James Browning Daniel Revelation Dr.

. Martinez Exegetical Paper: Daniel 6:1-14 The purpose of this paper is exegetically examine the passage of Daniel 6:1-14 in order to better understand Daniel, who he was, and why he was the man that he was during a time of major political change. This chapter is most famous for containing the story of the lions den, but this paper will deal primarily with the events leading up to the lions den rather than that event itself. The goal of this paper is to better understand how Daniels character was shaped through his experience, choices, and understanding of Gods scripture. As with all exegesis it is imperative to examine the context of the passage, including the type of writing, authorship, cultural context, and intended reader. I will write more extensively regarding the intended reader later on, towards the end of the paper. However, one of the most important discussions that must be had when dealing with any study of Daniel is the time of writing. The two most common views are late date (ca. 180 B.C.) and the early date of the 6th century B.C. Stephen R. Miller deals more extensively on this topic in The New American Commentary Volume 18 Daniel (pgs. 24-43). Miller carefully examines many of the arguments for both dates of writing because it is essential for an understanding and interpretation of the prophesy contained within the boo of Daniel. Many of those who subscribe to a later date of writing do so for pragmatic reasons, believing that a 6th century writer could not have nown about the coming events with such absolute clarity and precision that the boo of Daniel contains. Another popular argument for the 2nd century date of writing is the use of Gree and Persian loanwords. It is believed that the Gree and Persian words contained in Daniel did not enter into the Hebrew lexicon until around the 3rd century B.C. although even John Goldingay, a proponent of the late date concedes, the Gree words hardly necessitate a very late date. (Word Biblical Commentary, pg. xxv).

According to Miller (pg 41) perhaps the best argument for the early date of writing is in the Boo of Eze iel. Eze iel, the 6th century prophet, alluded to Daniel three times in his boo (14:14, 20; 28:3), and these references would appear to be conclusive evidence for the traditional view. Opponents to this viewpoint attempt to explain away this belief in Eze iels Daniel by saying that he is probably referencing a mythological figure named Danel. Upon closer examination (which can be found in Miller) this argument does not hold up very well. The date of writing basically comes down to whether or not the reader believes that prophetic writing is possible or not. For those who believe that it is possible for God to have given Daniel visions regarding the future then the evidence strongly points to an early writing. But for those who view it as simply being impossible then, the later date is the one that ma es the most sense. For the purpose of this paper, I will be ta ing an early date of writing understanding and the court tales as being literal, historical events. In adopting the early date of writing, this also tells us much about the context, author, and reader of the boo . Assuming that Daniel is the author also aids in extrapolating the purpose of the boo . According to Jewish tradition (Talmud tractate Sanhedrin 93b; Pir e de Rabbi Eliezer iii) Daniel was foretold by the prophet Isaiah to King Heze iah in Isaiah 39. When Isaiah was condemning Heze iah for showing the treasures of Israel to Babylon, he told him, Hear the word of the Lord Almighty: 6 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. 7 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be ta en away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the ing of Babylon. (Isaiah 39:5-7). This seems to fit in line with Daniel 1:3 (KJV) And the ing spa e unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the ing's seed, and of the princes; In this we can see that Daniel and the other three Hebrews were probably members of the royal family or at least a part of the Hebrew aristocracy.

