We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. (Daniel 9:18)In the Christian Bible, The Book of Daniel is placed among the prophets, right between Ezekiel (the last major prophet) and Hosea (the first minor prophet). But in the Hebrew Bible, Daniel takes its place among the Writings, along with Ezra/Nehemiah and Chronicles, the most recent additions to the Hebrew canon.
This creative narration of events involving Daniel is aimed at Jews experiencing persecution under the harsh rule of Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), a Greek tyrant ruling over Jerusalem in the second century BC. Antiochus had installed his own High Priest, executed many notable Jewish leaders, ordered the worship of Zeus, criminalized possession of the Jewish Scriptures, and slaughtered a pig on the temple altar. Because of Jewish resistance in Jerusalem, Antiochus attacked without mercy. Forty thousand Jews were killed in three days, with another forty thousand sold into slavery.
Apocalyptic literature (Daniel 7-12, Revelation) is aimed at persecuted peoples for the purpose of encouraging them to hold on in faith, to let them know that even though troubles may come God has not forgotten them, and that in the end good triumphs over evil.
We can take comfort that God preserved the Jews during the age of Antiochus and Christians under Roman domination. Likewise, God wants you to hold on. Things will get better.
What are you enduring? Hold on to God's great mercy.
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