November, 2 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
THE TWO SECTIONS OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL
Daniel is divided into two sections: the Historical Section: Dan. 1:1 to 6:28 and the Prophetic Section: Dan.7:1 to 12:13.
“The Historical Section reveals in a most striking manner, the true philosophy of history. (See Education, 173-184). This section stands as a preface to the prophetic section.
“By providing a detailed account of God’s dealings with one nation, Babylon, the book enables us to understand the meaning of the rise and fall of other nations outlined in the prophetic portion of the book.
“Without a clear understanding of the philosophy of history as revealed in the narrative of the role of Babylon in the divine plan, the role of the OTHER nations that succeeded Babylon on the screen of prophetic vision CANNOT be fully understood or appreciated. For a summary of the divine philosophy of history as set forth by inspiration, see on chap. 4:17.
“In the Historical section, we find Daniel, GOD’S MAN OF THE HOUR, brought face to face with Nebuchadnezzar, the GENIUS OF THE GENTILE WORLD, that the king might have opportunity to know Daniel’s God, the Arbiter of History, and to cooperate with Him.
“Nebuchadnezzar was not only a monarch of the greatest nation of the time but was also eminently wise, and had an innate sense of justice and right. He was, in fact, the leading personality of the Gentile world, ‘the mighty one of the heathen’(Eze.31:11), raises to power for a special role in the divine plan.
“Of him God said, ‘Now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant’(Jer. 27:6).
“As the Jews went captive into Babylon, it was desirable that they be held under a hand that was FIRM without being CRUEL (according for the standards of that day). Daniel’s mission at the court of Nebuchadnezzar was the SECURE the submission of the king’s will to the will of God in order that the divine purpose might be realized.
“In one of the dramatic moments of history, God brought together these two great personalities!” – Ibid, pp. 750, 751.
More follows tomorrow. God bless all today, NMF