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The “Striding Lion of Babylon” Oriental Institute, University of Chicago.
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The “Striding Lion of Babylon” Oriental Institute, University of Chicago
This colorful striding lion, its mouth opened in a threatening roar, once decorated in ancient Babylon (the Biblical city of Babel) a side of the “Processional Way,” which led out of the city through a massive gate named for Ishtar, the Mesopotamian goddess of love and war whose symbol was the lion.
Assurances needed for a skeptical age • Is it possible to live godly? • Can I rely upon God?
Daniel HananiahMishaelAzariah Character tested Heathen education he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 1:4 “Their learning involved some astronomy, a great deal of astrology, and not a little magic, incantations, interpretations of dreams and omens.” The Pulpit Commentary
Daniel HananiahMishaelAzariah Character tested Heathen names Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to HananiahShadrach, to MishaelMeshach and to AzariahAbed-nego. 1:6-7
Daniel HananiahMishaelAzariah Character tested Heathen names Godly names Daniel-My judge is God Hananiah-Jehovah merciful Mishael-Who is what God is? Azariah-Jehovah has helped Heathen names Belteshazzar-Bel's prince Shadrach-Command of Aku Meshach-Who is what Aku is? Abednigo-Servant of Nebo
Daniel HananiahMishaelAzariah Character tested Heathen food The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king's choice food and from the wine which he drank,…But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, 1:5,8-9
Daniel HananiahMishaelAzariah Character tested Heathen ‘s dream So Daniel went in and requested of the king that he would give him time, in order that he might declare the interpretation to the king. Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; Daniel said,… 2:16-20
Daniel HananiahMishaelAzariah Character tested Heathen religion (1) Then the herald loudly proclaimed: "To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language, that at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. 3:4-5
Daniel HananiahMishaelAzariah Character tested Heathen religion (2) Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: "King Darius, live forever!“ All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions' den. 6:6-7
Daniel HananiahMishaelAzariah Character tested Heathen vision (1) this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: that you be driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes. 4:24-25
Daniel HananiahMishaelAzariah Character tested Heathen vision (2) Now this is the inscription that was written out: ' MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.' 26 "This is the interpretation of the message: 'MENE' — God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. 'TEKEL' — you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. 'PERES' — your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians." 5:25-28
The date Daniel was written 6th century---538-528 B.C.
Daniel’s 1st prophecy of Media-Persia605 BC Media-Persia ascended to prominence539 BC • 605-539=66 years prior to fulfillment Daniel’s 1st prophecy of Greece605 BC Greece ascended to prominence330 BC • 605-330=275 years prior to fulfillment Daniel’s prophecy of Alexander the Great552 BC Alexander the Great rose to power330 BC • 552-330=222 years prior to fulfillment
Daniel’s 1st prophecy of Rome605 BC Rome ascended to prominence27 BC • 605-27=578 years prior to fulfillment Daniel’s prophecy of God’s rule in Christ 605 BC God’s rule in Christ began 33 AD • 605+33= 638 years prior to fulfillment
Assurances from its characters---Godly living is possible Assurances from prophecies---God’s word can be relied upon
Thank God for the book of Daniel! Let the liberals and skeptics be ashamed and hang their heads in disgrace for their attacks upon it. Homer Hailey