On this side of heaven, knowing why God chooses certain people to go through difficult situations is impossible. There is always a purpose and an opportunity to show His power and compassion, to refine the chosen one. Many books in the Bible demonstrate God doing just that, and the Book of Daniel is no exception. Daniel’s life is a shining example for us of what happens when you are consistently faithful to the Lord—through the good and the bad.
Story of the Prophet Daniel in the Bible
The Book of Daniel is practically split into two sections. The first half of the book (chapters 1–6) narrates, in the third person, the experiences of Daniel and his friends during the reigns of Kings Nebuchadnezzar II, Belshazzar, Darius I, and Cyrus II. The second half, primarily written in the first person, details Daniel’s three visions and one dream.
Introduction of Daniel and His Captivity
Daniel's story begins with the nation of Judah being taken into captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. God had warned the people of Judah for some time about their sin and lack of repentance and the impact it would have on God’s hand of protection. Therefore, in 605 BC, God allowed Jehoiakim, King of Judah, and his citizens to be “delivered” into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. Not only were the Jews defeated. Their own God defeated them.
Along with plunder from the temple of God, Nebuchadnezzar ensured that certain people were also exiled– exceptional people who could help Babylon grow in power and prominence. Enter young Daniel, one of those forced to leave his home and travel hundreds of miles to a strange, non-Jewish land. Daniel was likely around 16-18 years old when he was taken captive.
Daniel (and other young Jewish men who were “handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning”) were not only chosen to receive special leadership training but also food from the king’s table. But those perks would require compromise, and Daniel refused to consent.
Daniel's Refusal to Eat Meat
In Daniel 1:8-16 we find Daniel's choice not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, opting instead for vegetables and water.
"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead."
Though it was the choicest of foods, having come from the king’s table, Daniel had to refuse what was given him.
The problem, as Matthew Henry explains in his commentary on Daniel 1, was the fact food from the king’s table was food sacrificed to idols before it arrived at the table. Daniel knew that eating such food would be an insult to God.
Therefore, Daniel asked for a 10-day “vegetarian challenge” to prove he could remain strong without corrupting his body. Daniel appealed respectfully that he and his three friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) be given only vegetables and water for 10 days and see if they could maintain their strength like the others who chose to eat meat.
Their point was made at the end of the 10 days: they looked “healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate royal food” (Daniel 1:15).
Daniel's Role as a Prophet and Royal Advisor
Interpreter of Dreams and Visions: Daniel was renowned for his ability to interpret dreams and visions, which were critical for the kings to understand divine messages and future events. His interpretations often guided the decisions and policies of the kings.
High Government Official: Daniel was promoted to high-ranking positions within the government. He was appointed as the leader of the wise men, head of what would be equivalent to a national university, overseer of all the Hebrew captives, and as the governor of the province of Babylon, he became one of the principal rulers in both the Babylonian and Persian Empires.
Advisor on Policy and Governance: He provided counsel on a wide range of state matters, leveraging his deep understanding of divine wisdom and governance principles. His ability to interpret dreams and visions also played a crucial role in guiding the kings' decisions. For instance, Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams not only foretold future events but also offered strategic insights that helped shape the kingdom's policies. His counsel was sought after because it combined practical governance with spiritual insight, making him an invaluable asset to the rulers.
Moral and Ethical Guidance: Daniel was known for upholding biblical laws and principles, often reminding the kings of their moral and ethical duties. This guidance was particularly important in a pagan environment where rulers were prone to neglecting or violating divine commandments. Daniel's steadfastness in his faith and his moral rectitude served as a constant reminder to the kings of their accountability to a higher authority. His influence helped to shape the moral direction of the leadership, promoting justice, humility, and reverence for God.
Crisis Management: One of the most famous instances of Daniel's crisis management skills was his interpretation of the mysterious writing on the wall for King Belshazzar. This interpretation not only revealed the imminent fall of Babylon but also underscored the consequences of the king's impiety. Daniel's clear and courageous communication during such crises helped the kings navigate uncertainties and make informed decisions. Beyond interpreting dreams and signs, Daniel's role in crisis management included providing strategic advice during political upheavals and threats to the kingdom. His counsel during the transition of power from the Babylonian to the Persian Empire ensured continuity and stability. Daniel's ability to remain calm and provide rational, faith-based solutions in the face of danger made him a reliable and essential figure in the royal court.
Daniel's Integrity Throughout His Life
The story about Daniel refusing tainted food may seem an unusual detail to include in his book. Rather, it is just one example of Daniel’s faithfulness. Not only would he never compromise his faith. He would serve in the role God gave him with unparalleled integrity. He never doubted that God could do anything–including allowing him to interpret dreams, saving his friends from a burning furnace, and saving him from a den of lions.
