Apocalyptic Literature

Group I

Daniel 14:38

«You have remembered me, O God," said Daniel; «you have not forsaken those who love you."

Introduction

The book of Daniel is a three part collection containing short stories written by unknown
authors about Daniel and his companions 1-6, deuterocanonical Greek 13-14 and apocalyptic
visions written in the first person and factiously attributed to Daniel 7-12. Daniel is both an
edifying short story and apocalyptic vision, which are self-contained short stories with distinct
beginnings, middles, and endings. The nine narratives in Daniel are tales of biblical heroes who
cope successfully with difficulties, survive the terrible oppression, and in the end triumph
gloriously, good prevails over evil and that God rewards faithfulness.

First Theological Development

Salvation of God

1:15 After ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from
the royal table.
In this verse, we have seen that due to their faithfulness, God saved Daniel and his three
friends by making them look healthier compared to others despite the fact that they choose not to
eat the food that they are supposed to eat. By looking healthier, they were saved from the
punishment that they might experience due to their disobedience to the king’s ordeal.

1:17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency in all literature and wisdom,
and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams.
In this verse, we can see that God gives Daniel and his friends the wisdom, knowledge
and skills that will save them from future harm that they might experience. We all know that
these knowledge and abilities will spare their life and will give them a high position in the king’s
court in the future.

2:46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell down and worshiped Daniel and ordered sacrifice and
incense offered to him.
As God reveals to Daniel the dream of the king and its interpretation, Daniel was able to
save his life and of his friends since the king ordered the execution of the wise men who were
not able to reveal and interpret his dream. They were not only being saved but they also received
so many perks due to Daniel’s revelation and interpretation of the king’s dream.
2:49 At Daniel’s request the king made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego administrators of the
province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the king’s court.
We can say that having a position in the king’s court is God’s way of saving Daniel and
his three friends since they are able to experience a good life and they can also have the freedom
and power to show their faith and worship God.

3:49-50 But the angel of the Lord went down into the furnace with Azariah and his companions,
drove the fiery flames out of the furnace, and made the inside of the furnace as though a dew-
laden breeze were blowing through it.
God saves Azariah and his companions by keeping them unharmed by the flames.
Although the king and the people in the kingdom expected Azariah and his companions to be
killed by the fire, God sent His angel in order to save them from the burning heat of the fire.
Before this difficult situation in which the three young man experienced, we had already
seen how an opportunity of salvation was afforded to the barbarian nations through the
opportune presence of the captive Jews, with the result that after they had first come to know the
power of the one true God through Daniel's revelation of the dream, they might then learn from
the brave example of the three youths to despise death, and to renounce the worship of idols.

4:33 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty
and my splendor returned to me.
King Nebuchadnezzar showed his gratitude to God since God allowed and returned to
him the things that he had lost, in the likes of his reason, kingdom, majesty and splendor. As he
was humbled by God due to his arrogance, King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that he was just
humbled yet still saved by the Most High.

5:29 Then by order of Belshazzar they clothed Daniel in purple, with a chain of gold around his
neck, and proclaimed him third in governing the kingdom.
As Daniel was able to explain the writings on the wall, King Belshazzar gave him a high
position in the Kingdom. Daniel once again gained the respect and trust of the king and even
gave him the third position in governing the kingdom.

6:23 My God sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me. For I
have been found innocent before him; neither have I done you any harm, O king!
In this chapter, we have witnessed the classic story of Daniel who was not eaten and was
even unharmed by the lion. This story is proof that God will always be of help to the people who
have faith and trust in him.

7:25 He shall speak against the Most High and wear down the holy ones of the Most High,
intending to change the feast days and the law. They shall be handed over to him for a time, two
times, and half a time.
 These visions encourage patience that God's people are to wait for him to bring his
kingdom and rule over our world and vindicate his suffering people.

VIII
25 His cunning shall be against the holy ones, his treacherous conduct shall succeed. He shall
be proud of heart and destroy many by stealth. But when he rises against the prince of princes,
he shall be broken without a hand being raised.
Specifically, it is the end of the period of foreign domination and oppression—a
period that for Daniel is understood as the exile. This point is made more explicit in chapter 9.
The final times are those of divine action, where the dark will become clear and the hope of man
will be fulfilled. Here the initiative of God takes place through his Word, which is the light for
the understanding of the ultimate realities.

