A Brief Summary of The Book of Daniel Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
• The Choice Young Men (v1-7) • Daniel’s Resolve (v8-17) • Daniel’s Reward (v1821)
• The King’s Forgotten Dream (v1-17) • The Secret Revealed to Daniel (v18-30) • The King’s Dream (v3135) • The Interpretation (v3645) • Daniel Promoted (v4649)
• The King’s Golden Image (v1-7) • Worship of the Image Refused (v818) • Daniel’s Friends Protected (v19-27) • Daniel’s Friends Promoted (v28-30)
• The King Acknowledges God (v1-3) • The Vision of a Great Tree (v4-18) • Daniel Interprets the Vision (v19-27) • The Vision Fulfilled (v28-37)
• Belshazzar’s Feast (v1-12) • Daniel Interprets Handwriting on the Wall (v13-28) • Daniel Proclaimed 3rd Ruler (v29) • Belshazzar Slain (v30)
• Daniel Serves Darius (v1-15) • Daniel in the Lion’s Den (v16-28)
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
• Vision of the Ram and Goat (v1-8) • The Little Horn (v914) • Interpretation of the Vision (v15-19) • The Ram’s Identity (v20) • The Goat (v21-27)
• Daniel’s Prayer for His People (v1-19) • Gabriel Brings an Answer (v20-23) • Seventy Weeks and the Messiah (v24-27)
• Daniel Is Terrified by a Vision (v1-9) • Daniel Comforted (v10-21)
• Conflicts to Come (v1-45)
• Vision of the Four Beasts (v1-8) • The Ancient of Days Reigns (v9-12) • The Son of Man Presented (v13-14) • The Vision Interpreted (v15-28)
• The Time of the End (v1-13)
A Brief History of Israel The Monarchy of Israel began as a United Kingdom under the reigns of her first three kings: Saul, David and Solomon. As a result of Solomon’s sin against the Lord when he followed the gods of the nations and led Israel into idolatry, God split the kingdom into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel with ten tribes and the Southern Kingdom of Judah with two tribes, Judah and Benjamin. Jeroboam’s sin of the golden calves led the Northern Kingdom of Israel further and further away from the worship of the Lord. The next 18 kings just followed in Jeroboam’s evil ways. So God again judged their idolatry and in 722 BC, the Assyrian captivity occurred and the ten tribes of Israel were scattered throughout the Assyrian empire. Judah, the Southern Kingdom fared a little better because she had 8 godly kings out of 20. Each time a bad king ruled, the people would play the harlot against the Lord their God. The few good kings only managed to restrain the people for a while but the hearts of the people were given to do evil in the sight of the Lord and God again moved in judgment and Judah was first dominated by the Assyrians, then Egypt and in Daniel’s days, Babylon. There were 3 deportations to Babylon: (1) Daniel and many of the royal and noble families were deported to Babylon (Daniel 1:1-6) in 605 BC, (2) Ezekiel was deported in 597 BC along with “all the mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. None remained except the poorest people of the land” (2 Kings 24:14) (3) In the final siege of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar burned the temple of Jerusalem and deported the remaining Jews to Babylon. As Jeremiah foretold, the Exile lasted 70 years and the Jews again returned to Israel in 3 stages: (1) the first return in 537 BC under Zerubbabel, (2) the second return in 458 BC under Ezra and (3) the third return under Nehemiah in 445 BC. Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2007 www.2Tim2-2.com
Kings of Israel
Length of Reign
Kings of Judah
Length of Reign
1. Jeroboam (Bad)
930 - 909 = 22
1. Rehoboam (Bad)
930 - 913 = 17
2. Nadab (Bad)
909 - 908 = 2
2. Abijam (Bad)
913 - 910 = 3
3. Baasha (Bad)
908 - 886 = 24
3. ASA (Good)
910 - 869 = 41
4. Elah (Bad)
886 - 885 = 2
4. JEHOSHAPHAT (Good) – co-regent
872 - 848 – 25 Sole reign from 869
5. Zimri (Bad)
885 = 7 days
5. Jehoram (Bad) – co-regent
853 – 841 = 8 (7 actual years) Sole reign from 848
6. Omri (Bad) / Tibni, co-regent from 885-880
885 - 874 = 12 (11 actual years) Sole reign in 880
