TELLING DETAILS

Let us now turn our attention from the negative to the positive.  Consider some other details in the book of Daniel indicating that the writer had firsthand knowledge of the times he wrote about. 

Daniel's familiarity with subtle details about ancient  Babylon is compelling evidence of the authenticity of  his account.  For instance, Daniel 3:1-6 reports that Nebuchadnezzar set up a giant image for all the people to worship.  Archaeologists have found other evidence that this monarch sought to get his people more involved in nationalistic and religious practices. Similarly, Daniel records Nebuchadnezzar's boastful attitude about his many construction projects.  (Daniel 4:30)  Not until modern times have archaeologists confirmed that Nebuchadnezzar  was indeed  behind a great deal of the building done in Babylon. As to boastfulness -why, the man had his name stamped on the very bricks!  Daniel's critics cannot explain how their supposed forger of Maccabean times  (167-63 B.C.E.) could have known of such construction projects-some four centuries after the fact and long before archaeologists brought them to light.  

The book of Daniel also reveals some key differences between Babylonian and Medo-Persian law.  For example, under Babylonian law Daniels' three companions were thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to obey the king's command.  Decades later, Daniel was thrown into a pit of lions for refusing to obey a  Persian  law that violated  his conscience.  (Daniel 3:6; 6:7-9) Some have tried to dismiss the fiery furnace account as legend, but archaeologists have found an actual letter from ancient Babylon that specifically  mentions this form of punishment.  To the Medes and the Persians, however, fire was sacred.  So they turned to other vicious forms of punishment. Hence, the pit of lions comes as no surprise.  

Next time: Conclusion of TELLING DETAILS

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999