Unseen realm_Paul, Daniel and 1 Enoch.
2/5/24
The Deuteronomy 32 worldview
The nations were divided by YHWH because of the Tower of Babel incident [Genesis 11:1–9]. The Song of Moses gives us more information about the incident…
8 When the Most High [ʿěl·yôn] apportioned the nations, at his dividing up of the sons of humankind, he fixed the boundaries of the peoples, according to the number of the sons of God.1 9 For YHWH’s portion was his people, Jacob the share of his inheritance.
Deuteronomy 32:8–9
In Genesis 10 there are 70 nations [or 72 in the LXX] but no Israel.
Where does Israel come from [Genesis 11:10+ff]? How is Israel different to the other nations.
Who are the gods of the other nations? What are the other spiritual beings on the earth?
10 Finally, become strong in the Lord and in the might of his strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the stratagems [τὰς μεθοδείας] of the devil [τοῦ διαβόλου], 12 because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers [τὰς ἀρχάς], against the authorities [τὰς ἐξουσίας], against the world rulers [τοὺς κοσμοκράτορας] of this darkness, against the spiritual [πνευματικὰ] forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10–12
Paul is writing and thinking in Greek so draws language from the LXX and other Greek writings.
Is our struggle against humans [v12]? Therefore, who is it against?
Also from Ephesians…
1 And you, although you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world [τοῦ κόσμου τούτου], according to the ruler [τὸν ἄρχοντα] of the authority [τῆς ἐξουσίας] of the air, the spirit [τοῦ πνεύματος] now working in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all formerly lived in the desires of our flesh, doing the will of the flesh and of the mind, and we were children of wrath by nature, as also the rest of them were. Ephesians 2:1–3
What are some of the terms Paul repeatedly uses for unseen beings that are opposed to us and God’s creation?
Paul is not just drawing on Deuteronomy 32 but other passages like Daniel 10…
1 In the third year of Cyrus the king of the Persians, a word was revealed to Daniel, who was called by his name Belteshazzar, and the word was reliable and it concerned a great tribulation, and he understood the word and he received understanding.
2 In those days, I, Daniel, I myself was in mourning for three whole weeks. 3 I had not eaten any choice food, and meat and wine did not enter my mouth, and I did not use any ointment until the end of three whole weeks. 4 And then on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I myself was on the bank of the great river; that is, the Tigris.
The first month of the Hebrew year is Nisan. This is the month of the Passover. Daniel is not in Babylon but by the Tigris. He is fasting. It looks as if he has taken time out for prayer and seeking YHWH.
What prayers, hopes and questions might he have given the time of year and the continuing exile?
5 And I lifted up my eyes and I saw, and there was a man, and he was dressed in linen, and his waist was girded with the gold of Uphaz. 6 Now his body was like turquoise, and his face was like the appearance of lightning, and his eyes were like torches of fire, and his arms and his legs were like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the sound of a multitude.
What sort of being is the “man”?
7 And I saw, I, Daniel alone, the vision; and the people who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great trembling fell upon them and they fled in order to hide themselves.
Why might the people be terrified? Who might the “man” be [Daniel 7:13]?
8 And I myself, Daniel, alone saw this great vision, and as a result ⌊no strength was left in me and my complexion grew deathly pale, and I did not retain any strength. 9 And I heard the sound of his words, and when I heard the sound of his words I myself began falling into a trance on my face, with my face to the ground.
Do you ever prostrate yourself before God? It’s a biblical prayer posture!
10 And look, a hand touched me and it roused me to my knees and the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “Daniel, a man beloved, pay attention to the words that I am speaking to you and stand upright where you are, for I have now been sent to you.” And while he was speaking with me this word, I stood up trembling. 12 And he said to me, “You must 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 myself have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood before me for twenty-one days.
Who is the Prince of Persia? Think Deuteronomy 32 worldview!
And look,a Michael, one of the chief princes, came to assist me, and I left him there beside the king of the Persians.
Who is Michael? Why is he called “one of the chief princes” [1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9; 1 Enoch]?
14 And I have come to instruct you about what will happen to your people in the future, for there is a further vision here for the future.
15 And while he was speaking with me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and I was speechless. 16 Then look, there was one in the form of a human; he touched my lips and I opened my mouth and I spoke and I said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision my anxieties fell upon me and I have not retained my strength. 17 So how am I, a servant of my lord to speak with you, my lord, and I just now have no strength in me?”
18 And he again touched me, the one in the form of a human, and he strengthened me.
The holiness of God is deadly [Leviticus 11] yet here it heals. See also Isaiah 6:6-7.
19 And he said, “You must not fear, O beloved man. Peace be to you; be strong and be courageous!” And when he spoke with me, I was strengthened and I said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he asked, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I return to fight against the prince of Persia and I myself am going, and look, the prince of Javan [Greece] will come. 21 However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth, and there is not one who contends with me against these beings except Michael, your prince.”
Daniel 10
Daniel 2 to 7 were written in Aramaic and are chiastic “whereby parallel events are found in chapters 2 and 7, chapters 3 and 6, and chapters 4 and 5”. Both speak of FOUR kingdoms and the “princes” [Chapter 2] or “beasts” [Chapter 7] that rule over them. In Chapter 7 the emperors and the beasts seem to be one and the same so faithfully did these men reflect their gods!
Daniel was taken into exile by the Babylonians which is now being ruled by the Persians although Jesus and Michael are restraining the Prince of Persia. Which kingdom will be next? What is the fourth kingdom that is not name? Why?
This is the reading of Dead Sea Scrolls. LXX reads "the number of the angels of God". The much later MT, on which our translations depend, reads "the number of the children of Israel". The last reading makes no sense as this is before the calling of Abraham.