Studies of Daniel Review 1

• Writings about secret teachings and the end times.
• What the naked eye Cannot see, or will be seen in the future and heavenly.

• Shows future events
• Shows God's involvement behind human History

It foretells Future events

• Describes the reason why which make Daniel a theological book
• Shows God's ivolvement behind human history (i.e. God gave Judah to the hand of Babylon)

3rd century A.D. Philosopher

Neoplatonist.

One who revived th writimgs of Plato

- He was Neoplatonist

- Neoplatonism was a form of pantheism

- Pantheist believe that everything is god and God didn't or doesn't interact in earth's affairs

- God doesn't intervene in history

- Therefore there is no prophecy

- Wrote a book against Christianity called "Contra Christianem"

Because he concluded there was no prophecy

- He was first person to say that Daniel wasn't written in the 6th Century B.C. but after. or vatacinium ex eventu

- Christianity lashed against this and burned all his books

but from 19th century on many claimed that Daniel was written after.

Objections are:

1 - Nabodinus was last king of Babylon

2 - Belshazzar was not a son of Nebuchadnezzar

3 - Nothing is said in Daniel about Nabodinus or any other successor of Nebuchadnezzar

4 - They say that Daniel's historical record is sketchy so no wonder he didn't mention Nabonidus

How they are resolved:

1- Nobonidus was a devotee of the moon-goddess

2 - When enthroned he had a dream of sin and tried to resurrect a service to this goddess

3 - Babylonians didn't like that he neglected Marduc

4 - Soon after reign went to live in Tema (remote desert) and worshiped his goddess

5 - He had to leave someone in charge, his son Belshazzar

6 - Belshazzar was Nebuchadnezzar's grandson

7 - Many claim that Daniel must not be written in 6th century B.C. because he refered to Belshazzar as Nebuchanezzar's son.

8 - But now we know that he was his grandson - this is evidence that Daniel was written in 6th century B.C.

2 major languages

Hebrew

Aramaic

and

Greek

2 major languages

Hebrew - From 1:1 - 2:4a and Chapters 8-12

Aramaic - From 2:4b - 7:28

• and
• Greek - Dan 3:5,7, 10, 15

Mid to Late 7th Century B.C.

- Egypt

- Assyria

- Babylon

- Persia

Egypt - Great Southern Power (South of Judah)

Assyria - North of Judah

Babylon - North of Judah

Persia - North of Judah

Judah was in the Middle of the Southern Power of Egypt and the Northern Powers of Assyria, Babylon, and Persia.

Egypt was in natural decline. Some powerful kings invaded Palestine and challenged the Northern super powers. Judah and Israel were often tempted to form alliances with Egypt agains the north.

Assyria were the first of a succession of empires that swallowed up parts of Palestine. They exiled Israel and subdued Judah. The empire collapsed when Niniveh fell to Babylonians in 612 B.C.

Babylon took over were Assyria left off. They took Judah into exile and successfully invaded Egypt. But their power was eroded by a series of weak rulers. in 539 B.C. Cyrus the Persian took over the empire with little opposition.

Persia was larger than its 2 predecessors. It was also more humane in returning exiles to their homelands (including Judah). The Persian empire was overrun by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C.

- Exiled from Jerusalem at 18, having ruled 3 months.

- Probably kept under house arrest until 37 years later given a place of honor in royal court.

- Seen as important figure by Jewish exiles.

- Probably died during the excile (2 Kings 24:1-15 --- 2 Kings 25L27-10)

- Personal name means "Yaweh Heals"

- Judah's king from about 640-609 B.C.

- He succeeded his father Amon (an idolatrous king, who only ruled for 2 years before being murdered by his servants.

- Became king at the age of 8 due to "wishes of the people of the land" (who but his father's assasins to death.

- his reign lasted for 31 years

Descendant of Josiah,

made king by Babylonians

-Personal meaning - Yahweh has caused to stand

-Son of Josiah (who succeeded Johahaz as king of Judah.

- Jehoiakim was a throne name given to him by Pharao Neco f Egypt, who

Josiah - (Good) (639-608) 31 years

Jehoahaz (608) three months

Jehoiakim (608-597) eleven years

Jehoiachin (597) three months

Zedekiah (597-586) eleven years

Jehoiakim - Made king by Egyptians Brother of Jahoahaz

Jehoiachin - Successor of Jehoakim

• Zedekiah - Descendant of Josiah, made king by the Babylonians

The symbolic significance is that his god is more powerful than the God of Israel.

The Practical Significance was that the temple was also the treasure house... So Judah could not finance a rebellion

1- Those in authority, usually parents, are the ones who name us - Shows Authority

2 - By naming them he is not just claiming to be their king and the king of Judah, but their father and part of the royal family

3 - Nebuchadnezzar is trying to make them his children.

4 - Names of his gods --- saying that his god is more powerful than the God of Israel

It is likely that the image was the god Marduc.

Neb. had just supressed a rebellion

Probably the god marduc

Neb. had just supressed a rebellion in which he had to defend his own life with his own sword.

• - The king favored Danile because when he found out the issue he labored to save Daniel's life
• This was done in Chapter 3 when Neb wanted to give them a second chance

-When Daniel is delivered both kings aknowledge the God of Israel. this is an act of God.

- It is obvious to others that the 3 Hebrews and Daniel serve the God of Israel... it is public

- The idea of serving is closely related to worship.

1 Sovereignty/ Judgment

2 Revelation/

3 Interpretation

4 Wisdom

Sovereignity is both divine and human

This sovereignity is exercised through judgment

Both divine and human judment are themes in the book of Daniel