Introductory Material
The Book of Daniel 6th Century
• The Author of this book is Daniel. His name means “God is my Judge”. The book is named after him since he is the principle character and author. In Daniel 12:4 he claimed to write the book. From Chapter 7:2 and thereafter, he used the first person. The Jewish Talmud gives Daniel credit for having written the book and Christ said in Matt 24:15 15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand. . ." He was quoting Daniel 9:27.
• Daniel is mentioned by name by his contemporary Ezekiel on three occasions: Ezek. 14:14, 20; 28:3. He is also known as Belteshazzar, “Bel Protect His Life.”
• Name/Author: The name "Daniel" was on of the "youth" taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar to be trained in the service of the King's palace in the third year of Jehoiachim (605). This was the first of three deportations (the other two in 597 with Jeehoiachin and the aristocracy and others in 587/86 when Jerusalem was destroyed).
Date & Authorship:
Because of the precise predictions in the book, most theologians accept this book as history rather then predictive prophecy (written about 164 B.C). However, there is much proof against this. The language of Daniel is much earlier then the second century. Also, the LXX (about 200 B.C) and other qumran scrolls indicates that Daniel was in full form when they written. The book could have been finished by the last quarter of the 6th century.
Historical Purpose:
To comfort the exiled people of Judah with news that there nation would be restored, thus they should remain faithful to YHWH in the midst of emperor worship.
Doctrinal Purpose:
• Condemns the existing powers of the world and demonstrate YHWH is the true God of the gods and gives hope of His future Kingdom. Theologically, the book stresses the sovereignty of God. "The absolute sovereignty and transcendence of God above all angels and men literally permeates the book."
• "The theme running through the whole book is that the fortunes of kings and the affairs of men are subject to God's decrees, and that he is able to accomplish his will despite the most determined opposition of the mightiest potentates on earth."
• "The collapse and fall of both Israel and Judah notwithstanding, the book of Daniel makes crystal clear that the Lord God remains absolutely sovereign over human affairs. This is apparent in the present, despite political and religious conditions that might suggest otherwise, and in the future, when there would be no doubt in anyone's mind. Merrill highlighted three aspects of Yahweh's sovereignty that Daniel reveals: His sovereignty over all, the sovereignty of fallen man, and the restoration of God's universal dominion.
Outline of Daniel:
• Historical record of Daniel and Friends (1-6)
• Dreams and Visions of Daniel (7-12)
Context from pervious chapter: 2:1-13. An unusual turn of events take place in chapter two. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and called the Magicians to interpret the dream. The only catch was, he could not or would not tell them what the dream was. They would have been glad to interpret the dream if he could have told them its content. It is very possible that the king had not forgotten the dream but he just wanted to test them to see if they really did have the wisdom of the gods. Daniel had just interpreted a dream that king Nebuchadnezzar had after Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego prayed all night together.
Verses 2:46-49: " 46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. 49 Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court."
“What God?”
Key Center: Daniel 3:15b
“Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
Daniel 3:1-30
His Belief in Himself (Dan. 3:1-7)
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” 7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Exegesis: King Nebuchadnezzar just a dream that was interpreted by Daniel depicting his kingdom as the head. While Nebuchadnezzar identified the God of Daniel as the "Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries," he still did not believe in Him. So Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue and everyone was supposed to bow down when the music played. This huge image, 99 feet tall or 10 stories, 9 feet wide was set up on the plains of Dura, approximately 6 miles southeast of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar created an entire orchestra to hale the ushering in the image he has set up. Nebuchadnezzar kingdom was so immense that there was a plethora if languages in which to translates this degree. He rules over many kingdoms and nations. In order to aid in maintaining control of the vast empire, Nebuchadnezzar allow each kingdom that his conquered to keep their individual deities. So Babylon was a true melting pot of rebellions activities. Music was the universal medium for which all languages can understand. Music is the true common denominator of languages. Connecting music and worship together, Nebuchadnezzar set himself up as supreme ruler of all. There is really no way to say what the image was except is was made of gold. It's speculated that the image was made of himself but there is no conclusive evidence that support this. When he "satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled" this was all the higher class of the empire. With all the other kingdoms who had their gods but only Nebuchadnezzar was king and was the conquer of them, which fueled his narcissistic disposition.