IX
19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, pardon! O Lord, be attentive and act without delay, for your own sake,
O my God, because this city and your people bear your name!"
24 "Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and for your holy city: Then transgression will
stop and sin will end, guilt will be expiated, Everlasting justice will be introduced, vision and
prophecy ratified, and a most holy will be anointed.
27 For one week he shall make a firm compact with the many; Half the week he shall abolish
sacrifice and oblation; On the temple wing shall be the horrible abomination until the ruin that
is decreed is poured out upon the horror."

Daniel confesses that the disgrace and suffering of the extended period of exile are squarely the
result of the people’s sins. The seemingly mysterious unfoldings of history are no more than the
stipulated penalty for transgressing the covenant. The key, then, for a full return from this state
of exile is a full return by the people to their God and his laws. This call for a renewed fidelity
rings throughout Daniel. In the face of new historical circumstances that encourage the Jews in
ever-greater ways to abandon their God and their religious customs, renewed trust in the mercy
and solicitous care of God is needed. To invoke God with faith is to be sure of his attention and
his help. There is no better way to find inner peace than to turn to Him knowing that you are
heard. This is a teaching for those who are submerged in his sins and think that there is no
salvation. Likewise, the prayer that moves God is that of someone who, recognizing himself as a
sinner, goes to Him, asking for forgiveness. The time fixed by God to establish justice is the
opportunity for the conversion of the peoples. Here the salvific offer takes place that becomes
hope for devastated Israel. Despite the times of darkness, the path points to light and fullness.

X
18-19 The one who looked like a man touched me again and strengthened me, saying, "Fear not,
beloved, you are safe; take courage and be strong. "It is interesting to note that Persia as well as
Greece is portrayed as an adversary.

The book of Daniel is presented also as a theology of history. Whereas Isaiah could portray King
Cyrus of Persia as the anointed of the Lord for his role in liberating the Jews from their exile in
Babylon (Isa 45:1), Daniel is less enthusiastic about any foreign power. The two centuries of
Persian rule over the Jews is for him just a part of his expanded understanding of exile. Trading
one foreign overlord for another, however benign or benevolent, does not ensure the freedom to
serve the Lord that Daniel seeks. This was the lesson in chapter 6, where even the favorably
disposed Darius proved to be ultimately inept and inadequate. Every initiative on the part of
God, who speaks of salvation, requires complete attention in man. In God’s revelation is the
salvation of humanity.

XI
45 He shall pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the sea and the glorious holy mountain,
but he shall come to his end with none to help him.
Instead of focusing squarely on Israel itself, the orbit has expanded to include universal history.
It is then within this wider world history that the place and destiny of the Jewish people is
situated. He initiates the wanton violence that will reach its culmination against the Jews in the
person of Antiochus IV. His sudden demise may also be read as a judgment and a reminder that
power belongs to God alone and that he bestows it on whom he will. Antiochus died while on a
campaign in the east and not during a retreat from yet another campaign in Egypt (11:42-44).
Daniel’s “fictional” account of the king’s death between the sea and the glorious holy mountain
(11:45) is meant to make a connection between the king’s death and his crimes against religion.
He dies in the shadow of the temple mount, and thus his death is seen as divine punishment for
desecrating that very temple. God's justice is manifested at the right time, because He will never
be on the side of those who oppress and destroy. It would only be for the sake of their own
idolatrous religion that they would pretend friendship to the Jews. And they would do this in
order that those who were approved might be made manifest. For the time of their true salvation
and help will be the coming of Christ; for the Jews mistakenly imagine that he (i.e., their
Messiah) is yet to come, for they are going to receive the Antichrist (when he comes).

XII
"At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a
time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall
escape, everyone who is found written in the book.
Continuing the narrative of the vision from chapter 11, Daniel 12 begins with a reference to the
appearance of Michael, who was also mentioned at the beginning of this extended vision in
Daniel 10:13. In spite of the great calamity, the angel who has been speaking throughout the
vision (presumably Gabriel) assures Daniel that his people will escape, since this has already
been written in God’s book. Daniel’s people should probably be understood as the people of
Israel and not a subgroup thereof. From God’s perspective, the final chapter has already been
written, and it entails everlasting life and glory for those who remain faithful. When Antiochus
had died in Persia, the people of Israel experienced salvation, even all who had been written
down in the book of God, that is, those who defended the law with great bravery. Contrasted
with them were those who proved to be transgressors of the Law and sided with the party of
Antiochus.1

1 Here we can relate how the theological themes are interwoven, i.e. Contrast and Salvation.
XIII
13 Go, take your rest, you shall rise for your reward at the end of days.
44 The Lord heard her prayer.
60 The whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those that hope in him.

