Daniel: An Introduction

To build a foundation for our understanding of the Book of Daniel, we must first look backward. After spending many months in the book of Romans, we are shifting our focus to a narrative that is often limited to stories of lions’ dens and fiery furnaces. However, Daniel is far more than a collection of moral lessons; it is a profound demonstration of the sovereignty of our God over the kingdoms of men.

To get a "running start" into Daniel, we cannot begin in Babylon. We must begin in the wilderness with Moses.

1. The Foundation of the Covenant: Blessings and Curses

Long before Daniel was carried away as a young captive, roughly 800 years earlier, the stage for his life was set in Deuteronomy 28. As Moses stood before the children of Israel, he laid out a clear, sovereignly decreed path. God promised wonderful blessings to the Nation of Israel for obedience—crops that would flourish, cattle that would multiply, and children that would thrive.

But there was a sobering alternative. God warned that if the nation turned to idolatry and forsook His law, the consequences would be severe. He told them plainly that He would bring a nation against them from afar—a nation whose tongue they would not understand. God’s Word is reliable; whether in promise or in warning, He does exactly what He says He will do. When we open to Daniel 1 and see the siege of Jerusalem, we aren't seeing a failure of God’s protection, but the fulfillment of His righteous Word.

2. A History of Drift: The Road to Babylon

How did the people of God move from the glories of Solomon’s temple to the chains of Babylonian captivity? It was a slow, stubborn drift into idolatry. After the kingdom divided, the Northern Kingdom of Israel first fell to the Assyrians Empire because of their rebellion and Idolatry. One might think the Southern Kingdom of Judah would have learned from their brothers' fate, but they continued in the same path.

Even during the reign of "good" King Josiah, who brought about great reforms, the hearts of the people remained far from God. Following Josiah’s death, a succession of kings—Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and eventually Zedekiah—led the nation deeper into spiritual and political ruin. We see in this history a recurring truth: man’s nature is prone to wander, and without the sustaining grace of God, even the most blessed people will turn toward the idols of the world.

3. Sovereign Judgment: The Three Stages of Captivity

We often think of the "Fall of Jerusalem" as a single event , but the transcript of history shows us God’s patience and persistence. The captivity happened in three distinct phases:

• The first wave, where a small portion of the children of the royal and noble families— including young Daniel and his friends—were taken to Babylon as hostages.

• The second wave, including King Jehoiachin himself and about 10,000 of the best craftsmen and smiths (and including the prophet Ezekiel).

• The final destruction, where the walls were breached, the Temple was burned, and the city was leveled. Everyone in the city and who had been captured fleeing is taken away except the very poorest of the people, and even they would all flee a couple of months later.

It is vital for us to recognize that King Nebuchadnezzar was not simply a lucky conqueror. He was, as the prophets describe, God’s servant for the purpose of judgment. Our God is sovereign. He can even use pagan kings to accomplish His divine decrees and to discipline His covenant people.

4. The 70-Year Promise

The backstory of Daniel ends not in despair, but in a "teaser" of hope. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God specified the length of this trial: 70 years. This was not an indefinite sentence. God told His people to build houses and plant gardens in Babylon because He had a set time for their restoration.

Just as the judgment was certain, the deliverance was equally guaranteed. The same God who decreed the "curses" of Deuteronomy 28 is the God of sovereign grace who promised a return. As we begin our study of Daniel, we are reminded that even in a "strange land," the Lord is present with His people, working all things according to the counsel of His own will.

This post is a summary of the introductory message on the Book of Daniel. To hear the full historical context, the details of the Judean kings, and of Israel's captivity, we invite you to watch the full sermon by Elder Jonathan Moseley.