6. Ahaziah (Bad)
841 = 1
7. Ahab (Bad)
874 - 853 = 22 (21 actual years)
7. Athaliah (Bad) – Queen
841 -835 = 7
8. Ahaziah (Bad)
853-852 = 2 (1 actual year)
8. JOASH (Good)
835 -796 = 40
9. Jehoram or Joram (Bad)
852-841 = 12 (11 actual years)
9. AMAZIAH (Good)
796 - 767 = 29
10. Jehu (Bad)
841 - 814 = 28
10. AZARIAH or UZZIAH (Good) – co-regent
792 - 740 = 52 Sole reign in 767
11. Jehoahaz (Bad)
814 - 798 = 17
11. JOTHAM (Good) – co-regent
750 -732 = 18 Sole reign in 750
12. Jehoash or Joash (Bad)
798 - 782 = 16
12. Ahaz (Bad)
735 - 715 = 19
13. Jeroboam II (Bad) – co-regent
793 - 753 = 41 Sole reign in 782
13. HEZEKIAH (Good)
715 - 686 = 29
14. Zechariah (Bad)
753 = 6 months
14. Manasseh (Bad) - co-regent
697 - 642 = 55
15. Shallum (Bad)
752 = 1 month
15. Amon (Bad)
642 - 640 = 2
16. Menahem (Bad)
752 - 742 = 10
16. JOSIAH (Good)
640 - 609 = 31
17. Pekahiah (Bad)
742 -740 = 2
17. Jehoahaz (Bad)
609 = 3 months
18. Pekah (Bad)
752 - 732 = 20 Sole reign in 740
18. Jehoiakim (Bad)
609 - 598 = 11
19. Hoshea (Bad)
732 - 722 = 9
19. Jehoiachin (Bad)
598 - 597 = 3 months
20. Zedekiah (Bad)
597 - 586 = 11
19 Bad Kings
930BC-722BC = 208 years
11 Bad Kings, 1 Bad Queen 930BC-586BC = 344 years 8 Good Kings Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2007 www.2Tim2-2.com
1st Siege – 605 BC
2nd Siege – 597 BC
3rd Siege - 586BC
2 Kings 24:1; 2 Chronicles 36:5-8
2 Kings 24:8-17; Jeremiah 24:1; 27:16-22
Ezekiel 1:1-2; 5:1-17; 2 Kings 24:18-25:12; 2 Chronicles 36:17-21; Jeremiah 52:12-16
Jehoiakim reigned at 25, for 11 years (2 Chronicles 36:4-5)
Jehoiachin (son of Jehoiakim) reigned at 18, for 3 months
Zedekiah (weak king – listened to Jeremiah. but no strength to carry out instruction) reigned at 21, for 11 years
Timing & Events of Siege
2 Chronicles 36:5-8 • did evil in the sight of the Lord his God • Neb came up and bound him with chains & took him to Babylon •Neb took the temple vessels & put them in his temple at Babylon • Jehoiachin, his son, became king in his place 2 Kings 24:1 • Nebuchadnezzar came against him, and Jehoiakim became his servant for 3 years & he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar Jeremiah 25:3-11 v3-7 – refusal to listen to Jeremiah, God’s prophet, from 13th year of Josiah to this day, 23 years v8-10 Nebuchadnezzar will destroy the land, the people and the nations around and make them a horror and a desolation v11 this whole land shall be a desolation & a horror & the nations will serve the king of Babylon 70 years
2 Kings 24:8-17 • did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all his father had done (v8-9) • Neb's servants besieged Jerusalem (v10), and Neb came later (v11) • Jehoiachin and people taken captive in Neb's 8th year of reign (v12) • his uncle Mattiah was installed as king in his place, name changed to Zedekiah (v17) Jeremiah 27:16-22 •Jeremiah the prophet warned the people against the false prophets who prophesied that the temple vessels will be brought back to Jerusalem (v16-18) • rest of temple vessels will be taken to Babylon and will remain there until the day He visits them & brings them back (v19-22)
Ezekiel 5 – Jerusalem’s Fate • the sword & the fire (v1-4) – only a few spared • God will not spare His people because of their sins (v5-17) 2 Kings 24:18-25:12 • did evil in the sight of God (24:19) • king Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon (24:20) • siege began on 9th year of Zedekiah's reign, 10th day, 10th month and ended on 9th day, 4th month in the 11th year of Zedekiah (25:1-3) • city broken into, soldiers & king fled but were captured (25:4-6) • Zedekiah's sons slaughtered & his eyes were put out & he was brought to Babylon in chains (v7) • on 7th day 5th month in the 19th year of Neb, Nebuzaradan came and burnt the Temple, & all the great houses in Jerusalem (25:8-9) • the walls of Jerusalem were broken down (25:10) 2 Chr 36:21 •fulfill God’s word through Jeremiah until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths & until seventy years were complete
