Lessons from the book of Daniel

The Bible is an amazing Book. It is literally breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16). God used 40 different authors over 1,500 years on 3 different continents to give us the Bible. There are no errors and no contradictions and no mistakes in God’s Word.

We live in a very strange world today. A slow news day does not exist in America anymore! Each day brings more twists and turns and bizarre behavior. Where do we find answers? We find encouragement in God’s Word. We stand on the precipice of a major election in America. We find encouragement in the Book of Daniel. Daniel was written during a very difficult time in Israel’s history. The Book divides into three major sections with each section teaching a very valuable lesson.

Daniel begins with an introduction in chapter 1. Chapter 1:1 to 2:4a is written in Hebrew. The introduction teaches that Yahweh, the God of Israel, is sovereign over individuals, nations and empires. The key phrase in chapter is “God gave.” Verse 2 says, “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his (Nebuchadnezzar’s) hand….” Verse 9 says, “And God gave Daniel favor and compassion…” Verse 17 says, “As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom….”

Who caused the defeat of Israel to the Babylonians? God did. Who raised up Daniel in the Babylonian Empire? God did. Who put Daniel and his friends in positions of influence and leadership to care for the nation of Israel in exile? God did.

We must remember that ultimately God is in charge. God’s name in chapter 1 is Adonai. Adonai means “master” or” “Lord.” God is on His throne. His plan is perfect. We can trust Him!

The second section of Daniel is written in Aramaic. Chapter 2:4b all the way through chapter 7 is written in Aramaic. Aramaic was the trade language of the Babylonian Empire. It is a message to the pagan nations. The message is clear. A person can repent (like Nebuchadnezzar) and receive God’s mercy or a person can walk in pride (like Belshazzar) and be destroyed.

In chapter 4 God humbled mighty King Nebuchadnezzar. For seven years Nebuchadnezzar was insane. He thought and acted like an animal! Nebuchadnezzar’s pride destroyed him. Eventually Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself, put his trust in the God of Israel and God restored him.

Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, refused to humble himself and perished. When the Medo-Persian Empire surrounded him in Babylon he threw a great party. He feasted and celebrated with a thousand of his leaders. He said, “We will never be defeated. Babylon is impregnable.” The city had three rings of walls that were 40 feet tall. Herodotus wrote that the walls of Babylon were so thick that chariot races were held on top of them.

As Americans we can humble ourselves and repent and put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus and receive God’s mercy. Or we can continue walking in pride and be destroyed. The choice is ours.

The third section in Daniel is chapters 8 through 12. The final chapters are written in Hebrew. They are God’s message for the nation of Israel. Difficult times will come but God’s people will survive. These final chapters reveal the broad sweep of world history. They also focus on two very evil kings- Antiochus Epiphanes and the Antichrist.

In 168 BC Antiochus Epiphanes entered Jerusalem with 20,000 soldiers. He pretended to be a friend but he was a madman. In 3 days 80,000 Jews died- 40,000 died in hand to hand combat. God raised up the Maccabees and destroyed Antiochus. The Maccabean revolt started out small but became very powerful.

1 and 2 Maccabees record the revolt against Antiochus. The Jews defeated the Syrians and rededicated the temple. The Feast of Hanukkah (hanukkah means dedication) commemorates this event.

What is the lesson for us? God’s people are to live lives of quiet faithfulness even in the midst of very difficult circumstances. Empires come and go but God’s kingdom endures. Only one kingdom lasts forever- the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does the Book of Daniel teach us? First, God is sovereign. We can trust Him. We are not dust in the wind! His plan is perfect. Second, repentance is the path of blessing. Pride produces disaster. Jesus died for us. God’s mercy is available. Third, even in tough times God’s people survive. Nations and empires exit to the dustbin of history. God’s people and God’s kingdom endure forever!

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.