Class Notes:

THE COMPLETE EXPOSITION OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL BY ELDER COLLIER CAN BE FOUND HERE

The Book of Daniel

1. Author and Historical Setting

• Daniel is the author of the book.
• Though parts are written in the third person, Daniel identifies himself personally later in the book.
• Daniel was taken during the first deportation to Babylon (around 605–603 BC).
• His prophetic ministry lasted from approximately 601–534 BC.
• Daniel lived through:
  • The Babylonian captivity
  • The fall of Babylon
  • The rise of the Persian Empire

Major Deportations

Event	Approximate Date
First Deportation	605/603 BC
Second Deportation	597 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem & Temple	586 BC

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2. Daniel in the Hebrew Canon (Tanakh)

Structure of the Tanakh

Torah

• First five books of Moses

Prophets (Nevi’im)

• Former Prophets:
  • Joshua
  • Judges
  • Samuel
  • Kings
• Latter Prophets:
  • Isaiah
  • Jeremiah
  • Ezekiel
  • The Twelve Minor Prophets

Writings (Ketuvim)

• Wisdom Literature:
  • Psalms
  • Proverbs
  • Job
• Five Scrolls:
  • Song of Solomon
  • Ruth
  • Lamentations
  • Ecclesiastes
  • Esther
• Historical Writings:
  • Daniel
  • Ezra
  • Nehemiah
  • Chronicles

Important Note

• In the Hebrew Bible, Daniel is classified among the Writings, not among the Prophets.

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3. Literary Structure of Daniel

Main Divisions

Chapters 1–6

• Historical Narrative

Chapters 7–12

• Apocalyptic Visions

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4. What is Apocalyptic Literature?

Definition

Apocalyptic literature reveals truth through:

• Symbols
• Signs
• Images
• Visions

Examples in Daniel

• Beasts
• Horns
• Statues
• Kingdom imagery

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5. Historical Background

Hezekiah’s Mistake (2 Kings 20)

• Hezekiah showed Babylon all the treasures of Judah.
• Isaiah prophesied:
  • Babylon would carry Judah into captivity.
  • Some of Hezekiah’s descendants would serve in Babylon.

Daniel fulfills this prophecy.

• Daniel was likely from the royal or noble line.

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6. Major Themes in Daniel

A. The Sovereignty of God

Key Idea

God rules over:

• Kings
• Nations
• History
• Kingdoms

Central Truth

God raises up kingdoms and removes kingdoms.

The Four Kingdoms

1. Babylon
2. Medo-Persia
3. Greece
4. Rome

Messiah’s Kingdom

• God’s kingdom ultimately crushes all earthly kingdoms.

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B. Faithfulness

Daniel’s Character

• Faithful in exile
• Faithful under pressure
• Faithful despite temptation

Examples

• Refused the king’s food
• Continued praying despite danger
• Trusted God in every circumstance

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

• Refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s image
• Chose faithfulness over safety

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C. Prayer

Daniel was a praying man.

Important Prayer Passages

“The Three Nines”

• Daniel 9
• Ezra 9
• Nehemiah 9

Examples of Prayer in Daniel

• Prayed for wisdom concerning Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
• Interceded for Israel
• Continued praying despite the threat of the lion’s den

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D. Through Judgment Comes Salvation

Pattern Throughout Scripture

• Judgment and salvation often occur together.

Biblical Examples

• Adam and Eve
• Noah and the Flood
• The Exile

In Daniel

• God judged Judah through exile.
• Yet God preserved and protected His faithful remnant.

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E. Messianic Themes

Daniel is deeply Messianic.

Son of Man (Daniel 7)

• The “Son of Man” approaches the “Ancient of Days.”
• Receives an everlasting kingdom.
• Points directly to Christ.

Daniel 9 – The Seventy Sevens

• Prophecy concerning:
  • Removal of sin
  • End of sacrifice
  • Coming of Messiah

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7. Daniel Chapter 1 Overview

Babylon’s Strategy

Babylon attempted to:

• Re-educate Jewish youth
• Change their culture
• Change their names
• Assimilate them into Babylonian life

New Babylonian Names

Hebrew Name	Babylonian Name
Daniel	Belteshazzar
Hananiah	Shadrach
Mishael	Meshach
Azariah	Abednego

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Daniel’s Resolve

Daniel 1:8

Daniel determined:

• Not to defile himself with the king’s food.

Key Lesson

Faithfulness begins with conviction.

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8. Daniel Chapter 2 Overview

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

The Problem

• The king demanded:
  1. The dream itself
  2. Its interpretation

The Wise Men Failed

• They admitted no man could do this.

Daniel’s Response

• Daniel gathered his friends to pray.
• God revealed the mystery.

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9. The Statue Vision (Daniel 2)

Part of Statue	Kingdom
Head of Gold	Babylon
Chest & Arms of Silver	Medo-Persia
Belly & Thighs of Bronze	Greece
Legs of Iron	Rome
Stone Cut Without Hands	Messiah’s Kingdom

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10. Key Lessons from Daniel

God is Sovereign

• History is under God’s control.

Faithfulness Matters

• God honors steadfast obedience.

Prayer is Essential

• God works through praying people.

God Preserves His People

• Even in exile and suffering.

Christ is Central

• Daniel points forward to the coming Messiah and His eternal kingdom.