Daniel, The Beloved
Pastor Cindy Hyde
Contents:
Introductory Facts
Beginning Assignment
Daily Assignments
Introductory Questions
Symbols
Scripture References
Daniel - 1:1-7
Notes
Questions
Life Applications ___________________________________________________________________________________
Introductory Facts:Daniel is the only book written that contains the complete history of the beginning and the ending prophecies for the end times. This book would show us exactly what would happen without any other books in the Bible involved.
There were only two people in the Bible that were ever called Beloved of God. Daniel and John. They both were given amazing visions and revelations of which they penned for us under the unction of the Holy Spirit.
The Book of Daniel contains many mental pictures. For those of us who are referred to as 'seers' this is easy to picture, but for those who are 'verbal' or 'audibly' tuned in it will take just a little more effort on your part to understand. There are pictures of rams, goats, huge figurines of gold, silver, bronze, ten toes here, ten horns there, handwriting on the wall, the king eating grass, the lion's den, seventy weeks, three and a half weeks, the little horn, another horn, a horn with eyes, the king of the north, the king of the south, and so on.
The comprehensiveness and continuity of Daniel's prophecies are greater than any other Old Testament book.
Daniel contains the longest time prophecy in the Bible.
Daniel contains the only Scripture in the Old Testament indicating when the Messiah would arrive.
Daniel 9 is the only place in the Old Testament where the word "Messiah" appears in the KJV.Jesus tells us that we need to understand Daniel's prophecies.
Daniel lays the foundation of the study of the book of Revelation.
Chapters 1-6 contain stories. Chapters 7-12 are Prophecies.
Chapters 2-7 were written in Aramaic. 1, 8-12 were written in Hebrew. The first few verses of chapter 2 were written in Hebrew. The Aramaic portion of chapter begins with the tenth word of the fourth verse in the KJV.
Chronological order of the chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12.
Six major stories found in Daniel are:
Ch 1 Captives With Conviction
Ch 2 A Dream of Destiny
Ch 3 The Fiery Furnace
Ch 4 Conversion of the King
Ch 5 Writing On The Wall
Ch 6 Daniel in the Den of Lions___________________________________________________________________________________
Beginning Assignment:Read or listen to the Book of Daniel by clicking here and going to the online Bible recorded by Alexander Scourby before you begin this study.
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Daily Assignments:Day One:
Read Chapter One of Daniel. Don't stop and study at this point. Simply read it outloud. If you have the internet you can listen to it on the AudioBible that is available. (The address is above) Suggestions: If you have the Bible on tape pop it into your vehicle and listen to it while you travel to and fro.
Read Daniel Chapter one again. Reading it out loud will give you a better understanding & you'lll remember it easier. As you read this chapter this time ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything to you that you need to know and record your insights in your workbook. Print these pages out for your workbook. Use the spaces between the verses to record your notes. Listen to the lecture on Chapter One verses 1-7 and record your notes from there as well. Ask yourself these questions when you read chapter one today.
Is Jesus Christ my personal Savior?
Have I dedicated my life to Him?
If my faith is tested like Daniel's was over the King's food, how would I handle it?Read Daniel Chapter One again. Read 2 Chronicles 36:1-8 to gain more insight into the lives of the two kings mentioned in Daniel Chapter one. Today when you read focus on the historic settings. Pay close attention to the characters. Note who they were and what purpose they served in the book of Daniel. Record your insights in your workbook as you get them.
Read Chapter One again today and focus on Daniel himself. Learn lessons from his life that you can apply to your life today. Write your notes in your workbook. See if you can find the Law of Reaping and Sowing in effect in this chapter. Record in your notes and see who sowed the seeds and what kind were they?
Read Chapter One again. This time paying special attention to God and His character.
What do you see God doing in this chapter?
Do you go to church?
How devoted are you?
Do you have a ministry?
Are you using the gifts and talents that God has given you for His glory?
Are you tithing?
How do your actions line up with what the Bible says?
Daniel sets a good example for us all to follow.
Dedicated, devoted, determined and destined to be all that God had for him to be.
Are you? If not can you see things in this chapter to help you out?As you read Chapter One again today ask yourself what this chapter is about. Search for Life Applications that you can use everyday.
Have you give your body to Jesus Christ as a living sacrifice?
Are you confirmed to this world?
Are you reading the WORD of God daily?
Read Romans 12:1, 2 The best place to begin making a change in this world is in your own personal life. You can make a difference in this world. To what extent is your household in order? Read I Thessalonians 2:11-12. We need to set the example for others to follow.Read Chapter One again. This time asking yourself these questions.
What have I learned about God from this chapter?
What have I learned about Daniel?
Is there something in this chapter that I need to apply to my life?
Is there a change that needs to be made in me?
What made the angel call Daniel, "man of high esteem?"
How did God react to the king of Judah?
How did God treat Daniel?
What was the difference?
Did Daniel become bitter because he was enslaved?
Would your convictions stand firm under such circumstances?
Did any of the other Hebrew children maintain their religious beliefs besides these four?___________________________________________________________________________________
Introductory Questions:1. Who wrote the Book of Daniel?
Daniel.