People Taken to Babylon
Daniel 1:3-4 - some of the Jewish youths, Daniel and Friends – from the royal family and nobles * no defect, good looking, * intelligent in every branch of wisdom * endowed with understanding * discerning knowledge
2 Kings 24:12-16 • all Jerusalem, all the captains, all the mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives, all the craftsmen & the smiths (v14), Jehoiachin, his mother, his wives, his officials & the leading men of the land (v15), 7000 men of valor, 1000 craftsmen & smiths (v16) • Ezekiel (Ezek 1:1-2)
2 Kings 25:11; Jeremiah 52:12-16 • Zedekiah, all remaining people, deserters, rest of the multitude, some of the poorest people, rest of the artisans
Things Taken to Babylon
Daniel 1:2 • some vessels from the Lord’s house taken to Babylon, and put in the house of Neb's god in the land of Shinar
2 Kings 24:13; Jeremiah 27:21-22 • all the temple treasures, the king’s treasures, and cut in pieces all the golden vessels Solomon made for the temple
2 Chronicles 36:18 • All articles & treasures of God's house, treasures of king * his officials taken
2 Chronicles 36:9-10 • Jehoiachin, Zedekiah, priests and people, Jeremiah
2 Kings 24:12; Jeremiah 27:16 • the poorest people of the land, priests & all his people & the false prophets, Zedekiah & Jeremiah
2 Kings 25:12 • some of the poorest of the land left to be vine-dressers & plowmen and Jeremiah
Scripture King in Judah
People Left Behind
Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2007 www.2Tim2-2.com
70 years
458
445
Return Under Ezra
Return Under Nehemiah
536 534 520 516 Temple work started Temple work stopped Temple work resumed Temple completed
Return Under Zerubbabel 537
Jonah Amos Hosea
Prophets of Israel
Babylonian Captivity 586
ISRAEL
2nd Siege
605 597 1st Siege
Assyrian Captivity
931
722
Prophets of Israel & Judah
70 years
JUDAH Obadiah Joel
Isaiah Micah Prophets of Judah
Divided Kingdom
PostNahum Haggai Exilic Zephaniah Zechariah Prophets Habakkuk Jeremiah Daniel Malachi Ezekiel
Exile
Restoration
Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2007 www.2Tim2-2.com
The Historical Setting in the Book of Daniel Daniel Chapter 1
Daniel Chapter 2
Daniel Chapter 3
Daniel Chapter 4
Daniel Chapter 5
Daniel Chapter 6
Date:
3rd year of Jehoiakim (609-597BC) = 605BC
2nd year of Neb (605562BC) = 603BC
shortly after chapter 2, ~ 2-3 years later
At least 8 years before end of Neb's reign = 570 BC
last year of Belshazzar's reign the last night - 539BC
some time after Darius sets up his new government ~ 537BC
Dan’s Age
~15 years old
~17-18 years old
~ 20 years old
~ 50 years old
~ 80 years old
~ 82 years old
Kingdom
Babylon
Babylon
Babylon
Babylon
Babylon
Medo-Persia
King
Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar
Belshazzar
Darius/Cyrus
The Siege in Judah (v1-2) v1 Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem v2 the LORD gave Jehoiakim & the temple vessels into his hand The Service in Babylon (v331) The Program (v3-7) • new education • new names • king’s choice food and wine The Permission (v8-10) • to refrain from food and wine • request refused The Proposal (v11-16) • 10 days of going vegetarian • request granted • result: “better” and “fatter” The Payoff (v17-21) • reward from God (v17) • reward from king (v18-20) • Daniel's lengthy ministry (v21) Key words and Phrases King (18x), the king's choice food (v5, 8, 13, 15); food (v10,16), wine (5,8,10,16), the king's personal service (v5, 19), Daniel (10x)
The Dream (v1-13) • Neb’s distress (v1-3) • Neb’s demand and decree (v4-13) The Crisis (v14-35) • Daniel's demeanor (v1416) • Daniel praises God (v1724) • Daniel relates the dream (v25-35) The Interpretation v36-45) • Daniel interprets the dream of 4 kingdoms and God’s kingdom The Aftermath v46-49) • Daniel honored (v46-48) • Daniel's friends promoted (v49) Key Words and Phrases King(s) (48x), ruler (2x), dream(s) (15x); vision(s) (2x), interpretation (13x); kingdom(s) (9x); the God of heaven (v18, 19, 28, 44); mystery(-ies) (8x); decree (3x), command (1x), Daniel (18x), all the wise men of Babylon (2x), the wise men of Babylon (5x), the wise men (1x), wise man (1x), magician(s) (3x), conjurer(s) (3x), sorcerers, Chaldean(s) (5x), diviners (1x)
