THE BOOK OF DANIEL is quoted often in the New Testament Book of Revelation. In many ways, the two books need to be read and studied together. Daniel lived at an important time of ancient history and his story is critical to our understanding of what is happening today. His visions speak powerfully of the end times, and his writing continues to exalt the “Most High God.” The accuracy and reliability of his remarks concerning future events have caused many to question his authorship of this book. However, we have complete confidence that he not only wrote the book but that God used him powerfully to bring His message to His people about what is about to happen in our time. Daniel Chapter 1 Daniel in Babylon
Daniel Chapter 1 Video Commentary Daniel in Babylon
Daniel 1 Hyperlink for Bible Tool & Notes Below
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
The Book of Daniel
Introduction & Chapter 1
Why Study the Book of Daniel?
• Personal Impact: One of my favorite books of the Bible.
• Reveals Gentile history in advance. It is as timely as tomorrow’s newspaper.
• Discovery of its validation.
• Contains the most amazing passage in the Bible: the 70 weeks of Daniel.
Two Critical Discoveries
1) We have in our possession an Integrated Message System: 66
separate books penned by 40 different individuals over thousands
of years… tightly engineered in theme, structure, and details.
2) Which provably has its origin from outside our time domain due to its integrity of design.
Old Testament (Tanach) Texts
• Original Hebrew (“Vorlage”) text written in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah.
• Septuagint Translation (LXX) compiled from 285-270 B.C. by 72 scholars at Alexandria. It is the primary quoted text in the New
Testament.
• Masoretic Text (MT), derived from the Council of Jamnia. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the word with all openness of mind, yet searched the scriptures daily, to prove whether those things were so. Acts 17:11 Basic Caveat: Don’t believe anything Chuck Missler tells you, but check it out for yourself!
Daniel in the Critic’s Den
• No other book is as vindicated by history. It is too specific to yield in attempts to discredit it
• 332 B.C.: Alexander’s conquest of Jerusalem: Priest Jaddua showed him references to himself in Daniel and the city was spared (Josephus).
• R. Kodewey, 1899-1917: excavations of Nebuchadnezzar’s palace, et al., Banquet hall found, 173′ x 56′. Rebuilt by Saddam Hussein
• Daniel had to be an eyewitness. See Chapter 5.
Ultimate Authentication
• Jesus quotes Daniel 3 times: “Daniel the Prophet”
• Quoted 3X in Ezekiel (Ezek 14:14, 20; 28:3). He was classed with Noah, Job, et al. Daniel was set up by Ezekiel as the standard against
which to measure wisdom (Ezek 28:3).
• One of only two of which no evil is spoken of (Only two: Joseph and Daniel: both executives).
• Foreign words: 15 Persian words; 3 Greek. This would be expected from Daniel’s position. As a teenager he was deported; he served at court in Babylon and even survived into the subsequent Persian Empire.
Organization of The Book of Daniel
• Historical: Chapters 1 – 6.
Chapters 2-7 are written in Aramaic (Chaldean: Gentile focus— Chapter 4 was written by a Gentile King!) Chapters 8-12 focus on Israel.
– 1 Deported as a teenager
– 2 Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
– 3 Bow or Burn: the Furnace
– 4 Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride
– 5 The Fall of Babylon
– 6 The Lion’s Den
– 7 Daniel’s Vision
• Visions Chapters 7 – 12
– 7 Four Beasts
– 8 The Ram and the He-Goat
– 9 The Seventy Weeks
– 10 A Glimpse of the Dark Side
– 11 The “Silent Years” (in advance)
– 12 The Consummation of All Things
Daniel was raised under King Josiah’s revival; good environment; an example. [The Ark of the Covenant no longer under Israel’s control:
under Necho’s protection (2 Chr 35) until the “Times of the Gentiles” completed—after the Antichrist, etc.]
Chronological Order
1 Babylonian Captivity 606 B.C.
2 Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream 602 B.C.
3 Nebuchadnezzar’s Image
4 Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride
7 The vision of the 4 beasts 556 B.C.
8 Ram and He-goat vision 554 B.C.
5 Babylon falls to Persians 539 B.C.
9 Vision of seventy weeks 538 B.C.
6 The Lions’ Den
10 -12 Closing visions
Key Dates
• 612 B.C.: Nineveh falls to an alliance of Babylon and Media.
• 609 B.C.: Pharaoh Necho leads army against Assyria. Josiah fights Necho and gets killed (2 Chr 35:20-24).
