What can the book of Daniel tell us about God’s plan for our future?
I. Video Data. John Ankerberg Show. Dr. John Ankerberg, (M. Div., D. Min.), (Dr. Jimmy DeYoung (M. Div., Ph. D., 1940-2021).
II. Introduction. Dr. C.I. Scofield (D. D.; 1843-1921) Scofield Study Bible (1909, 1917, 1937, 1945, 1984, 1998, 2002, 2006, Editor, C.I. Scofield, Editorial Revision 1967 Committee Members: Charles L. Feinberg, Th. B., Th. M., Th. D., Ph. D., John F. Walvoord, Th. B., Th. M., Th. D.).
Daniel’s Early Life in the Babylonian Court. vs 1-7, Daniel in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar. vs 8-21, Daniel’s resolve.
III. Overview. Consider the points of focus that are provided by highly respected theologians of this first chapter of Daniel.
A. Dr. Stephen R. Miller (Th. D.; Ph. D). The New American Commentary, Daniel. The first chapter of the book serves primarily as an introduction; it sets the scene for the other stories and the visions (chs. 7-12) that make up the rest of the book. Here, the reader is furnished information concerning Daniel’s identity, his circumstances, his character, and how he rose to his position of responsibility in Babylon.
B. Dr. John F. Walvoord (Th. B., Th. M., Th. D., 1910-2002). Daniel Commentary. The first chapter of Daniel is a beautifully written, moving story of the early days of Daniel and his companions in Babylon. In brief and condensed form, it records the historical setting for the entire book. Moreover, it sets the tone as essentially the history of Daniel and his experiences in contrast to the prophetic approach of the other major prophets, who were divine spokesmen to Israel. In spite of being properly classified as a prophet, Daniel was in the main a governmental servant and a faithful historian of God’s dealings with him.
C. Dr. James A. Borland, (M Div., Th. M., Th. D. Th. D.) Liberty Commentary Bible. DANIEL’S REMOVAL TO BABYLON BY NEBUCHADNEZZAR. 1. The subjugation of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, vs 1-2. 2. The test of Daniel’s character, vs 3-7. 3. The determination of Daniel to be true to his God, vs 8-13. 4. The faithfulness of God to His obedient children, vs 14-21.
IV. Scripture Text. Daniel 1 (NASB 1995). Link pasted from Bible Gateway.
V. Verse Examination.
Dr. Charles C. Ryrie (Th. M., Th. D., Ph. D., Litt. D., 1925-2016). Ryrie Study Bible. 1:1 “in the third year.” 605. B.C. 1:2. The captivity came because of Israel’s idolatry and failure to keep the sabbatical year for the land. “the vessels of the house of God.” Taken as a prize and as proof of Nebuchadnezzar’s gods. “Shinar.” Babylonia. 1:3 “officials.” Lit., eunuchs. The word does mean those who were castrated; it also stood for officials in general. It is uncertain whether Daniel and his friends were emasculated. 1:4. “literature and language.” Various subjects such as agriculture, astrology, astronomy, mathematics, and the Akkadian language. 1:5 The accession year of Nebuchadnezzar was the first year of the youths’ training; the first full year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign was the second year of training; the second year of his reign was the third year of training. 1:7 In order to make these young men more Babylonian, their names were changed. In each case, the Hebrew name contains a name of the true God (either “el” or “iah,” and abbreviation for Yahweh), and the Babylonian name contains the name of a heathen god. 1:8 “he would not defile himself.” By eating meat that doubtless had not been slain in accordance with the Mosaic Law and that, along with the “wine,” had been offered to a pagan God (cf. Ex. 34:15). 1:17 Only God, not human wisdom, can instruct how to interpret “visions” and “dreams” accurately. 1:21 “continued.” Daniel, who was among the first captives taken, lived to see the official end of the Exile in the “first year of Cyrus king of Persia” (Ezra 1:1). Daniel did not die then but lived a few years longer (10:1).
VI. Summary.
Dr. Orville J. Nave, Nave’s Study Bible, 1978 (D.D., LL. D., 1841-1917). Orville J. Nave (Editor). Anna Seamans Nave (Editor).