The Dedication of Nebuchadnezzar’s image (v1-7) • the image (v1) • the guests (v2-3) • the proclamation: bow or burn (v4-7) The Determination of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego (v8-23) • accused (v8-12) • tried (v13-18) • condemned (v19-23) The Deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego (v24-27) • by “one like a son of the gods” The Decree of Nebuchadnezzar (v28-30) • God is blessed and His name lifted high • Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego prospered in Babylon Key Words and Phrases king (21x); ruler (2x), Neb the king (8x); image (11x); image that Neb (you/I) have set up (8x); fall down (6x), worship (9x); fire (14x), cast/fell into a midst of a furnace of blazing fire (5x); decree (2x), command (2x); Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (13x)
Neb’s Declaration (v1-3) Neb’s Dream of a Tree (v418) 1. recited to wise men (v67) 2. recited to Daneil (v8-18) • the tree described (v1012) • the tree judged (v13-18) Daniel Interprets the Dream (v19-27) • Purpose: that the living may know that the Most High is the ruler over the realm of mankind, YHWH bestows it on whom He wishes (v17, 25, 32, 34-35) Neb’s Downfall (v28-33) • 12 months later as he was boasting of his achievements in Babylon Neb’s Restoration (v34-37) • after seven periods of time, when he was totally humbled Key Words and Phrases King (13x), kingdom (6x), (dream (8x); visions (4x); interpretation (8x); tree 96x), the Most High (God) (6x), the King of heaven (1x), ruler (3x), rules (1x), Daniel (2x) * the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whom He wishes (v17,25, 32)
The Setting (v1-16) • Belshazzar's feast (v14) • The finger of God (v5) • Belshazzar's fear (v6-9) • Daniel praised (v10-12) • Daniel summoned (v1316) The Interpretation (v1728) •Daniel interprets the writing on the wall The Aftermath (v29-31) • Daniel rewarded (v29) • Belshazzar slain (v30) • Darius rules (v31) The end of Babylon and the beginning of MedoPersia
Daniel in Darius' Court (v1-15) •The new government (v13) • The treacherous plot (v49) • The trap sprung (v10-15) Daniel in the Lions’ Den (v16-24) • God’s angel protects Daniel from harm The Aftermath (v25-28) • Darius' decree (v25-27) • Daniel's success (v28)
Daniel & Friends Enter the King's Personal Service
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of a Statue & a Stone
Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego's Trial by Fire / Bow or Burn
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of a Tree / Neb's Conversion
The Handwriting on the Wall
Events
Title
Key Words and Phrases king (23x), ruler (1x); inscription (7x), writing/written (4x), message (2x); interpretation (10x), kingdom (7x), wine (4x), vessels (3x), temple/house (4x), Daniel (7x) * authority as the 3rd ruler in the kingdom (v7, 16, 29)
Key Words and Phrases king (31x); kingdom (6x); injunction (7x), document (3x), decree (1x); law (4x), statute (2x); lions (9x), the den (9x), Daniel (21x) * the law of the Medes and Persians which may not be revoked/changed (v8,12, 15) * cast into the lion's den (v7,12,16,24)
Daniel in the Lion's Den
Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2008 vvvww.2Tim2-2.com
The Historical Setting in the Book of Daniel Daniel Chapter 1 3rd year of Jehoiakim (609-597BC) = 605BC
Daniel Chapter 2 2nd year of Neb (605-562BC) = 603BC
Daniel Chapter 3 shortly after chapter 2, ~ 2-3 years later
Dan’s Age
~15 years old
~17-18 years old
~ 20 years old
Kingdom
Babylon
Babylon
Babylon
King
Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar
