The Book of Daniel Lecture Notes

Background

• Setting: After Babylon's first attack on Jerusalem.
  • Babylon plunders the city and the temple.
  • Israelites taken into exile, including four men from the royal family of David:
    • Daniel (later named Belteshazzar)
    • Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (Babylonian names)
• Theme: Struggles to maintain hope in the land of conquerors.

Structure and Language

• Chapters 1-6: Stories of Daniel and friends in Babylon.
• Chapters 7-12: Daniel’s visions about the future.
• Language:
  • Starts in Hebrew.
  • Chapters 2-7 in Aramaic (language of empires).
  • Chapters 8-12 return to Hebrew.

Key Stories and Themes

Chapter 1

• Tension: Daniel and friends pressured to abandon Jewish identity.
  • Refuse to violate Jewish food laws.
  • Faithfulness results in God’s deliverance and their elevation by the king.

Aramaic Section (Chapters 2-7)

Chapter 2

• King’s dream of a statue (four types of metal) representing kingdoms.
  • Daniel interprets: Kingdoms will fill with violence; God’s kingdom will confront them.

Chapter 3

• Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego refuse to worship an idol.
  • Thrown into a fiery furnace, saved by God, exalted by king.

Chapters 4 & 5

• Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar:
  • Both filled with pride.
  • Warned by dreams/visions interpreted by Daniel.
  • Nebuchadnezzar humbles himself, restored.
  • Belshazzar doesn’t, assassinated.

Chapter 6

• Daniel refuses to worship king, thrown into lion's den, saved by God.

Chapter 7

• Daniel's vision of four beasts representing arrogant kingdoms.
  • God, "Ancient of Days," exalts "Son of Man" to share in divine rule.

Visions and Prophecies (Chapters 8-12)

Chapter 8

• Vision of a ram and goat (Medes, Persians, Greece).
  • Evil king will be destroyed by God.

Chapter 9

• Daniel consults prophet Jeremiah about 70-year exile.
  • Angel informs exile will last 7 times longer due to continued sin.

Chapters 10-12

• Vision of kingdoms leading to "king of the north."
  • Debate on interpretations (Antiochus, Roman Empire, future events).

Interpretations and Legacy

• Multiple Interpretations: Antiochus, Roman Empire, future events.
• Pattern: Human kingdoms become "beasts" when they glorify power and ignore God.
• Promise: God will confront the beast, establish His kingdom.
• Message: Offers hope and motivation for faithfulness across generations.

Conclusion

• Book of Daniel as a message of hope and a call for faithfulness to God's people throughout history.