1. Jehoiakim’s captivity. 3. Daniel and three others selected to be taught the learning of the Chaldeans. 8. They refuse to eat the king’s meat. 17. Their great attainments in wisdom.
VII. Parting Thought.
A. In the Book of Daniel, we learn of the faithfulness of Daniel to God. As children in Sunday School, we learned about Daniel in the fiery furnace (Dan 3) and Daniel in the Lion’s den (Dan 6). But, there is much of the Book of Daniel that is not taught to maturing Christians. Daniel, being a Jew, was given by God, prophecy that related to Israel, such as God’s people Israel in the Times of the Gentiles (Daniel 8:1-12:13). During the times of the Gentiles, there is not a Jewish king of Israel. During the times of the Gentiles, Israel will come under great oppression from the Antichrist during the Tribulation (Dan 9:24-27). Matthew 24:4-31, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-36, Revelation 6:-19, and Zechariah 12:1-14:21) also describe Israel coming under oppression during the Tribulation by the Antichrist, Satan, and the unbelieving world that is left behind from the rapture. God gave prophecies to other Jews about God and Israel, such as: the dispersion of Israel, the overthrow of Jerusalem by Babylon, the Tribulation and the Kingdom Age. The Jewish prophecies were spoken by God to Jewish prophets, which were then made known to the Jews of Israel. Due to the proximity of Gentiles to the fulfillment of the Jewish prophecies, such prophecies have affected Gentiles, and will affect Gentiles. In the Church age, God gave a prophetic ministry, “to some,” that is described in Ephesians 4:11-12. The church age prophets’ ministry is to be, “equipping the saints for the works of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.” The ministries of Jewish and church age prophets are clearly defined in Scripture.
B. God’s relationship with Israel is clearly stated in Deuteronomy 14:2:
“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”
C. The longevity of God’s relationship with Israel is unending, per Jeremiah 31:35-36:
35 Thus says the Lord,
Who gives the sun for light by day
And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night,
Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar;
The Lord of hosts is His name:
36 “If this fixed order departs
From before Me,” declares the Lord,
“Then the offspring of Israel also will cease
From being a nation before Me forever.”
D. The provisions for Israel, and only Israel, are stated in Psalm 147:19-20:
19 He declares His words to Jacob,
His statutes and His ordinances to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any nation;
And as for His ordinances, they have not known them.
Praise the Lord!
E. The point of focus, as it relates to Israel being identified as the recipient of God’s prophecies, are shown for each of the following Jewish prophets (and other Jewish prophets) to be spoken to Jews:
1. Isaiah 1:1, “The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” Isaiah 2:1, “The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem., “
2. Jeremiah 2:1-2, “Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 “Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord,…”
3. Ezekiel 2:3, “Then He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.”
4. Daniel 9:20: “Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God,”
F. Believers in Christ are clearly identified as “The Church,” per the following verses:
1. Col 1:24, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church,”
2. 1 Cor 12:27, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.”
3. Eph 5:23, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.”
G. Israel is Israel, and the church is the church. Israel is mentioned in both the old and new testaments.
1. Acts 2:36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
2. Philippians 3:5, “circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;”
H. The church was not mentioned in the Old Testament, due to its being a “mystery,” which means that it was not known until it was revealed by God.
Ephesians 5:32, “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” [Mystery” refers to some aspect of God’s plan that was previously hidden, but which now, in the gospel, has been made known (Moody Study Bible).] My note: “mystery,” as noted in the Bible is not like a “murder mystery, which is meant to be confusing;” but is informaiton that had not been disclosed, until God determined to make such information clearly known.
VIII. My Bucket List shows the references, of people and documents, that I use when I write my articles.
https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/bucket-list/embed/.
IX. My Websites To Follow.
https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/ Eternity
https://untotheleastofthese.home.blog/ Commentary Preparation
https://thechurchoftheopendoor.wordpress.com/ Israel Website
https://success2693.wordpress.com/ Israel, History And Prophecy
Eternity 