The prophecy of Jeremiah 25:8-11, referred to yesterday, forms the background for the Babylonian invasion Of Jerusalem in 605BC when Daniel and his 3 friends (among others) were taken captive and brought back to Babylon. Speaking through Jeremiah, God foretold that His people would be captives in Babylon for exactly 70years. This prophecy is also recorded in Jeremiah 29:5-10. Here he told them to settle down and build house etc. “This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.” V10.

What we find is that the events of the late seventh century BC reveal the highly improbable nature of the things connected with the 70-year prophecy. The first is the prediction that Babylon would rise to power against powerful foes like Egypt. The second, Jerusalem would be defeated leading to the deportation of many of its inhabitants including Daniel and his friends. The third, contrary to the opinion of many at the time, Jeremiah counselled the Jews in Babylon to build houses and marry because they would remain in captivity for 70 years. Fourth, the release Of the Jews from their captivity related to the eventual destruction of Babylon.

Concerning the fourth point notice what Jeremiah 25:12-13 says, “Then, after the seventy years of captivity are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and his people for their sins,” says the Lord. “I will make the country of the Babylonians[a] a wasteland forever. 13 I will bring upon them all the terrors I have promised in this book—all the penalties announced by Jeremiah against the nations.” (NLT)
Amazingly, Jeremiah had predicted the Rise of Babylon, but also the time of its fall. This would coincide with the time the people of Israel would be returned to their home in Judah. Imagine the probability of predicting all three events with such precision, especially when the city of Babylon was considered unconquerable.

The first chapter of Daniel is only the beginning of an amazing book written for those seeking certainty. It showed me 50 years ago that my faith can have a solid provable foundation. I can approach the word of God (The Bible) with certainty. This is the same for any honest inquirer who is seeking something to hold on to in this age of uncertainty and a world that has lost its foundations.

How improbable was it, that 4 of these Hebrew slaves would rise to the top of their class in Babylon, which at the time was the world’s most renowned University, and Daniel would become its prime minister. The prophecies of Daniel have had 2,600 years to be tested and shown as absolutely solid and trustworthy.

We can see that we can trust the principles of this Book because it has as its foundation the highly improbable events foretold by God Himself, which came true and demonstrate its certainty. An honest enquirer must begin to conclude that God does exist and that He has His hand over the affairs of the world. We have but touched the surface – I have so much more to show you. Stay with the process.