Book of Daniel

Author: The Book of Daniel identifies the Prophet Daniel as its author (Daniel 9:2; 10:2). Jesus considered the Prophet Daniel to be the author as well (Matthew 24:15).

Date of Writing: The Book of Daniel was likely written between 540 and 530 B.C.

Purpose of Writing: In 605 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon had conquered Judah and deported many of its inhabitants to Babylon – Daniel included. Daniel served in the royal court of Nebuchadnezzar and several rulers who followed Nebuchadnezzar. The Book of Daniel records the actions, prophecies, and visions of the Prophet Daniel.

Key Verses: Daniel 1:19-20, “The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.”

Daniel 2:31, “You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue-an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance.”

Daniel 3:17-18, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Daniel 4:34-35, “His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’”

Daniel 9:25-27, “Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

Brief Summary: Daniel chapter 1 describes Daniel and his three friends being deported to Babylon and being “promoted” in the king’s service. Daniel chapter 2 records Nebuchadnezzar having a dream that only Daniel could correctly interpret. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great statue represented the kingdoms that would arise in the future. Daniel chapter 3 records Nebuchadnezzar making a great statue and forcing everyone to worship it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused and were miraculously spared by God despite being thrown into a fiery furnace. Daniel chapter 4 records Nebuchadnezzar being judged by God for his pride, but later being restored once he recognized and admitted God’s sovereignty.

Daniel chapter 5 records Nebuchadnezzar’s son Beshazzar misusing the items taken from the Temple in Jerusalem and receiving a message from God, written into the wall, in response. Only Daniel could interpret the writing…it was a message of oncoming judgment from God. Daniel chapter 6 records Daniel being thrown into the lions’ den for refusing to pray to the emperor. Daniel was miraculously spared.

Daniel chapter 7 tells us of a vision God gave Daniel of four beasts. The four beasts represented the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Similarly, Daniel chapter 8 contains a vision involving a ram, a goat, and several horns – also referring to future kingdoms and their rulers. Daniel chapter 9 records Daniel’s “seventy weeks” prophesy. God gave Daniel the precise timeline of when the Messiah would come and be cut off. The prophesy also mentions a future ruler who will make a seven year covenant with Israel, break it after 3.5 years, followed shortly thereafter by the great judgment and consummation of all things.

Daniel chapter 10 records Daniel being visited and strengthened by an angel after a great vision. Chapters 11-12 tells us of the angel explaining the vision to Daniel in great detail.

Practical Application: We should always stand for what we know is right. God is greater than any punishment that could come upon us. Whether God delivers us or not, He is worthy of our trust. God knows what is best, and He honors those who trust and obey Him.

God has a plan – and His plan is down to the intricate detail. God knows the future and is in control of the future. Everything that God has predicted has come true exactly as He predicted. Therefore, we should believe and trust that the things God has predicted which have not yet occurred – will one day occur exactly as God has declared.

Recommended Resources: Daniel - the Key to Prophetic Revelation by John Walvoord.
Daniel, NIV Application Commentary by Tremper Longman III.
Daniel, Holman Old Testament Commentary by Kenneth Gangel.

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Book of Daniel