Daniel (Believers Church Bible Commentary | BCBC)
Overview
The Believers Church Bible Commentary Series is published for all who seek more fully to understand the original message of Scripture and its meaning for today—Sunday school teachers, members of Bible study groups, students, pastors, and other seekers. The series is based on the conviction that God is still speaking to all who will listen, and that the Holy Spirit makes the Word a living and authoritative guide for all who want to know and do God’s will.
Each volume illuminates the Scriptures; provides historical and cultural background; shares necessary theological, sociological, and ethical meanings; and, in general, makes "the rough places plain." Critical issues are not avoided, but neither are they moved into the foreground as debates among scholars. The series aids in the interpretive process, but it does not attempt to supersede the authority of the Word and Spirit as discerned in the gathered church.
The Believers Church Bible Commentary is a cooperative project of Brethren in Christ Church, Brethren Church, Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Brethren Church, and Mennonite Church.
Overall Outline
The commentaries are organized into sections according to the major divisions of the text. Each section comprises five parts:
- An introductory preview
- A summary outline of the section
- Explanatory notes
- The text in its biblical context
- The text in the life of the church
Daniel
Paul M. Lederach (Mennonite Church) sees in Daniel a persistent call to endurance and loyalty to God, even while believers suffer for their faith, pray for deliverance, and speak truth to kings. God's reign is ever present and moving to fullness in God's own way. Although ruling beasts may rampage for a while, God is sovereign over history and cuts their time short.
This Old Testament apocalyptic book interprets ancient history through signs and symbols. It predicts a future in which martyrs are raised to everlasting life and share in the triumph of God's kingdom, which shall fill the whole earth.
Top Highlights
“Even if God does not deliver, they will not under any conditions serve Nebuchadnezzar’s god (cf. Job 13:15, NRSV note, ‘Though he kill me, yet I will trust in him’).” (Page 83)
“The issue is not whether God is capable of delivering. That is never in question in the book of Daniel. The issue is faithfulness, whether believers will reject idolatry and refuse to divide their loyalties even when their lives are at stake.” (Page 83)
“The motif of this story is to demonstrate that God honors faithful servants (1 Sam. 2:30) rather than that a vegetarian diet is sure to bring better health (Gen. 9:3).” (Page 40)
“They serve God not because he is powerful or works miracles, but because he is the living God!” (Page 83)
“Daniel and his companions reject the king’s food because they do not want to break Jewish dietary laws.” (Page 38)
- Title: Daniel
- Author: Paul M. Lederach
- Publisher: Herald Press
- Publication Date: 1994
- Pages: 326