Archives for 2024

Good morning,

Daniel 3 deals with the worship of Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. He commands all his high ranking officials to bow down to it. What will the three Hebrew children do? Will they bow or stand? Remember every decision we make in life has consequences. This one was life or death.

Daniel 3

Nebuchadnezzar’s Giant Idol

Nebuchadnezzar’s Giant Idol (v.1-7)

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.² Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.³ Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.⁴ Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,⁵ That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:⁶ And whoso falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.⁷ Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

King Nebuchadnezzar creates a giant golden statue and orders that all must bow down to it. The royal officials, including satraps, prefects, and governors, obey this command, demonstrating widespread idolatry.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,   

Today we continue our study in the book of Daniel. This week we look at Chapter 2.

Daniel 2

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream

Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon-The first world empire (37-38)

³⁷ Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.³⁸ And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.

Second and third world empires: Medo-Persia and Greece (39)

³⁹ And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

Rome’s world empire (40-43)

⁴⁰ And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.⁴¹ And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.⁴² And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.⁴³ And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.

Christ’s kingdom after the restored Roman empire (44-45)

⁴⁴ And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.⁴⁵ Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Nebuchadnezzar honors the true God (46-49)

⁴⁶ Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odors unto him.⁴⁷ The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.⁴⁸ Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.⁴⁹ Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

What we learned:

In the second chapter of the Book of Daniel, we find a profound exploration of faith, revelation, prophecy, and the enduring sovereignty of God. The narrative unfolds with King Nebuchadnezzar’s unsettling dream, prompting a desperate quest for understanding, which only Daniel, by divine wisdom, can provide. This chapter presents the shifting sands of human kingdoms and the unshakeable rock of God’s dominion.

Upon hearing Daniel’s interpretation, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the supremacy of Daniel’s God. Daniel and his friends are rewarded with high positions in the king’s court. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries) 

Themes

Divine Revelation

Faith and Trust in God

Human Limitations and Divine Supremacy

Prophecy and Fulfillment

God’s Sovereignty over Rulers and Kingdoms

Topics

Nebuchadnezzar’s Disturbing Dream

Daniel’s Prayer for Interpretation

The Interpretation of the King’s Dream

God’s Sovereign Plan for Future Kingdoms

People

King Nebuchadnezzar

Daniel

Arioch (the king’s captain)

The Wise Men of Babylon

Locations

Babylon

King Nebuchadnezzar’s Palace

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,   

Today we continue our study in the book of Daniel. This week we look at Chapter 2.

Daniel 2

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream

God shows Daniel the meaning of the dream (19-30)

¹⁹ Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.²⁰ Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:²¹ And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:²² He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.²³ I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.²⁴ Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.²⁵ Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.²⁶ The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?²⁷ Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;²⁸ But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;²⁹ As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.³⁰ But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

Nebuchadnezzar’s dreamed image (31-36)

³¹ Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.³² This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,³³ His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.³⁴ Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.³⁵ Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.³⁶ This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.

Once God reveals the dream and interpretation to Daniel, he acknowledges God by praising Him. He then goes to the King, explains that the God in heaven will interpret his dream. Then Daniel tells the King his dream and the interpretation. Daniel takes no credit for being able to interpret the King’s dream.

Who gets credit in our live?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,   

Today we continue our study in the book of Daniel. This week we look at Chapter 2.

Daniel 2

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream

The dream of King Nebuchadnezzar (1-6)

And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.² Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.³ And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.⁴ Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriac, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.⁵ The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.⁶ But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.

Chaldean’s fail to tell and interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (7-13)

⁷ They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.⁸ The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.⁹ But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.¹⁰ The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.¹¹ And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.¹² For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.¹³ And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

Daniel and friends pray for God’s wisdom (14-18)

¹⁴ Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:¹⁵ He answered and said to Arioch, the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.¹⁶ Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.  ¹⁷ Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:¹⁸ That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

The task the King asked the Chaldeans to do was impossible. However, Daniel and his friends knew nothing was impossible for God. So they prayed for God’s wisdom. God answered and gave Daniel the dream and the interpretation. He not only saved his own life, but the lives of the Chaldeans, also.

