![]() ![]() This brings us to chapter 6, the pair of chapter 3. When human kingdoms forget that they are not God, when they exalt their own power as divine, they become less than human and more like violent beasts who will face God’s justice. These two stories draw their imagery from Genesis 1-2 and Psalm 8, in which humans are depicted as the royal image of God and appointed to rule over the beasts on behalf of God, who is the world’s true King. This contrasts with his son Belshazzar, who does not humble himself and is assassinated that very night. Eventually, he does humble himself before God, and as his humanity returns, he is restored as king. Nebuchadnezzar is stricken with madness and becomes like a beast in the fields. After doing so, he tells both kings that they are to humble themselves before God, and they both arrogantly resist. Again, just like in chapter 2, only Daniel can interpret for them. Both are filled with pride because of their power, so, as in chapter 2, God warns them both through dreams and visions. Once again, God delivers them from death, and they’re exalted by the king who now acknowledges their God as the true one.Ĭhapters 4 and 5 make up a pair of stories about two Babylonian kings-Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar. ![]() The friends are persecuted for their choice and thrown into a fiery furnace. They refuse to bow down and worship a huge idol statue, which represents the king and his imperial power, just like the statue in the previous chapter. One day, however, God’s Kingdom will come and humble the arrogant nations of the world, filling the earth with the healing and justice of God.Īfter this, chapter 3 tells the famous story of Daniel’s three friends. Daniel says that the statue represents a train of human kingdoms following after Babylon that will fill God’s world with violence. Now, this dream is the first of many symbolic visions in the book, but this one introduces a basic storyline. Suddenly, a huge rock flies in and shatters the statue, turning it into a mountain. Daniel says the statue symbolizes a sequence of kingdoms, with Babylon as the head. It’s about a huge statue that dominates the landscape and is made up of four types of metal. The king of Babylon has a dream that only Daniel is able to interpret. This decision puts them in grave danger, but God delivers them, and they go on to be elevated by the king of Babylon.Īfter this comes the Aramaic section, which has its own special, symmetrical design. They refuse and instead choose faithfulness to the Torah. However, they are also pressured to give up their Jewish identity by living and eating like Babylonians and violating the Jewish food laws found in the Torah. Daniel and his friends are wise and capable and are soon recruited to serve in the royal palace of Babylon. Chapter 1 introduces the basic plot tension that drives the entire story. ![]()
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