Daniel 1:1-7, Setting the Scene (1)

 Here are some characteristics of the book of Daniel.

A.  Daniel contains narrative (fiery furnace, lion’s den, etc.).  But, like much of Zechariah, Ezekiel and Revelation, is apocalyptic; that is, it uses visionary and symbolic language to convey truth otherwise unknown.

B.   Daniel emphasizes the Gentiles who will have the ascendency on earth.  Israel has been set aside for a period of time and Daniel deals with that time, it’s duration and character.

C.   Besides it’s prophetic nature, Daniel is also a great source of encouragement for Godly living. 

D.  Christ is portrayed in Daniel 2:34-35,44-45; 7:13-14; 9:25-26; 10:5-6.

E.   Daniel gives a significant introduction to the antichrist in 7:8-11; 8:9-25; 11:36-45; 12:1,11.

F.    Daniel is foundational to the book of Revelation.  In fact, the book opened in Rev. 4-5 is, I believe, the one that is sealed in Dan. 12.

G.  Daniel’s prophecy of “70 weeks” in 9:24-27 is one of the most important “time clocks” in Biblical prophecy.  And the detail of Daniel 11-12 in predicting events the “intertestamental” period (the time between Malachi and Matthew) is beyond amazing.

Here are some notes of clarification for Dan. 1:1-7.

·       1:1: The deportation occurred in the third year of Jehoiakim, but Jer. 25:1 indicates Nebuchadnezzar’s first year was Jehoiakim’s fourth.  Jeremiah likely wrote from the Jewish perspective, counting the year of ascension as the first, while Daniel wrote from the Babylonian view, counting the year after ascension as the first.

·       Sequence of events: In 609 Josiah was killed by the Egyptians who were on their way to join the Assyrians in battle against Babylon.  Jehoahaz became king; but the Egyptians replaced him his brother Jehoiakim.  Nebuchadnezzar began to co-rule with his father in 608 and became sole ruler in 605.  He defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish permanently weakening their army.  He then turned his attention to Judah, taking captive many prized youth (inc. Daniel and his friends) and some of the treasures of the temple.  In 600 Jehoiakim became subservient to Nebuchadnezzar only to rebel in 597, resulting in another deportation (including Ezekiel).  Jehoiakim was also deported in chains to Babylon.

·       1:2: vessels of the house of God.  These were first gathered by Davie (2 Sam. 8:7-12) and Solomon (1 Ki. 7).  The Egyptians removed some (1 Ki. 7) and then wicked king Ahaz cut the utensils in pieces and shut the doors of the temple (2 Chr. 27:24).  Hezekiah repaired the utensils and put them back in the temple (2 Ki. 29:18-19).  Nebuchadnezzar removed some in 605 (2 Chr. 36:7), more in 597 (2 Chron. 36:10) and the rest in 586 (2 Chron. 36:18).