God shows Daniel the meaning of the dream (19-30)

¹⁹ Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.²⁰ Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:²¹ And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:²² He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.²³ I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.²⁴ Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.²⁵ Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.²⁶ The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?²⁷ Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;²⁸ But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;²⁹ As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.³⁰ But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

Nebuchadnezzar’s dreamed image (31-36)

³¹ Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.³² This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,³³ His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.³⁴ Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.³⁵ Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.³⁶ This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.

Once God reveals the dream and interpretation to Daniel, he acknowledges God by praising Him. He then goes to the King, explains that the God in heaven will interpret his dream. Then Daniel tells the King his dream and the interpretation. Daniel takes no credit for being able to interpret the King’s dream.

Who gets credit in our live?

Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon-The first world empire (37-38)

³⁷ Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.³⁸ And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.

Second and third world empires: Medo-Persia and Greece (39)

³⁹ And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

Rome’s world empire (40-43)

⁴⁰ And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.⁴¹ And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.⁴² And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.⁴³ And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.

Christ’s kingdom after the restored Roman empire (44-45)

⁴⁴ And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.⁴⁵ Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Nebuchadnezzar honors the true God (46-49)

⁴⁶ Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odors unto him.⁴⁷ The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.⁴⁸ Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.⁴⁹ Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

What we learned:

In the second chapter of the Book of Daniel, we find a profound exploration of faith, revelation, prophecy, and the enduring sovereignty of God. The narrative unfolds with King Nebuchadnezzar’s unsettling dream, prompting a desperate quest for understanding, which only Daniel, by divine wisdom, can provide. This chapter presents the shifting sands of human kingdoms and the unshakeable rock of God’s dominion.

Upon hearing Daniel’s interpretation, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the supremacy of Daniel’s God. Daniel and his friends are rewarded with high positions in the king’s court. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries) 

Themes

Divine Revelation

Faith and Trust in God

Human Limitations and Divine Supremacy

Prophecy and Fulfillment

God’s Sovereignty over Rulers and Kingdoms

Topics

Nebuchadnezzar’s Disturbing Dream

Daniel’s Prayer for Interpretation

The Interpretation of the King’s Dream

God’s Sovereign Plan for Future Kingdoms

People

King Nebuchadnezzar

Daniel

Arioch (the king’s captain)

The Wise Men of Babylon

Locations

Babylon

King Nebuchadnezzar’s Palace

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,   

Today we continue our study in the book of Daniel. This week we look at Chapter 2.

Daniel 2

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream

Daniel and friends pray for God’s wisdom (14-18)

¹⁴ Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:¹⁵ He answered and said to Arioch, the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.¹⁶ Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.  ¹⁷ Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:¹⁸ That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

The task the King asked the Chaldeans to do was impossible. However, Daniel and his friends knew nothing was impossible for God. So they prayed for God’s wisdom. God answered and gave Daniel the dream and the interpretation. He not only saved his own life, but the lives of the Chaldeans, also.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,   

Today we continue our study in the book of Daniel. This week we look at Chapter 2.

Daniel 2

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream

The dream of King Nebuchadnezzar (1-6)

And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.² Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.³ And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.⁴ Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriac, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.⁵ The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.⁶ But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.

Chaldean’s fail to tell and interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (7-13)

⁷ They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.⁸ The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.⁹ But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.¹⁰ The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.¹¹ And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.¹² For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.¹³ And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Daniel Chapter 1

 Daniel and his determination to be pure (1:1-21)

Daniel refuses to eat the king’s meat (8-17)

⁸ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.⁹ Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.¹⁰ And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.¹¹ Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,¹² Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.¹³ Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.¹⁴ So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.¹⁵ And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.¹⁶ Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.¹⁷ As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Daniel before the king (1:18-21)

¹⁸ Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.¹⁹ And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.²⁰ And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.²¹ And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

What we learned:

Daniel resolved to live a clean, Godly life; and from what we can read in Scriptures, he appears for the most part to have achieved this. 

