovered from archeological digs which probably served as its platform.
C. In conservative, supernatural loving scholarship, there are three possible dates for this occurrence.
1. The Greek Septuagent starts Daniel 3 off with, “In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign,” which would have been 588-587 B.C. This would have been about one year before Jerusalem ’s final fall in 586 B.C.
2. Jeremiah 51:59 says that King Zedekiah and his staff officer Seraiah were summoned to Babylon for a meeting between 594-593 B.C. When they arrived at Babylon , Seriah was supposed to deliver Jeremiah’s prophecy. This could have been that meeting.
3. This might have been early on in Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, maybe 602-600 B.C., to establish his ultimate rule over his Babylonian kingdom.
D. All the government officials of Babylon were supposed to come to the dedication of this image and after a proclamation and song were commanded to bow down and worship it (verses 2-7).
E. During the seven-year tribulation period, before Christ’s Kingdom is fully realized on this earth, there will be another image that will be set up to be worshipped (2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13:11-18, 14:9-11).
Thought: What are the “gods” of this world which believers need to avoid worshipping?
II. Three Jewish believers refuse to worship the image and are miraculously saved by Yahweh’s messenger (Dan. 3:8-27).
A. Nebuchadnezzar reacts with furious rage and arrogant blasphemy against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (and their God Yahweh) at their refusal to worship the image (verses 8-15).
1. Another contest between the Babylonian gods and Yahweh has been set up by the words of Nebuchadnezzar (verse 15).
2. Daniel was not with these three at this time. He could have either been out of the area on business for the Babylonian kingdom or “untouchable” due to his recently elevated status.
B. Great bravery, faith, and resolve were demonstrated by these Jewish believers (verses 16-18).
1. They knew the Torah (Scriptures) of Yahweh. Some of the verses that they may have meditated on were the Shema (Deut. 6:4,5), the Ten Commandments (Ex.20; Deut. 5), and Isaiah (43:1,2; 46:1-5).
2. They answered the king in a courteous and respectful manner (verse 16; I Peter 3:15 ,16).
3. They did not know the exact will of Yahweh for the moment (for this life) but they proclaimed their uncompromising faith in Yahweh’s ability to rescue them (as His believers) and glorify Himself as an eternal principal (verses 17,18). The Apostle Paul also showed this attitude (Acts 20:24 ).
C. The three Jewish believers were bound and thrown into a large furnace (verses 19-24) and rescued by a Yahweh sent messenger (verses 19-27).
1. There have been some large brick-kiln type furnaces archeologically excavated in the Middle East and Babylonian area the size of 10 feet by 8 feet rooms.
2. They were not burnt in any way, did not smell of smoke, and a fourth person was seen with them.
a. The idea of a triune God called Yahweh who was the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit was progressively being revealed in the Old Testament.
b. An appearance of Christ, the Son, in the Old Testament, before being incarnated as Jesus the Christ, is called a Theophany (“God manifestation”). Even though Jewish scholars usually assign this person to be the angel Gabriel, this fourth person walking in the furnace seems to be one of these theophanies of Christ (also see Gen. 16:7-13; 18:1-15; Ex. 3; 14:19-24; 33:11; Josh. 5:13–6:2; I Cor. 10:1-6).
Thought: In the midst of your situations right now, are you believing that your God Yahweh is with you in it through Jesus Christ? Are you believing that He is ultimately going to re scue you and therefore you can live in His peace now? (Heb. 13:5-8; Rom. 8:37,28; I Thes. 1:10).
III. There were three main outcomes from the Biblical account of the fiery furnace (Dan. 3:28 -30).
A. The God of Israel (Yahweh) is praised by the mouth of the heathen King Nebuchadnezzar.
B. All Jewish exiles will now receive a certain amount of political protection and religious freedom in Babylon .
C. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego receive another promotion.
Thought: Trusting God in the midst of life’s struggles brings God praise and brings His Kingdom into a visible and tangible form here now on earth.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Daniel 2:1-49
YAHWEH, THE GOD OF HEAVEN, REIGNS OVER ALL!
