Contributions from
Matt Ham
Jason Forbes
Maurie Cropper
Daniel@gpc 2013
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The book of Daniel, named after & written by Daniel in the 6th century b.c.,
records the events of his life from the time of his exile in 605 (1:1) until the
third year of King Cyrus, 536 (10:1).
When asked about the book of Daniel, like the book of Revelation, many people either love it or loathe it. Except for the well known parts like ‘the flaming
furnace, the lion’s den, the dreams and visions, ...the
imagery and prophetic/apocalyptic messages often prove too much for many
people.
My appeal to us all is to take a deep breath, and pray that God will through His
Holy Spirit guide us all in our study of the book of Daniel.
The core message of Daniel, is that in spite of appearances, God is in control!
This is something we need to regularly return to, especially when our understanding of the text is frustrated by prophetic images that we will come across,
God being in control was important before, during and after the time of Daniel
(6th century BC), and is extremely important for our own time, and in the time
to come.
Perhaps we consider ourselves sophisticated enough to know that human
kingdoms are not in control. But while hatred, abuse of power and authority,
persecution, poverty, famine, disease, and the love and pursuit of all things
worldly, ...still dominate our horizons, many people doubt that God is in control. Some openly argue that God is not in control, and a superficial reading of
Daniel may leave some with that impression. This is one reason why it’s so
important for us to spend time studying the book of Daniel.
As I (maurie) begin a serious study of the book of Daniel, it has helped me to
remember the person and life of Joseph. Another time, another experience,
another exile, another opportunity for doubters to ponder on whether God was
truly in control, another person of God’s choosing who would—through a growing close relationship with a king—be used by God to help God’s people.
I believe the book of Daniel will remind us over and over again that ‘in spite of
appearances, God is in control!’ This core message is something we Christians need to be convinced of as we live out our lives in a fallen, hurting world.
The same world that Adam was exiled into, a world where we find ourselves in
exile also (although no longer in spiritual exile), until Christ returns and delivers
us from this exile.
We do well to remember the words Jesus spoke to the church in Philadelphia,
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take
your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple
of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of
my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is
coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them
my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to
the churches.” (Rev 3:11-13)
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Biblical & Historical settings
Kings of Babylon/Mede & Persia
(History taken from the ‘Babylonian
Chronicles’ in the British Museum,
cf J. Baldwin’s commentary on
Daniel. Not all the below kings get
a mention in Daniel.)
627BC Nabopolassar becomes king.
605BC Nebuchadnezzar conquers
Egyptian territory including Palestine
& Jerusalem, takes hostages including Daniel to Babylon. Nabopolassar
dies & his son Nebuchadnezzar becomes king, Nebuchadnezzar’s 1st
dream (Dan 2).
597BC Nebuchadnezzar returns to
Jerusalem & 10,000 are taken to
Babylon including Ezekiel.
588BC Jerusalem is besieged.
587BC King sets up statue for worship (Dan 3). S.M. & A in furnace.
586BC Jerusalem finally falls.
567BC (approx) Nebuchadnezzar’s
2nd dream (Dan 4).
562BC Nebuchadnezzar dies & his
evil son Merodach becomes king.
560BC Merodach murdered by
Neriglissar (brother-in-law).
556BC Neriglissar dies & son Labashi-Marduk reigns for 2 months, before being murdered by Nabonidus,
who becomes king, and welcomes his
son Belshazzar as co-regent.
539BC Belshazzar is slain, & Darius
(a Mede, son of Xerxes cf Dan 9)
becomes king. (The Medes had
previously defeated the Assyrian
empire).
Daniel, whose name means “God is my Judge,” was a
young man of noble blood who was exiled from Judah
during the time of King Jehoiakim (609–597 b.c.) and
lived thereafter at the Babylonian court. After the fall of
the Babylonian Empire, he served the Medo-Persian
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3
Cyrus becomes king of Persia, and
claims Babylon, and frees exiles to
Jerusalem.
(While not all, many scholars argue
Darius & Cyrus are one of the same
persons cf Dan 6:28)
Study 1 Daniel 1 Who’s calling the shots?