Daniel lived in Babylon throughout the seventy years of Babylonian captivity and into the reign of Cyrus the Persian who built the Medo-Persian Empire. He was active in the reigns of several kings: (1) Nebuchadnezzar, who reigned 604-561 _B.C. and began the; (2) Belshazzar, who was a grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, and probably reigned as viceroy under Nabonidus; (3) Darius, the Mede, who took the kingdom the night of Belshazzar’s great feast; and (4) Cyrus, the Medo-Persian, who fully established the Medo-Persian Empire, the second of the world empires following Nebuchadnezzar. It seems Daniel died in the first year of King Cyrus, and he may have helped inspire the decision of Cyrus to have the Temple rebuilt (cf. 2 Chr. 36:22,23; Ezra 1:1-4) (The Rice Reference Bible, 1981, pg. 911)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Daniel Chapter 1

 Daniel and his determination to be pure (1:1-21)

Daniel carried into Babylonian Captivity (1:1-7)

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.² And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.³ And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;⁴ Children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.⁵ And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.⁶ Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:⁷ Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,   

Today we begin a study on the book of Daniel. This week is the introduction to the book and Chapter 1.

Blue Letter Bible-Executable Outline-Study Resources

Introduction to Daniel

One of the more fascinating books of the Bible is the book of Daniel…

• The first six chapters contain accounts of faith that inspire both young and old
• The last six chapters are filled with apocalyptic visions that challenge even the most advanced Bible students and scholars

It is a book that has often been attacked and abused…

• Attacked by liberals and skeptics who deny its inspiration
• Abused by many who have taken its visions out of context to support all kinds of wild theories concerning the second coming of Christ

But when properly read and understood, the book of Daniel can…

• Inspire us to greater faithfulness in our service to God
• Strengthen our faith in the inspiration of the Bible

DANIEL AND HIS TIMES

The name “Daniel” means “God is my judge” which provides a hint of one of the key themes in this book: God will judge the nations of men. Daniel was a person of deep and abiding faith…

• As a youth, he purposed not to defile himself – Dan 1:8
• When old, he persisted in serving God despite threats against his life – Dan 6:10

God blessed Daniel because of his faith…

• He rose to great heights in the kingdoms of Babylon and Persia – Dan 2:48; 6:1-3
• He served as a statesman, a counselor to kings, and a prophet of God

Daniel was contemporary with two other great prophets: Jeremiah and Ezekiel…

• Jeremiah prophesied in Jerusalem before and during the Babylonian exile (626-528 B.C.)
• Ezekiel prophesied in Babylon among the exiles (592-570 B.C.)
• Daniel prophesied in the capital of Babylon (605-586 B.C.)

Nothing is known of his personal life outside of the book. He descended from one of Judah’s prominent families, if not from royal blood (Dan 1:3). At an early age (likely in his teens) Daniel along with others was taken from his family to be trained in the courts of Babylon (Dan 1:3-4). Whether he ever married is uncertain.

Some key dates and events will help appreciate the times in which Daniel lived…

• 612 B.C. – Fall of Nineveh, capital of Assyria Assyria had ruled the world since the days of Tiglath-Pileser (845 B.C.). Nabopolassar came to the throne in Babylon and rebelled against the Assyrians in 625 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar, son of Nabopolassar, was the general who led the Babylonian army against Nineveh, defeating it in 612 B.C.
• 605 B.C. – Battle of Carchemish, establishing Babylonian domination Pharaoh-Necho of Egypt came to fight the Babylonians at Carchemish. Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Egyptians, chasing them south through Judah. At Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar heard of his father’s death; he returned to assume the throne in Babylon. The first group of Jewish captives were taken, along with Daniel and his friends (Dan 1:1-4).
• 597 B.C. – A second remnant taken to Babylon Jehoiachin (Jeconiah, Coniah) followed the reign of his father, Jehoiakim. He lasted just three months, when Nebuchadnezzar took him and 10,000 Jews to Babylon (2Ki 24:8-16). This second group of captives included Ezekiel (Eze 1:1-3).
• 586 B.C. – Fall of Jerusalem and the temple destroyed Zedekiah was installed as king in Jerusalem, but was weak and vacillating. Eleven years later, Jerusalem was totally devastated by Babylonian forces (2Ki 25:1-10). A third group was taken into Babylonian captivity, but Jeremiah was among those who stayed behind (2Ki 25:11-12,22; Jer 39:11-14; 40:1-6).
• 536 B.C. – Babylon falls, and the first remnant returns to Jerusalem Cyrus, king of Persia, sends the first remnant back under the leadership of Zerubbabel (Ezr 1:1-5; 2:1-2). The foundation of the temple was soon started, but the temple was not completed until 516 B.C. (Ezr 3:8-13; 6:14-16).
• 457 B.C. – A second remnant returns to Jerusalem Ezra the priest returns with this group (Ezr 7:1-8:36). He leads a much-needed revival (Ezr 9:1-10:44).
• 444 B.C. – A third remnant returns to Jerusalem This group is led by Nehemiah (Neh 1:1-2:20). Under his leadership, the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt (Neh 3:1-7:73). Together with Ezra, they restore much of the religion (Neh 8:1-13:31).

