The Prophet Daniel Overview Trusting God In Tribulations

The prophet Daniel figures prominently in "eschatology", the study of end times. He was carried off into Babylonian captivity in the first wave of deportees, that also included his Hebrew companions. 

He was a contemporary of the prophets, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. It is noteworthy that the Bible contains no negative references to Daniel. Joseph is the only other Biblical character of whom no negative things are recorded. 

The prophet Ezekiel mentions Daniel three times as separated from evil and dedicated to Jehovah (See Ezekiel 14:14; 14:20; 28:3).

The overall theme of Daniel is the providence of God in history. God's purposes have always been moving forward unhindered. 

God's providence oversees all that happens as He works all things out according to His perfect plan. 

A corollary to this theme is that God saves people because that reflects who He is. He is not willing that any person should die in their sins. He wants all people to be saved (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:1-6). 

Daniel 2 to 7 cover the future of the Gentile nations. 

Daniel 8 to 12 have Israel in focus, and God judging the nations. 

There are some unique phrases used in Daniel that have become part of our language, called idioms.

The phrase "Feet of clay" reminds us that even the most brilliant, or powerful or wealthy person is a mere mortal, subject to major mistakes.

The phrase "the writing is on the wall" is used to describe deteriorating situations, where the outcome is going to be bad. 

Daniel and his peers were intelligent, God fearing young men.

Daniel 1:1-7  In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2)  And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. 3)  And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; 4)  Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5)  And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 6)  Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7)  Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. 

Daniel and the other certain Hebrew "children" were selected for additional training by the Babylonians, to teach them the Chaldean language and knowledge. 

The Chaldeans were skilled in Math and Astronomy. The Hebrews already received a good education in Jerusalem, and proved themselves adept at learning and using their skills productively.  

Ashpenaz had oversight responsibility for the education and welfare of the Hebrew youths. He gave them new names. 

Daniel was named Belteshazzar; Hananiah was named Shadrach; Mishael was named Meshach and Azariah was named Abednego. 

Daniel determined to remain pure before God. 

Daniel 1:8-9  But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9)  Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 

Daniel and his three companions were well trained in the law of God, and they did not want to defile their bodies by eating Babylonian food that may have been sacrificed to idols.

The providence of God was on display. He endeared Daniel to the prince of the eunuchs. 

Daniel 1:12  Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

Daniel asked the governor of the eunuchs, to allow them to eat a vegetarian diet along with water. 

Daniel proposed a ten day test, whereby he and his companions would eat a vegetarian diet and drink only water. 

Daniel 1:15  And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. 

At the end of the test period, Daniel and his companions looked better than the other eunuchs who ate the Babylonian diet. 

God blessed Daniel and the others for their faithfulness. 

Daniel 1:17  As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 

God blessed Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, for their faithfulness and desire to keep their bodies pure. 

He granted them knowledge, understanding and skills in all the new things they were taught. 

For his part, Daniel displayed faith, courage of his convictions and was a man of prayer who communed with God. 

The Bible also notes that Daniel understood visions and dreams, and this plays a very important part in this book. 

God's providence placed Daniel in the right place and time. 

Daniel 2:1-5  And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. 2)  Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. 3)  And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. 4)  Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. 5)  The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. 

Most of us are probably familiar with this account. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him. He called in the Chaldean "magicians, sorcerers and astrologers" to give him an interpretation of his dream.

There was a major caveat: Nebuchadnezzar could not remember his dream. The Chaldeans protested that they could not interpret the dream without first knowing its details.

This enraged the king, and he issued an order to execute all the wise men, including Daniel and his peers. 

All wise men were sentenced to death, but Daniel intervened. 

Daniel 2:12-16  For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13)  And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. 14)  Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: 15)  He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. 16)  Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. 

The king's decree was born of anger. God guided Daniel as he spoke with the captain of Nebuchadnezzar's guard. Arioch made the whole matter known to Daniel. 

Daniel was courageous for he immediately sought an audience with the king. When it was granted, he asked for time and promised that he would show the king the meaning of his troubling dream. 

Such a bold move required strong faith that God would help Daniel understand and interpret the dream correctly.

Prayerfully seeking help from God in a timely manner. 