Further notes or Prayer points
Read 2 Kings 24 and 25 and take note of the relevant details in the diagram
on page 3.
Why did all this happen to Judah?
What happens to the temple?
What is significant about this? (see Deuteronomy 12:1-14)
Read Daniel 1:1-7
Who is in charge and calling the shots with God’s people?
What could you be forgiven for concluding?
From your own life experiences have you ever thought something similar, &
if so, how have you dealt with it?
Read Daniel 1:8-15
Why did Daniel think the royal food and wine would defile him?
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25
Is Darius only concerned with what God can do? (vv26-27).
How does God honor Daniel’s decision?
Think it through
How does Darius’ response compare with community and world leaders
today?
Who is in charge and calling the shots with God’s people?
Promotion (v28)
Being conspired against, having worldly powers fail, and spending a night
as lion bate would be a harrowing experience for anyone. Yet, has this affected Darius’ plans for Daniel? (v28).
Think it through
How might this have effected the chief official’s beliefs?
Take note of who he fears and why.
Think it through
It would be nice to think we go through all our trials unscathed. But this isn’t
true. Sometimes, remaining faithful to God can be very costly. We mustn’t
overlook that for Daniel remaining faithful to God meant the prospect of
loosing his life. Yet, other times, God does bring us through trials unscathed, and even better off, as Daniel experienced.
What does this tell us about God’s plans for our lives?
Take note of who he comes to trust and why.
How should we respond to life’s interruptions, even opposition?
Contrast the rule of Nebuchadnezzar and that of God?
Where do we have a tendency to look for solutions to our problems?
What reasons can we see in the chapter to trust God rather than our ability
to exercise control?
How can we ensure we put our hope in God’s deliverance?
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Read Daniel 1:17-21
Why did Nebuchadnezzar find Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah ten
times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom?
Why do you think God did this?
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Who is King Cyrus, and why is mention of him here significant? (see Isaiah
44:24-45:1 and Ezra 1:1-8)
How does Darius describe Daniel and God?
How does this compare to the decree that he signed (v20. Cf. v7).
Who is in charge and calling the shots with God’s people?
What were the reasons for God sparing Daniel’s life? (vv22-23).
Think it through...
Who is King Cyrus a shadow of? (see Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
How does this reflect on the administrators and satraps who put him there
in the first place?
As those hoping in the true anointed Messiah, how might we be like Daniel
and his fellow Jews? (see 1 Peter 2:9-12)
Think it through
Have you been in a situation with no solution, and yet it’s been resolved at
the very last minute?
How does this reinforce what you’ve been learning about God?
What might this look like:
1. as you talk about people you struggle with at church with your nonChristian friends, family, work colleagues or fellow students?
What implication does this have for your obedience?
2. as you get into a conversation on gay marriage?
The snare backfires (v24)
Darius’ actions against the administrators and satraps seem pretty drastic –
especially for their kids! What might Darius be thinking at this point? (v24).
3. as you’re invited to the pub for a few drinks?
Think it through
Have you seen plots against Christians, or even yourself, backfire?
4. as the women at a mother’s group start gossiping about someone?
A new decree (vv25-27)
Discuss: To what extent does Darius genuinely repent?
5. as you get into a conversation about how our world condones pre-marital
sexual behaviour and/or sexual affairs?
6
How do Darius’ words compare with Nebuchadnezzar? (vv26-27).
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Have you ever felt ensnared yourself?
6. as you contemplate using work time and work resources for inappropriate personal gain?
What actions did you take?
7. as you contemplate the many extra-curricular opportunities for your kids?
The hope for deliverance (vv14-18)
What was Darius’ immediate response? (v14).
By being the recipient of prayers, Darius is making himself out to be sovereign.
Just how sovereign is Darius really? (vv14, 17).
8. as you think about holidays and gospel ministry activities?
9. [think of another life situation, where choosing godliness would be costly
and considered odd, to discuss in your growth group]
What was working against Daniel’s deliverance? (vv15, 17).
What is Daniel’s only hope for deliverance?
A prayer of John Calvin in his commentary on Daniel:
Who recognises this? (v16).
How would you describe Darius’ mood?
Do you find this ironic? (v18).