Daniel lived through much of these times (605-534 B.C.). He was among the first group of captives taken to Babylon (Dan 1:1-4). He continued there over the entire 70 years of captivity (Dan 1:21; 10:1; cf. Dan 9:1-2; Jer 25:11; 29:10). Daniel was certainly a remarkable man. His greatness was recognized by his contemporary, Ezekiel (Eze 14:14,20; 28:3).

THEME

From a number of passages (Dan 2:21; 4:17,25,32,34-35; 5:21) we can deduce the main theme of the book of Daniel:

God Rules In The Kingdoms Of Men

In this book, we see the rule of God is…

• Manifested in the days of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus, kings of the Babylonians, Medes, and Persians
• Foretold to occur in the days of the Persians, Greeks, and Romans

In this book, we learn that the rule of God would be especially manifested…

• With the establishment of God’s kingdom – Dan 2:44
• With the vindication of the cause of His saints – Dan 7:27

OUTLINE

Here is a brief outline of the book of Daniel…

1. God’s Providence In History – Dan 1:1-6:28
   1. Daniel and his determination to be pure – Dan 1:1-21
   2. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel’s promotion – Dan 2:1-49
   3. Faith in the face of fire by Daniel’s friends – Dan 3:1-30
   4. Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream and temporary insanity – Dan 4:1-37
   5. The writing on the wall and fall of Belshazzar – Dan 5:1-31
   6. Darius and his den of lions – Dan 6:1-28
2. God’s Purpose In History – Dan 7:1-12:13
   1. Daniel’s dream of the four beasts – Dan 7:1-28
   2. Daniel’s dream of the ram and the goat – Dan 8:1-27
   3. Daniel’s prayer, and the vision of the seventy weeks – Dan 9:1-27
   4. Daniel’s vision of the time of the end – Dan 10:1-12:13

CONCLUSION

As with all Scripture, the book of Daniel is profitable for our study (2Ti 3:16-17). From Daniel and his friends, we will learn the power of faith and commitment. By studying this book, we can better understand our Lord’s references to it (cf. Mk 13:14-151; Mt 24:15-16).

Despite some of its more difficult and challenging passages, we can benefit from them as well, as long as we interpret them…

• In the context of the book itself
• Consistent with all else the Bible may say on the subject
• With the humility and openness that is incumbent upon all who would study and teach God’s word (cf. 2Ti 2:24-25)

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. During what periods of Israel’s history did Daniel live and prophesy?
   • The Babylonian captivity, and at the beginning of its restoration (605-534 B.C.)
2. What two prophets were contemporary with Daniel?
   • Jeremiah and Ezekiel
3. What is suggested as the theme of Daniel? (Dan 2:21; 4:17,25,32,34-35; 5:21)
   • God rules in the kingdoms of men
4. What are the two main sections of the book?
   • God’s providence in history (Dan 1:1-6:28)
   • God’s purpose in history (Dan 7:1-12:13)

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    1. Edited by BLB [An error was made in the original document incorrectly quoting Mk 1:14-15]

Daniel Chapter 1

 Daniel and his determination to be pure (1:1-21)

Daniel carried into Babylonian Captivity (1:1-7)

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.² And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.³ And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;⁴ Children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.⁵ And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.⁶ Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:⁷ Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

Daniel refuses to eat the king’s meat (8-17)

⁸ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.⁹ Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.¹⁰ And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.¹¹ Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,¹² Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.¹³ Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.¹⁴ So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.¹⁵ And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.¹⁶ Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.¹⁷ As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Daniel before the king (1:18-21)

¹⁸ Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.¹⁹ And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.²⁰ And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.²¹ And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

What we learned:

Daniel resolved to live a clean, Godly life; and from what we can read in Scriptures, he appears for the most part to have achieved this. 

