The book of Daniel is one of the books in the Bible that confirm God’s salvation plan for the nations of the world. It is a fulfillment of the four fold mission of Israel’s calling: to witness to the unity of God in the midst of universal idolatry Deut. 6:4, Is. 43:10-14, to illustrate to the blessedness of serving the true God Deut. 33:26-29, 1Chro. 17:20-21, Ps. 144:15, to receive, preserve and transmit the Holy scriptures Deut. 4:5-8, Rom. 3:1-2; 9:4, and to be the human channel for the Messiah Rom. 9:5; 1:3, Gen. 3:15; 12:3; 22:18, 2Sam. 7:12-16. It is the revelation of the only true God and His son Jesus Christ Jn. 17:3, to the Gentile world as he did the with the exodus and the journey of Israel in the wilderness.
DANIEL, HIS COMPANIONS AND THE CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH. Dan. 1:1-21…1
- Dan. 1:1-3. The captivity of Judah. Jer. 25; 52:28-30 2Chro. 36:5-8, 2Kg. 24:10-16.
a. The third year of Jehoiakim’s reign (606 BC.) does not coincide with the siege of Jerusalem in 597 BC 2Kg. 24:10-12, 2Chro. 36:9-10. According to Dakes Bible, “Nebuchadnezzar when he was not yet king, set out with his father’s army in the 3rd year of Jehoiakim, but was delayed in the war with Egypt until the 4th year of Jehoiakim, the time he was made king. Jer. 46:1-3; 2Kg. 24”1-2, 2Chro. 36:6-7. He was now king when Daniel wrote this book”
b. Israel’s captivity was a fulfillment of prophecy that all nations of the world will serve Nebuchadnezzar, and his son, and his son’s son. It was God who handed over the King of Israel to the King of Babylon. Is. 39:2, 6, the vessels of the temple was handed over the king of Babylon 2Kg. 24:13, 2Chro. 36:10.
c. Shinar was the ancient Hebrew name for Babylon. Gen. 10:10; 11:2; 14:1, 9.
d. His chief court official, a trusted royal official Gen. 37:36, 2Kg. 23:11. - Dan. 1:4-7. Those to be brought to the king’s palace must be of the royal seed vs 3.
a. They must have the following qualifications. They must be princes, youths without physical blemish, handsome, well educated-skillful in wisdom and knowledge, proficient in science, refined and polished so as to stand before kings. These are missionary qualities parents and youths and the Church should take note if we will send men and women to the mission field.
b. They will be in a special palace school, an ancient university-style education for three years. I should be remembered, history says, that science began in Egypt and Babylon with the birth of Mathematics, metallurgy, anatomy and astronomy. History also records the existence of huge libraries with books in Babylon- Dakes.
