The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is now studying the heroes of faith found in the Bible. In Hebrews 11, we find a remarkable chapter that introduces us to a cloud of witnesses, individuals who exemplified extraordinary faith. However our study will go beyond Hebrews 11 and include the lives of others that are examples of the blessings of having faith in God. We will also talk about other people that exhibited extraordinary faith, some of them are people we may know.
This week we talk about Daniel. We all know the stories of Daniel refusing to eat the king's food, and of him being thrown into the lion's den because he refused to pray to the king and instead prayer toward Jerusalem three times each day. We look into the role that Daniel's faith made in this and other decisions he made in his life.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Daniel, a young Hebrew man, was taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and forced to serve in the royal court. Despite being in a foreign land, surrounded by idolatry and temptation, Daniel remained faithful to God and became one of the most revered heroes of the Old Testament.
Daniel's Early Life and Training
Daniel, along with his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, was taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar and brought to Babylon. The king ordered that the young men be trained in the language and customs of the Babylonians, with the intention of making them serve in the royal court.
Daniel 1:1-6 NIV [1] In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. [2] And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. [3] Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— [4] young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. [5] The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. [6] Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
Daniel and his friends were given new names:
Daniel 1:7 NIV [7] The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
King Nebuchadnezzar changed the names of Daniel and his three friends as a means of cultural and religious assimilation.
To erase their Hebrew identity: Their original names reflected their faith in the God of Israel. Changing them to names associated with Babylonian gods was an attempt to erase their Hebrew identity and make them more readily conform to Babylonian culture.
To indoctrinate them into Babylonian beliefs: The new names were designed to connect the young men to Babylonian deities, subtly encouraging them to adopt Babylonian religious practices and beliefs.
This act of name-changing was a common practice in ancient empires to assert dominance and integrate conquered peoples into the ruling culture.
Despite being in a foreign environment, Daniel and his friends remained committed to their Hebrew heritage and their faith in God. Daniel and his friends were offered food from the king's table, which would have included meat sacrificed to idols.
Daniel, however, refused to eat the king's food, citing his commitment to the laws of God.
Daniel 1:8 NIV [8] But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
The reason for this refusal is primarily attributed to their commitment to the laws of God, specifically the dietary laws that prohibited them from eating certain foods considered unclean.
Eating vegetables and drinking water kept them from potentially eating food that under law was considered unclean. The primary dietary restrictions in the Old Testament focused on the distinction between clean and unclean animals.
Leviticus 11:46-47 NIV [46] “ ‘These are the regulations concerning animals, birds, every living thing that moves about in the water and every creature that moves along the ground. [47] You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.’ ”
To show their faith and obedience to God results in blessings Daniel and his friends asked to be given vegetables and water for ten days, and then compared their health to that of the king's servants.
At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his friends were found to be healthier and stronger than the king's servants, and they were allowed to continue their diet.
Daniel 1:11-21 NIV [11] Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, [12] “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. [13] Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” [14] So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. [15] At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. [16] So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. [17] To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. [18] At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. [19] The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. [20] In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. [21] And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Daniel's Interpretation of the King's Dream
Because Daniel believed that God cared for His people he was able to save himself and all the wise men of Babylon by trusting that God would reveal information to him that would save them. Here is the story.
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him. The king called upon his wise men and magicians to first tell him the dream and then interpret it, but they were unable to do so.
Daniel 2:1-13 NIV [1] In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. [2] So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, [3] he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.” [4] Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” [5] The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. [6] But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.” [7] Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” [8] Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: [9] If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.” [10] The astrologers answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. [11] What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.” [12] This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. [13] So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.
Daniel, however in confidence, prayed to God and asked for wisdom and understanding. The story emphasizes the importance of faith in God and seeking divine guidance in times of difficulty. It highlights the belief in God's sovereignty and ability to reveal truths beyond human understanding.
Daniel 2:14-18 NIV [14] When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. [15] He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. [16] At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. [17] Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. [18] He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
Sometimes it’s wise to ask others to pray with you. We do that a lot. Sharing our concerns and needs with others and asking for their prayers creates a sense of community and support. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. Knowing that others are interceding for us can be incredibly encouraging and provide a sense of comfort and peace.
Ultimately, asking others to pray with us and for us is an act of faith and love. It reflects our understanding that we are part of a larger community of believers who support and encourage one another on their spiritual journeys.
God heard and answered their prayers, which were made in faith, and He revealed the dream and its interpretation to Daniel, who then shared it with the king.
Daniel 2:19-23 NIV [19] During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven [20] and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. [21] He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. [22] He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. [23] I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
The account of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar's dream serves as a powerful testament to the role of faith and divine intervention in the lives of believers.
