Daniel - Dedicated, Diligent, Devout An Overview Study of the Book of Daniel Friends and Fellowship (and Food) McLean Bible Church Fall 2016
Study Outline Session Study Description Primary Bible Chapters Part I: Dedicated, Diligent, Devout 1 Introduction Historical Background So What! - Then and Now 2 Pride and Punishment The Image of Gold & the 4th Man in the Fire The Insanity of Pride Weighed and Found Wanting Relying on God God Protects His Own Intercessory Prayer 3 4 5 6 Daniel 1 2 Kings 23:29 25:30 2 Chron 36:1 23 Daniel 3 Daniel 4 Daniel 5 Daniel 6 Daniel 9
Pride and Punishment Session 4 Daniel 5: Weighed & Found Wanting
SECTION 1: The More Archeologists Dig, The More They Prove the Authenticity of the Bible
Critics of the Book of Daniel Challenging the identity of the last king of Babylon Last king identified as Nabonidus not Belshazzar Challenging Belshazzar, as the son of Nebuchadnezzar Questioning the timing of Daniel Claims the prophecies of Daniel were written post facto. Placing the writing of the latter chapters of Daniel around the time of the Maccabees. Claims that the Book of Daniel was a compendium of multiple authors (upwards of six). Questioning the existence of Darius the Mede Denying Darius ever existed. Questioning Darius as King of Babylon
Historical Timeline
Evidence of Nabonidus & Belshazzar Ziggurats were flat topped pyramids that were part of a temple complex. The Ziggurat of Ur, E-lugal-galga-sisa, was restored by Nabonidus around 540 BC, as part of the temple to Sin (also known as Nanna), the Babylonian Moon god.
Evidence of Nabonidus & Belshazzar Text from Nabonidus Cylinder(s), excavated from the Ziggurat of Ur (1854) "As for me, Nabonidus, king of Babylon, save me from sinning against your great godhead and grant me as a present a life long of days, and as for Belshazzar, the eldest son -my offspring- instill reverence for your great godhead in his heart and may he not commit any cultic mistake, may he be sated with a life of plenitude." Nabonidu Cylinders of Ur Pergamon Museum, Berlin Wikipedia: Cylinder of Nabonidus, From another Cylinder in the collection: "[Nabonidus] entrusted the army to his oldest son, his first born, the troops in the country he ordered under his command. He let everything go, entrusted the šarrûtu (Akkadian: "kingship" or "royal power") to him, and, himself, he started out for a long journey. The military forces of Akkad marching with him, he turned to Temâ deep in the west" From Unum Sanctum Catholicum
Evidence of Nabonidus & Belshazzar Cylinder of Nabonidus, excavated at Sippur by Hormud Rassam in 1881. Translated by Paul-Alain Beaulieu. The text describes in detail how Nabonidus restored or rebuilt the sanctuary of the moon god Sin in Harran, the sanctuary of the warrior goddess Anunitu in Sippar, and the temple of Šamaš in Sippar. British Museum, London It is believed that Nabonidus restored other temples, as well. No doubt as a result of all the temple restoration projects, undertaken by Nabonidus, the treasury of Babylon had become badly depleted. Hence, his lengthy expedition to the Tema oasis in the Saudi pennisula, which straddled a strategic caravan trade route. He remained there about 10 years.