• 606 B.C.: Battle of Carchemesh: Nebuchadnezzar vs. Pharaoh Necho W bank of Euphrates (Jer 46:1-6). Jehoikim fettered (2 Chr 36:5-8).
Siege #1
• 1st Siege of Jerusalem: Jehoikim released as a vassal; Temple plundered (for museum); hostages (Daniel et al.) taken. This begins
70-year “Servitude of the Nation” to the day.
Siege #2
• Jehoikim ignores Jeremiah’s counsel and rebels. A 5-year battle; Jehoikim dies (Jer 22:17-19). His son, Jehiachin (“Jeconiah”), reigns
until the siege is over (Jer 22:24-30). [Blood curse now on royal line? Jer 22:30.]
• Jeconiah is captured along with 10,000 captives, including Ezekiel (Ezek 1:1-3; 2 Kgs 24:8-20; 2 Chr 36:6-10), 1000 skilled artisans; etc. (2 Kgs 24:1-4). Zedekiah, his uncle, installed as vassal at Jerusalem.
• Jeremiah and Ezekiel warn against rebellion but false prophets again prevail…
Siege #3
• 587 B.C.: Zedekiah ignores Jeremiah’s and Ezekiel’s warnings andyields to false prophets and rebels (Jer 32:5, 39:6,7; Ezek 12:13 ; 2 Kgs 25:1-7).
• 3rd Siege results in the destruction of the Temple and the city: this begins 70-year “Desolations of Jerusalem” (2 Kgs 24:17-20; 25:1-
21). Though also 70 years it is not coterminous with “Servitude.”
• God does not deal in approximations. [Jeremiah’s purchase of the field is evidence of their eventual return ( Jer 32:6ff). Also this
models the use of sealed title deed (Rev 5).] Contradictory passages? God says what He means and means what He says! My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there. Ezekiel 12:13 Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah. Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon. Jeremiah 39:6,7
Chapter 1 Dare to be a Daniel!
1] In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar
king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2] And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels
of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. Jehoiakim was placed on the throne of Judah by Pharaoh Necho to succeed his brother, Jehoahaz. Both of these evil men were sons of Josiah, the godly king who led in the last revival in Judah (2 Kgs 23:31–37). (Jehoiakim’s name was actually Eliakim.)
Who gave them into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand? God is always in control.
Shinar = Babylon (7X).
3] And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; 4] Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning
and the tongue of the Chaldeans. Eunuchs = Officers. [Potiphar was a “Eunuch”; Master of Palace
Servants (Gen 37:36).] Note “Israel” used of these (of Judah). The Northern Kingdom was no more.
Northern Kingdom was no more.
5] And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Peer pressure among teenagers; a non-kosher kitchen. What would YOU
do? Nothing? Try to change everyone? They were to have three years of “post-graduate” school… 6] Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7] Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. He wanted these Jews to be Babylonians! Isaiah 39:7: “And of thy sons
that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon” (also 2 Kgs 20:18).
New Names Given
Daniel: “God is my Judge” Belteshazzar: “Prince of Bel”
Hananiah: “Beloved of the Lord” Shadrach: “Illumined by the
Sun God”
Mishel: “Who is as God” Meshach: “Who is like unto
the Moon God”
Azariah: “The Lord is My Help” Abednego: “Servant of Nego,
a shining fire”
(The Chaldee version translates “Lucifer,” in Is 14:12, Nogea, the same as Nego.) A change of identity (no longer God’s children) and of destiny (Babylon, not Jerusalem) was in view, both of which would be reinforced by constant use.
8] But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. “Purposed in his heart”: Our most important stewardship. Christians today face the same trial. Satan wants us to become “conformed to this world” (Rom 12:1-2). In the most pagan of empires: kept himself blameless before the Lord.
9] Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10] And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. The officer’s fears were justified. Nebuchadnezzar was known to put out eyes—after killing the progeny (Jer 39:6,7); make their houses into dung hills (Dan 2); roast officers over a fire, etc. (Jer 29:22). How would you have handled this situation?
11] Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Melzar = steward, or chief butler, entrusted by Ashpenaz with furnishing he daily portion to the youths [Gesenius]. The word is still in use in Persia.
12] Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. “…pulse”: The Hebrew expresses any vegetable grown from seeds, that is, vegetable food in general [Gesenius]. Not a proof text for vegetarianism (Rom 14:1-4). For not violating dietary laws; having been sacrificed to idols. 13] Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of
the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14] So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. “…ten days”: 10 always a test, measurement, testimony.
