The Book Of Daniel

The Book of Daniel.

last time regarding the Circumstances in which God's people were found in the Babylonian Captivity.

Mention is made in Verse 1 of Ahasuerus King of the Medes. This name brings us to consider how the Book of Esther brings vivid description as to the Circumstances that prevailed in Babylon for God's people.

Esther 1:1-2 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) [2] that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,

Ahasuerus is the same person named Darius in Daniel chapter 6. Shushan the palace mentioned in Daniel 8:2 is the same place mentioned in Esther 2:5. Then, as a final link we can cite,

Esther 2:5-7 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; [6] who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. [7] And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

With these links established we can now draw from the Book of Esther and get an understanding, as to the prevailing circumstances that God's people must have suffered, in Babylon during the 70 year Captivity.

Esther, the Jewess, providentially, became Queen. Mordecai the Jew became servant to the King and sat in the King's gate. Mordecai would not bow before Prince Haman. This Haman sought to destroy all of God's people throughout the King's provinces.

Esther 3:6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

So the circumstances for God's people, captive in Babylon were not good,

Esther 3:13-14 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. [14] The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

Taking Haman as a type of Antichrist, the Captivity of God's people in Babylon does give an insight into the circumstances in the Great Tribulation. The Book of Esther shows how that Haman was destroyed and how God's people were delivered.

Coming back to Daniel chapter 9, Daniel is studying Jeremiah's prophesy regarding the 70 weeks

He has earnestly laid hold upon God in prayer, and God has sent the angel Gabriel to instruct him.

Daniel 9:21-22 yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. [22] And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

This will be the focus of our next study, DV.

Blessings in Christ. Rev Mervyn Cotton.