Familial Relationships Tracing the Family Tree Historically Recognized Kings Nebuchadnezzar Amel Marduk (Evil Merodach) First born son of Nebuchadnezzar Nergal Sharezer (Neriglisser) Brother-in-law of Amel Marduk Murdered Amel Marduk, usurping the throne Married daughter of Nebuchadnezzar Labashi Marduk Son of Nergal Sharezer Overthrown by Nabonidus Nabonidus Possibly married another daughter of Nebuchadnezzar
Belshazzar :: Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar as father of Belshazzar Father:son as indicator of blood relationship Semitic languages do not have a word for grandfather Instead father is used to show ancestral relationship Father:son as an indicator of respect 2 Kings 6:21 King of Israel calls Elisha, father. Father:son as a caretaker of less fortunate Gen. 32:9 Jacob calls Abraham, his father, and Isaac, his father. Josh. 24:3 Joshua calls Abraham as the father of all the Israelites John 8:39 Rabbis respond to Jesus, calling Abraham as their father Job 29:16 Job showcasing his care for the poor Father:son as an artifice to legitimize rule Nebuchadnezzar::Belshazzar 6 +1 times in Dan 5
How Belshazzar Fits into the History The Book of Daniel critics' argument against the authenticity of Belshazzar as king No discovery of official (cuneiform) text under Belshazzar's name. All proclamations were in Nabonidus' name. How can we understand Daniel's reference to Belshazzar as king in Daniel 5, 7:1, and 8:1? First: there are the Nabonidus Cylinders of Ur Proclaims bestowal of šarrûtu (kingship or royal power) on first born Second: king in Chaldean: melek (meh'-lek), also royal Identifies Belshazzar as Nabonidus eldest son (first born) Derived from mâlak (maw-lak') [Chald.] to reign Third: there is Jewish concept of the role of first born son Represents the father in all things Jesus: Called God, Father. Jews mentality meant Jesus claimed He was equal to God
Example: Son Is Equivalent to Father John 5:16 23 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17But Jesus answered them, My Father has been working until now, and I have been working. 16 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. 19Then Jesus answered and said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 18
SECTION 2: GOD Measures GOD Judges GOD Punishes
Character of Belshazzar Daniel 5:1 4 Historical context King Nabonidus had been defeated at Opis Belshazzar was co-ruler with his father Nabonidus Persian army had diverted the Euphrates River The Persian King Cyrus had already invaded the Babylonian empire Elements of the Persian army came through the exposed grates under the wall of Babylon Belshazzar's Character Derived from Daniel 5 Hedonistic, Debauched partying in the middle of a war Profane Used sacred artifacts for common purposes Nebuchadnezzar was respectful and stored in temple Inattentive to ancestral history Polar opposite of Nebuchadnezzar
'The Writing's on the Wall' The disembodied fingers [Dan. 5:5-9] Fingers like a man's, but large enough to catch a drunken king's attention Might have been just the fingers or may have included part of the hand Balshazzar's reaction Terror Joints of his loins (hips) loosened Knees knocked together Panic Cried for his conjurers, fortune tellers, wise men Offered up royal position (purple robe, gold necklace) 3rd position in the kingdom 1st Nebonidus, 2nd Belshazzar, 3rd (eldest son)
'The Writing's on the Wall' (Continued) Forgotten, but not gone Dan. 5:8-16 Queen commends Daniel to King Belshazzar (Dan. 5:11) Reminds Belshazzar that his father was Nebuchadnezzar 3 times in 1 verse (Dan. 5:11) That's not a compliment, it was a rebuke Implication: Daniel was not prominent in the court of Belshazzar King Belshazzar calls for Daniel to be found and brought before the king Thrust before the king, (didn't come willingly) Beshazzar clearly doesn't really know Daniel, even by reputation Dan. 5:13 14 King is repeating what the Queen said in Dan. 5:11 12
'The Writing's on the Wall' (Continued) Daniel rebukes the King (Dan. 5:17 23) Rejects the honor and position offered by King Belshazzar Recites the King's ancestral history Proclaims Yahweh Elohiym's power over kings and kingdoms Menê' Menê' Teqal Peraç Pronounced: Men-ay' Men-ay' Tek-al' Per-as' Literally translation from Chaldean: [Numbered] [Numbered] [Be Weighed] [To split up, Divide] Daniel's interpretation can only be of God (Dan. 5:26-28)
'The Writing's on the Wall' (Continued) Daniel rebukes the King (Dan. 5:17 23) Rejects the honor and position offered by King Belshazzar Recites the King's ancestral history Proclaims Yahweh Elohiym's power over kings and kingdoms Menê' Menê' Teqal Peraç Pronounced: Men-ay' Men-ay' Tek-al' Per-as' Literally translation from Chaldean: [Numbered] [Numbered] [Be Weighed, Balanced] [Split up, Divide] Daniel's interpretation can only be of God (Dan. 5:26 28) Teqal corresponds to the Hebrew shâqal (shaw-kal'), the primitive root of sheqel, a standard weight (shekel)
Interpretation Conveyed by Daniel Chaldean Menê' Menê' Teqal By Definition Numbered Numbered Weighed Peraç Divided Hidden Meaning Applied to kingdom God Finished it Applied to Belshazzar God weighed him on a [spiritual] balance Found him lacking Applied to kingdom Given to Medes and Persians
Conclusion Debunk critics' claim that Belshazzar Never existed Was not king Applying our theme to Belshazzar Dedicated: NOT Too busy partying Drunk Diligent: NOT Ignored or forgot ancestral (recent) history Forgot existence of his father's best advisor(s) Devout: Definitely NOT Anything dedicated to God becomes holy or sacred All kings before Belshazzar treated the treasures taken from the Temple in Jerusalem as sacred.