Daniel clearly recognized God as the ultimate source of wisdom and revelation.
Daniel 2:27-28 NIV [27] Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, [28] but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:
Then he told the king the details of the dream and what it meant prophetically. Daniel 2:29-44
The king was impressed with Daniel's wisdom, praised God and appointed him and his friends as his chief advisors.
Daniel 2:46-49 NIV [46] Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. [47] The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” [48] Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. [49] Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.
Daniel's Courage in the Face of Persecution
Here’s how we get to king Darius, who was a Mede and not Babylonian.
Daniel 5:22-31 NIV [22] “But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. [23] Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. [24] Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription. [25] “This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin [26] “Here is what these words mean: Mene : God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. [27] Tekel : You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. [28] Peres : Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” [29] Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom. [30] That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, [31] and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.
Archaeological and historical records indicate that Belshazzar was actually the son of Nabonidus, another king of Babylon who ruled after Nebuchadnezzar.
It's possible that Belshazzar was considered a "son" of Nebuchadnezzar in a broader sense, perhaps as a descendant or through a connection to the royal line.
Nebuchadnezzar recognized Daniel's abilities and appointed him to high positions of authority in the Babylonian government. Daniel continued to excel in his service to the kingdom, earning the trust and favor of King Darius.
Daniel regained prominence under King Belshazzar.
Belshazzar, faced with the mysterious writing on the wall, remembers Daniel's wisdom and summons him. Daniel interprets the writing, foretelling the fall of Babylon. In recognition of his wisdom, Belshazzar elevates Daniel to the position of "the third ruler in the kingdom."
Daniel 5:11-16, 29 NIV [11] There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. [12] He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.” [13] So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? [14] I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. [15] The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it. [16] Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
[29] Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
Daniel's enemies, who were jealous of his position and influence, conspired against him and tricked King Darius into issuing a decree that no one could pray to any god other than the king for thirty days.
Daniel 6:1-9 NIV [1] It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, [2] with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. [3] Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. [4] At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. [5] Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” [6] So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! [7] The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. [8] Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” [9] So King Darius put the decree in writing.
Daniel, however, refused to obey the decree and continued to pray to God three times a day.
Praying towards Jerusalem served as a symbolic act of focusing their hearts and minds on God's presence and the spiritual center of their faith, even while living in exile. Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life. It was the location of the Temple, where sacrifices were offered to God.
In exile, Daniel faced the constant temptation to assimilate into Babylonian culture. Praying towards Jerusalem helped him maintain a strong connection to his heritage, his people, and his God. Praying three times a day was likely a well-established practice among devout Jews, reflecting a consistent and dedicated commitment to their faith.
1 Kings 8:29-30 NIV [29] May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. [30] Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.
When Daniel's enemies caught him praying, they reported him to the king, who was forced to throw Daniel into a den of lions. God, however, sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths, and Daniel was unharmed.
Daniel had faith in God that’s why he refused to obey the king and his faith in God and His sovereignty he was willing to die because he trusted God.
Daniel 6:13-23 NIV [13] Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” [14] When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. [15] Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.” [16] So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” [17] A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. [18] Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. [19] At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. [20] When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” [21] Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! [22] My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” [23] The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
We have said that faith in action results in praise. The king, realizing his mistake, issued a new decree that everyone in the kingdom should worship the God of Daniel.
Daniel 6:23-28 NIV [23] The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. [24] At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. [25] Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: “May you prosper greatly! [26] “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. [27] He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” [28] So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Lessons from Daniel's Life:
Faithfulness in the face of temptation: Daniel's commitment to God's laws and his refusal to compromise his faith, even in the face of temptation, are a powerful example for us today.
Daniel's willingness to risk his life rather than deny his faith is a testament to the power of courage and conviction.
The importance of prayer: Daniel's consistent prayer life and his reliance on God for wisdom and guidance are a reminder of the importance of prayer in our own lives.
Daniel's story demonstrates God's sovereignty and provision, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Daniel's life is a powerful example of what it means to be a hero of faith. His commitment to God, his courage in the face of persecution, and his reliance on prayer are all qualities that we can learn from and strive to emulate in our own lives. As we reflect on Daniel's story, may we be inspired to deepen our own faith and to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, no matter what challenges we may face.
Application:
Personal Reflection: Spend time reflecting on your own relationship with God. Are there areas where you need to grow in your faith and obedience?
Prayer: Pray for strength to remain faithful to God in all circumstances, and for wisdom to discern His will for your life.
Action Steps: Identify one specific area where you can demonstrate greater faithfulness to God this week.
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