William Auchincloss - The Book of Daniel Unlocked

This study of the Book of Daniel is based on the conviction, that its word is in very deed the Word of God. In approaching the subject we have brought to the solution of its problems only such numerals as were known to the ancient Hebrews and to the writers of the New Testament. Numerals that were symbolized in their feasts and were current before times of rejoicing. But towering over all, we have brought God’s own standard of time, viz: the sidereal year, which the greatest of modern astronomers Laplace and Herschel tell us has not varied the 1/ 100part of a second of time in the last 2000 years. We did so under the conviction that if the Book of Daniel was of human origin, a piece of historic fiction, it could not stand this severe test, yet if it was truly the Word of God it would be found resting on that bed rock, viz: – a year whose length was

365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes and 9 6/ 10seconds

a period unknown to the ancients but given to us by modern science. The Book has stood the test and its true character comes out in bold relief.

Without a perfectly fitting key, the tendency of its readers is to treat the Book lightly, call in question its statements and smile at its prophecies. Time, however, vindicates the statements of Daniel and fixes on them the seal of truth. Also, newly-found inscriptions both on rocks and tablets, together with ancient writings composed in those times, bring to confusion adverse criticism.

The Book of Daniel is a most important part of the Word of God, and is set like a gem among jewels. Its words of warning were sounded 600 years before the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus. Its prophecies are like mile-stones along the highway of Jewish history, each one bringing the observer nearer to Messiah’s kingdom, to that “Great and Notable day of the Lord” – Pentecost of A.D. 33 – when the Holy Spirit was manifested to the Jews, also nearer to A.D. 39, the year of the manifestation to the Gentiles. Daniel alone of all the prophets received Divine illumination regarding these dates. They mark the remotest boundary of his book, and therefore bar the way to fanciful conclusions in regard to later times. Read aright, Daniel’s words have no uncertain sound, they are definite and exact like the forecast of an astronomer.

Viewed from every standpoint the grand old President of the Chaldean Court had a character of rare beauty and symmetry, that will continue to shine throughout the ages. He will stand in his lot to the end of the days; the noblest example of human courage coupled with unquestioning faith, the typical companion, the nobleman, courtier, seer and Prophet; – A MAN GREATLY BELOVED!

1. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

This siege took place in B.C. 606. Verse 5 says that Daniel and the royal captives received 3 years’ training and verse 18 shows that at the end of 3 years they graduated. This brings us to the year B.C. 603 which chapter 2 verse 1 says was the 2nd of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, consequently Nebuchadnezzar began to reign in B.C. 605. This date agrees with the figures given in the Almagesta of Ptolemy, also with the statements of Berosus. Besides it harmonizes perfectly the Bible account of the first 5 years in Jehoiakim’s reign, as set forth in Jeremiah XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXXV, XXXVI, XLV, XLVI , and II Kings XXIV. Still further a draughtsman can plot it on a chart, with the same accuracy that a surveyor can map a piece of land, provided he governs his work by that remarkable group of locking-dates set forth in Jeremiah XXV. 1. 2. 3. and Ezekiel XL. 1. also takes full account of the historic events which happened in the 1st, 7th, 8th, 18th, and 19th years of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. It thus will become manifest that Daniel and his companions were taken captive in the Summer of B.C. 606.

2. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god: and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

As foretold in Jeremiah XXIX. 10. the captivity of Judah lasted 70 years, B.C. 606 to B.C. 536, when the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to proclaim freedom to the captives. Ezra 1st. chap. Isaiah XLIV. 28.

3. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;

4. Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

Precisely as foretold by the prophet Isaiah, more than a century prior to the event. Isaiah XXXIX. 7.

5. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

6. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

7. Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

8. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

“Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness.” Ezekiel XIV. 14. Note in passing, that by order of birth these names should be read Noah, Job and Daniel. However, according to a custom common among the writers of Scripture, the line of Divine favor was followed in preference to the order of birth. For example, Japheth, Ham, Shem was the order of birth; but the records stands: “These are the generations of the sons of Noah; Shem, Ham and Japheth.” So too we read of “Abram, Nahor, and Haran” when the order of birth was Haran, Nahor and Abram. Also of “Aaron and Moses and Miriam,” when the true order was Miriam, Aaron and Moses.

9. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

10. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

11. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

12. Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

The Scriptures everywhere associate a sense of completeness and perfection with the numeral 7, also with the numeral 10. The Mosaic Law teems with instances of this sort. A Sabbatic period covered 7 years. Sprinklings were administered 7 times, feasts lasted 7 days, priests carried 7 trumpets, Jericho was compassed 7 times, Naaman bathed 7 times in the Jordan, a servant bowed 7 times to his lord and so on. As to the numeral 10, the Law had 10 commandments, the tabernacle had 10 curtains, 10 pillars, 10 sockets. After the Israelites had tempted the Lord 10 times, they were condemned to die in the wilderness. Ten plagues were inflicted on the Egyptians. In the matter of taxation, the herd was divided into 10 parts and one part set aside for the Lord.