Daniel 2:1-49
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Yahweh gets Nebuchadnezzar’s attention through a reoccurring, troubling, dream and Nebuchadnezzar reacts with impatience and anger (Daniel 2:1-13).
A. The second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s actual “full-year” reign would have been between April 603 B.C. and March 602 B.C. (verse 1).
B. The king assembled the experts in sacred writings (magicians), in dead spirits (enchanters), in occult practices (sorcerers), and star readers (astrologers) (verse 2).
C. The king wanted to test the validity of these “experts” by having them tell him his dream and would have them killed if they couldn’t (verses 3-13).
1. Daniel 2:4b through 7:28 is written in Aramaic, the common, “universal” language of the time. The rest of Daniel was written in Hebrew, the language of Israel . Daniel became proficient in both languages (verse 4).
2. The king promises great reward to the one who could tell him his dream and a cruel death to each of these wise men and their families if they can’t (verses 5-9).
3. Another classic battle between the so-called gods of humans and the only God of Heaven (Universe) is going to happen in the pages of Scripture! (verses 10-13, also chapter 1:6, I Kings 18:36,37).
Thought: Where is our focus and mind centered on for the solution to our problems today? Are we reacting with impatience and anger or trust?
II. Yahweh reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Daniel through answered prayer (Daniel 2:14 -23). Daniel’s response is like a sermon=2 0on how believers should handle difficulties.
A. Daniel speaks with a right tone of voice and with wisdom and tact
(verses 14, 15; Proverbs 15:1,2).
B. Daniel asked the king for some more time to accomplish the task. He wanted some time to pray about his situation personally (verse 16).
C. Daniel recruited prayer support from his believing friends and they prayed for specific Yahweh-honoring requests (verses 17, 18).
D. Daniel received the answer and praised God’s name specifically for His power to rule and His wisdom to reveal (verses 19-23).
Thought: Think and pray through these steps and ask Yahweh to make us stronger and more trusting in Jesus name.
III. Daniel explains the dream to Nebuchadnezzar, brings glory to Yahweh, and ends up getting blessed in the process (Daniel 2:24 -40).
A. Daniel makes sure to give the God of Heaven, Yahweh, all the glory and honor for this answered prayer (verses 24-30).
B. He explains to the king that his dream explains what will happen in “days to come,” “latter days” or “the end of days” (verses 28, 29). This term relates to bringing in Messiah’s reign on earth (Gen. 49:1; Deut. 4:30 , 31:29; Isa. 2:2; Ezek. 38:16). It specifically seems to relate to things dealing with the time period between the crucifixion of Christ and Second Coming of Christ in the New Testament, before Christ’s Millenial Reign (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17).
C. The actual dream consists of an enormous, dazzling statue composed of four different metals: A gold head, silver chest and arms, bronze belly and thighs, and iron legs connected to feet of iron and clay. Then a stone made without hands smashes the statue to powder, which is blown away by the wind. The stone then grows and became a great mountain and filled the whole earth (verses 33-35).
D. The interpretation of the dream is found in verses 36-45.
1. The God of Heaven has purposed four kingdoms to rule over and dominate this earth (as of the time of Daniel) before He (the God of Heaven) sets up His own eternal kingdom (verses 36-43).
a. The gold head we know was Babylon which ruled from 605-539 B.C. Isaiah calls it “the golden city”) (Isa. 14:4). It had golden domed temples with its chief god, Bel-Marduk which was made of solid gold.
b. The silver chest and arms we know was Medo-Persia which ruled from 539-331 B.C. It did not have the impressiveness of Babylon and their taxes were paid in silver.
c. The bronze belly and thighs we know was Greece which ruled from 331 B.C. – (approx.) 168 B.C. &nbs p;Greek soldiers wore all bronze armor and were called “brazen coated.”
d. The iron legs best fits the empire of Rome which ruled from ~168 B.C.- 476 A.D. Iron expresses the toughness and fierceness of Rome . They were never overthrown by a fifth empire but were invaded by barbarian northern tribes and divided up into ten tribes which became modern Europe .
