Daniel and the Minor Prophets
What do Jesus Christ and His apostles reveal about the authenticity and importance of Daniel and the minor prophets?
What prophet is mentioned directly by Jesus Christ in the lengthy prophecy He gave on the Mount of Olives?
“‘Therefore when you see the “abomination of desolation,” spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place’ (whoever reads, let him understand) . . .” (Matthew 24:15; compare Mark 13:14).
Jesus Christ in His Olivet Prophecy clearly refers to Daniel as a legitimate Hebrew prophet, although the book of Daniel is not technically classified as a part of the Prophets, but of the Writings—the third major section of the Old Testament.
What major prophet places Daniel in some select company?
“‘Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in [a sinful land], they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,’ says the Lord God” (Ezekiel 14:14; compare verse 20).
Clearly, Daniel’s spiritual credentials are of the highest caliber. Ezekiel, who was in Babylonia at the same time Daniel was, presents him as an example of righteousness alongside Noah (a preacher of righteousness, 2 Peter 2:5) and the patriarch Job (one of the most righteous men who ever lived, Job 1:1, 8).
What other gifts and qualities made Daniel so unusual?
“As for these four young men [Daniel and his friends], God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams” (Daniel 1:17).
“Then he [an angel from God] said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words” (Daniel 10:12).
Daniel also had special understanding in “literature and wisdom” (Daniel 1:17)—essential qualifications for writing his book. That Daniel wrote the book bearing his name is certain (Daniel 9:2; 10:2; and see again Matthew 24:15). In his book he often speaks in the first person.
But, as Daniel 1:17 explains, God is the ultimate source of all this spiritual knowledge, understanding and wisdom—not human beings. Prophets like Daniel distinguished themselves by becoming willing and humble instruments in His hands.
Are any of the “minor” prophets quoted by the apostles?
“As He says also in Hosea . . .” (Romans 9:25).
The minor prophets are so named because their books are relatively short, all 12 fitting on a single scroll. Besides Paul’s statement here, Peter in Acts 2:16-21 quotes Joel 2:28-32 because the events on the day of Pentecost on which Peter spoke were a direct and dramatic fulfillment of a portion of Joel’s prophecy.
What great sign given by Christ is based on what happened to one of these 12 prophets?
“An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:39-40).
One third of the New Testament is composed of quotations from and allusions to the Old. These two parts of Scripture are closely linked and intertwined with each other.