“King’s food”: Not prisoner’s ration; Elite corps. His diet; wine, etc. (Lev 11:1-47 (44); 17:10-14; 1 Cor 8:11-13; Acts 10:12-15). 15] And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. 16] Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17] As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Note that the word “all” qualifies this wisdom, showing that it was more than the superstitious lore of the pagan priests that was in mind. Researchers have shown that, in addition to astronomy (an adjunct of pagan worship), architecture, linguistics, agriculture, meteorology, agronomy, and many other sciences were already developed in “the land of the two rivers.”
18] Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19] And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20] And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them,
he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
“…magicians”: Properly, “sacred scribes, skilled in the sacred writings, a class of Egyptian priests” [Gesenius]; from a Hebrew root, “a pen.” The word in our English Version, “magicians,” comes from mag, that is, “a priest.” The Magi formed one of the six divisions of the Medes. “…astrologers”: Hebrew, “enchanters,” from a root, “to conceal,” practicers of the occult arts.
21] And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. Forecast: Cyrus the Persian. Daniel endured beyond all those then
present. [Every episode will also be prophetic for you and me.]
Elements of Moral Heroism
• Discernment: They saw precisely what was wrong with eating the prescribed food. Where did they learn it? From pious parents (Deut
6:4-9).
• Resistance to evil : Distance from critical observation did not weaken it (see Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7). This resistance to evil also developed in their very early years in godly homes. Children do not naturally resist evil; rather they embrace it. They must be taught to hate evil! (see Heb 12:9-13; Prov 3:11, 12; 13:24; cf. Eli’s sons, I Sam 2:12-30)
• Power to voice disagreement: Youth is often an age of conformity; this incident gives strong evidence of special grace in the lives of
these four
• Physical courage: The prince of the eunuchs was right. His head as well as theirs could have been in danger (cf. Dan 2:5, the lions’
den, the fiery furnace.)
• Perseverance: When no help came via the chief eunuch, Daniel tried the steward.
• Determination: His purpose “in his heart,” the very center of his being; not a shallow purpose.
• Meekness: Without mock heroics Daniel respectfully “requested” or “besought” his superiors.
• Good sense: The trial suggested was reasonable and feasible. (See also Ezek 28:3; Prov 2:11 in context.)
[From Pfeiffer, C. F. (1962). The Wycliffe Bible commentary : Old Testament, Chicago: Moody Press.]
Daniel’s Career
He was destined to rise to prime prominence in Babylonian Empire; rise to prime prominence in the subsequent Persian Empire; personally receive the most astonishing prophecies in the entire Bible (Dan 9-12); authenticated by Jesus Himself (Mt 24:15) and be classed with Noah and Job (Ezek 14:14). Daniel obeyed the Lord—and he stayed around longer than anyone else. He ministered under over four kings and probably lived to see the Jews return to their land at the end of their captivity.
Who’s in Charge Here?
• God gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar… (Dan 1:2);
• God caused the official to show favour (Dan 1:9);
• God gave them skill and understanding (Dan 1:17);
Next Time: Chapter 2—The one who works in the lives of individuals is also in control in the affairs of nations. The “Times of the Gentiles” revealed; and a time line of all of subsequent history…including what is just ahead!
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Download Pdf Notes For Daniel CommentaryChuck Missler Bio
Recruited into senior management at the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, Chuck established the first international computer network in 1966. He left Ford to start his own company, a computer network firm that was subsequently acquired by Automatic Data Processing (listed on the New York Stock Exchange) to become its Network Services Division.
Returning to California, Chuck found himself consulting, organizing corporate development deals, serving on the board of directors at several firms, and specializing in the rescuing of financially troubled technology companies. He brought several companies out of Chapter 11 and into profitable operation. Chuck thrived on this type of work.
As Chuck notes, his day of reckoning came several years ago when — as the result of a merger — he found himself the chairman and a major shareholder of a small, publicly owned development company known as Phoenix Group International. The firm established an $8 billion joint venture with the Soviet Union to supply personal computers to their 143,000 schools. Due to several unforeseen circumstances, the venture failed. The Misslers lost everything, including their home, automobiles and insurance.
It was during this difficult time that Chuck turned to God and the Bible. As a child he developed an intense interest in the Bible; studying it became a favorite pastime. In the 1970s, while still in the corporate world, Chuck began leading weekly Bible studies at the 30,000-member Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, in California. He and Nancy established Koinonia House in 1973.