Where are the Daniel’s?
Daniel was recognized as a great, wise, and righteous man of God by his contemporary prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 14:14,20; 28:3
Daniel is the gold standard for living a godly life in a godless society. Daniel sets the bar for how to honor God and refuse compromise while not rebelling against governing authorities.
Daniel maintained a vibrant faith in God despite living and working in an ungodly culture surrounded by unbelievers.
What does it take to live uncompromisingly for God in a Godless environment? From the time Daniel arrived in Babylon, the pressure was on to be indoctrinated into the Babylonian culture.
And yet despite all the brainwashing, these four men stayed true to the faith of their fathers, living and working (and even thriving) in that culture without letting it undermine their relationship with God (just like we are challenged to do today!).
Daniel served under five different kings.
Daniel 6:28. Daniel Prospered
“He had served five kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-merodach, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus.
Few courtiers have had so long a reign, served so many masters without flattering any, been more successful in their management of public affairs, been so useful to the states where they were in office, or have been more owned of God, or have left such an example to posterity.” (Clarke, Commentary, 4:590.)
Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar ransacked Jerusalem and, in the process, took many of the Children of Israel to Babylon in captivity. When Nebuchadnezzar died, his son Belshazzar became King. He was followed by kings Darius and Cyrus. We know that Daniel remained in Babylon through the first year of the reign of King Cyrus (Daniel 1:21).
Respected by each. Godly standards and stances won favor. Daniel was not a rebel; he was faithful to God. Grew in favor with four rulers.
1. King Nebuchadnezzar
Chapter 2 – King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream the wise men are called to not only interpret the dream – but first tell the King what the dream was. None of them can do it. The king in 2:12 is so angry he orders the execution of all the wise men. Daniel is hunted and found – verse 14 speaks in wisdom and with tact.
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.
Wisdom and tact open doors of opportunity and conversations that anger and rebellion will not.
Verse 15 – a simple question opens the door for opportunity.
Verse 24 – he saves the lives of many – requests audience with the King
Verse 24 – 45 Daniel declares and interprets the dream.
Verse 46 – King Nebuchadnezzar repents.
Verse 48 he places Daniel in a high position and it blesses and benefits others as well.
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.
Where are the Daniels? Men who demonstrate tact and wisdom in times of duress. Where are the men who call to God for wisdom and mercy? Where are the men who speak confidently that they can help and assist secular leadership? Where are those who will allow God's power to elevate them to influence – instead of rebelling against and fighting with secular leadership.
The three Hebrews stand in Dura would never have occurred unless Daniel saved their lives thru wisdom and tact. In Chapter 3 King Nebuchadnezzar is at it again. Making a 90’ statue of himself. That story ends also with three men standing in defiance – dealing with difficulty in a God honoring manner. Resulting in the kings decree
28Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
2. King Belshazzar – Daniel 5
2 While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them.
3 So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them.
4 As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
Godless King. Godless actions. Blasphemous actions against God.
God intervenes. Handwriting on the wall. Daniel is summonsed
11There 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. King Nebuchadnezzar your father-your father the king, I say-appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.
Daniels previous actions stemming from wisdom and tact – not rebellion and anger will result in another king providing opportunity to prove the greatness of God.
29Then 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.
30That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain,
31and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.
3. King Darius – Daniel 6
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.
Where are the Daniels who can lead their own lives – their own areas of responsibility in such a manner that God continues to promote, favor and utilize him to bring truth and change at such high levels.
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.
Result?
21 Daniel answered, "O 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, O king."
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 peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "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.
Where are the Daniels? Where are the people who undergo mistreatment by peers, deception, dishonesty – yet stay in a position of honoring God with their lives?
Where the Daniels that encounter persecution and difficulty with grace – wisdom and tact?
Where are the Daniels that refuse to be known for their anger and rebellion when godless leadership acts in a godless and foolish manner?
4. King Cyrus
6:28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.