The persecution of the Jews under Antiochus Epiphanes led to the writing of the Book of Daniel. During this period of crisis, the Jews were threatened with death if they refused to worship images, continued to offer prayers to Yahweh, observed their dietary laws, and worshiped on the Sabbath day. Many Jews yielded to the demands of Antiochus and his Syrian officers in order to save their lives, but others remained faithful to their customs and beliefs despite certain punishment. To encourage these persons whose faith was being put to so severe a test, the Book of Daniel was written.
The book consists of two parts, one of which is a series of stories about Hebrews who lived at the time of the Babylonian captivity and who experienced hardships similar to those faced by the Jews under Antiochus. The other part, which is more directly apocalyptic in form, consists of a series of visions that predict future events.
Among the stories related in the first part of the book is one concerning four young Hebrews who refuse to follow the king's dietary laws even though they are ordered to do so and are threatened with death if they disobey. The young men remain faithful to the principles of their religion, and as a reward for their loyalty, they are not only spared any punishment for their disobedience but are given high honors and declared to be superior.
In another story, three young Hebrews, commanded by the king of Babylon to bow down and worship a statue erected in his honor, refuse to obey this command and, as a result of their decision, are thrown into a fiery furnace heated to seven times its normal temperature. But Yahweh works a miracle on their behalf, and they emerge from the furnace unharmed and without even the smell of smoke on their clothing. In still another story, a plot is formed to destroy Daniel, who, though a Hebrew, holds an important position in the government of King Darius. The king is urged to sign a decree making it a capital offense for anyone, during a certain period of time, to offer prayers to any god except those approved by the king. When Daniel ignores this decree and continues to pray to Yahweh with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he is thrown into a den of lions. Again Yahweh rescues his faithful servant and delivers him from the lions.
