Forward:
Of the Old Testament prophets, we
may not exempt any from their importance. Some appear more “obscure” than
others do, merely because we lack any more information of them than God
includes within His holy writ. Daniel however, retains great intrigue to the
Bible student. According to the scholars, his name Hebrew name of Daniel means,
“The judgment of God.” He refused acceptance of the given Chaldean name of “Belteshazzar,” although the kings and others called him by
this name. Likewise, as did his compatriots Hananaiah,
Mishael, and Azariah,
Daniel refused to ignore the God given Law of Moses and refused the feastings
provided by king Nebuchadnezzar. His faithfulness to the God of Heaven has as
its companion his unabated degree of humility. Combined, these attributes
permit him God’s blessings of wisdom, interpretation of dreams, and reception
of some of God’s most marvelous prophecy regarding the coming of the Messiah.
Daniel’s heritage is
not certainly known; yet it is known he descended from the tribe of
Ezekiel
14:14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job,
were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their
righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel
14:20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were
in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they
shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own
souls by their righteousness.
Daniel
appears in the presence of two named angels of God: Gabriel (8:16; 9:21) and
Michael (10:13, 21; 12:1). Of Daniel, one of these notable angels says, “O
Daniel, a man greatly beloved …” (10:11). Obviously, Daniel is a man whose
example is admirable at least, and whose diligence in serving the God of heaven
teaches us the necessity of courage to stand for the right, faith to know God
will not forsake His righteous ones, and wisdom to know when and how to utilize
the former two characteristics!
The book of
Daniel is described as “two sections.” The first six
chapters are a historical account of his life from apparent youth to old age:
all within captivity. From Nebuchadnezzar (Babylonian captivity) to Belshazzar
(additional Babylonian captivity) to Darius (Medes) and Cyrus (Persian), Daniel
lives to serve God. Other prophets of this era are Ezra and Nehemiah, both
mentioning Daniel in their books. The remaining six chapters are completely
prophetic in nature, relating what scholars call “apocryphal language” of
prophecy that predicts the coming of the Messiah and the ultimate complete
destruction of
In this
study, we will examine six particulars of this man’s life -- one of which is exemplified through his friends and companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (better known to us by their Chaldean names of
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.) Inasmuch as the fruitfulness of Daniel’s
labors follows his exemplary faith, it seems wise to use Galatians 5: 22 – 26
as a “listing” regarding these examples. Doing so will permit us a closer
examination of ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5) as we DARE TO BE LIKE DANIEL.
As we enter
this study, some basic understandings seem necessary. The title to this study
is challenging in its very concept. “Dare” is a challenge. Webster says of the
word, “to challenge to perform an action as a proof of courage.” Therefore, we
ask, “Are we as courageous as Daniel in proving our faithfulness to God?” While
we recognize Paul’s admonition of 2 Corinthians 10:12, (For we dare not make
ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend
themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing
themselves among themselves, are not wise.) we quickly note two facts from this
passage:
1.
Daniel
did not commend himself! He was too humble for such actions.
2.
Only
those who commend themselves are those who would compare themselves – thus
showing their arrogance. (Examine Proverbs 24:4 – 5).
Therefore, our purpose is to exhort ourselves in such study
(Hebrews 3:13) by rightly using the examples of such faithful ones as Daniel.
Certainly, the admonition of Romans 15:4 is applicable with Daniel’s life
before us. Adding the righteous fruit of the Spirit as the resulting factor of
such a faithful life, we can see well the necessity to DARE TO BE LIKE DANIEL.
The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians
5:22 – 26) is quite the opposite of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5: 19 –
21). While Daniel faced several whose convictions were
directed from their fleshly desires, he himself abstained from such
engagement. By his faithfulness in God’s service, Daniel persuaded
Nebuchadnezzar to order his entire kingdom to speak no evil against the God of
Daniel! Daniel’s life taught humility – a lesson Nebuchadnezzar had to learn
through a horrid experience of life as a beast for seven seasons (i.e. years.)
Daniel’s fruitfulness declared the conclusion of Belshazzar’s kingdom, the
deficit of his soul’s goodness in God’s sight and the ultimate division of his
kingdom to the Medes and Persians. Daniel’s fruitfulness convinced Darius of
the majesty of Daniel’s God. These fruits of the Spirit are expressed in the
Christian by his LIFE of both word and deed (Colossians 3:17). There is no
other manner by which to produce the fruits of the Spirit than to express LOVE,
JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING (i.e. patience), GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH,
MEEKNESS, and TEMPERANCE. When we need a faithful example to
teach us precisely “how” to produce these fruits, Daniel is one of the greatest
of examples. Therefore, we challenge you again with the statement, DARE
TO BE LIKE DANIEL.
For this study, you will need your
Bible, pencil and paper for recording notes, and a fervent desire to learn!
Feel free to ask your questions, make your comments, and participate in a
wholesome manner with us. It is said that teachers
always learn more than students when teaching such material as we endeavor at
this time. That statement is most assuredly the case in this composition! And though this limited study examines the book of Daniel
only through the first six chapters, there remains a greater challenge of
understanding and learning from his prophetic visions within chapters seven
through twelve. Therefore, rest assured this teacher also accepts the awesome,
yet attainable challenge to …
Dare
to be like Daniel
Michael J. Davis, preacher