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Daniel 1:1-21

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... worker. In similar contests, Yahweh shows that he is greater than Dagon as the Philistine god bows before the ark of the covenant (1 Sam. 5), and he proves his superiority to Baal when Elijah faces Baal’s prophets in calling fire down from heaven (1 Kgs. 18:1– ... period, as some scholars think, then it would be more likely that the author intended sarisim to be understood as “eunuchs” (see Collins, Daniel, p. 135). Partemim (nobility) is a Persian word used only here and in Esth. 1:3 and 6:9. It may ...

2. The Writing on the Wall

Daniel 5:1-31

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... Dan. 5:19). Of course, it is God who ultimately has power to “put to death” and “bring to life” (Deut. 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:6–7), to bring one down and exalt another (Ps. 75:7), but he delegates that to earthly kings, who are divinely appointed ... in the Babylonian period; ch. 9, Median; Daniel 10:1 gives a Persian context, but 10:20 indicates that Greece is next on the scene (Collins, Daniel, p. 31). It is curious that the text supplies the age of Darius the Mede: sixty-two (5:31). Some have seen in this ...

3. Daniel’s Vision of a Man

Daniel 10:1--11:1

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... ). Even more often the Euphrates is simply designated “the River” (Gen. 31:21; Exod. 23:31; Num. 22:5; Josh. 24:2–3, 14–15; 2 Sam. 10:16; 1 Kgs. 4:21, 24; 14:15; 1 Chron. 19:16; 2 Chron. 9:26; Pss. 72:8; 80:11; Isa. 7:20; 8: ... and Yom Kippur. The fixing of fates may have come into Judaism by Babylonian influence (see ANET, p. 67) from the time of the exile (Collins, Daniel, p. 376). Besides the book of truth, two other books are described in Daniel: the book of life (Dan. 12:1; see also Exod. 32: ...

4. Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts

Daniel 7:1-14

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... part of God’s throne (Ezek. 1:22–28), after which the ark was fashioned; Yahweh is enthroned on, between, or above the cherubim (1 Sam. 4:4; 2 Sam. 6:2; 2 Kgs. 19:15; 1 Chron. 13:6; Pss. 80:1; 99:1; Isa. 37:16). A closer parallel can be found in ... to read too much into the text. The ribs only show that the bear has a voracious appetite; it is finishing off its last victim (Collins, Daniel, p. 298). The bear is raised up on one of its sides (7:5) perhaps because it is planning to spring on new prey after ...

5. Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat

Daniel 8:1-14

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... who are part of God’s army (1 Kgs. 22:19). In fact, God is called “Yahweh of hosts” over two hundred times (e.g., 1 Sam. 1:3, 11; 4:4; Ps. 46:7, 11; Isa. 1:9, 24; consult the NRSV, which has “LORD of hosts”; NIV’s “LORD Almighty” is ... better solution is to read “a host will be given over together with the daily offering, in [the course of] transgression” (Collins, Daniel, pp. 326, 333–35). The word “on” can mean “in addition to” or, in this case, “together with.” The idea ...

6. Daniel’s Prayer

Daniel 9:1-19

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... years (2 Chron. 36:19–22). A number of scholars think we should not take the number literally (Lacocque, Daniel, p. 177; Collins, Daniel, p. 349; Goldingay, Daniel, p. 239; Hartman and Di Lella, Daniel, p. 247). Perhaps it is just a round number for ... , treaty, or agreement, such as the ones God made with Noah (Gen. 9:1–17), Abraham (Gen. 15; 17), Moses (Exod. 20–35), and David (2 Sam. 7; Pss. 89:1–37; 132). God is still a covenant-keeping God, for he made a new covenant in the blood of Jesus (Luke 22 ...

7. The End Times

Daniel 12:1-13

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... order to save their lives (1 Macc. 1:41–52). Therefore, it seems reasonable to follow a number of modern scholars (e.g., Collins, Daniel, p. 392; Anderson, Signs and Wonders, p. 149; Seow, Daniel, p. 188; and Towner, Daniel, p. 167) who argue that the author ... forever (Dan. 12:7; see also Dan. 4:34; Rev. 10:5–6). People would often swear, “As the LORD lives” (e.g., Judg. 8:19; 1 Sam. 14:39, 45; 19:6; 20:3, 21; 25:26, 34), while God swears, “As I live” (Num. 14:21, 28; Isa. 49:18; Jer. 22:24). ...

