Introduction to the book of Daniel!

Dear UESI Family,

Greetings!  This is just a gentle reminder about the Bible Reading Plan, which is Starting tomorrow i.e., 12th (Saturday) September.  Our first book in the Bible Reading Plan is about the book of Daniel.  To facilitate you to know the backgroud of the book of Daniel, we have given a brief Introduction about the same.   

With regards,
J Selvadurai

INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL

The Person

Daniel was taken captive as a teenager and was deported to Babylon by the King Nebuchadnezzar during the 1st siege of Jerusalem in 605 BC.”In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.” (Daniel 1:1). There he served in the government for about 60 years during the reigns of 4 kings - Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus. He also became God’s mouthpiece to the Gentile and Jewish world declaring God’s present and eternal purpose. Daniel's life can be characterized by purpose, prayer, courage, conviction, character and prophecy. The name Dani’el means ‘God is my judge’ in Hebrew.

The Book

The book contains some of the famous Bible stories with some profound lessons about God and life. Daniel is the good news of the kingdom of God. Nations and empires will rise and fall, but the kingdom of God will endure. The aim of Daniel is to display the kingdom of God as victorious over all ages.

Its content

The book covers history from 605 up to at least 535BC. It gives a historical account of the faithful Jews who lived in captivity and shows how God is in control of heaven and earth, directing the forces of nature, the destiny of nations and the care of his people. It assures us that history has a meaning and a message for us today.

The book also records dreams and visions, symbols and numbers.  Thus it is also apocalyptic in nature. Daniel's apocalyptic visions (8-12) give a glimpse of God’s plan for ages, including a direct prediction of the Messiah. Daniel has more to say about the coming antichrist than any other OT writers.

Its author and date

Daniel claimed to write this book (12:4). Still many critics have argued and attempted to explain that the book was written in the time of Maccabees in the 2^nd century and not in the 6^th century.

Its audience

Other captives in Babylon, the gentile world and God's people everywhere (including UESI)

Its language and structure

This book is unique in biblical literature. It is partly written in Hebrew (1:1 –2:4a; 8:1 – 12:13) and partly in Aramaic (2:4b – 7:28), a close cognate language to Hebrew, using the same script. The first six chapters present stories about Daniel and his friends (historical narrative). In the last six chapters, the visions of Daniel (apocalyptic material) are presented. 

Its Key verses

Daniel: 20-22 and Daniel 2:44

Its Key people

Daniel – The main character

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – His three Hebrew friends. They refused to bow down to an image of gold ordered by King Nebuchadnezzar and hence they were condemned to a fiery death. But God intervened and spared their lives.

Kings Daniel served –

Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar: Babylonian Empire (chps. 1-4, 5; 7; 8)

Darius and Cyrus: Medo-Persian Empire (chps. 6; 9, 10-12)

Its major Themes

God is in control

God has a purpose

God preserves

God is faithful

Its Relevance

In a time when the mankind faces doubts and uncertainty about everything, the book offers hope and assurance and the character inspires us to trust God’s sovereignty and goodness. Read on for your own lessons and be blessed.