Summary
In The Message of Daniel by Dale Ralph Davis (IVP, 2024; 192 pages; ISBN 978-1789744569) we receive a lively, pastor-shaped guide to the book of Daniel that handles both its dramatic stories and its challenging visions with clarity and care. Davis draws on his background as pastor and Old Testament professor to bring Daniel’s world—exile, court intrigue, dreams, prophecy—into focus in a way that respects the text while speaking with pastoral warmth. The book does not aim to unpack every Hebrew or Aramaic nuance but remains rooted in the narrative and theological thrust of Daniel, helping the reader to grasp its message for God’s people in any age.
Davis moves chapter by chapter, explaining the stories of Daniel and company in Babylon, and then walking through the visionary material in a way that illuminates its meaning and implications. What emerges is a portrait of a sovereign God who rules over nations, who preserves a faithful remnant, and who promises ultimate victory and vindication for his people. This commentary invites readers into the tension of exile and hope, urging faithfulness now in light of God’s coming kingdom.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
This volume is ideal for pastors and Bible teachers who need a readable, theologically grounded guide to Daniel without wading into heavy technical detail. It is especially useful when preparing sermons or leading Bible studies—its balance of historical context, narrative explanation, and theological application serves both preacher and congregation. The writing is pastorally sensitive and intentionally homiletic, making the themes of faithfulness, suffering, hope, and God’s sovereignty accessible and relevant.
Davis’s theological outlook is firmly evangelical, shaped by his background in the Reformed academic world. He brings to Daniel a robust conviction that God remains sovereign over human history and that believers—though in exile or minority—are part of a larger redemptive plan. That conviction gives this commentary an underlying gospel posture. While it may not replace a technical commentary for in-depth original-language study, it fills a strategic place on the shelf: a sturdy, church-friendly resource rooted in Scripture, theology, and pastoral concern.
For you as a pastor leading a congregation, this book offers both dependable exposition and homiletical springboards. It helps you wrestle with difficult parts of Daniel, while distilling clear, gospel-shaped lessons for faithfulness, endurance, and hope in troubled times.
Closing Recommendation
We recommend The Message of Daniel by Dale Ralph Davis as a strong, preacher-focused commentary that brings theological depth, pastoral sensitivity, and canonical vision to a complex Old Testament book. It is particularly well suited for sermon preparation, teaching, and encouraging faith under pressure. For pastors and serious Bible-teachers seeking a trustworthy and readable guide to Daniel, this commentary is a valuable addition to the library.
Dale Ralph Davis
Dale Ralph Davis (1944– ) is an American Reformed Old Testament scholar and pastor, renowned for warm, incisive exposition of the historical books of Scripture.
Davis has produced a rich body of work on Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, and the prophets. His writing is marked by sharp exegetical insight, memorable illustration, and a deep confidence in the reliability of God’s Word. His background as both pastor and scholar enables him to communicate the text with unusual clarity, always attentive to the theological heartbeat of each passage.
He is beloved for commentaries that combine scholarship with readability, offering pastors and ordinary believers a trustworthy companion for understanding and teaching narrative books. His blend of reverence, humour, and pastoral realism has made his volumes modern classics.
Key titles include Joshua, 1 Samuel, and Daniel.