Daniel 2:17-18  Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 18)  That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 

Daniel let his companions know what was happening, and they began an all night prayer meeting, seeking mighty help from God. 

Daniel 2:19  Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 

God revealed the dream's contents and the correct interpretation to Daniel that very night, in a vision. 

Daniel immediately glorified God for showing him the interpretation of the dream, and called for Arioch to take him to the king.

Daniel 2:27-30  Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28)  But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; 29)  As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. 30)  But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. 

Daniel was determined to give all glory to God as he spoke to Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel made it clear that the wise men could not interpret this dream. 

However, he told the king there is a God in heaven who reveals hidden things and who made known to the king what will happen in the end times. 

Daniel made it clear that God is revealing this to the king, so that the king might submit to His authority. 

Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged Daniel's God and promoted him. 

Daniel 2:46-49  Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. 47)  The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. 48)  Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. 49)  Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. 

This part of the narrative draws to a close, but it sets the tone for more visions that Daniel will see or interpret throughout the book. 

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were promoted, with Daniel receiving great power and authority. 

Nebuchadnezzar demanded people worship a golden image. 

Daniel 3:6-7  And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 7)  Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 

The next major incident in Daniel is when the king erected a colossal golden idol of himself. He commanded that all people everywhere bow down and worship the image. Those who refused were to be cast into a fiery furnace.  

Daniel 3:12  There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 

Some of the Chaldeans noticed that the Jewish young men refused to bow down to the image and they reported them to the king. 

It is ironic that the Chaldeans did this, for without the intervention of the Jews, they would have been killed for failing to interpret the king's dream. 

The text does not tell us where Daniel was at this time, but Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship the idol. They knew this is why Jehovah sent them into captivity for 70 years. 

The 3 Hebrews had faith in God and refused to worship the idol.

Daniel 3:16-19  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17)  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18)  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 19)  Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. 

King Nebuchadnezzar commanded for the Hebrews to be brought before him. He asked them if the allegations were true. 

The three young men were not hesitant to answer the king. They said that God was certainly able to deliver them from the king's fiery furnace, but if He chose not to, they would still refuse to worship the golden image.

Nebuchadnezzar was so enraged that his face was distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated 7 times hotter than it was.

Three men were cast into the furnace, but a fourth appeared.

Daniel 3:23-25  And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24)  Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25)  He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were bound and cast into the furnace. 

However, the king was astonished. He asked his counsellors why there were 4 men in the furnace, loose and walking around, instead of 3. Even more shocking was that they were unharmed. 

Nebuchadnezzar gave a testimony that the 4th man looked like the Son of God!

God's mighty deliverance of the 3 Hebrew men. 

Daniel 3:26-28  Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 27)  And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. 28)  Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 

King Nebuchadnezzar commanded that the 3 Hebrews come forth from the fire. The king, his captains and wise men gathered around the 3 young men after they came out. 

They were utterly astonished. Not one hair on their heads was singed, their coats were undamaged and their clothing did not smell like smoke. 

Nebuchadnezzar was so struck by this event that he commanded all people to worship only the God of the Hebrews. 

Daniel 4 contains another dream of Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel was called upon to interpret it.

This dream was given from God to the king, to remind him that God gave him his kingdom, so that Nebuchadnezzar would remain humble. 

If he failed to heed the vision, then God would judge him by making him like an animal for 7 years.

Nebuchadnezzar was judged for his pride and arrogance. 

Daniel 4:33  The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

The king failed and was swiftly judged by God and driven out. He acted like an ox for 7 years. 

Daniel 4:37  Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. 

After 7 years passed, God restored Nebuchadnezzar to his throne, The last we read of this king, are his words of humility before God. 

Daniel 5 contains another vision involving another king. This king (Belshazzar) was very wicked and during a night of drunken debauchery, he commanded the holy vessels from the temple at Jerusalem. 

Writing of judgment on the wall from God. 

Dan 5:5-6  In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6)  Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

At that time, God sent an angel to write a message on the palace wall to this evil king. 

Only the fingers of a man's hand could be seen, writing the words Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.  

Belshazzar was filled with terror. His legs shook so badly that his knees were knocking against each other.

None of the Chaldean wise men could interpret the writing on the wall. 

