Lesson Nine - Daniel
“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a Kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:13-14
Introduction
- It comes as a surprise to some that the Book of Daniel is in the “Writings” part of the TaNaKh. Why not the “Prophets”?
- The principle message of the Prophets is the call to repentance. Even 1&2 Kings can fall into this category if you examine ebb and flow of obedience described.
- Daniel is written from the perspective of Israel in exile – suffering for her disobedience, and learning through that disciple to obey G-d.
Babylonian Exile
- It was prophesied of in Deuteronomy. Repeatedly throughout the early prophets, Israel was warned that they must obey or be prepared to be taken from the Land. The pattern was set in the Garden – exile from the Land because of sin.
- What was the particular sin? Why 70 years of exile in Babylon?
- Dan 9:2: Daniel understood that the exile would last 70 years.
- Jer 25:11-12: Jeremiah prophesied that it would last 70 years.
- 2 Chron 36-14-21: Specifically, so that Land could have its “sabbaths.” 490 years of ignored sh’mittah (seventh year agricultural sabbatical). 1 year of exile for each sh’mittah missed.
- The exile began in 606 BCE and ended in 536 BCE with Cyrus’ decree allowing Jews to return to the Land. The Book of Daniel is in the context of Israel in exile.
Daniel Chapter 2 & 7: The History of the World in a Dream
- Dan 2: Nebuchadnezzar’s dream: a statue, head of gold; chest and arms of silver; belly and thighs of bronze; legs of iron; feet of iron and clay. A stone struck the feet and destroyed the statue – the stone grew into a mountain that covered the earth.
- Babylon was the head of gold. Medes and Persians were the silver. Greeks the bronze? Romans the iron and/or the iron and clay? The stone is an everlasting Kingdom – the Kingdom of Messiah.
- Dan 7: Daniel’s dream: 4 Beasts out of the sea. First like a lion with eagles’ wings; second like a bear raised up on one side with 3 ribs in its mouth; third like a leopard with 4 wings and 4 heads; the fourth “dreadful and terrible” with 10 horns – and a little horn.
- Dan 7:9-18: The early kingdoms will be destroyed – the Kingdom of Messiah will be eternal.
Daniel 8-11: The History of the Land of Israel
- The remarkable historical detail of Daniel 8-11 describes the contest for Israel and the Jewish people beginning with the Media-Persian empire and through the Greek and Roman empires. Although Rome is not mentioned by name, the historical details make it clear.
- The history of the Maccabean revolt and Hanukkah is detailed in Daniel 8 and 11.
- Daniel 8-11, like most of Scripture details a cycle that extends beyond history past – chapter 11:32-34 folds history from around 160 BCE to a time yet future.
- Daniel 12 details the fall of the kingdoms of the world, and establishment of the Kingdom of Messiah.
Summary
- Exile from the Garden is pictured in exile from the Land.
- The kingdoms of this world are where we are exiled, but Messiah, the Rock, will return and redeem us from the kingdoms of this world and establish His Kingdom in Jerusalem.
- Returning from exile will be like returning to the Garden.
- “…But the people who know their G-d shall be strong, and will do.” Daniel 11:32b