2. Who did Jesus say wrote the book of Daniel?
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
3. When was it written?
Approximately 535 BC There was a lunar eclipse recorded in the 5th year of Nabopolassar's reign. He died in the 21st year of his reign. The eclipse occured on April 22, 621 B.C. We know he dies in 605. Another lunar eclipse is noted in the 37th year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign on July 4th, 568 B.C. He became king in 605 B.C. at the death of his father. This confirms Daniel 1.
4. Where was it written?
Babylon
5. Who was it written to?
Jewish Babylonians held in captivity, to the Hebrews and God's people everywhere.
6. Why was it written?
To give them hope and to let them know what God's plan for the ages was.
7. What language was it written in?
Aramic, Hebrew and Greek. When Daniel wrote about the Babylonian kingdom he wrote in Aramic. When he wrote about the Hebrews he wrote in Hebrew. He only used three Greek words which could have been Persian words for the instruments that he was refering to.
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Symbols in this chapter:___________________________________________________________________________________BABYLON = Derived from "Babel", signifies confusion.
JERUSALEM = The bride of Christ (Rev. 19:7-9, 21:2)
EUNUCH - A minister of the state. Hebrew word: caric (All were castrated)
WINE = Intoxication, false doctrine, wrath. Eph. 5:18, Rev 14:10
PULSE = Vegetables as food. Hebrew word: zera'on.
WATER = Living Christ, Holy Spirit. John 4:14
Scripture References:Click below to read or listen to these Scriptures online
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Chapter One - Verses 1-7
Daniel 1:1
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.Notes:
Nebuchadnezzar took the city of Jerusalem in the 4th year after his father died and he became king in 604. The Hebrew children were deported.
[Deportation: 1. (n.) Enforced removal from one's native country by official decree: banishment, exile, expatriation, ostracism, expulsion]
Questions?
1. What year was Daniel deported in?
2. Who was the king of Jerusalem at the time it was besieged?
3. Why was Jerusalem allowed to be taken into captivity?
4. How old was Daniel when he was taken captive?
5. What does this verse tell you about God?
Daniel 1:2
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.Notes:
Shinar = Babylon
His god was Marduk or Bel. They had many gods they worshipped but this was the main one.
Questions:
1. Why would God allow Jehoiakim to be defeated?
2. Does God put kings in position and take them down?
Daniel 1:3
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;Notes:
The requirements for the "certain" captives are as follows:
Must be princes, seeds of the king
Must be youths
Must be well favored
Must be physically unblemished
Must be handsome, fair to look upon
Must be well educated
Must be skillful in all wisdom
Must be cunning in knowledge
Must be proficient in sciences
Must be refined and polished to stand before kings(This fulfills the prophecy given by Isaiah in Isa. 39:1-7)
At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. 2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not. 3 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon. 4 Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not showed them. 5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: 6 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD 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.
Questions:
1. Why were only "certain" ones chosen to be taken into the kings service?
Daniel 1:4
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.Notes:
History records two main periods of science: the Greek from 600 B.C. to 200 A.D. and the modern period from 1450 A.D. to our day.
We owe the exact measurements of the lunar and solar cycles, the tracing the paths of the planets, the division of the circle into 360 degrees, and the destination of constellations, notably those of the zodiac.
You can historically discover the existence of huge libraries in Babylon that contained books on all subjects that were checked out from the librarian much like our modern day libraries.
Daniel 1:5
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.Notes:
The young men were schooled for 3 years. These schools were very intense and were reserved only for the most talented, most knowledgable and intelligent of all races that were taken into captivity.
Daniel 1:6
Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:Notes:
Look at the meaning of their names. Our names have specific meanings. Find out what yours is and see how it matches your character.
Daniel = "God is Judge" or "Judge of God"
Han-a-ni'ah = "Beloved of the Lord" or "God has favored"
Mish' a-el = "Who is as God?" or "Who is what God is?"
Az-a-ri' ah = "The Lord is my help" or "God has helped"
Daniel 1:7
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.Notes:
Their names were changed to these but what do they mean?
Belteshazzar = Bel's Prince or Bel Protect his life
Shadrach = Illumined by the Sun or Under the command of Aku
Meshach = Who is like Shach (A pagan god) or who is like Aku
Abednego = The Servant of Nego (A pagan god) or Nebo or Nebu (god of learning and language)
The names were changed in an attempt to destroy their Jewish identity and religious beliefs. It didn't work! By the time Jewish boys are 13 years old they can recite much of the Holy Scriptures. They are initiated into manhood with a ceremony. These young men were not stripped of their identity in God. They knew who they were in Him and they dedicated even to the point of death which we will see many examples of as we study this book.
The Hebrew children who were taken captive were castrated. They were made into eunuchs. Read this verse of prophecy in Isaiah 39:7 "they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon". Daniel was a eunuch. This was also an attempt to destroy their Jewish identity and beliefs.
Life Application:
Determine not to be moved by what you see. Circumstances around us are often in turmoil. But even when they are at their worst God is still at work for our good when we love Him. He will take what the enemy meant for harm and turn it into much good.
Go to Daniel Chapter One Verses 8-21 ________________________________________________________
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* Please feel free to reproduce these studies for personal or group use but they may not be reproduced for sale.All materials copyrighted by Pastor Cindy Hyde March 1, 2000
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