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?

Assurances from its main characters

Daniel Hananiah Mishael Azariah 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 Hananiah Mishael Azariah 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 Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach and to Azariah Abed-nego. 1:6-7

Daniel Hananiah Mishael Azariah 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

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 Hananiah Mishael Azariah Character tested Heathen food

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 Hananiah Mishael Azariah Character tested Heathen ‘s dream

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 Hananiah Mishael Azariah Character tested Heathen religion (1)

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 Hananiah Mishael Azariah Character tested Heathen religion (2)

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 Hananiah Mishael Azariah Character tested Heathen vision (1)

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 Daniel Hananiah Mishael Azariah Character tested Heathen vision (2)

Assurances from its prophecies

The date Daniel was written 6 th century B.C.

605 2:36 2:39 2:40 2: :4 7:5 7:6 7:7-8, :3,4,20 8:5, : :1-2 11:3-4 11:5 11:6 11: :32b-35 11:36-45 Babylon BC Media-Persia Greece Alexander the Great Egypt 323 Egypt 323 Syria 204 Syria 204 Antiochus Epiphanes 175 Antiochus Epiphanes 175 Maccabees 168 Rome 63 God’s kingdom 33 AD

Daniel’s 1 st prophecy of Media-Persia 605 BC Media-Persia ascended to prominence 539 BC =66 years prior to fulfillment =66 years prior to fulfillment Daniel’s 1 st prophecy of Greece 605 BC Greece ascended to prominence 330 BC =275 years prior to fulfillment =275 years prior to fulfillment Daniel’s prophecy of Alexander the Great 552 BC Alexander the Great rose to power 330 BC =222 years prior to fulfillment =222 years prior to fulfillment

Daniel’s 1 st prophecy of Rome 605 BC Rome ascended to prominence 27 BC =578 years prior to fulfillment =578 years prior to fulfillment Daniel’s prophecy of God’s rule in Christ 605 BC God’s rule in Christ began 33 AD = 638 years prior to fulfillment = 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