Introduction To The Book Of Daniel Series

Tonight, we begin a more detailed look at the book of Daniel. I’m not exactly sure where God will lead us in this study. There are only 12 chapters in the book of Daniel but I’m not sure how detailed God will get us. But I anticipate this study taking 5-6 months or longer. So, hang on. Fasten your belts and enjoy the ride.

First, a few background details of the book. The book itself claims to be the work of Daniel. In chapters 7, 8, and 9 we see that he speaks in first person. So, the writing seems to be a firsthand perspective. Jesus mentioned the writings of Daniel in Matt. 24:15. Have someone read that.

The book is unlike most of the phophetic books. Daniel’s writings aren’t addressed to any one specific audience. His interpretation of dreams and visions were given to the Gentile kings he served, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius. But his writings seem to be recorded to encourage the Jewish exiles living in Babylon and beyond—the ones who had been exiled from their homeland. Through these writings, God, through the prophet Daniel, was assuring the people that HE was in complete control and that they would one day be restored as a nation according to God’s promise and plan.

The book is written to encourage not only the Jewish people in exile, but also to encourage us and to prove that the LORD is the only true God and that He rules the world still today no matter what it appears to be at the time.

A unique feature of the book of Daniel is that it was originally written in two languages—Hebrew and Aramaic. Aramaic was the chief language of the Babylonian and Persian empires during this time. Chapters 2-7 were written in Aramaic and deal primarily with issues that would have concerned all the people of these empires, not just Israel.

Chapters 1, and 8-12 were written in Hebrew and deal more directly with issues concerning Israel—its future persecution and God’s plans for deliverance.

The book is believed to have been written during the 5th century, sometime around 605 BC. Even though it’s an old book, it has some good lessons for all of us today. Let’s get into the book now.

Would you agree that there is an urgent need today for heroes? We need young men and women of strong righteous character. We live in a time of immorality, wickedness, injustice, oppression, and greed. So, yes, the world longs for someone to take a stand for justice and righteousness.

Daniel was born into such an environment—an age of immorality, lawlessness, and violence when there was little justice or righteousness on earth. Yet he rose above it all. Despite all the temptations from a totally different culture, Daniel stood strong for the Lord, even in the face of death.

There are many things, many lessons we can learn from this book. This study is going to be more that Daniel in the lions den and getting thrown into the fiery furnace. Let’s see if we can get through the first 7 verses of chapter 1 tonight.

The book opens with the dramatic scene of war. READ v. 1. At this time, Jehoiakim was king of Judah. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his army came into Judah and overtook it. He took the people of Judah captive. It was in this war that Daniel was taken captive and deported to Babylon where he would be educated. Daniel was around 15-16 years old at the time.

READ v.2. Note what v. 2 says. The LORD delivered King Jehoiakim into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar actually invaded Jerusalem 3 times. But on this time, he was acting as God’s agent of judgment against Judah. That causes me to ask the question, “Will God use an opposing force, an enemy, to bring judgment on us, His people?”

For more than 200 years God had used His prophets to warn the people to repent of their horrible sins and wicked lifestyles. But the people refused to listen. The Lord still showed compassion on His people by sending other prophets to warn them. In this, God warned them that His mercy wouldn’t continue forever, that a day would come when justice would have to be executed. Did the people change their ways? No.

They never really repented so the day came and God said that’s it. Justice had to be executed. Wrongs had to be dealt with. The time for judgment had arrived. Verse 2 also tells us that in this particular invasion, Nebuchadnezzar did 2 things: First, he deported Jehoiakim. Another Scripture tells us that he also deported 10,000 leaders, which included commanders of Jehoiakim’s army, business leaders, skilled craftsmen, politicians, and priests. (2 Kings 24:14-16) Have someone read that. Maybe America needs an invasion and our politicians deported. Daniel and his 3 friends were included in this deportation.