2. Eventually the God of Heaven will set up His kingdom that will never be destroyed and will destroy all other kingdoms. This is the stone which was made without the hands of man’s kingdoms because God Himself, Yahweh, will bring it to pass (verses 44-45).
a. Amillenialists (people who do not believe in a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ) say that this was a spirit ual kingdom started by Jesus Christ at His first coming.
b. Premillenialists say that the kingdom was inaugurated by Christ’s first coming but will be literally fulfilled during His second coming (Rev. 19:5).
E. Daniel and his friends are promoted in Babylon (verses 46-49).
Daniel 2:1-49
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Yahweh gets Nebuchadnezzar’s attention through a reoccurring, troubling, dream and Nebuchadnezzar reacts with impatience and anger (Daniel 2:1-13).
A. The second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s actual “full-year” reign would have been between April 603 B.C. and March 602 B.C. (verse 1).
B. The king assembled the experts in sacred writings (magicians), in dead spirits (enchanters), in occult practices (sorcerers), and star readers (astrologers) (verse 2).
C. The king wanted to test the validity of these “experts” by having them tell him his dream and would have them killed if they couldn’t (verses 3-13).
1. Daniel 2:4b through 7:28 is written in Aramaic, the common, “universal” language of the time. The rest of Daniel was written in Hebrew, the language of Israel . Daniel became proficient in both languages (verse 4).
2. The king promises great reward to the one who could tell him his dream and a cruel death to each of these wise men and their families if they can’t (verses 5-9).
3. Another classic battle between the so-called gods of humans and the only God of Heaven (Universe) is going to happen in the pages of Scripture! (verses 10-13, also chapter 1:6, I Kings 18:36,37).
Thought: Where is our focus and mind centered on for the solution to our problems today? Are we reacting with impatience and anger or trust?
II. Yahweh reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Daniel through answered prayer (Daniel 2:14 -23). Daniel’s response is like a sermon=2 0on how believers should handle difficulties.
A. Daniel speaks with a right tone of voice and with wisdom and tact
(verses 14, 15; Proverbs 15:1,2).
B. Daniel asked the king for some more time to accomplish the task. He wanted some time to pray about his situation personally (verse 16).
C. Daniel recruited prayer support from his believing friends and they prayed for specific Yahweh-honoring requests (verses 17, 18).
D. Daniel received the answer and praised God’s name specifically for His power to rule and His wisdom to reveal (verses 19-23).
Thought: Think and pray through these steps and ask Yahweh to make us stronger and more trusting in Jesus name.
III. Daniel explains the dream to Nebuchadnezzar, brings glory to Yahweh, and ends up getting blessed in the process (Daniel 2:24 -40).
A. Daniel makes sure to give the God of Heaven, Yahweh, all the glory and honor for this answered prayer (verses 24-30).
B. He explains to the king that his dream explains what will happen in “days to come,” “latter days” or “the end of days” (verses 28, 29). This term relates to bringing in Messiah’s reign on earth (Gen. 49:1; Deut. 4:30 , 31:29; Isa. 2:2; Ezek. 38:16). It specifically seems to relate to things dealing with the time period between the crucifixion of Christ and Second Coming of Christ in the New Testament, before Christ’s Millenial Reign (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17).
C. The actual dream consists of an enormous, dazzling statue composed of four different metals: A gold head, silver chest and arms, bronze belly and thighs, and iron legs connected to feet of iron and clay. Then a stone made without hands smashes the statue to powder, which is blown away by the wind. The stone then grows and became a great mountain and filled the whole earth (verses 33-35).
D. The interpretation of the dream is found in verses 36-45.
1. The God of Heaven has purposed four kingdoms to rule over and dominate this earth (as of the time of Daniel) before He (the God of Heaven) sets up His own eternal kingdom (verses 36-43).
a. The gold head we know was Babylon which ruled from 605-539 B.C. Isaiah calls it “the golden city”) (Isa. 14:4). It had golden domed temples with its chief god, Bel-Marduk which was made of solid gold.
b. The silver chest and arms we know was Medo-Persia which ruled from 539-331 B.C. It did not have the impressiveness of Babylon and their taxes were paid in silver.
c. The bronze belly and thighs we know was Greece which ruled from 331 B.C. – (approx.) 168 B.C. &nbs p;Greek soldiers wore all bronze armor and were called “brazen coated.”
d. The iron legs best fits the empire of Rome which ruled from ~168 B.C.- 476 A.D. Iron expresses the toughness and fierceness of Rome . They were never overthrown by a fifth empire but were invaded by barbarian northern tribes and divided up into ten tribes which became modern Europe .
