Bible and Culture 2016 – Daniel 1 – 2 My slides from day 2 of Bible & Culture 2016 (bibleandculture.org)

1. Day 2
Daniel 1 – 3
Finding the
structure of a
narrative
identify scenes
scenes usually only have
2 speaking or active characters
read each scene in the context
of the whole narrative
find the plot line (crisis and resolution)
the big context is
God’s promises and intention
don’t focus on moral lessons
pay attention to what
characters say and do

2. pay attention to dialogue
the first words are sometimes
the most significant
pay attention to characters
repeating or restating things
pay attention to repetition in
the narration
b The young men taken for training (3–7)
c Refusing to be defiled; a test (8–16)
a’ Historical conclusion: triumph of Cyrus (21)
a Historical introduction: triumph of
Nebuchadnezzar (1–2)
b’ The young men excel in their training
(17–20)
Triumph of Nebuchadnezzar
(1–2)
‘‘
’’
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of
Judah into his hand, with some of
the vessels of the house of God. And
he brought them to the land of
Shinar . . .
Daniel 1:2, ESV
Training for the king’s service
(3–7)
?
What do you think the Babylonians’
intentions were? What would they have
wanted Daniel and his friends to learn?
(Daniel 1:1-7)
?

3. tablet recording delivery of
gold to Babylonian court
© British Museum. Used by permission.
Atraharsis
Epic
© British Museum. Used by permission.
Babylonian
omens
tablet
© British Museum. Used by permission.
model sheep liver
© British Museum. Used by permission.
Importance of names
Daniel = God is my judge
Belteshazzar = May Bel protect his life
Hananiah = the Lord shows grace
Shadrach = command of Aku
Mishael = Who is what God is?
Meshach = Who is what Aku is?
Azariah = The Lord helps
Abednego = servant of Nabu
Refusing to be defiled (8–16)
Excelling in training (17–20)
‘‘
’’
It was a remarkable process and one
which challenges all of us. Rather
than avoiding or running from their
second-choice world they pursued it
and gave it their very best. They
headed for the centre of the volcano,
the heart of the storm, the vortex of
all their fears…
‘‘
’’
For these men, the way to face
Babylon was to become skilled and
powerful insiders – not ‘separated’
outsiders. When they chose this way
they rejected pouting, self-pity,
resentment and self-consumption…

4. ‘‘
’’
The fact that Babylon was a place of
dislocation, pain and disappointment
did not compel them to make a
negative response to this pagan
world. Being servants of God in
Jerusalem or Babylon alike
demanded living well before him.
Viv Thomas
Second Choice (Paternoster, 2000) p. 22
v.20: ‘ten times better’ = hyperbole
‘‘
’’
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather
than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6
‘‘
’’
Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a
bird —
no birth, no pregnancy, no
conception.
Even if they rear children,
I will bereave them of every one.
Hosea 9:11
‘‘
’’
Cursed be the day I was born!
May the day my mother bore me not
be blessed!
Cursed be the man who brought my
father the news,
who made him very glad, saying,
‘A child is born to you – a son!’
Jeremiah 20: 14–15
Triumph of Cyrus (21)
?
Summarise the theme of Daniel 1 in one
sentence.
What do you think is the purpose or goal of
Daniel 1 (what was its purpose for the
original audience)?
?
‘‘
’’
The sovereign Lord, who guided the
faithful Daniel and his friends to
positions of power in Babylon, will
guide his faithful people even in
exile.
Sidney Greidanus
Preaching Christ from Daniel
Linking to Jesus

5. 1. Redemptive-historical
progression
2. Promise-fulfilment 3. Anticipations (typology)
4. Analogy 5. Longitudinal themes
6. New Testament
references
7. Contrast
?
Which of the 7 ways of connecting
the passage to Jesus help us with
Daniel 1? How?
1. Redemptive-historical progression
2. Promise-fulfilment
3. Anticipations (typology)
4. Analogy
5. Longitudinal themes
6. New Testament references
7. Contrast
?
?
What is the message of Daniel 1 for us?
?

6. Daniel 2
Manuscript Bible Study
• Scenes and plot line
• Characters and dialogue
• Structure
• Repeated words, images or concepts
• Figures of speech (metaphors, similes, etc.)
• Key themes, concepts or images
• Connections with other parts of the Bible
• Questions: what do you not understand? ?
Summarise the theme of Daniel 2 in one
sentence.
What is the goal of Daniel 2 (what was its
purpose for the original audience)?
How do we move from Daniel 2
to Jesus?
?
Theme of Daniel 2: The God of heaven,
who deposes and sets up kings, reveals
that he will eventually replace all human
kingdoms with his everlasting kingdom.
Goal of Daniel 2: to give hope to God’s
people in exile by reassuring them that God
will eventually replace all human kingdoms
with his everlasting kingdom.
1. Redemptive-historical
progression
2. Promise-fulfilment 3. Anticipations (typology) 4. Analogy

7. 5. Longitudinal themes
6. New Testament
references
7. Contrast
‘‘
’’
Only God is truly sovereign, and He
will establish His eternal
kingdom. . . . [This theme] provides
coherence for the entire book of
Daniel.
Les Bruce
Daniel 3 Luxor Obelisk21m
27m
Humboldt Box 27 m
high
© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, used under a Creative Commons licence
www.tonywatkins.uk