Nowhere in the book of Daniel is the name of its hero more appropriate. Daniel (“God is my
judge”) succeeds in revealing God’s justice and judgment in Susanna’s case. Through Daniel’s
cross-examination of the elders, he unmasks their perjury and vindicates Susanna. The law of
Moses is also vindicated in its proper application by a righteous judge. Daniel fulfills the role of
the judge in verifying testimony (13:52-59) and punishing (13:61-62) those who bear false
witness as described in Deuteronomy 19:18-19. As in the tale of the three young men in chapter
3 or the lions’ den in chapter 6, we once again see that God “saves those that hope in him”
(13:60). The story of Susanna is yet another reminder to persevere and remain faithful to God
even in the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances.

XIV
37 "Daniel, Daniel," cried Habakkuk, "take the lunch God has sent you."
38 "You have remembered me, O God," said Daniel; "you have not forsaken those who love
you."

The superiority of the God of Daniel, “the living God who made heaven and earth and has
dominion over all flesh” (14:5) is reaffirmed as in the court tales of Daniel 1–6. Daniel is
preserved from harm, thereby proving the power and supremacy of his God (14:40). The king
acknowledges the God of Daniel (14:41) and punishes those who would have him killed with the
same fate they had planned for him (14:42). The words of the king and the prayer of Daniel drive
home once more the message of the book of Daniel: “The king cried aloud, ‘You are great, O
Lord, the God of Daniel, and there is no other besides you!’ ” (14:41). “ ‘You have remembered
me, O God,’ said Daniel; ‘you have not forsaken those who love you’ ” (14:38). Daniel as an
apocalyptic writing offers comfort and hope to people in despair—not from earthly sources but
from heaven.

Israel as a Sacrificial Offering

The Book of Daniel contains recurring accounts of the protagonists being handed down or
offered to the authorities either to serve in a function or to be subjected to death. From the
outset, the four Israelites were put into a test (1:4) that will prove their worth in the face of their
pagan masters. In 2:16, Daniel gave himself up to interpret king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream so
that others, including themselves, will not be put to death.

In 3:39-40, the theme of offering becomes more apparent. Azariah prays in the furnace: “But
with contrite heart and humble spirit. let us be received; As though it were burnt offerings of
rams and bulls, or tens of thousands of fat lambs, So let our sacrifice be in your presence today.”
In chapter four, we see Nebuchadnezzar succumbing to madness and being debased as a tree that
is cut down and reduced to an animal eating grass:

Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut
down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the
grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew
of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him (4:23)

In 5:11-12, we see again the person of Daniel being offered to interpret the ominous writing
on the wall. This time, Daniel’s reputation precedes him and is seen surpassing all the other
magicians and divinizers of Belshazzar’s kingdom. Again in 6:17, we see an ostensive offering
of Daniel’s person as he is put into the lion’s den.

Starting from chapter seven, the theme of offering become less apparent, but are nonetheless
essential. Daniel serves as the offering by suffering the terrible visions, becoming terrified
and even ill because of what he saw (7:28, 8:27). When we arrive at chapter nine, we saw the
person of Daniel making a prayer of petition in order for God to show his people clemency. This
also coincides with the theme of offering because Daniel acts on behalf of his people as he
presents their petition to God. Furthermore, in 10:2-3, we see more acts of self-sacrifice of
Daniel by refusing something to eat and to anoint himself as he mourns.

In chapter 11, the theme of offering now shifts from Daniel to the faithful people who are
likewise experiencing what Daniel endured: “Some of those with insight shall stumble so that
they may be tested, refined, and purified, until the end time which is still appointed to come,”
(11:35). This occurs again in 12:10, describing God’s faithful people in similar terms.
Transitioning to the story of Susanna in chapter 13, we see a story of a woman handed over to
unjust men who sentence her to death for not giving into their evil desires. Susanna here
becomes the offering by suffering an evil she did not commit and overcoming it with dignity.