2. Eventually the God of Heaven will set up His kingdom that will never be destroyed and will destroy all other kingdoms. This is the stone which was made without the hands of man’s kingdoms because God Himself, Yahweh, will bring it to pass (verses 44-45).
a. Amillenialists (people who do not believe in a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ) say that this was a spirit ual kingdom started by Jesus Christ at His first coming.
b. Premillenialists say that the kingdom was inaugurated by Christ’s first coming but will be literally fulfilled during His second coming (Rev. 19:5).
E. Daniel and his friends are promoted in Babylon (verses 46-49).
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Daniel 1:1-21
Daniel 1:1-21
as taught by "guest geek" Richard Weisenberger
A key theological point of Daniel chapter one is this: God is sovereign in the world at both the national and individual levels. This is seen in the three-fold use of the Hebrew term nathan (give) by God:
1) Verse 2 – The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand which altered the course of world history.
2) Verse 9 – God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials thus precluding the spiritual assimilation of Daniel and his friends into the religion of Babylon.
3) Verse 17 – God gave Daniel and his three friends knowledge and insight which effectively defeated the religious practitioners of Babylon.
The Context – Deportation to Babylon (vv 1-2)
4) This event is the fulfillment of both Covenant promises (Deuteronomy 28:36-37) and prophecy (Jeremiah 25:8-9).
5) The use of the term Lord (Hebrew Adonai) in verse two emphasizes God’s sovereignty over Nebuchadnezzar’s victory.
6) Daniel mentions the deportation of the temple articles and their deposit in the Babylonian temple. Why is this important?
The Contest – Daniel’s First Test (vv 3-16)
7) The king orders that some of the conquered nobility be taken into his service. This was common practice and provided the king with access to the deported populace.
8) These youths were the cream of the crop, handsome and without shortcomings, intelligent and knowledgeable.
i. They were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans to better serve the king. This training would take three years.
ii. They were to partake of the king’s own table.
iii. They were given new names which were related to the Babylonian gods.
Daniel – “God is my judge”
Belteshazzar – “Lady [wife of Marduk] protect the king”
Hananiah – “Yahweh has been gracious”
Shadrach – “I am very fearful”
Mishael – “Who is as God?”
Meshach – “I am of little account”
Azariah – “Yahweh has helped”
Abednego – “Servant of the shining one (or Nabu)”
9) The four submit to all of these conditions without objection save one.
i. They can serve God and serve in a pagan court.
ii. Their training in Scripture and the religion of Yahweh would not be overcome by their training in Babylonian religion and thought.
iii. The Babylonian names appear to be jokes on their gods.
iv. But Daniel makes up his mind not to defile himself by eating the king’s food. What is really at stake here?
10) Daniel’s Test:
i. Daniel takes the initiative to ask for leniency.
ii. God intervenes in adjusting the attitudes of the commander of the officials.
iii. The commander of the officials has a legitimate concern.
iv. Daniel proposes a test to the overseer and submits himself to his final judgment.
v. God honors Daniel’s commitment. He and his friends pass the test and they are allowed to keep their vegetarian diet.
The Conclusion – Daniel’s Rise to Favor (vv 17-21)
11) God’s sovereignty comes again to the fore when He supernaturally augments the four friends’ natural intellectual abilities.
12) To Daniel God gives the special ability to understand visions and dreams. This anticipates significant portions of the book.
13) So great were their God given abilities that they were found by the king to be “ten times better” than all the magician/conjurers in the realm.
