The Times of the Gentiles

Daniel

This morning we are beginning a study of the book of Daniel. But before we begin looking at the text, I want to do two things.

First, I want to look at the historical setting of the book so that you have a context for what you will see.

Secondly, I want us to see the importance of this book, because it happens at the beginning of “The Times of the Gentiles.”

Historical Setting

The Kingdom of Israel was divided into two kingdoms. The Northern kingdom called Israel, and the Southern kingdom called Judah.

Repeatedly we read that the Israel (the northern kingdom) did evil in the sight of the Lord. From the beginning of God’s covenant with Israel (and Judah for that matter) the people were to live faithful to the Lord God. If they failed to abide by the covenant they would be removed from the land.

That is exactly what happened to Israel in 733 B.C. Israel under the leadership of Hoshea was captured by the Assyrians and the people of Israel were carried off into captivity.

In 612 B.C. the Assyrian capital of Nineveh fell after being assaulted by the combined forces of Babylon and Media. Some of the Assyrians fled westward to Haran to escape the Babylonians.

Nabopolassar the king of Babylon attacked Haran in 611 B.C. and captured the city in 610 B.C. However, the battle was not over.

In 609 B.C. the Assyrians tried to get help from the Egyptian Pharaoh Neco II. Neco II led an army from Egypt to join the Assyrians in their battle against the King of Babylon.

Josiah, the king of Judah marched against the Egyptian army hoping to keep Neco II from joining with Assyria. Josiah was hoping that this move would help him find favor with the Babylonians.

As it was Neco II defeated Josiah’s army and Josiah was killed (; ). While the Assyrians seemed to fade from the story, the struggle between Egypt and Babylon continued until 605 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar led the Babylon against Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish.

As Nebuchadnezzar continued to expand his territory he learned of the death of his father and returned to Babylon to receive the crown. Only to return in September of 605 B.C. to attack Jerusalem.

It is at this time that Daniel and his three friends are taken as captives back to Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar ruled for 43 years (605-562 B.C.).

The Times of the Gentiles

The book of Daniel has several purposes. First, it shows Daniel’s dedication to God.

Second, it emphasizes God’s sovereignty over earthly authority (even over the Gentiles).

Third, it shows God’s faithfulness to His people even during a time of discipline.

Forth, it portrays the time period known as “The times of the Gentiles” (). Thus, the book of Daniel marks the course of Gentile history through the period of time that Israel was being disciplined by the Gentiles. This time period will come to a conclusion during the Tribulation period.

Daniel 1:1–2 NIV84

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.

Daniel 1:1-

The Synopsis

It is the 3rd year of the reign of Jehoiakim King of Judah. The year is 605 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon attacked Jerusalem. gives us a quick account of the fall.

In this first verse there is a problem. Daniel’s date seems to contradict the date that Jeremiah gives (cf ). Daniel says says it was in the third year of Jehoiakim’s reign and Jeremiah says it was in the fourth year. Why the difference?

The most logical explanation is that they are using two different calendars. The Babylonian calendar began in the month of Nisan (March - April) while the Jewish Calendar began with the month of Tishri (September - October). Thus, using the Jewish Calendar the attack would have begun in the third year, while according to the Babylonian Calendar it would have been the fourth year.

We are also told in these two verses that God gave Judah into the hands of the Babylonians. Furthermore, some of the articles of the temple of God were carried off and placed in the temple treasury of the Babylonian god—Known as “Bel” or “Marduk” ().

Throughout this book, Daniel sees God as sovereign, and believes God allowed the Babylonians to conquer Judah. This will actually become an important that is expressed throughout the book.

Daniel 1:3-

Conquering the People

Daniel 1:3–5 NIV84

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

Conquering the People

The king (presumably Nebuchadnezzar) ordered the chief of his court to bring in the royal and noble family members. He was looking for a specific kind of young men.

Nobility or royalty.

Without any physical defect.

Handsome.

Showing aptitude for learning.

Well informed.

Quick to understand.

And qualified to enter the service of the king.

ified to enter the service of the king.

The kings plan was to take the best of Israel’s young men—men who had already learned a great many things—and “brain-wash” them into being loyal Babylonians!

This official was to teach them the Babylonian language. He was to teach them the Babylonian literature (probably Chaldean literature). And he was to feed them food from the king’s table—fine food and wine. And he was to train them and prepare them to enter into the king’s service!

Daniel 1:6–7 NIV84

Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

Daniel 1:

The Players

Now we are introduced to four of them: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. One thing that I find interesting is that we don’t know a lot about these young men.

Now we are introduced to four of them: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. One thing that I find interesting is that we don’t know a lot about these young men.

As part of their de-identification process the chief official gave them all Babylonian names: Daniel becomes Belteshazzar; Hananiah becomes Shadrach; Mishael becomes Meshach; and Azariah becomes Abednego.

Daniel 1:8-

Daniel 1:8–14 NIV84

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

Daniel’s Resolve

Daniel knows the law of the God of Israel. And he has been loyal to Yahweh. Even in Babylon Daniel has a desire to be faithful to Yahweh—the one true God.

So he asks for permission not to eat the food the king is providing—apparently it went against the Levitical dietary requirements. Even though God gave Daniel favor with the chief official, the official is very much afraid of the king. So Daniel suggests a 10 day challenge.

For 10 days these four boys will eat nothing but vegetables, and drink nothing but water. At the end of the 10 days the chief official was to compare the appearance of the four with all the other young men. If they are better then they’ll keep eating vegetables and drinking water. If they are worse, they’ll go back to eating the king’s food and drinking the king’s wine.

Daniel 1:15-

Daniel 1:15–16 NIV84

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

The Result

The four looked healthier and better nourished than the others. So they stayed on the water and vegetable diet.

The over ALL Result

The four young men received all kinds of knowledge and understanding from God. Understanding about literature and all that they learned. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

At the end of the three years the king found that none of the young men could hold a candle to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. In fact, these four guys were 10 times (many times—or far better) better at answering the king’s questions than all the magicians and enchanters in the entire kingdom.

Daniel 1:21

Daniel 1:21 NIV84

And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

Bookends

The book began with a time marker: In the third year of Jehoiakim king of Judah. . . about 605 B.C.

Now it ends with a time marker: And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. Or about 539 B.C. Thus, Daniel was a godly leader in Babylon for 65 years.