The Prophet Daniel – Curses of the Covenant – The Captivity
Mat 1:11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
The Book of Daniel is a Prophetic Book in the Bible which depicts the Captivity of Israel in Babylon and in later Chapters discuss the Prophecy of the Messiah and Alludes to the End Times. In this section we will read about the Prophet Daniel as he Petitions GOD to release Israel from Captivity. These particular Scriptures are used because it is from an individual (Daniel) who, although in the midst of the Captivity and Partaking of the Captivity, Acknowledges it was well deserved and asks for release not only for the sake of the people but for the Glory of GOD.
In answer to Daniel’s petition, GOD responds in ways Daniel could not have imagined. Not only does GOD answer the questions of Daniel’s heart (GOD’S Honor and other details beyond what he had asked) HE gives him the Gift to Interpret a King’s dreams (a couple of times) which saves his Life and the Lives of many other men. Other facets such as the loyalty and reward of Daniel and three other young men will be discussed. Daniel’s career which remained for the duration of the captivity, is also included in the Book of Daniel. These will be discussed in other segments as mentioned below. The next verse begins the Chastisement of Israel which begins her Captivity by the seizing of Jerusalem.
The Captivity in Babylon
Dan 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
Dan 1:2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
The Prophet Daniel, although a young man was devout and continued in his worship of the one and only true GOD. He prayed to GOD, during the Captivity in Babylon; he had a petition for a release for Israel from her captivity in Babylon, first acknowledging that the sentence was well deserved because of the Israelite people and their disobedience to GOD and the breaking of the Covenant. The following Scriptures depict the reasons for the first dispersion and captivity which took place during the reign of Jehoiakim. This is the established pattern before GOD finalizes Israel’s punishment the Author calls the >> Curse of the Fig Tree, << an Expositon in the Spiritual Light & Spiritual Darkness Series.
Dan 9:2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
Daniel had studied the book of Jeremiah and had erroneously calculated that the prophecy and fulfillment should be at an end. He thought the captivity should be over. He pleaded to GOD to end the captivity and allow the people to return to Israel and Jerusalem.
Dan 9:4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
Note how Daniel calls on GOD on HIS Mercy and the provision that he has said HE would keep Covenant with those who Love HIM and keep HIS Commandments. He is approaching GOD, not on his merit, but on HIS Mercy. Through GOD’S Mercy Daniel is shown how he miscalculated the writings of Jeremiah through a vision sent by GOD. GOD also sent an angel to give Daniel understanding and an explanation and interpretation of the visions that were given to him. GOD always reward the Faithful.
Dan 9:7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
Dan 9:8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.
Dan 9:9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
Dan 9:10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
Dan 9:11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
Dan 9:18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
Dan 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Daniel and three other youth were in the “employ” in the Royal Court of King Nebuchadnezzar, who has a story of his own to reveal which will be coming soon to this Blog. The series, GOD’S PURPOSE FOR MANKIND will highlight the time of the Babylonian Captivity as well as other Scenarios and Narratives of the Bible.
During this time Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were cast into the fiery furnace and Belteshazzar (Daniel) was cast into the lion’s den because they would not defile themselves or bow down or worship false gods and idols and would not forbear praying to their GOD.
It was not easy for these young men. They were basically on their own and there was no one was to provide supervision or to enforce their religious belief or devotions. It was their own choice to trust and follow their GOD. These four youth remained in Covenant with the GOD of Israel and although the people, as a whole, were in Exile in the Captivity these four (4) young men, being true to their GOD, prospered for many years. During their time of Persecution GOD not only sent help to them but also Demonstrated HIS Presence in the Time of most Need.
Dan 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
Dan 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Dan 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
Dan 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
Dan 3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
Although Daniel and the other three youth were in captivity with Israel GOD’S hand was on them and in their lives. The expositions will show how prevalent GOD was using these four young men to proclaim the Glory of HIS name even though “HIS” people were “captive” in another country.
They had high honors, and rewards such as being the “third ruler” in the Kingdom next to the King himself; officials over provinces in the Kingdom; the King bowed down to Daniel to honor his GOD. Later the Kings that interacted with Daniel were moved to proclaim that the GOD of Israel was above all GODS and sent the Proclamations throughout the World to that Effect. Not only did GOD answer to the concerns of Daniel for the Glory of HIS name throughout the World, GOD also raised Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to Positions where they held high Esteem of men as well.
Proclamation # 1
Dan 3:29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
Proclamation # 2
Dan 6:26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
Proclamation # 3
Dan 4:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
Dan 4:2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
Dan 4:3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
Dan 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Proclamations # 4
Dan 6:25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
Dan 6:26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
Dan 6:27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
Dan 6:28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel was given additional information but he was Commanded to Seal the Book until the end of Time/Days. So this book remains a Mystery to the Jewish Nation whose Bible History ends with the Old Testament’s Book of Malachi. >> The Messianic Jew’s << and >> the Christian’s << Bible continues up to and Beyond the Spiritual Dispensation ending with the >> Book of Revelation << which means to Reveal. In the Book of Revelation, there are Seals on 7 Books that were Removed to Reveal Prophetic Events that are being revealed because it is the Acceptable Time and One who was Worthy to open the Seals and Open the Book had been Sanctified and Authorized.
Much of the information in the Book of Revelation is identical to the Book of Daniel and some are Allusions to the same Prophecies such as the Advent of the Messiah. The Book of Revelation has more information including the Messiah opening the 7 Books with the 7 Seals. It is the Author’s opinion that these Books may be part of the Book Sealed by Daniel.
Rev_10:4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
Seal the Books
Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Dan 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Dan 12:13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
A side note: John, who wrote the Book of Revelation, was also told not to reveal certain information spoken by the 7 Thunders during his Vision.
Rev_10:3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
HEAVEN 