Daniel
Book Overview
Author: Daniel, Jewish exile and government official Date of Writing: Approximately 536-530 BC (covering events from 605-536 BC) Historical Context: Babylonian and Persian empires; Jewish exile and early return Original Audience: Exiled Jews living under foreign rule Purpose: To encourage faithfulness to God under persecution and reveal God's sovereignty over world empires Genre: Prophetic apocalyptic; narrative (chapters 1-6) and visions (chapters 7-12)
One-Sentence Summary
God remains sovereign over all earthly empires and faithful to deliver His people, establishing His eternal kingdom through the coming Son of Man.
Book Structure
Part 1: Narratives of Faithfulness (Chapters 1-6)
- Chapter 1: Daniel and friends' resolve; dietary faithfulness in Babylon
- Chapter 2: Nebuchadnezzar's dream of kingdoms; God's eternal kingdom
- Chapter 3: Fiery furnace; God delivers faithful servants
- Chapter 4: Nebuchadnezzar's pride humbled; recognizes God's sovereignty
- Chapter 5: Belshazzar's feast; handwriting on wall; Babylon falls
- Chapter 6: Lions' den; Daniel's faithfulness despite persecution
Part 2: Apocalyptic Visions (Chapters 7-12)
- Chapter 7: Four beasts and the Son of Man receiving eternal kingdom
- Chapter 8: Ram and goat vision; desecration and restoration of sanctuary
- Chapter 9: Seventy weeks prophecy; prayer of confession
- Chapters 10-12: Final vision of future kingdoms, tribulation, and resurrection
Key Verses
Daniel 6:10 - "Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." Significance: Models uncompromising faithfulness and consistent prayer life despite persecution - choosing obedience to God over personal safety.
Daniel 2:44 - "In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever." Significance: Promise that God's eternal kingdom will triumph over all human empires, bringing ultimate hope to the persecuted.
Daniel 7:13-14 - "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven... He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion." Significance: Messianic vision Jesus applies to Himself, revealing His divine authority and eternal reign over all creation.
Key Themes & Messages
Major Themes
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Faithfulness Under Pressure
- Daniel and friends maintain covenant loyalty despite exile
- Refuse to compromise: diet, worship, prayer
- Willing to face death rather than deny God
- Model for believers living in hostile cultures
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God's Sovereignty Over Empires
- God controls the rise and fall of kingdoms
- Human pride humbled (Nebuchadnezzar's madness)
- Pagan kings forced to acknowledge Israel's God
- History moves toward God's eternal kingdom
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The Kingdom of God
- Human kingdoms temporary; God's kingdom eternal
- Stone cut without hands destroys human kingdoms
- Son of Man receives everlasting dominion
- God's people will inherit the kingdom
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Divine Protection and Deliverance
- God rescues from fiery furnace and lions' den
- Miraculous interventions authenticate faith
- God with His people even in exile
- Angels sent to protect and guide
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End Times and Final Victory
- Detailed prophecies of future kingdoms and events
- Great tribulation followed by resurrection
- Final judgment and vindication of God's people
- Wise will shine like stars forever
Central Message
Daniel demonstrates that God remains sovereign over all earthly empires and faithful to His people even in exile. The book encourages believers to maintain uncompromising devotion to God regardless of pressure or persecution, promising that God will protect, deliver, and ultimately vindicate His people. Human kingdoms will fall, but God's eternal kingdom will prevail, bringing resurrection, judgment, and everlasting blessing to the faithful.
Practical Application
For Daily Living:
- Establish Non-Negotiables: Like Daniel with prayer (chapter 6), identify spiritual practices you won't compromise regardless of cultural pressure or consequences
- Maintain Integrity at Work: Bring excellence and honesty to your workplace as Daniel did, letting your character be a witness to God's values
- Choose Your Influences: Be thoughtful about what you consume (media, food, entertainment) and how culture shapes you—live intentionally, not passively
- Face Fear with Faith: When confronting intimidating situations, remember God's presence with His people in the furnace and lions' den
- Stay Faithful in Small Things: Daniel's lifetime of faithfulness began with small choices about food—your daily decisions shape your character for bigger tests
For Spiritual Growth:
- Develop a consistent prayer rhythm like Daniel's three-times-daily practice, making communion with God your priority regardless of circumstances
- Study God's sovereignty over history and nations to build confidence in His control, especially when world events seem chaotic
- Live with eternal perspective, remembering that earthly kingdoms are temporary but God's kingdom is everlasting
- Cultivate the courage to stand alone when necessary, trusting God's vindication rather than seeking human approval
Recommended Resources
Commentaries
Best Overall Daniel by Ernest C. Lucas (Apollos) - Excellent balance of scholarly rigor and pastoral warmth, carefully navigating interpretive challenges.
For Beginners Daniel by Dale Ralph Davis (Reformed Expository Commentary) - Engaging, devotional exposition with memorable insights and practical applications for faithful living.
For In-Depth Study Daniel by Tremper Longman III (NIVAC) - Thorough evangelical commentary connecting ancient apocalyptic to contemporary Christian faithfulness.
Technical/Academic Daniel by John E. Goldingay (WBC) - Comprehensive scholarly treatment with detailed analysis of Hebrew and Aramaic text and extensive historical background.