Lessons from Daniel

I love Daniel. He was a man who followed God no matter what it cost him. We know that Daniel was born into a family of Judean nobility during Josiah's reign. We know that he and his friends were among the first young Jewish hostages taken into Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. We know that three years of his youth he was trained in the wisdom of the Chaldeans and was given a new name, Belteshazzar.

Interesting facts: Daniel's name means, "God is (my) Judge." Belteschaar (a pagan deity) means, "Protect his life!" Now if I were Daniel I would a) not be happy to be taken away from my home and family and be forced to live under a pagan lifestyle. A lifestyle that forced me to learn things that really were worthless; and b) I would also balk at having my name changed to a pagan god's name. But, of course, I'm far from being a Daniel as he took things in stride understanding that God was with him. Daniel chose to make the best of his situation, go with the flow and trust that God would provide for his every need. Even the pagan god's name that was given to him indicates that God was protecting him as it means, "Protect his life!".

In Chapter 1 we read the account of Daniel and his friends being taken into Babylon and start their training. "Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king's court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans." (Daniel 1:3-4)

From the get-go we see that Daniel is very concerned about his faith and keeping God's commandments. He saw that choice food that was being served to them was contaminated because the first portion of it was offered to idols, the wine poured out on a pagan alter and ceremonially unclean animals were used not being properly prepared and slaughtered according to the law. "But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself." (Daniel 1:8)

He took a chance and made a proposition to the commander and asked if he and his friends could only have water and vegetables to eat instead of the choice food. Gutsy! And yet, because he was obeying God's commandments God protected him and caused him to find favor in the commander's eyes. And by the end of the chapter we know that Daniel and his friends were far more healthier, stronger and wiser then those who feasted on the choice food and wine. Because of this they were elevated into the king's service. "Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered into the king's personal service. As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm." (Daniel 1:18-20)

In Chapter 2 we see that the king has an undisclosed disturbing dream that no one can interpret. And because of this the king orders that if they could not help him that he would destroy them and their families. Again, we see that God continues to protect Daniel and his friends because they are lumped in with the others. Here, unlike Daniel, I would get my panties in a bunch and be annoyed that I was being lumped in with people I was nothing like. But thankfully, again, Daniel is far from who I am and he kept his cool trusting that God would continue to protect him. As he comes before the king he knows that he alone cannot interpret the dream but only through God's guidance can he do so. What does he do? Goes directly to God in prayer, "Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon." (Daniel 2:17-18).

I love the next few verses, "Daniel said, 'Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give you thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and power; even now You have made known to me what we requested of you, for You have made known to us the king's matter.'" (Daniel 2:20-23). Here Daniel is giving glory where glory is due. He takes nothing on himself but give all to God and makes it known to the king where the interpretation of the dream is really coming from - God and not he.

Lessons from Daniel - Always keep God in the front of you no matter what the circumstances. When difficulties arise run directly to God and submit all to Him in prayer. This requires lots of patience, understanding, trust and faith.

Krista Jones
9.15.08

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