November 9, 2011 – Daniel 12

I was looking at the notes in my Bible and trying to find something to write about.  I found this interesting.  The author of Daniel wrote it in the 2nd century BC, during the persecution of Jews by Antiochus.  It was written from the perspective of a holy man during the Babylonian exile because that was also a time of great persecution.  The idea is to bring hope to those going through a struggle by telling them the story of someone who went through a struggle and persevered.  I guess I always new Daniel was written after Daniel was to have existed, but I didn’t realize when and what the purpose was and what was happening to the Jews at that time.  All the stories and heroics and perseverance of  Daniel is to encourage those Jews seeing themselves be persecuted to stay faithful to God. 

One of the things that is brought up in Daniel that is not mentioned in most other Old Testament books is the Resurrection of the Dead.  Daniel clearly shows a belief that at some point individuals will rise up and good will get eternal blessings a bad will receive eternal punishment.  Resurrection is important when the idea of martyrdom is a real possibility.  When you are looking at death for a belief, believing that death is not the actual end is something that can hold you firm to your faith.  This is why Daniel wants to point this out and steel the people resolve.