8. The Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:2-35

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... the Israelites did not have an image of God, they had an ark, which when captured was placed in the shrine of Dagon (1 Sam. 5:2). Apparently, Ptolemy also returned some gods to Egypt that had been stolen earlier by the Persians. Because of the wealth he brought ... of God to come from above, brought from heaven to earth by a supernatural act of God, as portrayed in Daniel 7 (Collins, Daniel, p. 385). The author of Daniel identifies with this group known as “the wise ones” and considers himself a member. They ...

9. The Seventy “Sevens”

Daniel 9:20-27

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... , then the second period should only be 351 years long. Perhaps 434 is “a round number rather than a miscalculation” as some scholars aver (Collins, Daniel, p. 356). Or, it could be that the 434 years (62 weeks) are simply what was left over. In other words, the author, ... as winged beings in the Bible. Seraphs (or seraphim; see Isa. 6:2 RSV) and cherubs (cherubim; see, e.g., Exod. 25:18–20; 2 Sam. 22:11; 1 Kgs. 6:23–28; Ezek. 10:5) have wings, but angels look like human beings (Dan. 8:15; 9:21; 10: ...

10. The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:1-30

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... the first “if” clause seems to be incredible, as explained in the commentary. It is not a matter of making the text more orthodox (Collins, Daniel, pp. 187–88; P. W. Coxon, “Daniel III 17: A Linguistic and Theological Problem,” VT 26 [1976], p. 408) but of making it ... (Isa. 14:14) similarly refer to God with the form ʿelyon, “Most High,” by itself, without “God” (see also, e.g., Deut. 32:8; 2 Sam. 22:14; Isa. 14:14; Lam. 3:35; Hos. 11:7; cf. Mark 5:7; Luke 1:32; 6:35; 8:28; Acts 7:48; Heb ...

11. Nebuchadnezzer’s Dream of a Tree

Daniel 4:1-18

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... the verb “to eat” or “to be fed” was lost from 4:15. The LXX supports adding it back in here (Montgomery, Daniel, pp. 233, 235; Collins, Daniel, pp. 209–210, 227). On the other side, 4:15 is repeated in 4:23. Since 4:23 also does not have the verb “eat” ... Press, 1993), pp. 218–19. 4:17 The theme of the lowliest of men being exalted and the proud being abased occurs frequently in the Bible: 1 Sam. 2:7–8; Job 5:11; Ps. 113:7–8; Ezek. 17:24; Luke 1:51–53; 1 Cor. 1:26–31; 1 Pet. 5:6; also ...

12. Daniel in the Den of Lions

Daniel 6:1-28

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... the law. The point was not that it was inflexible and could not be changed but that it would last and not expire or lapse (Collins, Daniel, p. 268; cf. also Esth. 1:19; 8:8). However, in the context of this chapter, it is necessary that the law be immutable ... deities, who cannot speak, see, or hear (Ps. 135:15–18; Isa. 44:18), the God of Israel is alive (Deut. 5:26; Josh. 3:10; 1 Sam. 17:26; Ps. 42:2; Jer. 10:10; Dan. 6:26; Hos. 1:10). What is surprising is that King Darius exudes so much faith when he ...

13. The Interpretation of the Vision

Daniel 8:15-27

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... same root, “deep sleep,” is even more remarkable, often indicating a sleep caused by God (e.g., Gen. 2:21; 15:12; 1 Sam. 26:12; Job 4:13; 33:15). Perhaps the text is saying that Daniel went into an ecstatic state. In that case “sleep ... see, e.g., 9:7–8), they are not presented as sinners on the receiving end of God’s anger in punishment for their guilt (Collins, Daniel, p. 339). On the other hand, in support of the latter notion, “wrath” almost always refers to God’s indignation (verb: Zech. 1: ...

14. The Glory Departs

Ezekiel 8:1-18, Ezekiel 9:1-11, Ezekiel 10:1-22, Ezekiel 11:1-15, Ezekiel 11:16-25

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... believed the Lord to be invisibly present—as the divine title “the LORD almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim” indicates (1 Sam. 4:4; 2 Sam. 6:2//1 Chr. 13:6; Ps. 80:1). The ark itself thus served as the Lord’s footstool, the place where ... or appearing) does occur in the HB; see, e.g., Ps. 84:12 (M. S. Smith, The Early History of God [San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1990], pp. 115–16). Josiah, as part of his reforms, had removed from the temple in Jerusalem the horses and chariots of the sun ...