14) The chapter ends where it started, with a time note: God preserves Daniel from his youth through several Babylonian rulers down to the time of Cyrus, king of Persia, when he is about 90.
as taught by "guest geek" Richard Weisenberger
A key theological point of Daniel chapter one is this: God is sovereign in the world at both the national and individual levels. This is seen in the three-fold use of the Hebrew term nathan (give) by God:
1) Verse 2 – The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand which altered the course of world history.
2) Verse 9 – God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials thus precluding the spiritual assimilation of Daniel and his friends into the religion of Babylon.
3) Verse 17 – God gave Daniel and his three friends knowledge and insight which effectively defeated the religious practitioners of Babylon.
The Context – Deportation to Babylon (vv 1-2)
4) This event is the fulfillment of both Covenant promises (Deuteronomy 28:36-37) and prophecy (Jeremiah 25:8-9).
5) The use of the term Lord (Hebrew Adonai) in verse two emphasizes God’s sovereignty over Nebuchadnezzar’s victory.
6) Daniel mentions the deportation of the temple articles and their deposit in the Babylonian temple. Why is this important?
The Contest – Daniel’s First Test (vv 3-16)
7) The king orders that some of the conquered nobility be taken into his service. This was common practice and provided the king with access to the deported populace.
8) These youths were the cream of the crop, handsome and without shortcomings, intelligent and knowledgeable.
i. They were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans to better serve the king. This training would take three years.
ii. They were to partake of the king’s own table.
iii. They were given new names which were related to the Babylonian gods.
Daniel – “God is my judge”
Belteshazzar – “Lady [wife of Marduk] protect the king”
Hananiah – “Yahweh has been gracious”
Shadrach – “I am very fearful”
Mishael – “Who is as God?”
Meshach – “I am of little account”
Azariah – “Yahweh has helped”
Abednego – “Servant of the shining one (or Nabu)”
9) The four submit to all of these conditions without objection save one.
i. They can serve God and serve in a pagan court.
ii. Their training in Scripture and the religion of Yahweh would not be overcome by their training in Babylonian religion and thought.
iii. The Babylonian names appear to be jokes on their gods.
iv. But Daniel makes up his mind not to defile himself by eating the king’s food. What is really at stake here?
10) Daniel’s Test:
i. Daniel takes the initiative to ask for leniency.
ii. God intervenes in adjusting the attitudes of the commander of the officials.
iii. The commander of the officials has a legitimate concern.
iv. Daniel proposes a test to the overseer and submits himself to his final judgment.
v. God honors Daniel’s commitment. He and his friends pass the test and they are allowed to keep their vegetarian diet.
The Conclusion – Daniel’s Rise to Favor (vv 17-21)
11) God’s sovereignty comes again to the fore when He supernaturally augments the four friends’ natural intellectual abilities.
12) To Daniel God gives the special ability to understand visions and dreams. This anticipates significant portions of the book.
13) So great were their God given abilities that they were found by the king to be “ten times better” than all the magician/conjurers in the realm.
14) The chapter ends where it started, with a time note: God preserves Daniel from his youth through several Babylonian rulers down to the time of Cyrus, king of Persia, when he is about 90.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO DANIEL
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO DANIEL
Daniel 1:1,2
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Purposes for the writing of Daniel.
A. Yahweh is faithful, loving, encouraging, and protective of His disobedient people in their Babylonian exile (especially chapters 3,6,9,12).
B. Yahweh is in control of the events of this world (Sovereign) while holding His human creation responsible for their God-given freedoms (especially chapters 2,4,5,7-12).
C. Yahweh’s redemption program is for Israel ’s message to bring His light to all people and nations (especially chapters 2-7,9,12)
D. Yahweh will certainly bring His King, the Son of Man (Jesus), into this world and eventually will set Him up as His only ruler for all time in Jerusalem (especially Daniel 2:44,45; 3:25; 4:34,35; 5:23; 6:26,27; chapter 7; 8:25; chapter 9).
E. Yahweh rules over the trials of this world as well as physical death and has promised resurrection during the rulership of His King (especially chapters 1,3,6,12).
