Chapter 9 of Daniel takes place sometime between the defeat of the Babylonians by the Medo-Persians (539 BC) but apparently before Cyrus has given his decree allowing the Jewish people to return to their homeland (Ezra 1:1 538 BC). One of the primary concerns of Daniel’s prayer in this chapter is the restoration of the sanctuaryContinue reading “Days of the Future Passed (1)”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Days of the Future Passed (2)
But Gabriel’s response to Daniel isn’t all good news. God uses the occasion to reveal not just what Daniel had inquired about (the immediate future), but God’s complete plan for the city and the sanctuary. This has to do with Jerusalem’s more distant future. Cyrus issued his decree in 538 BC and the people returnedContinue reading “Days of the Future Passed (2)”
The Little Horn of Daniel 8
Daniel receives the vision of chapter eight in 550 BC. In the vision, he is in the “citadel of Susa” –the capital of the Medo-Persian kingdom (see Esther 1:1-3). He sees a ram with two horns—with one longer than the other. He is told later the ram represents the kingdom of Medo-Persia (v. 20). TheContinue reading “The Little Horn of Daniel 8”
Where Hope Is
Three times in Daniel 8 we’re told that rise and reign of horror under Antiochus is fueled by sin: We’re certainly not surprised by this. In light of the atrocities Antiochus was responsible for in his persecution of God’s people and his desecration of the temple—we’d be surprised if it wasn’t connected to sin. But IContinue reading “Where Hope Is”
Leaving the Consequences to God
In chapter 6, the Medo-Persians have taken over after defeating Belshazzar and the Babylonians. Daniel (who had to feel like this was déjà vu all over again), lands on his feet. Darius the Mede (probably a governor/subordinate king—something like Herod was to the Romans) appoints him as one of three administrators over Babylon. Perhaps wordContinue reading “Leaving the Consequences to God”
Time’s Up!
In Daniel 5 we’ve moved forward an indeterminate amount of time. Chapter 4 takes place during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign (which ended in 562 BC). Chapter 5 takes place as the Medo-Persians come to power (539 BC), so we know at least 23 years have transpired. Despite this chronological gap, the two chapters from a couplet ofContinue reading “Time’s Up!”
Hurting for Humility
Who would you rather be: a prisoner of war or someone who occupies an important position of power and influence? Doesn’t seem like much of a choice, does it? But what if I told you the prisoner of war is Daniel, and the person with power and influence is Nebuchadnezzar? That would change things, wouldn’tContinue reading “Hurting for Humility”
When Temptation Calls Your Name
In Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar has gathered his advisers, officials, and administrators from all over the kingdom on the plain of Dura (v. 2). Per Daniel 1, this included people from “all of the nations and peoples of every language” (v. 7). The scope of attendees suggests that this gathering was no small thing. But there’sContinue reading “When Temptation Calls Your Name”
Sleepless in Babylon
King of the world! That’s what Nebuchadnezzar is. He could literally say, “Jump!” and everyone would ask, “How high?” After all, he’s defeated the Assyrians, Egyptians, and his kingdom knows no rival. He is on the top of the world! But the king of the world can’t get a good night’s sleep. He can controlContinue reading “Sleepless in Babylon”
Sincerely, But No Longer Yours
In Daniel 2 we have the first of the five visions found in the book. God initially gave the vision to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream and enables Daniel (in contrast to the king’s spiritual advisors), not only to tell the king what that dream was, but to explain its significance. This is kind of thingContinue reading “Sincerely, But No Longer Yours”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 