Finally, in the story of Bel and the Dragon in chapter 14, Daniel again takes the hot seat by
contesting the divinity of Bel. Another test is placed for Daniel by undertaking an experiment
that will endanger his life (14:8). Just as in his previous undertakings, he turned out vindicated.
Worship and Fidelity

1. Daniel 1: 5 The issue is not simply that of eating clean or unclean foods as prescribed by
Mosaic law (Lev 11:1-47) but that of eating food that has been offered to idols. Meat in general
was not prohibited to Jews, only that of certain animals, and there are no laws against drinking
wine. In the ancient world, however, these were the food items that were typically offered in
sacrifice to gods. To partake of these items was to acknowledge in some way the god to whom
they were offered.

2. Daniel 2: 20 We can see carried over from the first chapter the element of comparison or
competition between Daniel and the various categories of foreign wise men (2:2, 10, 27). Just as
Daniel and his companions surpassed the other young men selected for royal service through their
fidelity to their God and their laws in chapter 1, here too Daniel’s wisdom surpasses that of the
Chaldean sages. As Daniel himself asserts, it is not any innate wisdom that he possesses (2:30)
but the wisdom that comes from God in heaven. To God alone belong wisdom and power (2:20),
and these gifts he bestows on those who are faithful to him

3. Daniel 3: 26, 51-52 The story of the fiery furnace emphasizes the importance of worshiping
the true God alone (3:95) in keeping with the First Commandment (Exod 20:23). Faced with
penalties—including death—for the faithful observance of their religion, will the Jewish people
still hold fast to their God and law? The reply of the three young men to the king shows the
proper attitude to maintain in such circumstances (3:16-18). They will remain faithful to their
God regardless of the circumstances. They see death as a very possible consequence of their
stance, and at the same time they affirm the power of their God who can save them if he so wills.

4. Daniel 4: 31-32 Nebuchadnezzar’s recognition of God is his direct manifestation to God’s power
and might. Such manifestation is his outward sign to worship God alone because only God is
powerful and mighty. There we saw how Nebuchadnezzar pronounced a decree for his kingdom
that none should blaspheme the God of the Jewish exiles. Here he goes a step further in blessing
and praising the Most High, the King of heaven (4:34).

5. Daniel 5: 17-19 "To this Daniel made answer before the king, saying: 'Thy gifts be unto thyself,
and bestow the presents of thy house upon someone else. .. .'" We should follow the example of a
man like Daniel, who despised the honor and gifts of a king, and who without any reward even in
that early day followed the Gospel injunction: "Freely have ye received, freely give." And
besides, when one is announcing sad tidings, it is unbecoming for him willingly to accept gifts.

6. Daniel 6: 7,11,27 The decree that no one is to address any petition to god or man for thirty
days except to the king (6:8) opposes the First Commandment’s obligation to worship the Lord
alone. Specifically, we see here the exilic and post exilic emphasis on personal daily prayer as
essential to worship. While the ritual sacrifices of the temple figure prominently in Daniel, they
do not exhaust the meaning of divine worship. The individual and the communal aspects—the
prayer of the heart as well as the public celebrations—are equally important. The connection
 between these two aspects of worship can be seen in Daniel’s prayer with his windows open
toward Jerusalem (6:11). There does not appear to be a particular Mosaic law prescribing prayer
three times a day (6:11), but at some point it became customary to pray in the morning, at
midday, and in the evening as attested by later rabbinical literature.

But because of what happened to Daniel in the lion’s den, Darius, like Nebuchadnezzar,
confesses the God of Daniel as the living God whose kingdom is everlasting and who delivers
and saves through marvelous acts of power (6:27-28). What began as a challenge to the God of
Israel and a threat to those who serve him ends with the confession and praise of the Lord by his
would-be rivals and the deliverance of his faithful servants.

7. Daniel 7: 13-14,27 Despite the coming of the four beasts, the coming of the Son of Man is
more significant and powerful than the forces of the beasts. In human history, although the four
kingdoms will come to destroy and conquer Israel, God’s kingdom will not vanish. Rather, His
Kingdom is eternal for all peoples and nations will serve Him profoundly. Thus, in times of
tribulations, a profound worship and commitment to the Lord is necessary in order to last and
survive.

8. Daniel 8: 12-13

9. Daniel 9: 4 God is faithful to his covenant and his commandments despite the infidelity of
his people. Such recognition of God's faithfulness to His people will lead us to His redemptive
power through Jesus Christ on the cross.

10. Daniel 10: 16-18 The angelic response is God’s assurance to bring peace and fortitude to
his people despite the drastic experience of his people through oppression of the foreigners. Such
assurance is another revelation of God’s fidelity to His people. However, one requires to make a
reciprocal of love and faith through worship in order to have peace and fortitude within.

