Daniel

From Commontary

The Book of Daniel

Author

Daniel is mentioned as the author in Daniel 9:2 and Daniel 10:2, and Jesus regarded him as the author in Matthew 24:15.

Date

Conservative biblical scholars date Daniel to around 530 B.C., though this is controversial. The date of Daniel largely rests on whether you believe Daniel genuinely predicted/prophecied the 4 Kingdoms in chapters 2 and 7, or whether the book was written later. Those who don't believe in biblical prophecy invariably date Daniel very late, the 2nd century B.C. But many good reasons exist for dating Daniel early, including the particular nature of the prophecies (the 4th empire clearly refers to Rome), and internal linguistic evidence.

Occasion & Purpose

Themes

God's sovereignty over human affairs and history

Faithfulness in a hostile culture

Redemptive cultural engagement

Prayer as a means to faithfulness and endurance amidst a hostile culture

God is faithful, equipping and empowering us for our calling, and providing a way out when we are tempted (1 Cor. 10:13)

God works in often mysterious and miraculous ways (Dreams and dramatic rescues)

You can believe in God, and be confronted repeatedly with God's existence, but not repent. (Nebuchadnezzar)

Outline

Daniel 1:1-21 Daniel & His Friends in Babylon

Daniel 2:1-49 Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

Daniel 3:1-30 The Gold Statue and the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 4:1-37 The Insanity of Pride--and God's Humbling Solution

Daniel 5:1-31 The Writing on the Wall

Daniel 6:1-28 Daniel in the Lions' Den

Daniel 7:1-28 The Dream of Four Beasts

Daniel 8:1-27 The Vision of a Ram and Goat

Daniel 9:1-19 Daniel's Intercessory Prayer

Daniel 9:20-27 The Seventy Sevens