The Boo of Daniel can be fairly evenly divided into two portions, the first half dealing with actual events that happened to Daniel that fall into the category of court tales, and the second half that deals with Daniels visions that come more from the apocalyptic genre. Daniel 6 falls into the former category. The court tale genre was a common one at the time which has led some scholars to speculate that the first six chapters are more parables than historical events. However due to the other biblical evidence previously cited (e.g., Eze iel and Isaiah), I believe that these events can be ta en as historical. They do tend to fall into the typical format of being in a foreign context under a foreign ruler. The hero of the story emerges as a local guy who maintains local values and through divine intervention solves an unsolvable problem thereby teaching the foreign ruler the value of the local heros beliefs and god. Chapter 6 of Daniel tends to follow that format. The chapter begins with a new ruler, Darius, appointing his officials including 120 satraps overseen by three administrators, one of whom was Daniel. Soon Daniel we appointed to oversee all of them. The other officials began to loo for a way to bring about Daniels downfall, but unable to find any evidence of corruption, they devised a plan to trap him using his faith in the Hebrew God. They approached King Darius, and through flattery and politics they were able to convince the ing to pass a law forbidding anyone to pray for 30 days to anyone except King Darius. The law went into effect and even though it was nown to Daniel, he still continued to pray toward Jerusalem three times a day with the windows open. The conspirators caught Daniel in his prayers, brought him before the ing and reminded the ing of his injunction against praying to anyone other than himself and reminded the ing that even he could not change the law that had already gone into effect. The ing was trapped and very upset. Daniel was thrown into the den of lions, the ing hoped that Daniels God would save him and then the ing stayed up all night loo ing for a solution and felt generally distressed by the whole situation.

Daniel was saved from the lions by God, the ing recognized this fact the next morning and pulled Daniel out, and threw the conspirators and all their respective families into the pit. The ing then ma es an empire wide proclamation declaring Gods power and sovereignty. The period of writing is extremely tumultuous politically in the Middle East. The Babylonian Empire had just fallen that year to the Medes and the Persians. This had been foretold in the Bible and particularly to Daniel, including in the vision to Nebuchadnezzar, and immediately before the event itself in the handwriting on the wall. Originally the foretelling had caused distress to Daniel (under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (chapters 2, 4, and 7) but by the end of Belshazzars rule Daniel seems to be very ready for a change in leadership and is barely civil to Belshazzar during his final party. Both empires were among the largest the world had ever seen up until that point and controlled much of the nown world. The events and politics of Babylon had far reaching consequences much in the same way that those of Washington DC and Beijing do today. The Boo of Daniel is li e an insiders view into the behind the scenes events that shaped the empire. Millions would have been aware of the edicts and proclamations made in chapter 6 but not many would have nown the reasons behind them. At this point in time, the Jews had been in captivity for 70 years and Daniel was getting to be very elderly. Immediately following the events of chapter 6 the exile period ended and the Jews were permitted to return bac to Israel. Daniels lifetime really mar ed the beginning of the age of empires. While there had been very large empires and ingdoms before this time, the Babylonians too it to the next level and that continued in succession up through the Romans. Nebuchadnezzar, Daniels first boss was the pinnacle of the Babylonian empire, and it was his dreams that confirmed to Daniel the events that would lead to the succession of empires about to come, including details regarding the Mede-Persian and Gree empires. It is imperative to note these historical events as the bac drop, because the power struggle that ta es place in chapter 6 is not some small town petty argument. This is for the role of second in

command of an empire. This position came with immense power, over the citizens as well as the rest of the officials. Daniel seemed to be the one standing in the way of power and corruption, all while approximately 80 years old (his vegetable diet from chapter 1 must have really paid off). Overview of Daniels Rise to Power Chapter 6 is actually the third time that Daniel had risen to power and authority. The first too place over a series of events in chapters 1 and 2, in which Daniel is shown to stay strictly obedient to Gods rules even to the point of occasionally defying his captors and rulers (chapter 1), but also acting as an important help to those rulers through the interpretation of dreams (chapter 2). In chapter 5 again is promised power and authority by Belshazzar in exchange for translating the handwriting on the wall. However, in this case, Daniel, disgusted by the ings rec less partying, and nowing the coming events turned him down. Under the new regime of Darius, Daniel once again establishes himself as one who possesses and extraordinary spirit (6:3) Sydney Greidanus points out in Preaching Christ from Daniel: Foundations for Expository Sermons (pg. 180) that this is a common theme throughout the court tales in describing Daniel as being endowed with the spirit of the holy gods. Later on in the chapter the ing twice describes Daniel as being a faithful servant (vs. 16 and 20). Daniels faithfulness and excellent spirit certainly made him stand apart from the other officials in particular because he was neither Babylonian, a Mede, nor Persian. Daniels faithfulness and excellence enabled him to maintain and even rise in power despite being foreign, elderly, and a ruler under the previous regime. He must have been very good at his job indeed in order to maintain such authority under such dramatic changes in leadership. Throughout the entire boo , Daniel is portrayed as a man of integrity. We also see that Daniel and his friends do not compromise in their faith and service to God. So what is Daniel doing as a successful administrator for the enemy that destroyed his people?