Think it through
Has worldly power ever failed you?
How did you respond at such a time?
“Grant, Almighty God, since you set before us so clear a mirror of your
wonderful providence and of your judgements on your ancient people, that
we may also be surely persuaded of our being under your hand and protection. Grant, that relying on you, we may hope for your guardianship, whatever may happen, since you never lose sight of our safety, so that we may
turn to you with a secure and peaceful mind.
May we so fearlessly wait for all dangers amidst all the changes of this
world, that we may stand upon the foundation of your word which can
never fail. And leaning on your promises, may we rest in Christ, to whom
you have committed us, and whom you have made the shepherd of all your
flock.
Grant that he may be so careful of us as to lead us through this course of
warfare, however troublesome and turbulent it may prove, until we arrive at
that heavenly rest which he has purchased for us by his own blood. Amen”
Where did you invest your hope?
The witness of deliverance (vv19-23)
Do Darius’ actions seem out of place?
What can he “realistically” expect to find? (v19).
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Study 2 Daniel 2 The King of Kings
What impressions do you have of King Darius?
To start off
Why do you think God made us with the capacity to dream?
Is he worthy of being the recipient of prayer? (v9).
To recap on last study
despite appearances in Babylon, who is calling the shots with God’s people?
Think it through
In what ways do you see reactions against an alleged ‘Christian threat’ today?
How do they compare against the events in Daniel’s time?
Read Daniel 2:1-12
What is Nebuchadnezzar’s request of the wise-men of Babylon?
What seems to be unusual about it?
The snare (vv10-13)
Consider how Darius’ decree was different from Nebuchadnezzar’s (cf. 3:4-6).
Discuss: Could Daniel have kept this decree?
How did Daniel respond, and why? (v10).
Think it through
What does the astrologers’ complaint reveal is the real dilemma here?
How would you describe Daniel’s devotion to God? (v10-11).
Who could the Babylonian wise-men blame for their predicament?
How did the administrators and satraps ensure that Daniel would be caught in
their snare with no way out? (v12).
What does Nebuchadnezzar’s request and subsequent rage reveal about
the Babylonian gods?
How do the administrators and satraps portray Daniel? (v13).
Read Daniel 2:13-28a
What significance (if any) is there in God being called the ‘God of heaven’ in
verses 18-19?
Think it through
How are Christians sometimes portrayed today?
What does Daniel praise God for in verses 20-23?
How are attempts made today to ensnare Christians?
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Study 5 Daniel 6 Knowing our limits
Living in the most civilised period in history, with advances in telecommunication, medicine, engineering, etc., it’s easy to think that it’s now possible
for us to achieve anything we want. It’s easy to leave God’s sovereignty to
one side, and naively believe that we’re in control. Yet, as civilised we may
be, we are still very limited, and the results can be very disturbing when our
limitations come crashing down around us.
Such is the case in Daniel 6 at the height of Persian power, where we read
the disturbing account of an innocent man, who is diligent and faithful in his
work, conspired against, and thrown to the lions to be torn limb from limb.
All from a pen of a King who thought he was sovereign, and yet, in some
ways, as much a victim of the conspiracy as Daniel.
This account closes the argument of who really is sovereign, and serves as
an introduction to the dreams and visions in the second half of the book.
The promotion (vv1-4)
What does the King do, and what was his motivation? (vv1-2).
Who is this God?
Why do you think the detail of Daniel’s Babylonian name Belteshazzar, is
mentioned in verse 26? [note: the name Belteshazzar is based on the principle Babylonian god, Bel or Marduk, and means something to do with this
god protecting the king]
How do verses 27 and 28a both confirm and answer the astrologers earlier
complaint?
Read Daniel 2:28b-45
What’s the significance (if any) of the kingdoms being seen as a statue?
As the head of gold, how is Nebuchadnezzar described in verse 37-38?
From your wider reading of the book of Daniel, who is Daniel, and why
would the other officials complain against him?
Was this concern reasonable? (vv3-4, 13. Cf. 1:2-4, 6).
Think it through
How might non-believers be threatened (unintentionally) by Christians?
What does this remind you of?