The Dream (v1-13)
The Dedication of Nebuchadnezzar’s image (v1-7)
Date:
The Siege in Judah (v1-2)
Events
v1 Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem v2 the LORD gave Jehoiakim & the temple vessels into his hand
• Neb’s distress (v1-3) • Neb’s demand and decree (v4-13)
The Service in Babylon (v3-31)
• Daniel's demeanor (v14-16) • Daniel praises God (v17-24) • Daniel relates the dream (v25-35)
The Program (v3-7) • new education • new names • king’s choice food and wine The Permission (v8-10) • to refrain from food and wine • request refused The Proposal (v11-16) • 10 days of going vegetarian • request granted • result: “better” and “fatter” The Payoff (v17-21) • reward from God (v17) • reward from king (v18-20) • Daniel's lengthy ministry (v21)
Key words and Phrases King (18x), the king's choice food (v5, 8, 13, 15); food (v10,16), wine (5,8,10,16), the king's personal service (v5, 19)
Title
Daniel & Friends Enter the King's Personal Service
The Crisis (v14-35)
The Interpretation v36-45) • Daniel interprets the dream of 4 kingdoms and God’s kingdom
The Aftermath v46-49) • Daniel honored (v46-48) • Daniel's friends promoted (v49)
Key Words and Phrases King(s) (48x), ruler (2x), dream(s) (15x); vision(s) (2x), interpretation (13x); kingdom(s) (9x); the God of heaven (v18, 19, 28, 44); mystery(-ies) (8x); decree (3x), command (1x), all the wise men of Babylon (2x), the wise men of Babylon (5x), the wise men (1x), wise man (1x), magician(s) (3x), conjurer(s) (3x), sorcerers, Chaldean(s) (5x), diviners (1x)
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of a Statue & a Stone
• the image (v1) • the guests (v2-3) • the proclamation: bow or burn (v4-7)
The Determination of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego (v8-23) • accused (v8-12) • tried (v13-18) • condemned (v19-23)
The Deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego (v24-27) • by “one like a son of the gods”
The Decree of Nebuchadnezzar (v2830) • God is blessed and His name lifted high • Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego prospered in Babylon
Key Words and Phrases king (21x); ruler (2x), Neb the king (8x); image (11x); image that Neb (you/I) have set up (8x); fall down (6x), worship (9x); fire (14x), cast/fell into a midst of a furnace of blazing fire (5x); decree (2x), command (2x); Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (13x)
Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego's Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2008 Trial by Fire /vvvww.2Tim2-2.com Bow or Burn
The Historical Setting in the Book of Daniel Daniel Chapter 4 near the end of Neb's reign (at least 8 years before end) = 570 BC
Daniel Chapter 5 last year of Belshazzar's reign - the last night - 539BC
Daniel Chapter 6 shortly after chapter 10, ~ 2-3 years later
Dan’s Age
~ 50 years old
~80 years old
~ 82 years old
Kingdom
Babylon
Babylon
Medo-Persia
King
Nebuchadnezzar
Belshazzar
Darius/Cyrus
Neb’s Declaration (v1-3) Neb’s Dream of a Tree (v4-18)
The Setting (v1-16) • Belshazzar's feast (v1-4) • The finger of God (v5) • Belshazzar's fear (v6-9) • Daniel praised (v10-12) • Daniel summoned (v13-16) The Interpretation (v17-28) •Daniel interprets the writing on the wall The Aftermath (v29-31) • Daniel rewarded (v29) • Belshazzar slain (v30) • Darius rules (v31) The end of Babylon and the beginning of Medo-Persia
Date:
1. recited to wise men (v6-7) 2. recited to Danile (v8-18) • the tree described (v10-12) • the tree judged (v13-18)
Daniel Interprets the Dream (v19-27) • Purpose: that the living may know that the Most High is the ruler over the realm of mankind, YHWH bestows it on whom He wishes (v17, 25, 32, 34-35)
Events
Neb’s Downfall (v28-33) • 12 months later as he was boasting of his achievements in Babylon
Neb’s Restoration (v34-37) • after seven periods of time, when he was totally humbled
Key Words and Phrases
Title
