English: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the Furnace (Dan. 3:23-24,91-98) Русский: Седрах, Мисах и Авденаго в раскалённой печи (Дан. 3:23-24,91-98) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In 605 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar brought young men of noble heritage in Judah back for service in the king’s court. Daniel and his friends were part of one of these groups (Daniel 1:3). So his life in captivity was quite different from that of Ezekiel and many others less fortunate. According to Daniel 1:21, he served there until the first year of the reign of Cyrus, which would be about 538 B.C.

Daniel is a very important book in the Old Testament. It contains much prophecy that was fulfilled with undeniable accuracy (critics and skeptics notwithstanding). As has always been the case, even disputed passages have held up under the test of time (take, for example, Daniel’s use of the name Belshazzar in Daniel 5). It also teaches through Daniel’s life and that of his friends, Shadrach, Meshach,, and Abednego, a great deal about living faithfully under very great adversity. Finally, and most importantly, it teaches us much about the power of God, and His faithfulness to His word.

Daniel’s Answer to the King (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The fulfilled prophecies from the Book of Daniel are a great source of assurance to believers for their accuracy. Skeptics and critics, as is always the case, dispute much concerning them of course. But they too have stood the test of time. A detailed account and analysis of all of these in one blog would be an exercise in futility. But for some great analysis of two of them, as well as answers for critics, take a look at this article from Apologetics Press concerning Daniel 2, and this article concerning prophecies in Daniel 8.

Belshazzar’s Feast depicts a vision described in the biblical Book of Daniel. –31&src= Daniel 5:1–31 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Summary

• Daniel and friends taken into exile (Daniel 1:1–7)
  • Daniel’s resolve keeps them undefiled (Daniel 1:8–16)
  • God gave them wisdom and skills that won them favor – Daniel, understanding of visions (Daniel 1:17–21)
• Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2)
  • Nebuchadnezzar’s murderous anger for inability to have the dream interpreted (Daniel 2:1–13)
  • Daniel’s faith – volunteers to interpret, then prays to God (Daniel 2:14–24)
  • Daniel interprets the dream (Daniel 2:25–45)
  • Nebuchadnezzar makes Daniel ruler over the province and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon (Daniel 2:46–49)
• Nebuchadnezzar builds a great statue (Daniel 3)
  • Commands the nations to worship the statue (Daniel 3:1–7)
  • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse – survive the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:8–29)
  • Nebuchadnezzar promotes Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:30)
• Nebuchadnezzar’s 2nd dream and its interpretation (Daniel 4:1–27)
  • Nebuchadnezzar’s madness and humility (Daniel 4:28–33)
  • Nebuchadnezzar’s restoration and praise for God (Daniel 4:34–37)
• Belshazzar’s idolatrous feast (Daniel 5)
  • The handwriting on the wall (Daniel 5:5–9)
  • Daniel interprets and predicts division of the kingdom and rise of Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:10-31
• Daniel promoted again (Daniel 6:1–3)
• Plot to remove Daniel / God keeps from harm in lions’ den (Daniel 6:4–25)
• Darius extols God’s power / Daniel prospers until end of exile (Daniel 6:25–27)
• The Visions of Daniel (Daniel 7-12)
  • Vision of four great beasts (Daniel 7:1–8)
  • The Ancient of Days judges the beasts (Daniel 7:9–12)
  • The coming of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13–14)
  • The vision interpreted for Daniel (Daniel 7:15–27)
  • Daniel’s response (Daniel 7:28)
• Vision of the ram and the goat (Daniel 8:1–14)
  • The interpretation of the vision (Daniel 8:15–27)
• Daniel’s prayer for his people about the 70 years (Daniel 9:1-19)
  • The angel Gabriel’s answer (Daniel 9:20–27)
• Daniel’s vision of earthly and heavenly conflict (Daniel 10–12)
  • Future visions of Persian Empire, Alexander the great, and the division of Alexander’s kingdom (Daniel 11)
  • Vision of resurrection to glory or shame (Daniel 12)

/Bob’s boy

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image © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.