Daniel: Social-Historical Background
THEME
God is powerfully at work in the midst of his people, sovereignly directing and reigning over the affairs of human history. And “in spite of present appearances, God is in control.” In sum, despite what we see around us, God is still in control!
AUTHORSHIP
The book was likely written by Daniel, the lead character in the story, who was taken into Babylonian captivity as a youth and lived there the rest of his life.
AUDIENCE
The original audience were Judeans (Jews of the southern kingdom of Israel). They were likely going through hardships, but the exact nature remains unknown because of the difficulty of dating the book.
DATE
“Daniel lived in Babylon from 605 B.C. to at least 536 B.C., so it was probably written toward the end of this time period.”
PURPOSE
The book was written to encourage God’s people in the midst of difficult times.
OUTLINE
1:1–21: Introduction and the Four Youth’s Preparation for Service
2:1–49: Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream and Daniel’s Interpretation
3:1–30: Daniel’s Three Friends Delivered from the Fiery Furnace
4:1–37: Nebuchadnezzar’s Madness
5:1–31: Belshazzar and the Fall of his Kingdom
6:1–28: Daniel Delivered from the Lion’s Den
7:1–28: The Vision of the Beasts from the Sea
8:1–27: The Vision of the Ram and Goat
9:1–27: Daniel’s Penitential Prayer for his People
10:1–21: Daniel’s Vision of the Struggle in the Heavenly Realm
11:1–45: Daniel’s Vision of Future Struggles in the Earthly Realm
12:1–13: Conclusion and Call to Commitment
Sources
Tremper Longman III, The NIV Application Commentary on Daniel (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999), 19.
Paul N. Benware, Survey of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1993), 226.
Recommended Resources:
Bold in Babylon by Craig Trierweiler
We Lost Now What? by our own Wayne Baxter
Daniel by Joyce Baldwin (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries - IVP)
Click the image below and look to the upper left to see the complete list of video services in this series.
Have you dropped by Pastor Jon’s Blog?
You can find a written version of his messages by using this link: Pastor Jon Blog.
Daniel Series
Audio Files & Study Questions for The Book of Daniel Series
Loving God with all our Heart | November 5, 2023
The Kings of the North and the South | October 15, 2023
Strength from God’s Word | October 8, 2023
Persevere in Prayer | October 1, 2023
God is in Control Over History | September 24, 2023
Consistency Over Conceit | June 11, 2023