Daniel was a man of deep scriptural study, prayer, and prophetic discernment. His understanding of Babylon’s role, the coming deliverance of Israel, and future world events was shaped by his study of the writings of Jeremiah and Isaiah. Below is an analysis of how Daniel studied these prophecies and applied them in his role as a watchman.
1. Daniel’s Study of Jeremiah’s Prophecies
Daniel’s direct reference to Jeremiah’s writings is found in Daniel 9:2:
“In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.” (Daniel 9:2, AMP)
A. What Did Daniel Read in Jeremiah?
Daniel specifically studied Jeremiah 25:11-12 and Jeremiah 29:10:
• Jeremiah 25:11-12 (AMP):
“This whole land will be a waste and a horror, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. Then when seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their wickedness, says the Lord, and I will make it a perpetual desolation.”
• Jeremiah 29:10 (AMP):
“For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years of exile have been completed for Babylon, I will visit (inspect) you and keep My good promise to you, to bring you back to this place.’”
B. How Did Daniel Interpret Jeremiah’s Prophecies?
• Daniel recognized the timeframe: He realized that the 70-year exile was nearly complete.
• He took God’s promise literally: Daniel understood that Israel’s return was not symbolic but a real historical event that God had set in motion.
• He connected prophecy to action: Instead of passively waiting, he immediately turned to prayer, fasting, and repentance (Daniel 9:3-19), fulfilling his role as a watchman.
2. Daniel’s Study of Isaiah’s Prophecies
Though not explicitly mentioned, Daniel would have also been familiar with Isaiah’s prophecies, especially those concerning Babylon’s fall and Israel’s restoration.
A. Key Passages in Isaiah
• Isaiah 44:28 (AMP) – Prophecy about Cyrus
“It is I who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and he will carry out all My desire’; And he says of Jerusalem, ‘She shall [again] be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall [again] be laid.’”
• Isaiah 45:1-4 (AMP) – Cyrus as God’s Instrument
“Thus says the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him … ‘For the sake of Jacob My servant, and of Israel My chosen, I have also called you by your name; I have given you an honorable name, though you have not known Me.’”
• Isaiah 47:1-15 – Judgment Against Babylon
• Isaiah prophesied that Babylon would fall due to its arrogance, idolatry, and cruelty.
• The prophecy describes the sudden downfall of Babylon, aligning with the events of Daniel 5 (the fall of Babylon under Belshazzar).
B. How Did Daniel Apply Isaiah’s Prophecies?
• He recognized God’s sovereignty: Isaiah’s prophecy named Cyrus as the ruler who would free the Jews. When Daniel saw the Medes and Persians take Babylon (Daniel 5:30-31), he likely understood that God was fulfilling Isaiah’s words.
• He saw Babylon’s judgment as a divine act: Isaiah had foretold Babylon’s humiliation and fall. Daniel witnessed this firsthand and understood it as God’s righteous judgment.
• He may have used Isaiah’s prophecy to encourage fellow Jews: If Daniel knew that God had already decreed restoration, he could have strengthened his people’s hope and faith in the coming deliverance.
3. How Did Daniel Study and Apply Prophecy?
A. He Studied the Scriptures with Diligence
• Daniel read and studied the prophetic writings carefully.
• He compared prophecies (Jeremiah and Isaiah) with current events.
B. He Connected Prophecy with Prayer
• After realizing the 70 years were nearly complete, he interceded for Israel (Daniel 9:3-19).
• His prayer included repentance, confession, and a plea for restoration.
C. He Acted as a Watchman
• He took on responsibility for his generation by praying and preparing for Israel’s return.
• He warned kings (Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius) of God’s sovereignty.
• He remained faithful despite Babylon’s culture of idolatry and corruption.
Conclusion
Daniel studied Jeremiah’s and Isaiah’s prophecies carefully, discerning God’s timeline for Babylon’s fall and Israel’s restoration. Instead of waiting passively, he prayed, repented, and interceded for his people. His example teaches us that prophecy should not just be studied—it should move us to action through prayer, repentance, and faithfulness in fulfilling God’s plans.
