Historical Background Of Daniel

The events and prophecies of this book cover at least the full length of the 70 year exile in Babylon—from the first deportation of Hebrew captives (1:1-2; 2 Chronicles 36:5-8) to the first
return of the captives to their homeland (Ezra 1-2). Daniel was a statesman in the foreign courts. Through God’s intervention, he obtained a prominent place in the Babylonian government (2:48-49; 5:11). During the early years of the Medo-Persian empire he was one of the three governors over the entire realm (6:1-3).

Returning to Babylon to assume the throne of his father, Nebuchadnezzar took many captives, including Daniel and his three friends (606 BC). A second group, including Ezekiel, also went into exile (597 BC). The third group was carried away at the destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC) (Jeremiah 52:28-30). Jeremiah cautioned the captives to live
peaceably and prosper in Babylon. It would be 70 years before they returned to their land (Jeremiah 29:1-20).

The Jewish exiles were placed in a rich plain on the river Chebar, which connected Babylon with Nippur (Ezekiel 1:1-3). They apparently enjoyed freedom to govern their own affairs and worship as they wanted—as long as they were loyal to Babylon, and conformed to the religious practice of their captors too.

Message Of Daniel

Summarized in the statement “…the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” (4:25). That is the message to the Babylonians, to the people of Judah, and it was the message behind Daniel’s visions of the future. God can describe the future because God controls it.