11. Daniel 11: 36 When one is faithful to God, one is fortitudinous enough to speak how God is
powerful and mighty. However, when one is conceited with pride and does not recognize God at
all, one is outrageous to blaspheme God. It depends on the person on how he is faithful to God or
not.

12. Daniel 12: 12

13. Daniel 13: 23, 42-43 God’s faithfulness is not only manifested in His great love but also in his
Divine Justice. Through faith, God will defend the helpless innocent. However, this will be taken
into effect when one is faithful to the Lord.

14. Daniel 14: 5, 25, 41 Worship is a profound act of fidelity to God. When Daniel did not
worship Bel and the Dragon, he manifested his utmost obedience and faithfulness to God. When
God is exposed as the only True God, all the gods will be lifeless and useless images.
Personal Thought:

Worship and Fidelity to the Lord are essential elements of our being as God’s people. When we
worship profoundly the Lord with an utmost manifestation of our faithfulness and love, God will
reciprocate our acts because he will ever forsake those who love Him. In effect, a pure liturgy is
deemed in order to please God forever.

CONTRAST

Daniel 1:18

Daniel and his friends remained faithful to their God and refused to defile themselves by eating
the food and drink provided by the Babylonians. the king had set a time for the young men to be
trained and presented to him for service. The chief official in charge of their training presented
them to the king, who then spoke with them. The king found that none of the other young
men in the training program were equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in
wisdom and understanding. It emphasizes the superior qualities of Daniel and his friends,
which are attributed to their faith in God.

Daniel 2: 10

In this verse, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him, and he called upon his wise
men, astrologers, magicians, and enchanters to interpret it for him. However, they were unable to
do so, prompting the king to threaten them with death if they did not reveal the dream's meaning.

This contrast sets the stage for Daniel's eventual interpretation of the dream through the
revelation given to him by God. Daniel recognizes that human wisdom is limited, but God's
wisdom is unlimited, and he relies on God for understanding and knowledge.

Daniel 2:27-28

(A contrast between the wisdom of the Babylonian wise men and the revelation given to Daniel
by God.)

It presents a contrast between the wisdom of the Babylonian astrologers and the revelation given
to Daniel by God. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him, and he called upon his
wise men, astrologers, magicians, and enchanters to interpret it for him. However, these wise
men were unable to interpret the dream, and the king became angry and ordered that all of his
wise men be executed.
When Daniel heard about the king's decree, he asked for time to pray and seek revelation from
God. Daniel then received a vision from God, which he was able to interpret for the king,
revealing the meaning of the dream and the events that would occur in the future.

The contrast in this passage lies in the inability of the Babylonian wise men to interpret the
dream, despite their reputation for wisdom and knowledge, and the ability of Daniel, a young
Jewish captive, to receive revelation from God and interpret the dream correctly. The passage
emphasizes the superiority of God's wisdom over human wisdom and the importance of relying
on God for understanding and knowledge.

Daniel 3:96 - “For there is no other God who can rescue like this”

(A contrast between the power of the Babylonian king and his idol, and the power of Adonai)

In contrast, King Nebuchadnezzar, who had the power to order the execution of anyone who
refused to worship the statue, was powerless to harm the three men who had defied him. This
demonstrated the superiority of God's power over the power of the Babylonian king.

Daniel 4:2

King Nebuchadnezzar is acknowledging the power of God and the miracles that God has
performed on his behalf. This contrasts with the pride and arrogance that the king displays later
in the chapter, when he takes credit for his own accomplishments and ignores the warnings of
God.

Daniel 5:2

(A contrast between the sacred vessels of God and the profane behavior of Belshazzar and his
guests)

Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, hosted a great feast for his nobles and guests, during which he
ordered the sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem to be used for drinking wine. This
was a profane act of disrespect and sacrilege towards the holy objects of God.

The contrast in this verse emphasizes the glaring difference between the sacred and the profane,
and the importance of showing reverence and respect for holy objects and places. It also
highlights the arrogance and blasphemy of Belshazzar and his guests, who did not acknowledge
or honor the God of the Jews, despite the warning signs that appeared on the wall during the
feast.

