Hosea 1

Hosea 1:2

When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, "Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the LORD."

So, how would it feel, if you suddenly realize you're to be a prophet of God, and the first thing He tells you to do is go marry a prostitute.  Wouldn't a man who speaks for God have to be an upright and moral person?  The kind of person who would probably not even talk to a prostitute on the street, much less openly associate with one.

So, what would be expected of a prophet wife?  Obviously, she would be expected not to prostitute herself anymore, but what beyond that?  What would the people think of such a so-called prophet, that this would be his first "official" act?  Why should anyone believe he speaks for God, if God calls him to what they see as a sin?

Daniel 12

Daniel 12:4

But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase."

I'm not quite certain which book is being talked about here.  Is it the book of life, which was referenced earlier in the chapter and in Revelation?  If so, why would that book need to be sealed?  Or is it this book, the book of Daniel, which apparently isn't sealed since we can read it?

My best guess is that this is referring to another book with further details on what was/is to come.  This book must contain more prophecies, or perhaps interpret them so they make sense to everyone.  But if this book is sealed, why will knowledge increase?  Is it because we're trying to figure out the meaning, and therefore pick apart possible explanations to try and understand?

Daniel 11

Daniel 11:4

But as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four points of the compass, though not to his own descendants, nor according to his authority which he wielded, for his sovereignty will be uprooted and given to others besides them.

I can almost understand the revisionists who believe this had to be written long after Daniel's time, when it describes what happens to Alexander the Great and his empire with so much precision.  Almost, but not quite.  This shows how powerful God is, and that He truly is outside of time and knows all.

Alexander was a young man, younger than me, but conquered most of the known world before suddenly dying.  However, he left no clear succession, and the empire was fractured.  His own wishes, whatever they may have been, were ignored, and four of his generals effectively grabbed off their own chunks and started fighting to defeat the others.

Daniel 10

Daniel 10:7

Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves.

This reminds me of Saul's conversion, where he heard Jesus voice, but no others did.  However, Saul's companions saw the light that Saul did, but did not see the person.  Did something similar happen here, where they saw something indistinct, but only Daniel was able to see everything?

I wonder if this was simply the design of how God caused the vision, or if it's something more abstract?  Perhaps one has to be of a certain purity, or devotion, to see this sort of thing?  Otherwise, it is simply incomprehensible, and we react with fear?

Daniel 9

Daniel 9:2

in the first year of his reig, I Daniel, observed in the books the number of years which was revealed as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.

Interesting that here Daniel talks about it being seventy years for Jerusalem's desolation.  I thought that in the prophecy it talks about weeks, not years.  Later in this chapter, I know it talks about weeks in reference to weeks of decades.

So, if I'm remembering correctly, how did Daniel determine that it was years instead?  Was he given special understanding by God?  Or was this a normal metaphor that everyone understood (and if so, when did we lose that understanding)?

Daniel 8

Daniel 8:19

He said, "Behold, I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end.

There are many prophecies in the Bible.  Some are given moments before they are fulfilled.  Others are centuries or millennia in the waiting.

However, one thing I've always wondered is why Daniel was given this prophecy?  I understand the part about what would become of Greece, but why go beyond that?  Why was Daniel given the prophecy of the Tribulation?  What was the reason behind this extra information, which we still are looking for the fulfillment of today?

Daniel 7

Daniel 7:25

He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.

This is pretty obviously a prophecy in line with Revelations, and the things the Antichrist will do.  He will come and defame God, claim His glory, and the people will follow him.  But his time will run out, and he will be downcast.

The interesting thing here is that it says he will make alterations to time and law.  Law makes sense, he's trying to stack the deck.  But what changes will he make to time?  Will he change the definition of how we count time, make hours and minutes different?

Daniel 6

Daniel 6:4

Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him.

This is the standard to which we should hold ourselves, in all things.  We are to work and serve, such that there is no cause for us to be accused of being bad workers.  It's a standard I don't claim to achieve, but it is often niggling at the back of my mind.

This covers not only corruption, but also negligence.  He was diligent to attend to everything he was supposed to be attending to.  Nothing slipped his mind, or got put off until a more convenient time; he got everything done, when and how it needed to be done.

Daniel 5

Daniel 5:22

Yet you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this,

This shows yet again that faith is not inherited.  One generation doesn't naturally absorb the beliefs of their parents.  Each generation must be taught, but still makes its own choice about who and what they believe.

Belshazzar may or may not have been young enough to have been taught about God as a child.  Maybe he was older, and away when the key events of this book occurred.  However, whether that's true or not, Nebuchadnezzar had a responsibility to teach and persuade, and apparently failed that charge like so many others.

Daniel 4

Daniel 4:8

But finally Daniel came in before me, whose name is Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is a spirit of the holy gods; and I related the dream to him, saying,

Some think that Nebuchadnezzar converted to Judaism after this experience.  However, I think this verse proves that's not correct.  While he may have recognized God as part of the pantheon, even as the highest member of it, he was still polytheistic.

The key here is how he talks about his god, and uses the plural.  He's not saying there is only one God; he still thinks there are many.  God may be very powerful, but He has competition for Nebuchadnezzar's loyalties.