Sealing
Knowledge
Daniel 12:4
In high school, my economics teacher, Mr. Hotaling, inspired me in many ways. Under his guidance I won the stock market game, though I have not traded in stocks since then. I also learned much about economic theory and the value of consecutive turnover of the same dollar. Probably the most important piece of wisdom he passed down is, “Your signature is the most valuable thing you own.” We use our signatures in order to participate in trade. We sign to buy a house. We sign to buy a car. We sign when our self or our child needs surgery. In modern society, a signature is the first step in authenticating an economic transition, declaring a contract as valid, sealing a deal, and confirming many judicial or legal actions.
In the Ancient Near East, many people could not read or write so the signature could not have served as a method of authenticating a document. Evidence shows that the seal was used for this purpose. In Jeremiah 32, the prophet receives directives from God to accept the offer of buying a field from his cousin, Hanamel. As part of the transaction, Jeremiah seals the deed of purchase and creates a second copy. The transaction requires two copies so that the open copy can be inspected and the sealed copy can be used to authenticate the first copy if concerns arise. Legal documents written in Aramaic from the fifth through third century BC confirm this practice.[1] Documents could be sealed either by tying a string around them or by placing them in a jar. Both methods would receive a clay seal in order to safeguard the contents.[2] The seal that Daniel speaks of in regards to the scroll containing the prophecy likely served as such. Sealing this scroll served to authenticate and preserve the words written there-in.[3] A second copy of the scroll would be available so that people might read it and come to an understanding of the message.
The above approach provides an alternative to the idea that the scroll is sealed and unreadable until the end. Interpreters who follow this second approach believe that the seal creates a fictional motif as to why the prophecy regarding Antiochus IV was finally available during the second century BC. These interpreters understand that the end spoken of in 12:4 is the end of Antiochus IV, not the end of human rebellion. Thus, the seal has been broken and the scroll has been opened during the events of the second century in order to reveal this revelation that Daniel supposedly received in the sixth century. The seal becomes the reason for why this prophecy could not be read previous to the time of Antiochus. This justifies a view in which the apocalyptic portion of Daniel was written during the second century BC rather than during Daniel’s lifetime. Using the seal as a tool to justify the sudden existence of a document seems deceptive and contrary to the nature of God’s revealed word in Scripture.
Applying the former view in which a seal authenticates and preserves a document allows for better understanding of this text. If the prophecy speaks to a time yet to come in which God overcomes all human rulers in opposition to His reign and kingdom, then a seal which has the purpose of authenticating and preserving the document allows for further knowledge regarding the time yet to come. This understanding of a seal, based in the culture of the ancient near east, maintains the authenticity of Scripture, allowing for the words of Daniel to be useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
This approach finds further support as we understand the rest of Daniel 12:4. What does it mean for many to wander here and there to increase knowledge? This odd phrase speaks to the pursuit of wisdom and understanding in regards to the words of Daniel. The Hebrew word translated as go is Fvw (shuwt), which means to go eagerly. Another place this verb is used in the Old Testament is II Chronicles 16:9, which emphasizes God’s eyes ranging throughout the world in. In this passage God’s eyes have thoroughly looked throughout the earth in order to discover those firmly committed to Him so that He might strengthen them. Unfortunately, after thorough searching, God’s eyes have discovered Asa’s unfaithfulness. Thus God will not strengthen Asa. The verb connotes thoroughness. One who goes here and there eagerly and completely searches. In Daniel 12, this action seems directed toward the scroll sealed by Daniel’s hand. The wise should eagerly search out the meaning of this scroll in order to increase their knowledge.[4] Faithful people require access to this vision in order to understand the work of God on behalf of the covenant people. Thus, the scroll must remain accessible. This document and all of Scripture should be eagerly searched so that people gain knowledge concerning God’s victory.
Go eagerly and discover God’s word! Spend time increasing your knowledge of God’s sovereignty! Access to and knowledge of God’s word is one of the most valuable things the wise people have. The Scriptures are not a closed book, but open for our investigation. Knowing God’s word, including the truth revealed in Daniel, allows the faithful person to be taught, rebuked, corrected and trained up for righteousness. As we increase in knowledge, we will understand God’s work in the world and how God invites each one of us to join Him in His work.
Prayer: Our God, reveal to us your truth! Guide us as we open your word, discovering its authenticity. May your Scriptures guide us as we walk life’s path. Please make us wise, inspire us with your knowledge so that we might faithfully follow you. Develop within us a deep desire to thoroughly search the word you have given us. Make your word a blessing for us so that we might bless others. We pray these things through your Son, the Living Word, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen!
[1] Gerald L. Keown, et al., Word Biblical Commentary: Jeremiah 26-52. (Dallas: Word Books, 1995), 154.
[2] John H. Walton, et al., The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. (Downers Grove: IVP, 2012), Scribd.com edition, 2223.
[3] Dale Ralph Davis, The Message of Daniel. (Downers Grove: IVP, 2013), Scribd.com edition, 208.
[4] Davis, 208.
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