Daniel 6:25

(A contrast between Daniel who was saved from the lions and his wicked accusers overpowered
by lions)

The king then ordered the men who had accused Daniel, along with their children and their
wives, to be cast into the lions' den. Before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions
overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

Daniel was thrown into a den of lions for refusing to obey a decree issued by King Darius that
prohibited prayer to any god or man except the king himself. However, God miraculously saved
Daniel from the lions.

The men who had falsely accused Daniel were then thrown into the lions' den themselves, and
they were not saved. Their punishment was a consequence of their deceitful and malicious
actions towards Daniel, and their punishment showed that God is just and will not let the wicked
go unpunished.

Daniel 7:11

(a contrast between two opposing forces: the power of the "beast" and the power of the "Ancient
One.")

The contrast in this verse emphasizes the ultimate defeat and destruction of the beast and its
body. The other beasts also lose their dominion but are granted a prolongation of life for a time
and a season.

The contrast in this verse highlights the idea that earthly powers and kingdoms may seem
powerful and influential, but they are ultimately temporary and will be destroyed. It also
emphasizes the importance of recognizing and submitting to the authority of God, who is the true
source of all power and dominion and whose kingdom will last forever.

Daniel 8:23-24
The contrast in this verse is between the little horn and the "holy ones," who are the faithful
followers of God.

The little horn is described as a king who is impudent and skilled in intrigue, and who will be
strong and powerful. He will bring about fearful ruin and succeed in his undertakings, destroying
powerful peoples. His cunning will be directed against the "holy ones," the faithful followers of
God.

Daniel 9:8-9

(A contrast between the merciful God and the rebellious and sinful people.)

On the one hand, the people of Israel are depicted as having sinned against God by rebelling
against Him and not following His laws. They express shame for their actions, acknowledging
their guilt and the guilt of their leaders and ancestors. On the other hand, this also emphasizes the
mercy and forgiveness that belong to God, despite the rebellion of His people. It shows that
although the people of Israel have sinned and rebelled, God remains merciful and forgiving.

Daniel 10:7

(a contrast between the reaction of Daniel and his companions when Daniel saw a vision)

The contrast here is between the experience of Daniel, who alone sees the vision, and the
reaction of the men who are with him, who do not see the vision but are still seized with great
fear and flee to hide themselves. This contrast highlights the power and majesty of the vision,
which has a profound impact even on those who do not directly witness it. The contrast between
Daniel's experience and the reaction of his companions also underscores Daniel's unique role as a
prophet and seer. The fact that he alone is able to see the vision suggests that he is being given a
special insight or revelation from God, and that he has been chosen for a special purpose.

Daniel 11:28

(a contrast between the actions of the king of the north and the will of God)

The contrast here is between the king of the north's desire for wealth and power, and God's will
for the holy covenant. It suggests that although the king of the north may succeed in
accumulating great wealth, his heart will be set against the holy covenant, and he will work his
own will instead of following God's plan. It shows the theme of God’s sovereignty over human
affairs, and the idea that ultimately, God’s will cannot be thwarted by human ambition or greed.

Daniel 12:2-3 “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live
forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise shall shine brightly like
the splendor of the firmament, And those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars
forever.”

(A contrast between the fate of the wicked and the righteous)

The contrast here is between the fate of those who will be resurrected from the dead. Some will
be resurrected to everlasting life, while others will be resurrected to shame and everlasting
contempt. This suggests a division between the righteous and the wicked, and highlights the idea
of divine judgment and justice.
The contrast also emphasizes the importance of wisdom and righteousness, as those who are
wise and who lead others to righteousness will shine like the brightness of the sky and the stars
forever and ever. This suggests that those who live according to God’s will and seek to do what
is right will be rewarded, while those who reject God's ways and follow their own desires will
face eternal consequences.

Daniel 13:56

Daniel confronts the second elder who had also falsely accused Susanna. A contrast is made that
the elder is called an offspring of Canaan, not of Judah. He points out the elder’s moral
corruption, with the difference being between the elder’s sinful nature and Daniel’s moral
rectitude. Daniel is able to see through the elder’s lies and expose the truth, which leads to the
elder’s conviction and punishment.

Daniel 14:21-22

(A contrast between truth and falsehood, with Daniel once again standing for truth and exposing
the falsehoods of others)

The contrast here is between the deception of the priests, who have been lying to the king and the
people, and the truthfulness of Daniel, who is able to see through their deceit and expose the
truth. Daniel is once again portrayed as a figure of righteousness and wisdom, who is able to use
his intelligence and keen observation skills to solve problems and bring about justice.