II. Historical dates and rulers as they relate to the book of Daniel.
A. Daniel was taken captive from Jerusalem in 605-604 B.C. and taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 1:1). His last written vision was during the third year of King Cyrus of Persia in 5 35 B.C. Therefore, the book spans about 70 years.
B. Daniel mentions four rulers during the time of this writing:
Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 B.C.), Belshazzar (550-539 B.C.), Darius the Mede (539 B.C.), and Cyrus (539-530 B.C.).
C. Daniel chapters 1-4 are under Nebuchadnezzar, chapters 5,7, and 8 Belshazzar, chapters 6 and 9 Darius the Mede, and chapters 10-12 Cyrus.
III. The authorship of the book is accepted by conservative, supernatural accepting scholars to be the same statesman-prophet of the book, Daniel.
A. He probably compiled and completed this book during his retirement between 532-530 B.C. He was probably around 90 years of age.
B. It appears that Daniel (chapters 9:2,20; 10:2) and Jesus (Matt. 24:15, Mark 13:14 ) relate to his authorship and Ezekiel probably refers directly to his godly character as his comtemporary (Ezekiel 14:14 ,20). There are also numerous references in Matthew 24, I and II Thessalonians, and especially Revelation that use the same words and language found in Daniel.
C. Some liberal, non-supernatural accepting scholars like to assign a date of 200-150 B.C. due to the complete accuracy of the prophecies, miraculous events, the two language format (Hebrew, chapters 1,8-12 and Aramaic chapters 2-7), and the third person (chapters 1-7) – first person (chapters 8-12) changes.
IV. Important historical dates for Israel and Jerusalem as it relates to the dates of Daniel.
A. Isaiah prophesies Judah ’s and Jerusalem ’s fall to Babylon because of disobedience before 703 B.C. (Isaiah 39).
B. There were three separate times Judah and Jerusalem were deported to Babylon :
1) 605 B.C. – Daniel and others,
2) 597 B.C. – Ezekiel and others (2 Kings 24:11-16),
3) 586 B.C. – the complete destruction of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1-21), Jeremiah is taken to Egypt and writes Lamentations.
C. There are three main returns of the exiles back to Jerusalem :
1) Zerubbabel 538 B.C. (Ezra 2),
2) Ezra 458 B.C. (Ezra 7), and 3) Nehemiah 444 B.C. (Neh. 1).
The new Jerusalem temple began under Cyrus (536 B.C.) and was completed under Darius I (515 B.C.). Psalms 107-150 (Book 5) records the joy of the return, the temple, an d the completion of the walls.
V. Daniel 1:1and 2
A. The invasion of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar is well documented in 2 Kings 23:36 – 24:1 as well as Babylonian historical records.
1. Therefore, as believers, we welcome historical scrutiny.
2. Two things to reason through:
a. This says the third year of Jehoiakim’s reign and Jer. 25:1, 36:1, 46:2 say the fourth year. This is because the Babylonian system Daniel was under only counted full years rather than a rounding up system Jeremiah was under.
b. Nebuchadnezzar is called Nebuchadrezzar in Jeremiah (Jer. 25:2 for example) and Ezekiel. The original Babylonian language, Akkadian, spelling in English is Nabu-kudurri-usur. So the r sound is actually more accurate. Evidently as the language progressed, the n and r sounds interchanged after a d sound due to ease of speech.
B. Some of the items from the Jewish temple were taken during this 605 B.C. invasion and placed in the temple for the Babylonian gods. Possibly Marduk was one of the main gods. Therefore, from the very beginning of the book, we are presented with a conflict between the power of the only God of the Universe Yahweh against the Babylonian gods.
Daniel 1:1,2
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Purposes for the writing of Daniel.
A. Yahweh is faithful, loving, encouraging, and protective of His disobedient people in their Babylonian exile (especially chapters 3,6,9,12).
B. Yahweh is in control of the events of this world (Sovereign) while holding His human creation responsible for their God-given freedoms (especially chapters 2,4,5,7-12).