Illustration: Prestige power and influence. With all the other kingdoms who had their gods but only Nebuchadnezzar was king, and he was the one that conquer of them, which fueled his narcissistic disposition. He was the king but he was crossing the line between earthly power and omnipotence. He was the conquer of the known world and now he wanted to be the conquer of the their souls. He felt so deluded that he wanted to be the conquer of religion too. Nebuchadnezzar wanted to be the provider of life and death, truth and light. The golden images was nothing more than another personification of what his ego. But YHWH was going to invited Nebuchadnezzar believe him.
Application: What images we have in our lives? Are we like Nebuchadnezzar, have you heard of YHWH but still do not believe. Are we going be like Nebuchadnezzar and think of ourselves more highly then we ought too. Does not pride come before a fall. I am the head, I am should be in charge etc. Are you all about being on the in crowds with little regards to morality? Is the peer pressure so intense that you don't want to be truth speaker in the name of being a peacekeeper. Are you willing to compromise your beliefs for personal security, wealth, reputation and position in life.
Transition: Read Key Center, Daniel 3:15b. . .
“Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
They Didn't Bend (Dan. 3:8-12)
8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” They the new young up and coming leaders in Babylon.
Exegesis: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who had recently been promoted and that did not make them very popular among the wise men, astrologers and sources who had been serving Nebuchadnezzar for years before they came along. The Chaldeans who brought charges against them were nobles, not just astrologers. The Aramaic term gubrin kasha'in bares witness this as undeniable. They were in a position to profit personally from the execution of the three Jews, perhaps even to step into the government positions they occupied. They were indignant and siring up drama to get rid of these Jews. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego have been brought up in and around Jerusalem. There they were instructed by priests and scribes. Now there we slaves have been taken to Babylon. There, they were surrounded by heathen practices with images and emperor worship. There were taught new languages and the customs of Babylon. They were new and quickly acquired position and it did not seem to sit well with the locals indigenous hierarchy and Politian's in Nebuchadnezzar court. They were probably jealous of the authority given to the 3 captains from Israel. Jew who were monotheistic and not polytheistic. They service the king but they worship YHWH. Interesting to note they remind Nebuchadnezzar of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s ancestry.
Illustration: These were jealous co-workers in a cut throat environment. Are you scheming, plotting and discrediting others for personal gain or to maintain you prestige position. Young up and coming leaders who were foreigners and out of place. Busy bodies stirring up trouble for personal gain. We don't look for the faults in others to make ourselves look better?
Application: Who do you identify with? Where has God placed you, are you one to keep the peacekeeper and capitulate with peers for personal profit? Do you identify with the "astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews" or as the uncompromising Jews who would not break God's law even to defy a king.
Transition: Read Key Center, Daniel 3:15b. . .
“Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
They Didn't Bow (Dan. 3:13-23)
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
Exegesis: Nebuchadnezzar evidently took their disobedience as a personal affront as well as an act of insubordination. They would lose their position, wealth, power influence as well as their lives. Nebuchadnezzar set himself above all gods; none of these gods could deliver the three Hebrews from him. He claimed absolute authority in political and religious realms. With so many religions and deities of the day Nebuchadnezzar was so arrogant that he set up his own religions as the true and only supreme headship. With all the other kingdoms who had their gods but only Nebuchadnezzar was king and was the conquer of them, which fueled his narcissistic disposition. It was Nebuchadnezzar own words that presented a challenge of the gods, for it was believed that his gods favored him and therefore gave him all to authority to rule even in religious matters. But only one true living God heard the challenge that was laid at the feet of his three children. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego informed the king that they did not need to give him an answer. Perhaps they were implying that Nebuchadnezzar should have no question about their loyalty to him. However, they were also bound with by the first two of the Ten Commandments, 1. No other god’s before me! and 2. No idols! This issues was not open to them and there was no comprise in their resolve. Nebuchadnezzar gives them an ultimatum: bow down or burn in Babylon's furnace! The three men still refuse, so they are thrown into the fire.