The Opposition Daniels rise to power clearly had its challenges. Daniel faced personal challenges each time he was promoted. Interestingly, the first and last promotions came despite the challenge of age. In chapter two Daniel assumes a position of leadership despite his obvious and apparent young age. He demonstrates the cool head and necessary abilities to not only interpret the ings dream but to save the lives of himself and his friends. Chapter 6 features Daniel, once again excelling despite his age. But this time it is despite his very advanced age. Daniel had been living in captivity for nearly 70 years and had spent most of that time in authority. Rather than retiring, he was now ta ing the reign of the new administration and was excelling so prominently that the ing was planning on appointing Daniel as overseer of all the officials. Clearly Daniels success was divinely ordained. While Daniel was notable for his diligence and faithful service tempered with wisdom, only God is in control of our age, and the fact that Daniel was active and excelling at his age showed Gods vested interest in the life of Daniel. Daniel also faced cultural challenges. Babylon was very much the melting pot of its day. The reason for the success of this initial empire was their foresight in governing multiple people groups and cultures. Rather than simply sweeping in and trying to completely enforce their culture on all the people that they conquered, the Babylonians repatriated the aristocracy of a conquered people, indoctrinating only those captured through positions of power far from their original homes. Those who had been left behind were free to retain their original culture and beliefs as long as they did not conflict with the interests of the empire. This meant, however, that the captives were faced with a unique dilemma. If they wanted to excel in their new positions of leadership and be able to fully interact and engage in the court politics of Babylon, they had to essentially become Babylonian. However, if they wanted to continue to maintain their beliefs and culture then they could face being left out in the cold when it came to actual leadership and promotion. Daniel managed to wal the fine line of holding on to his faith

and beliefs but still adapting to culture. This is very telling of Daniels character because he was able to hold on to his faith in God at a young and still formative age despite his surroundings (and occasional death threats). Then he was able to clearly adapt and succeed again when the Medes and Persians conquered again when he was so much older. This cultural adaptation is something that we dont see often even in our own native culture, with the youth pic ing up cultural trends and quic ly forgetting previous values, and the elderly unwilling to budge from their world view. Even our churches have trouble deciding how to adapt to changing norms in dress and music. Daniel, however, was a master at wal ing this tightrope. Not all of Daniels opposition was internal, though. The conspiracy against Daniel has strong parallels to the events of chapter 3. Stefanovic (pg. 214) highlights many of these similarities pointing out that in the petition to the ing, there are five types of officials mentioned in chapter 6 verse 7. This list mirrors the officials mentioned in chapter 3. The fiery furnace event most li ely occurred as a way to consolidate power and establish loyalty among his followers. It seems that this, along with some pretty obvious flattery, is the angle that the officials are ta ing. They slyly attempt to assist the ing in consolidating his power and rooting out disloyal leaders. Unfortunately it quic ly becomes apparent to Darius that the real intended target of the law was not traitors to the empire, but Daniel, his most trusted official. The trust that Darius had in Daniel is shown through his immediate and deep distress (vs. 14). It would also seem that a part of this opposition came from an anti-Semitic attitude. We see it when they approach the ing with a captured Daniel, Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O ing (vs. 13a). These are the immediate forefathers of the leaders who organize the attempt at genocide in Esther as well. They seem to be saying that Daniels untrustworthiness is rooted in his Jewishness. However, the ing has already gotten to now Daniel by this point because he hopes in Daniels God to save him, when all other options are exhausted. Daniels opposition was great.

