OT - Survey 32 - Daniel

All content is derived from A Survey of the Old Testament by Andrew E. Hill and John H. Walton, with additional insights from R.C. Sproul's Dust to Glory. Further sources referenced are listed in the reference section below.

Key Ideas

Living a life of Faith in an increasingly hostile world

Sovereignty of God to deliver and prosper people of faith

Sovereignty of God in international and political affairs

Introduction: God's Sovereignty Amid Exile

The Book of Daniel underscores God's enduring presence with His people, even during their exile and the destruction of the temple. Daniel and his companions exemplify unwavering faith, demonstrating that divine protection persists when believers honor God through their decisions and behaviors.

Historical Context: The Babylonian and Persian Eras

Daniel's narrative unfolds during the 6th century BC, a period marked by significant geopolitical shifts. In 626 BC, Nabopolassar established Babylon's independence from Assyria, leading to the eventual fall of Nineveh in 612 BC. Nebuchadnezzar II, Nabopolassar's son, assumed control in 605 BC, overseeing the conquest of Judah and the deportation of its elites, including Daniel. Daniel's service spanned the reigns of Babylonian and Persian rulers, including Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius the Mede, and Cyrus the Great. Cyrus's conquest of Babylon in 539 BC and his subsequent decree allowed exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return and rebuild their homelands (Ezra 1:1–4).UnderstandChristianity.com

Authorship and Dating: Traditional and Critical Perspectives

While the events described in Daniel are set in the 6th century BC, scholarly debate surrounds the book's composition date. Some scholars propose a 2nd-century BC authorship, citing the detailed prophecies in Daniel 11 that align closely with events from Alexander the Great's era to Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This perspective suggests the use of pseudonymity and vaticinium ex eventu—writing after events have occurred but presenting them as prophecy. However, others argue for a 6th-century BC composition, pointing to linguistic evidence in the Hebrew and Aramaic texts and the book's inclusion in early versions of the Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Structure and Organization: Narrative and Visionary Sections

The Book of Daniel divides into two primary sections

Chapters 1–6: Court Narratives

These chapters recount Daniel's experiences in the royal courts, highlighting his and his friends' faithfulness amid challenges.

Chapters 7–12: Apocalyptic Visions

This section presents Daniel's visions concerning future kingdoms and the ultimate establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

Notably, the book exhibits a chiastic structure, with parallels between chapters:

Chapters 1 and 6: Daniel's unwavering adherence to his faith practices.

Chapters 2 and 7: Visions of four successive empires.

Chapters 3 and 8: Kings elevating themselves as deities, challenging proper worship.UnderstandChristianity.com

Chapters 4 and 9: Themes of sevenfold punishment (Daniel 4:23, 25; 9:24–25).UnderstandChristianity.com

Chapters 5 and 10–12: Discussions on the culmination of earthly kingdoms.

Major Themes

The Kingdom of God

A central theme is the contrast between transient human empires and God's everlasting kingdom. Daniel 2 introduces this concept, describing a divine kingdom that will never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44). Further elaboration occurs in Daniel 7, where the "Son of Man" is granted dominion, symbolizing a messianic figure and prefiguring Jesus Christ.

Pride and Rebellion

The narrative highlights the downfall of rulers due to pride:

Nebuchadnezzar's arrogance leads to his temporary madness (Daniel 4).

Belshazzar's desecration of sacred temple vessels results in his demise (Daniel 5:18–23).ministryserver.com

Darius the Mede's susceptibility to flattery endangers Daniel (Daniel 6).

Similarly, Israel's rebellion against God's commandments results in prolonged exile and delayed restoration.

Faithfulness Amid Persecution

Daniel and his companions exemplify steadfast faith:

Refusing to consume royal provisions (Daniel 1).

Surviving the fiery furnace (Daniel 3).

Emerging unscathed from the lion's den (Daniel 6).

Their experiences underscore that unwavering faith can lead to divine deliverance, even in hostile environments.

Apocalyptic Visions and Prophecies

Daniel's visions provide a prophetic overview of future events:

The succession of empires leading to God's eternal kingdom (Daniel 2, 7).

Detailed accounts of conflicts involving the Medo-Persian and Greek empires (Daniel 8, 11).

The "seventy weeks" prophecy, outlining a timeline for Israel's restoration (Daniel 9:24–27).

These visions serve to reassure the faithful of God's ultimate sovereignty and the eventual triumph of His kingdom.

Conclusion: Enduring Relevance

The Book of Daniel offers profound insights into God's sovereignty, the perils of pride, and the rewards of steadfast faith. Its narratives and visions continue to inspire believers to trust in God's plan, even amid adversity, and to remain faithful, anticipating the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Summary

Chapter 32 of Hill and Walton's A Survey of the Old Testament provides a comprehensive analysis of the Book of Daniel, emphasizing its historical context, structural composition, and thematic elements. The book serves as a testament to God's unwavering sovereignty and the importance of faithfulness, offering hope and guidance to believers navigating challenges in a secular world.

References

Hill, A. E., & Walton, J. H. (2009), A survey of the Old Testament (3rd ed.). Zondervan Academic.

MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (2021). The MacArthur study Bible (2nd ed.). Thomas Nelson. (New American Standard Bible).