C. Yahweh’s redemption program is for Israel ’s message to bring His light to all people and nations (especially chapters 2-7,9,12)
D. Yahweh will certainly bring His King, the Son of Man (Jesus), into this world and eventually will set Him up as His only ruler for all time in Jerusalem (especially Daniel 2:44,45; 3:25; 4:34,35; 5:23; 6:26,27; chapter 7; 8:25; chapter 9).
E. Yahweh rules over the trials of this world as well as physical death and has promised resurrection during the rulership of His King (especially chapters 1,3,6,12).
II. Historical dates and rulers as they relate to the book of Daniel.
A. Daniel was taken captive from Jerusalem in 605-604 B.C. and taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 1:1). His last written vision was during the third year of King Cyrus of Persia in 5 35 B.C. Therefore, the book spans about 70 years.
B. Daniel mentions four rulers during the time of this writing:
Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 B.C.), Belshazzar (550-539 B.C.), Darius the Mede (539 B.C.), and Cyrus (539-530 B.C.).
C. Daniel chapters 1-4 are under Nebuchadnezzar, chapters 5,7, and 8 Belshazzar, chapters 6 and 9 Darius the Mede, and chapters 10-12 Cyrus.
III. The authorship of the book is accepted by conservative, supernatural accepting scholars to be the same statesman-prophet of the book, Daniel.
A. He probably compiled and completed this book during his retirement between 532-530 B.C. He was probably around 90 years of age.
B. It appears that Daniel (chapters 9:2,20; 10:2) and Jesus (Matt. 24:15, Mark 13:14 ) relate to his authorship and Ezekiel probably refers directly to his godly character as his comtemporary (Ezekiel 14:14 ,20). There are also numerous references in Matthew 24, I and II Thessalonians, and especially Revelation that use the same words and language found in Daniel.
C. Some liberal, non-supernatural accepting scholars like to assign a date of 200-150 B.C. due to the complete accuracy of the prophecies, miraculous events, the two language format (Hebrew, chapters 1,8-12 and Aramaic chapters 2-7), and the third person (chapters 1-7) – first person (chapters 8-12) changes.
IV. Important historical dates for Israel and Jerusalem as it relates to the dates of Daniel.
A. Isaiah prophesies Judah ’s and Jerusalem ’s fall to Babylon because of disobedience before 703 B.C. (Isaiah 39).
B. There were three separate times Judah and Jerusalem were deported to Babylon :
1) 605 B.C. – Daniel and others,
2) 597 B.C. – Ezekiel and others (2 Kings 24:11-16),
3) 586 B.C. – the complete destruction of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1-21), Jeremiah is taken to Egypt and writes Lamentations.
C. There are three main returns of the exiles back to Jerusalem :
1) Zerubbabel 538 B.C. (Ezra 2),
2) Ezra 458 B.C. (Ezra 7), and 3) Nehemiah 444 B.C. (Neh. 1).
The new Jerusalem temple began under Cyrus (536 B.C.) and was completed under Darius I (515 B.C.). Psalms 107-150 (Book 5) records the joy of the return, the temple, an d the completion of the walls.
V. Daniel 1:1and 2
A. The invasion of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar is well documented in 2 Kings 23:36 – 24:1 as well as Babylonian historical records.
1. Therefore, as believers, we welcome historical scrutiny.
2. Two things to reason through:
a. This says the third year of Jehoiakim’s reign and Jer. 25:1, 36:1, 46:2 say the fourth year. This is because the Babylonian system Daniel was under only counted full years rather than a rounding up system Jeremiah was under.
b. Nebuchadnezzar is called Nebuchadrezzar in Jeremiah (Jer. 25:2 for example) and Ezekiel. The original Babylonian language, Akkadian, spelling in English is Nabu-kudurri-usur. So the r sound is actually more accurate. Evidently as the language progressed, the n and r sounds interchanged after a d sound due to ease of speech.
B. Some of the items from the Jewish temple were taken during this 605 B.C. invasion and placed in the temple for the Babylonian gods. Possibly Marduk was one of the main gods. Therefore, from the very beginning of the book, we are presented with a conflict between the power of the only God of the Universe Yahweh against the Babylonian gods.
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