Chapters 7 and 8 of Daniel provide the best way to identify the four
‘kingdoms’ mentioned in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and will be touched on
in more detail in later studies. As a bit of a teaser though, fill in the table
below by noting the parallels between the chapters
Daniel 2
The decree (vv5-9)
On the surface, the administrators and satraps appeared concerned for
their country. But what was their real intention? (v5).
Daniel 7
head of gold
first beast
chest and arms of silver
second beast
belly and thighs of bronze
What was their method in achieving this? (vv6-8).
legs of iron and feet part iron
part clay
a rock cut out not by human
hands
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In the light of Daniel 7 and the ‘rock cut out but not by human hands’ here
in chapter 2, what is the nature of true human kingship?
So God brings deadly judgement on him. That very night, Belshazzar is assassinated, and a new ruler arrives on the scene, Darius. Think back to the
first study where we looked at the situation the Israelites find themselves in
exile under the power of foreign kings. Describe the impact these stories
might have had on them, and/or later generations?
Read Daniel 2:46-49
What does Nebuchadnezzar get right and wrong here in his response?
Ponder this
Another part of the Old Testament sums up the attitude of those like Belshazzar and God’s judgement upon them. “Pride goes before destruction and a
haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 & now reread Daniel 4:37)
How might we make the same mistake?
Another King who doesn’t “walk in pride”.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 appears to be talking about a king-like figure. How does
this king-like person exercise his rule?
Think it through
How did God exert his sovereign rule in a foreign land?
Read Mark 10:35-45 & Phil. 2:6-11
How does Jesus exercise his rule and what is his rule contrasted with?
How might he still do this?
Write down the relationships you are in where you have authority:
Link to Jesus
In linking Daniel 2 to Jesus it’s important to establish that Daniel 2:28-29a,
and 45 are better read as the following:
Dan. 2:28-29
“... but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King
Nebuchadnezzar what things must take place in the last days. Your dream
and the visions that passed through your mind as you lay on your bed are
these: “As you were lying there, O king, your mind turned to what must take
place in the last days, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is
going to happen. ...””
In what ways do you fail to exercise authority in the way God desires, and
should follow the example of Jesus?
What specific things can you do differently?
Dan. 2:45
“This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not
by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver
and the gold to pieces. “The great God has shown the king the things which
will be in the last days. The dream is true and the interpretation is trustworthy.””
Spend time praying:
* for ourselves and for the way we use authority
* for those over us in the church – under God’s sovereignty, that they would
rule by Jesus’ example
* for those over us in ‘the world’ – under God’s sovereignty, that they would
rule with justice and mercy
* and give thanks, that in Jesus we know what perfect servant leadership/
authority looks like
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Think it through
Knowing Nebuchadnezzar’s past, Belshazzar should have known better than
to willfully reject the rule of God. But he does! He refuses to humble himself
and acknowledge that he owes his existence, let alone his kingship (v23) to
God. With the taking of the gold and silver goblets, it was like he was fragrantly throwing down the gauntlet and challenging God.
What does God do and what is the reaction of the:
King
The reason for this [reading] is because it would seem that, what Nebuchadnezzar dreamed and Daniel came to see as something for the 'last
days', the apostle John understood as being at least inaugurated with the
coming and going of Jesus Christ. We can see this in the book of Revelation which references and alludes to the book of Daniel extensively, and to
chapter 2 particularly. Indeed, it would seem that what Daniel understood
as 'the things that must take place in the last days', John understood in
places like Revelation 1:1, 19; 4:1; and 22:6 to have an 'already-and-notyet' end-time sense, the 'last days' being those which had begun but were
not yet consummated, the days that were are still in.
King’s men
As such, John's vision of Jesus is current for us today.
King’s wife
Read Revelation 1:1-8 and think it through
How might we understand the kingdom of God come in Jesus as the 'rock
cut out not by human hands' crushing all the kingdoms of the earth?
man of God – Daniel
The words: Mene, Tekel and Parsin were aramaic words related to weights
and measures. Mene = minah (600g). Tekel = a sheckel (10g). Parsin = half
minah or half sheckel. At the time these words would have been readily understood, but the difficulty was interpreting what theses words meant as they
eerily appeared on the wall. It seems a word-play is at work (vv26-28). From
these verses what word is key to each of the following words?