King (13x), kingdom (6x), (dream (8x); visions (4x); interpretation (8x); tree 96x), the Most High (God) (6x), the King of heaven (1x), ruler (3x), rules (1x) * the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whom He wishes (v17,25, 32)
king (23x), ruler (1x); inscription (7x), writing/written (4x), message (2x); interpretation (10x), kingdom (7x), wine (4x), vessels (3x), temple/house (4x), * authority as the 3rd ruler in the kingdom (v7, 16, 29)
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of a Tree
The Writing on the Wall
Key Words and Phrases
Daniel in Darius' Court (v1-15) •The new government (v1-3) • The treacherous plot (v4-9) • The trap sprung (v10-15) Daniel in the Lions’ Den (v16-24) • God’s angel protects Daniel from harm The Aftermath (v25-28) • Darius' decree (v25-27) • Daniel's success (v28) Key Words and Phrases king (31x); kingdom (6x); injunction (7x), document (3x), decree (1x); law (4x), statute (2x); lions (9x), the den (9x) * the law of the Medes and Persians which may not be revoked/changed (v8,12, 15) * cast into the lion's den (v7,12,16,24)
Daniel inCopyright the Lion’s Den © Cecilia Perh 2008 vvvww.2Tim2-2.com
Daniel Chapters 1-6 The Most High God Rules and Reigns Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of a Statue & a Stone
3
Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego's Trial by Fire / Bow or Burn
4
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of a Tree / Neb's Conversion
5
The Writing on the Wall
6
Daniel in the Lion's Den
Author: Daniel When Finished: ~ 536BC
MP
Daniel Interprets the Other People’s Dreams
2
Heb
Aramaic
Daniel & Friends Enter the King's Personal Service Babylon
1
Key Verses: 4:17,25,34-45 Key Words: Most High God, king(s) (134x), kingdom(s) (28x), ruler (8x), rule (1x), dream(s) (23x), vision(s) (6x), interpretation (30x), mystery(-ies) (8x)
Purposes: 1. to show God's faithfulness to His covenant people, the Jews, even though they were under divine judgment for their disobedience 2. to show God’s sovereignty over the Gentile nations, that He is the Most High God who rules (4:17,25,32) 3. to show what true dedication to God is 4. to show God's ability to keep those who put their faith in Him Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2008 vvvww.2Tim2-2.com
What We learn about God in Daniel Chapters 1-6 The Sovereignty of God 1. power belongs to Him (2:20) 2. He changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings (2:21) 3. God is God of gods and Lord of kings (2:47) 4. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, His dominion is from generation to generation (4:3,34) 5. the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, & bestows it on whom He wishes, & sets over it the lowliest of men (4:17,24,32; 5:21) 6. He does according to His will in the host of heaven & among the inhabitants of earth; no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What hast Thou done? (4:35) 7. all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride (4:37) ************* 1. The LORD gave Jehoiakim & some of the vessels into Neb’s hand (1:2), 2. the God of heaven/the Most High God has given the kingdom, power, strength, glory, sovereignty, grandeur & majesty to Neb (2:37; 5:18) & caused him to rule over them all (2:38; 5:19) 3. in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up an indestructible eternal kingdom (2:44) 4. God is able to deliver Shadrach, Meshach & Abed-nego from the furnace of blazing fire (3:17) & He delivered them (3:24-27); God sent His angel and delivered Daniel from the lions (6:22) 5. does great signs and mighty wonders! (4:3) 6. the decree of the Most High is that Neb be driven away from mankind, dwelling with the beasts of the field, given grass to eat, be drenched with the dew; and seven periods of time will pass over him, until he recognizes that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes (4:17, 24-25,32; 5:21) & his kingdom will be assured to him after he recognizes that it is Heaven that rules (4:26).