Daniel lived in Babylon throughout the seventy years of Babylonian captivity and into the reign of Cyrus the Persian who built the Medo-Persian Empire. He was active in the reigns of several kings: (1) Nebuchadnezzar, who reigned 604-561 _B.C. and began the; (2) Belshazzar, who was a grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, and probably reigned as viceroy under Nabonidus; (3) Darius, the Mede, who took the kingdom the night of Belshazzar’s great feast; and (4) Cyrus, the Medo-Persian, who fully established the Medo-Persian Empire, the second of the world empires following Nebuchadnezzar. It seems Daniel died in the first year of King Cyrus, and he may have helped inspire the decision of Cyrus to have the Temple rebuilt (cf. 2 Chr. 36:22,23; Ezra 1:1-4) (The Rice Reference Bible, 1981, pg. 911)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

THEME

From a number of passages (Dan 2:21; 4:17,25,32,34-35; 5:21) we can deduce the main theme of the book of Daniel:

God Rules In The Kingdoms Of Men

In this book, we see the rule of God is…

• Manifested in the days of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus, kings of the Babylonians, Medes, and Persians
• Foretold to occur in the days of the Persians, Greeks, and Romans

In this book, we learn that the rule of God would be especially manifested…

• With the establishment of God’s kingdom – Dan 2:44
• With the vindication of the cause of His saints – Dan 7:27

OUTLINE

Here is a brief outline of the book of Daniel…

1. God’s Providence In History – Dan 1:1-6:28
   1. Daniel and his determination to be pure – Dan 1:1-21
   2. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel’s promotion – Dan 2:1-49
   3. Faith in the face of fire by Daniel’s friends – Dan 3:1-30
   4. Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream and temporary insanity – Dan 4:1-37
   5. The writing on the wall and fall of Belshazzar – Dan 5:1-31
   6. Darius and his den of lions – Dan 6:1-28
2. God’s Purpose In History – Dan 7:1-12:13
   1. Daniel’s dream of the four beasts – Dan 7:1-28
   2. Daniel’s dream of the ram and the goat – Dan 8:1-27
   3. Daniel’s prayer, and the vision of the seventy weeks – Dan 9:1-27
   4. Daniel’s vision of the time of the end – Dan 10:1-12:13

CONCLUSION

As with all Scripture, the book of Daniel is profitable for our study (2Ti 3:16-17). From Daniel and his friends, we will learn the power of faith and commitment. By studying this book, we can better understand our Lord’s references to it (cf. Mk 13:14-151; Mt 24:15-16).

Despite some of its more difficult and challenging passages, we can benefit from them as well, as long as we interpret them…

• In the context of the book itself
• Consistent with all else the Bible may say on the subject
• With the humility and openness that is incumbent upon all who would study and teach God’s word (cf. 2Ti 2:24-25)

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. During what periods of Israel’s history did Daniel live and prophesy?
   • The Babylonian captivity, and at the beginning of its restoration (605-534 B.C.)
2. What two prophets were contemporary with Daniel?
   • Jeremiah and Ezekiel
3. What is suggested as the theme of Daniel? (Dan 2:21; 4:17,25,32,34-35; 5:21)
   • God rules in the kingdoms of men
4. What are the two main sections of the book?
   • God’s providence in history (Dan 1:1-6:28)
   • God’s purpose in history (Dan 7:1-12:13)

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    1. Edited by BLB [An error was made in the original document incorrectly quoting Mk 1:14-15]

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com