‘Mene’ PP.PPPPPPPPPPP.PP.
If we are in God's kingdom, what is our part in this? (think about what
Daniel did)
Read revelation 1:9-18
How should we respond to this Jesus?
‘Tekel’ PPPPPPPP...PP...PPP....
And ‘Parsin’ PPPPPPP..PP..PPP.
Think it through
This was the basis for Daniel’s interpretation. God has numbered the days of
Belshazzar’s reign and it is about to come to an end. His rule has been
weighed and has been found wanting. And his kingdom would soon be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. And all these things happened!
If we are not moved this way, what might that be a failure of?
Think about (and discuss if you are in a growth group) what captures
your imagination and gets you dreaming. Do you need to repent of it being
an idol?
Explain your thoughts about Belshazzar’s actions in 5:29?
Discuss how we might go about capturing our own imaginations with Jesus,
and for His Glory.
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Study 3 Daniel 3
God and Culture
Did God still have a place in such a culture? If so, what was it?
This vision was given to Nebuchadnezzar to tell him what will happen in the
future. Even though there may have been a chance to avoid the fulfillment of
this dream (v27), Nebuchadnezzar doesn’t pay heed and the vision becomes
reality (v33). (It’s possible he’s overcome by the mental disorder [delusion]
‘zoanthropy’ [from Gk. zoion "animal" + anthropos "man"], in which a person
imagines they are an animal.) From his response there are a number of lessons for Nebuchadnezzar, and us:
1. What should have been Nebuchadnezzar’s attitude to the Lord, the Most
High? (v17, 25, 34-35)
Priority of dedication (vv1-7)
What were the people of Babylon to be dedicated to? (v4)
2. From this understanding of God—what should have been his attitude to his
own kingship? (also read v30, v37)
In a culture where religious pluralism is the order of the day, a person’s faith in
God can easily be compromised, and hijacked into being something that was
never intended. So the question arises, “What place does God have in such a
culture?” This is the same question that confronted God’s people as they lived
in Babylonian exile, and comes to a head when the King of Babylon instituted
state religion.
Who instigated this, and how?
3. What type of kingship should Nebuchadnezzar have exercised? (v27)
Why was this an issue for God’s people living in Babylon?
You may notice the author keeps repeating the events surrounding the worship
of the image (vv2, 3, 4-6, 7, 10-11, 15). Biblical writers often use repetition as
a literary technique. Why would the author be using repetition here?
What was the expected response and outcome? (vv4-6).
What might be the motive behind such actions? (for a hint, cf. Genesis 11:4).
How would you describe the people and their actions? (v7)
How might this affect Jewish-Babylonian relations? (cf. Exodus 20:3-6)
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Ponder this
Nebuchadnezzar had to learn that the Lord Most High is the sovereign king
over all earthly authorities. God sets up kings to rule and he can just as easily
bring them low again. In this sense all authorities in the world have a delegated rule from God, and therefore their attitude should be one of humility.
Read Daniel 5
Background info
Babylon fell in 539BC, twenty three years after the death of Nebuchadnezzar,
therefore 25 years has elapsed since the events of chapter 4. Belshazzar is
understood to be the eldest son of King Nabonidus (556-539BC), and to have
shared the duties of the throne when his father was away from Babylon.
Chapter 4 and 5 of Daniel are clearly linked by the contrast of two kings, one
past – Nebuchadnezzar, and one present - Belshazzar.
How many times is Nebuchadnezzar’s name mentioned in chapter five?
What similarities are there between the two kings and their experiences with
God?
In Daniel’s conversation with King Belshazzar, he mentions the episode of
Nebuchadnezzar. We’re supposed to see a contrast between these two
kings. How would you compare Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar?
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Study 4 Daniel 4 & 5 How the Mighty (Proud) Fall
In Australia and around the world, leaders and governments come and go.
That’s what we observe if we wait around long enough. And when we see it, it
can fill us with all sorts of emotions— elation, joy, disappointment, despair. But
a couple of things that Christians must keep in perspective are: one, pride is
often at the centre of the personalities of governments and those who long to
govern, and two, that over and above the rising and falling of leaders and governments—God is Sovereign.
