The prophecies of Daniel are rich and relevant, they remind us of God’s sovereignty over creation, especially over nations. Indeed, “The Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will” (Dan. 5:21). The last half of the book records several related prophecies: the prophecies concerning the rise and fall of kingdoms (Dan. 2; 7), but His kingdom will stand (Dan. 2; 7:27). The kingdoms of Media, Persia, and Greece would rise and fall (Dan. 8). God’s people were in a period of trial, but it would end (Dan. 9).

The oppression of Daniel’s generation was terrible. In no way does Daniel’s work diminish that truth. Instead, it highlights the suffering God’s people faced. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego faced the fiery furnace (Dan. 3). Daniel himself faced the lion’s den (Dan. 6). If such was the case for those in the king’s court, the rest of the Jewish populous could expect no less. Persecution and oppression were the lot of God’s people, but only for a season (Dan. 9:24-26; 12:11-12; cf. Ezek. 4:5-6). 

All this was intended to bolster Israel and their confidence in God, leading to a deep unshakable hope. Walton notes, “Chapter 1 shows God honoring the act of faith of Daniel and his friends. In Chapter 2 the sovereignty of God is evident in how He provides Daniel with the interpretation of the dream and thereby spares their lives. It is also evident in the contents of the dream, where we see a succession of kingdoms that conveyed to the Israelites that it was not yet time for the kingdom for which they had been waiting. Certainly this would have been a disappointing message for the exiles to hear. The main significance, however, is the fact that in God’s agenda, the mighty empires of the world come and go, and they will all be superseded by the kingdom of God that will never be destroyed (2:44). This would give reason for continued hope” (John Walton and Andrew Hill, A Survey of the Old Testament, 3rd Ed. [Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2009], 574). 

This message still speaks to us today. It reminds us that God still governs the universe, and all nations on earth answer to Him. History is HIS-story, it belongs to Him, and even if the nations refuse to accept that truth now, they will not have a choice on the matter later. We should take refuge in our God and have confidence. This is true even if it means we have to suffer for a little while. God still reigns supreme. Not only does God reign supreme, but His people will always come out on top. We might have to play the underdog for a period in the story, but we can rest assured that we will come out on top. Because of the message of Daniel and God’s continued faithfulness throughout history, we can maintain a hope that still propels us onward in faithful service to the King. Our God reigns and we are part of His unshakable kingdom (cf. Heb. 12:28-29).