I don’t have the historical knowledge to understand specifically why this chapter is located here…. It is like an interruption – an “Oh, by the way” – and is based on the Persian King’s timeline. It is apparent in Chapter 5 that the Babylonian kingdom went to King Darius the Mede immediately following Belshazzar’s death; but Chapter 10 clues us into the reality of the rule of King Cyrus the Persian as well…. It is corroboration of the interpretation of the dream Nebuchadnezzar had approximately 63 years earlier – that, while his kingdom would be the head of gold, the kingdom after him would be an empire with the chest and arms of silver. That kingdom has been identified as the Medo-Persian Empire, which was in power from 539 – 331 B C, and it began the night Belshazzar died in 539 B C.
The only one who comes to my mind who perfectly fits the description of the being seen in the vision reported in this passage is the pre-incarnate Messiah – the One who will come to Daniel’s people in the latter days, and when He returns for His Second Coming, He will not come as the innocent babe, but the conquering hero.
However, I am not a Bible scholar. I don’t know exactly whom it was who appeared in Daniel’s vision – but there are some lessons to be noted here. I do know Daniel’s vision came from God, and that the one who was sent was occupied doing battle with demonic forces who were trying to prevent Daniel’s prayers from getting through….
What is indelibly impressed on me in Chapter 10 is the commendation Daniel receives, directly expressed from the heart of God! At the precise point that Daniel was beyond overwhelmed being in the powerful presence of the one in the vision, he was encouraged and comforted with these words, “O Daniel, man greatly loved….” And later in this passage, in verse 19, after he was strengthened the message was reiterated, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” Daniel was a humble man, in spite of his successes, intelligence and giftedness. He is an amazing model of a true man of God.
In 539 B C, Daniel was approximately 81 years old. He was captured in 605 B C during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign and taken to Babylon. He was a youth at the time. For observation sake I have placed him at 15 years of age when he was captured, which is my basis for the observation that he was most likely about 81 in 539 B C, give or take a year or two….
Daniel was consistently faithful in spite of circumstances. He’ll soon get to prove that again!
The commendation he received is one I want to pass on today to those who are following God's call on their lives, and living faithfully in spite of obstacles and circumstances. May your stories be encouraging to others as you faithfully seek to serve Him with all your heart....
“O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.”
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