In a very dramatic way, this is what we’ll see in chapters 4 and 5 of Daniel.
We’ll see again in this study that the kingdoms of the world are ultimately under
God’s control, and leaders in this world would do well to pay attention to Him.
Read Daniel 4
Think it through
Like chapter 2, this chapter starts with a dream, but in a very unusual way that’s
supposed to grab our attention. For the first time in the book of Daniel, the writing takes the form of ‘direct speech’ ie. ‘this is what I want to tell you’. This style
of writing should make us sit up and take notice, especially as the person
speaking is Nebuchadnezzar, Pnot a person from Israel, the family of God, P
but this foreign false-god worshiping king. In a way, this king is addressing us—
“...the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world.
May you prosper greatly!”, Pwith words of affirmation about “P the miraculous
signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me”.
This is one of those amazing times when a non-believer in the God of the Bible
affirms the God of the Bible!
a) According to verse 4 what is the situation Nebuchadnezzar finds himself in?
Think it through
What are the issues today affecting our relationship with our culture today?
In what ways do we find ourselves ‘towing the line’?
The Accusation (vv8-12)
How were the Jews perceived in Babylon? (vv8, 12)
What do you think might have motivated their complaint?
Think it through
How are Christians perceived today?
Do we face opposition?
What might motivate this opposition?
The threat (vv13-15)
How would you describe Nebuchadnezzar’s response?
What would have been the underlying concerns? (v3. Cf. answer to Q4).
b) What makes this bloodthirsty tyrant king so terrified? (v5)
c) List the different elements of the dream that has Nebuchadnezzar so terrified.
(v9b-17)
What regard does Nebuchadnezzar have for the God of Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego?
How were these words meant to be received? (v15)
d) After the Babylonian magicians and enchanters have a go and fail (v7),
Daniel arrives and he provides the interpretation of the dream. According to
Daniel, what is the meaning of this dream, and how does it come to pass?
(Vv19-27)
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Think it through
What reactions do Christians receive today?
What might be some of the underlying concerns?
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Confession under fire (vv16-18)
Why don’t Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego feel accountable to Nebuchadnezzar? (v16-17)
During the carrying out of Nebuchadnezzar’s decree, some of his best men died
(v22). What does this say about the manner in which Nebuchadnezzar carried
out his decree?
To what extent does Nebuchadnezzar get his own way?
What’s the priority for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? (v18)
Commentators say death by burning was a common practice during these times.
Nebuchadnezzar isn’t mucking around! Clearly, the lives of 3 men are at stake.
But there’s something fair greater at stake. What is it?
Do Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego expect a favourable outcome?
Are they concerned about what God can do, or who God is?
Think it through
Should we feel accountable to the demands of our culture?
What should be our priority?
Think it through
We, as Christians, may face all manner of opposition and hardship. In turn, we
may pray fervently the God will make things more favourable for us. Sometimes,
God doesn’t do this. Does this mean God has failed us, or our witness has come
to an end?
The vindication (vv24-27)
How are Nebuchadnezzar’s plans interrupted?
Think it through
Can you think of any instances where opposition to Christians, or Christian practices, have been thwarted even when it seems too late?
The new dedication (vv18-30)
How does Nebuchadnezzar respond?
Do you think Nebuchadnezzar is more concerned with who God is, or what God
can do?
When we do experience opposition, what is really at stake?
Discuss whether or not Nebuchadnezzar genuinely repented.
Should we expect a favourable outcome?
Think it through
In what was can people today be “accepting” of God, without really repenting?
The sentence (vv19-23)
What’s Nebuchadnezzar’s response? (v19).
What place should God have in our culture?
Is there any other response you might expect?
Nebuchadnezzar has decreed that anyone who does not worship the image will
be thrown into a ‘burning fiery furnace’ (v6). What steps does Nebuchadnezzar
take to ensure his decree is carried out? (vv20-23)
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When we do face opposition, what’s really at stake?
How should we respond to opposition – accusations, threats, and decisions
made against us?
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