The Decrees of Pagan Kings, the Sovereigns of their Day 3:29 Nebuchadnezzar’s decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way. 4:1-3 Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and men of every language that live in all the earth, "May your peace abound! It seems good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the Most High God has done for him. How great are His signs, And how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation. 6:25-27 Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations, and men of every language who were living in all the land: "May your peace abound! I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. "He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
The God who is the source of all knowledge, intelligence, and who reveals mysteries 1. gave these four youths knowledge & intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom (1:17); gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to men of understanding (2:21) 2. a God in heaven who reveals mysteries (2:28, 29), your God is a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery (2:47) 3. wisdom belongs to Him (2:20) 4. He reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness & the light dwells with Him (2:22) 5. gave Daniel understanding of visions and dreams (1:17); wisdom and power & made known the king's matter (2:23) 6. the great God (2:45) has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days (2:28) what will take place in the future (2:29,45) 7. Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, and in whom is a spirit of the holy gods (4:8,9,18; 5;11,14), no mystery baffles him (4:9), he is able to tell the interpretation (4:18); illumination, insight, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him (5:11,14)
The God of Compassion 1. God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials (1:9), 2. Daniel and friends requested compassion from the God of heaven (2:18)
God Judges The Wicked 1. Bel and his court brought and drank from the gold vessels that had been taken out of the temple in Jerusalem (5:3,23), exalted himself against the Lord of heaven (5:23) 2. Bel did not glorify the God in whose hand is his life-breath and ways (5:23) 3. the hand was sent from Him, and this inscription was written out (5:24) and God has numbered his kingdom and put an end to it (5:26)
Man’s Response to God 1. Daniel blessed the God of heaven (2:19), blessed the name of God forever and ever (2:20) 2. Daniel thanked & praised the God of his fathers (2:23); Daniel continued to pray & give thanks to his God 3 times a day (6:10) 3. Daniel constantly serves God (6:16,20), servant of the living God (6:20) 4. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego serve God (3:17), are servants of the Most High God (3:26); 5. Neb declared the signs & wonders which the Most High God has done for him (4:2), blessed the Most High, praised & honored Him who lives forever (4:34), praised, exalted, & honored the King of heaven (4:37) 6. The commissioners and satraps can’t find an accusation against Daniel except in regard to the law of his God (6:5) Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2008 vvvww.2Tim2-2.com
Title: The Most High God Rules and Reigns God’s Sovereign Plan for Mankind
Key Verses: 4:17,25,32,34-35
Theme: Kings and Kingdoms / the Future Key Words/Phrases: King(s) (134x), kingdom(s) (28x), dominion - (6x), Dream(s) (23x), vision(s) (6x), mystery(-ies) (8x), interpretation(s) (30x), beast(s) (10x), Daniel (58x), Shadrach, Meshach & Abed-nego (15x), the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whom He wishes (4:17,25,32)
Context of Daniel 1-6
Purposes: 1. to show God's sovereignty over the Gentile nations, that He is the Most High God who rules & reigns (4:17,25,32) 2. to show God's faithfulness to His covenant people, the Jews, even though they were under divine judgment for their disobedience 3. to show what true dedication to God is 4. to show God's ability to keep those who put their faith & trust in Him Author: Daniel (Nebuchadnezzar wrote 4:1-18,34-37) When Finished: ~ 536BC
Historical Setting: 1. Judah and Jerusalem are under judgment for their sin 2. Daniel and friends were sent ahead by God to Babylon to prepare a place for their people in 605 BC 3. The first of three sieges which will end with the destruction of the Temple in 586 BC by Nechadnezzar Life In Babylon from Nebuchadnezzar to Cyrus (605-536BC) 1. The 3-year training program 2. Daniel’s promotion to ruler of Babylon & chief prefect over the wise men; his 3 friends were over the administration of Babylon (ch 2) 3. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego’s trial by fire (ch 3) 4. Nebuchadnezzar’s conversion (ch 4) 5. Belshazzar’s feast and the fall of the Babylonian Empire (ch 5) 6. Under Persian rule, Daniel was one of 3 commissioners – thrown into the lions’ den (ch 6) Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2008 vvvww.2Tim2-2.com