The Jeremiah Connection As a member of a prominent family in Judah, and as an educated court official in Babylon, Daniel was no doubt a well-read man. He appears to have a strong understanding of the writings of his people. His prayer towards Jerusalem is in obedience to Solomons dedication to the temple (1 Kings 8:46-51). He is then most li ely familiar with Jeremiah 29. Chapter 29 is a message directly to those who would soon be captured and ta en into exile in which Jeremiah gives them some counter intuitive advice. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Ta e wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and ta e wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. See the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare. (Jeremiah 29:4-7 NASB). Jeremiah is letting them now that they were in it for the long haul. Rather than sabotaging their captors and attempting to undermine the mighty Babylonian empire, they were to pray for the welfare of the city because their own welfare was tied to it. Daniel certainly seems to have ta en this to heart. He faithfully obeys God here, praying three times a day and eating the produce of Babylon but refusing to ta e the meat that had been offered to idols and refusing to worship gods other than the one true God of heaven and earth. Here we see Daniel intentionally living out what Jeremiah had foreseen. Daniel was serving so wholeheartedly not just because he enjoyed his job, he was doing it for the same reason that he is praying for the Jews, he cares about his people. He cares about the fate of Gods people. He would most li ely have seen this period of transition and upheaval as pivotal and his own experience and s ills as necessary in preventing the downfall of this empire. Had the conspirators succeeded, how much longer would the Jews have remained in exile? As it was they were released soon afterwards, with Daniels miraculous escape from the lions and loyalty in service as possible catalysts in the ings mind.

The boo of Daniel, including this chapter is primarily about Gods sovereignty and control over the affairs of nations and men. This can clearly be seen at the end of the chapter in verses 26 and 27 when Darius himself declares Gods sovereignty and power. But a lesser point that is evident is the fact that Daniel is leaning on Gods promises which lead to his excellent service. Faithfulness that is not based on the one night in the lions den, but is based on 70 years of hard wor , diligence, and trusting in Gods word. Personal Application Daniels intended reader would have probably been those Jews who were born into exile. By the time chapter 6 was written, the Jews would have been going home and getting ready to face new challenges and opposition to the truth faith in God. There would have been hardly anyone left who had been alive before the exile. Daniels own age was atypical of the time period so those who were currently reading were most li ely younger. But those Hebrews were about to face events that were yet to come and Daniels life was meant to be an example of trusting in God despite changing cultural and political bac grounds. Daniel was written primarily to those Jews of that time, but it was also written to future generations because not all of the visions would happen immediately. Depending on the interpretation some of the visions have yet to happen, meaning that some of Daniels intended audience may not yet be born. However for me personally, Daniels decades of faithfulness combined with his cultural adaptability are astounding. Daniel was able to correctly discern and apply Gods word in dramatically changing situations. This can only come from careful reading and meditation. James 1:23 tal s about the man who hears but doesnt do, and Daniel was not that man. I want to be li e Daniel in faithfully serving regardless of the situation because of my immersion in the Word of God. Daniels example isnt just of a man praying regularly, although that is a good thing to repeat. But Daniel is notable to the world around him because of his faithfulness and diligence in administration. That means that if I am to be li e Daniel,

I am to serve more fully and completely. I am to do my homewor without procrastination (or ta ing the easy way out (this is page 10 instead of 8). I am wor hard at my job daily for my entire career and not just occasionally. If I have learned anything from this passage and this class in Daniel, it is that I should be studying prophecy more in order to be better at my job. Daniel is nown among Christians as the man who was thrown into the lions den. But he was nown among his contemporaries as the man who was incorruptible. I am not very li ely to be thrown into a lions den. But I will have a boss for the rest of my life, and I will have to go to wor every day. And the Bible has a lot to say about that.

Bibliography Coo , David C. International Bible Lesson Commentary 2008-2009: New International Version Coo Communications Ministries Intl (April 2008) Goldingay, John E. Daniel, Word Biblical Commentary, 30; Dallas: Word Boo s, 1989 Greidanus, Sydney Preaching Christ from Daniel: Foundations for Expository Sermons Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (December 19, 2012) Miller, Stephen B. The New American Commentary Volume 18 Daniel, B&H Publishing Group, Aug 31, 1994. Talmud tractate Sanhedrin 93b; Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer iii Stefanovic, Zdrav o Daniel: Wisdom to the Wise: Commentary on the Book of Daniel, Pacific Press Publishing, Jan 30, 2007