The queen remembered that Daniel (now very old) had served Nebuchadnezzar and had skill to interpret dreams. Daniel was quickly summoned. 

Daniel 5:26-30  This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27)  TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28)  PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. 29)  Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30)  In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 

Daniel arrived to interpret the dream. God made an end of Belshazzar's reign. He was giving it to the Medes and Persians. That very night the defenses of Babylon were breached and the king was slain. 

King Darius was pleased with Daniel and gave him much power. 

Daniel 6:1-5  It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2)  And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 3)  Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4)  Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5)  Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. 

Darius was now king. He promoted Daniel , and preferred him over all his other administrators. 

The other princes were moved with jealousy and sought to remove Daniel. They concluded that the only way to remove him was concerning the law of his God. 

They approached Darius and asked him to make a law stating that no man can make any petition to any "god". All petitions must be made to the king. 

Darius signed it into law, and the wicked men began to spy on Daniel during his prayer time. 

Daniel prayed faithfully to God even though he knew it might cost him his life. 

Daniel 6:10-11  Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 11)  Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 

Even though Daniel knew of the king's decree which made it illegal for him to pray to God, he continued to pray 3 times a day to the One, True God of heaven, just as he had always done. 

The spies saw this, and made accusation to Darius.

Daniel 6:14  Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 

King Darius was very upset with this, and did his best to find a way to deliver Daniel. However, the princes and rulers behind this scheme, reminded King Darius that no law signed by the Medes or Persians, could be changed. 

Daniel 6:16-17  Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17)  And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 

Thus, Daniel was cast into a lions den full of hungry lions. Darius might have heard how God delivered the 3 Hebrew men from the fiery furnace, and he encouraged Daniel to trust in God to deliver him.

Dan 6:21-23  Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22)  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. 23)  Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. 

King Darius fasted all night and rose early in the morning to check on Daniel.  He was delighted to hear that not only was Daniel alive, but that God sent an angel to shut the lion's mouths. 

The king had Daniel released from the lion's den, and the scripture tells us Daniel was delivered because of his faith in God.

Darius commanded that the evil men and their families be cast into the lion's den and the lions killed and tore them before they reached the lower part of the den. 

Daniel 6:25-28  Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26)  I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27)  He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28)  So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. 

Once again God was glorified and Darius issued a decree for all people to worship the One, True, Living God, the God whom Daniel worshiped. 

End times visions troubled Daniel's heart. 

Daniel 7:9-10  I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 10)  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 

Daniel 7 is where the prophet sees a vision of 4 beasts that represent succussive Gentile kingdoms. 

After seeing this end times vision, Daniel was given a glimpse of God seated on His throne. His words are very similar to those of Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah, when describing God. 

Daniel 7:28  Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Daniel received an interpretation of his dream, but there was much he did not understand and his heart was troubled. 

Daniel 8:27  And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

In Daniel 8, the prophet received a vision of a ram with 2 horns and a goat with 1 notable horn. The goat overthrew the ram with much rage. 

Again, Daniel was given the interpretation of the vision and again, his heart was very troubled by these things. 

Daniel 9 find's Daniel praying for his people and for more understanding about the visions that he was granted. 

The angel Gabriel was sent to impart understanding to Daniel.

In Daniel 10, we see the prophet received a vision of a certain man. God tells the prophet that he is greatly beloved and he explains more of the vision to him.

In Daniel 11, the prophet sees a vision involving kings of the north and kings of the south. 

All of these visions connect with Ezekiel and Revelation. 

Daniel 12 discussed the time of the end of all God's final judgment.

Thoughts to Ponder...

People who compromise their faith do not believe what they claim to believe. 

No doubt this is why we see such an erosion of Christian values and convictions among those who claim to be born again.

Our convictions must come from the scriptures, otherwise they are just opinions that do not matter. 

We may be put to the test like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 

Will we pass the faith test?

We we stand true with God, even if we face martyrdom?

These Hebrew men showed us the value in prayer and remaining faithful to God.

They show us the courage of Bible based convictions, that we are not willing to give up. 

They show us the blessing of trusting and serving God even when things are arrayed against us. 

May the Lord of Glory help us to be faithful, consistent, courageous and committed like these 3 young men. 

Bob