Application: The three Hebrews boys only saw the ultimatum presented, they did not see that YHWH was dealing with Nebuchadnezzar heart. However, they didn't conform to system of the world around them. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have a real kind of faith; they have a faith that doesn't pretend to know all of God's ways, a faith that doesn't pretend that nothing bad ever happens to God's children. Death was more appealing to then disobedience, that was the measure of their resolve. They did not value their lives over the revelation of who YHWH was. What was the revelation that these three Hebrews have. . . a God of Gods, a the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God called that. . .
• Saved Noah's family from a worldwide flood
• Confused the languages and thwarted the building of Babel because of the people's disobedience
• Rescued the family of Jacob from famine and turn them into the nation of Israel.
• Crushed the superpower of the Egypt to save His people from bondage.
• Refused Pharaoh army access to Israel who was pinned against an ocean
• Parted the Red Sea giving them safe passage on DRY ground
• Provided manna, quail and water in a barren desert
• Divided the Jordan River giving the Israelites into the Promised Land
• Crushed down the walls of Jericho with His mighty hand
• Suspended the sun still while Joshua and his warriors fought for Israel.
• Delivered King Eglon to the hand of the prophetess Deborah
• Consumed the fire on Mt. Carmel to the disgrace of the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the goddess Asherah supported by the evil King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.
• Slayed the warrior Goliath to save His nation
Transition: Read Key Center, Daniel 3:15b. . .
“Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
They Didn't Burn (Dan. 3:24-27)
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
Exegesis: The king suddenly saw an additional person in the furnace and he said the fourth is like “a son of the gods.” This fourth person was markedly different from the other three. Theologians agree this fourth person was a Christophony or a physical manifestation of the pre-incarnate Christ. He did not necessarily imply that this was an incarnation of Christ. Though that may not have been his understanding, it is reasonable to assume that this was an OT appearance of Christ. Nebuchadnezzar then drew as close to the large door of the furnace as he could. It stood open to provide a view inside. He called to the three victims to come out of the furnace, and they responded obediently this time. The fourth person disappeared as he had appeared. The king described Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego as servants of the "Most High God" (v. 26). This title for God appears 13 times in Daniel, more than in any other book except Psalms. Seven times, either Nebuchadnezzar used it to describe God (3:36; 4:2, 17, 34), or Daniel used it in speaking of God to Nebuchadnezzar (4:24, 25, 32). Daniel used it twice when speaking to Belshazzar about Nebuchadnezzar (5:18, 21). It occurs four times in chapter 7, Daniel's vision of the four beasts, three times in the words of the interpreting angel (7:18, 25, 27), and once in Daniel's words in that chapter (7:22). With this title the king ascribed greater power to their God than to any other. He had obviously delivered them, as they said He could (v. 17), and the leaders of the Babylonian Empire had witnessed the miracle. Nebuchadnezzar faith is turning. He recognizes their God is the Most High God and not the golden image.
Illustration: Wow!
Application: While the rescue of the Hebrews is impressive, the point remains that YHWH was answering the challenge of Nebuchadnezzar while revealing Himself to this king and drawing the king out of his sin and into worship of YHWH.
Transition: Read Key Center, Daniel 3:15b. . .
“Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
He Belief in YHWH (Dan. 3:28-30)
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Exegesis: The king himself called the fourth person and angel connecting the God of the Hebrews as the only God who could "save in this way" or dominion over the physical and spiritual realm. The king acknowledges the profound faith of these three men was placed in the right God (and not him).
Illustration: The posturing of the officials in their fancy clothes and their conniving plans were silenced as God made Himself known that day. The king was put in his place. The fancy gold statue didn't seem impressive or important anymore. Period.
Application: There is a direct connection between the faith of the men, the miracle of their rescue, and the beginnings of faith in the king's heart. Miracles are ALWAYS redemptive in purpose and not church entertainment or self-glorification.
Transition: Read Key Center, Daniel 3:15b. . .
“Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
"What God"
Daniel 3:1-30
His Belief in Himself (Dan. 3:1-7)
They Didn't Bend (Dan. 3:8-12)
They Didn't Bend (Dan. 3:8-12)
They Didn't Bow (Dan. 3:13-23)
They Didn't Burn (Dan. 3:24-27)
He Belief in YHWH (Dan. 3:28-30)
Transition: Read Key Center, Daniel 3:15b. . .
“Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