15. Hearts

2 Corinthians 6:14--7:1

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... Egypt as a paradigm of liberation, which is seen alongside of creation and thus transcends the historical specificity of Israel. Cf. John J. Collins, “The Exodus and Biblical Theology,” BTB 25 (1995), pp. 152–60 (here p. 157). 6:17 Cf. Paul’s citation of Isa. ... integrity of 2 Cor. 6:14–7:1 within the letter, the use of promises in 7:1 in reference to the Scriptures (including 2 Sam. 7:14) recalls 2 Cor. 1:20, the only other use of the terms promises and “Son(s) of God” in 2 Corinthians. If, as ...

16. Body / Ambassador

2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... its holiness is potentially deadly (Gen. 16:13; 32:30; Exod. 19:21; 24:10–11; 33:18–23; Judg. 6:22–23; 13:22; 1 Sam. 6:19; 1 Kgs. 19:13; Isa. 6:5). An individual may experience the terrifying aspect of God’s presence in a dream or vision as ... all will make peace. The sword will cease from the earth and all provinces will worship him” (4Q246 2.5–6). Cf. John J. Collins, “The Son of God Text from Qumran,” in From John to Jesus: Essays on Jesus and New Testament Christology in Honour of Marinus ...

17. The Glory of the New Covenant

2 Corinthians 3:7-17; 4:1-6

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... (Excursus III). The Spirit of the Lord (pneuma kyriou) occurs frequently in the LXX (cf. Judg. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14; 1 Sam. 10:6; 16:13, 14; 1 Kgs. 18:12; 22:24; 2 Kgs. 2:16; 2 Chron. 18:23; 20:14; Isa. 11:2; 61:1; Ezek. 11:5; Mic. ... the Visionary in the Ascent Apocalypses,” in Mysteries and Revelations: Apocalyptic Studies since the Uppsala Colloquium (ed. John J. Collins and James H. Charlesworth; JSPSup 9; Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1991), pp. 79–90; idem, Ascent to Heaven in Jewish ...

18. What Does It Mean to Be Blessed?

Ephesians 1:3-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... most of us know about them. They showed a stern-faced Uncle Sam wearing a top hat over his flowing white hair and pointing directly at the viewer. In bold letters across the bottom, the poster reads, “UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU.” (4) The soldiers who were recruited by those posters were ... Voices” (ChristianVoices@att.net). 3. (Chosen Books, 1976). 4. Adapted from Gary Collins You Can Make A Difference (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), p. 259. 5. Contributed. Source: Attributed to Alan Smith.

19. Why Shepherds?

Luke 2:8-20

Sermon

King Duncan

... , most of all, for those who do not have much else to hold on to. It’s best understood in a story that former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn used to tell. A reporter was covering the tragic conflict in Sarajevo a few years back. He saw a little girl shot by a sniper. ... heart of Christmas. In everything you do spread that love to everyone you meet. 1. “Lucky Man” by Denis Collins, Smithsonian, June 2005, p. 123. 2. Published by HarperTrophy; Reprint edition (September 7, 1988). 3. Barbara Abbott, Christmas Day ...

20. What If You Could Change the Ending?

Luke 23:33-43

Sermon

King Duncan

... of the Klan had planted a bomb in the church that morning. Later, Carolyn would learn that her four friends—Addie Mae Collins, age 14; Carol McNair, age 11; Carole Robertson, age 14; and Cynthia Wesley, age 14—died in the explosion. Carolyn’s family ... 2. “We’re going to feel stupid for eternity if we waste this life” interview with Jackie Pullinger by Sam Hailes, “Premier Christianity,” January 2019. https://www.premierchristianity.com/Past-Issues/2019/January-2019/Jackie-Pullinger-We-re-going ...

21. Daniel Interprets the Dream of a Tree

Daniel 4:19-27

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... ’s rejection is not rescinded, even though he confesses his sin, asks for forgiveness, and worships God in Samuel’s presence (1 Sam. 15:24–31). On the other side, we recall the familiar story of Jonah and Nineveh. Jonah predicts the Assyrian capital’s destruction ... is a parallel for that in the commentary on Habakkuk from Qumran (1QpHab 1–5; 7.3; 8.14–9.7; cited in Collins, Daniel, p. 229 n. 116). More important evidence for questioning this verse is that parts of it are missing from the LXX. On ...

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