The Faithfulness of Daniel

O. T. #2023  "The Faithfulness of Daniel"

Sept. 13, 2021

Summary of Daniel-Part 1 

First, I want to thank you dear friends for joining me as we studied the book of Daniel, a book of faith and prophecies. I am so grateful for those men who tackled this book and sacrificed their time to wrote commentaries and share with us. Without them in tuned to God, His leading, and your prayers, I could not have made it through. I know this study has made an impact on my life and I hope yours, too.

So much was written in just 12 chapters, so much of life (70 years) of one man's experiences, and lessons we learn about our Holy God.

Who, What, When, Where, Why

Daniel was among the first Jews taken captive to Babylon. There were three groups taken at various times (605 BC, 597 BC, 586 BC). Nebuchadnezzar was the king of this dominating empire at this time. Daniel served in government there in Babylon under the kings Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus, as well. What an witness of faith in God he had on them.

Tony Evans tells us that a portion of the manuscript of Daniel was discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls and testifies to an older date of writing, which was likely after the end of the Babylonian captivity in the sixth century.

Why were the Jews taken captive to a foreign land? Jeremiah previously taught us of the ungodly last 5 kings in Judah who reigned over Jerusalem and the Temple. They desecrated the holy Temple, worshiping idols there, ignoring the Law. Even though they were warned by prophets to repent of their sins and turn back to God, they did not heed. So God disciplined His people, removed them from Israel. (Yet He showed mercy later to those who remained faith in a foreign land, those who repented, and returned to their Promised Land.)

How

Daniel was taken to Babylon so he could encourage those Jews deported with him. God would give them a hope and a future. Daniel's life illustrated how the people of God were to live, showing what faithfulness to God and His kingdom agenda looked like even when undergoing His discipline. Even when circumstances on earth do not appear favorable, God's people are under His sovereign rule. First hand the Jews learned and experienced God's judgment of sins due to their disobedience.

What proofs of Daniel's strong faith in God are seen?

• It is seen in what he ate and drank, vegetables and water. Daniel refused to eat meat offered to idols (against God's law) and drink wine. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine when he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (1:8)
• In his understanding to interpret Neb's dream of the statue representing empires to reign in the future, Daniel gave glory to his God. But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets...(2:28)
• In Daniel's promotion to administrative advisory in the Babylonian government and chief of the wise men. (2:48)
• In Daniel's three friends with which he associated, especially when thrown into the fiery furnace for not bowing down to worship the golden idol. (verses 17-18) Not only was not a hair on their head singed, nor coats burned, but their bodies did not smell like smoke as they survived the 10 times hotter fire.
• In Daniel's interpreting the handwriting on the wall for king Darius that honored God. (chapter 5)
• In being preserved while spending the night in the hungry lions' den because he would not stop praying to his God, and surviving. My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. (6:22)
• In the visions of the future that God entrusted to Daniel to record. (chapters 7-12)

Oh, to have the faith of Daniel. Are we willing to be tested in similar way, though? Will we faithful to pray and serve our God today?