God blessed Daniel by making him not only a leader but a prophet as well. First, God enabled him to explain several of the king’s dreams. Later, he began having visions from the Lord about the end times. At one point in Chapter 9, Daniel understood from the scriptures that “the desolation of Jerusalem would last 70 years.” So Daniel became an intercessor for the Jewish people as he pleaded with the Lord to “keep his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands.” He acknowledged the shame of Judah and Israel and begged the Lord to be merciful and forgive once again.
Daniel stands as an example of continuing to trust God’s plan even if it completely differs from what one has planned. Never once is there a word of complaint from Daniel.
However, many complaints came from native Babylonian leaders who envied his hard work and relentless faith. In one of the book’s best-known stories, they planned to eliminate Daniel.
Daniel in the Lion's Den
Discover a detailed summary of Daniel's journey to the lion's den, the significance of God's presence there with him, and what it means for us today.
After King Nebuchadnezzar died, there were several kings until King Cyrus of Persia overtook Babylon in 539 BC. He set up King Darius as Viceroy in Babylon. Darius appointed 120 governors to rule the kingdom and three administrators over them—one of whom was Daniel.
The other satraps and administrators were jealous of Daniel because Darius planned to make him administrator over the whole kingdom. So they devised a plan to trick Darius into punishing Daniel. They suggested that the king make a law that if anyone prayed to any god or man besides Darius during the next 30 days, they would be thrown into the lion’s den. King Darius put the decree in writing.
When Daniel heard about the decree, he did what was his habit. He went to his room, and with the windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt and prayed thrice daily. The opponents caught him worshiping his God and told the king. Darius was greatly upset because he respected Daniel, but the law was the law. He had Daniel thrown in a den of lions. Sunday school posters and coloring sheets don’t always show it, but Daniel was about 70 years old when this occurred.
The next morning, King Darius rushed to the den and yelled inside to ask if Daniel’s God had been able to save him from the lions. Indeed he had. Darius then ordered that all in the kingdom worship Daniel’s God.
Daniel's Prophetic Visions
The Four Beasts (Daniel 7): Daniel's first vision features four great beasts emerging from the sea, each symbolizing a different kingdom. The first beast is like a lion with eagle's wings, representing Babylon. The second resembles a bear, symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire. The third beast is like a leopard with four wings and four heads, representing the swift conquests of the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. The fourth beast, terrifying and powerful with iron teeth, symbolizes the Roman Empire, characterized by its strength and destructive nature. This vision concludes with a divine judgment scene where the "Ancient of Days" presides, and a "Son of Man" is given authority to rule an everlasting kingdom.
This vision highlights the transient nature of earthly kingdoms and the ultimate establishment of God's eternal kingdom. The "Ancient of Days" represents God's timeless sovereignty, while the "Son of Man" prefigures Christ's future reign. The vision reassures the faithful that despite the rise and fall of empires, God's kingdom will prevail.
The Ram and the Goat (Daniel 8): Daniel had a vision of a ram with two horns, symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire, and a goat with a prominent horn, representing the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. The goat's horn breaks and four smaller horns replace it, symbolizing the division of Alexander's empire into four parts. One of these horns, which grows exceedingly great, represents a future king who will desecrate the sanctuary and persecute the faithful. This figure is often identified with Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who severely oppressed the Jews and desecrated the Second Temple.
This vision emphasizes the destructive impact of oppressive regimes on God's people and the eventual divine intervention. It provides specific historical prophecies, showing the precise accuracy of God's foreknowledge. The desecration of the sanctuary and subsequent purification foreshadow the Maccabean Revolt and the rededication of the Temple, which Hanukkah commemorates.
The Seventy Weeks (Daniel 9): This vision was revealed to Daniel after his prayer of confession and intercession for Israel. The angel Gabriel explains that seventy "weeks" (seventy sets of seven years) are decreed for Israel and Jerusalem to complete the transgression, end sin, atone for iniquity, bring everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy, and anoint the Most Holy Place. This timeline predicts the coming of the Anointed One (Messiah), His subsequent cutting off, and the eventual destruction of the city and the sanctuary by a future ruler.
This vision is crucial for understanding the Messianic prophecy and the timeline leading to Jesus Christ's ministry, crucifixion, and the events that followed. It outlines God's plan for redemption and judgment, showing the precise fulfillment of prophecy in Christ. The prophecy also anticipates future desolation and ultimate restoration, emphasizing God's control over history and His commitment to His covenant promises.
What Happened to the Prophet Daniel?
King Cyrus decreed that the Jews could return to Judea shortly after he took power. Daniel does not write of his return to Jerusalem with the other exiles. Ezra 8:2 does mention a Daniel in the list of people in a second wave of people leaving Babylon. However, this was during the reign of King Artaxerxes I (probably the son of Xerxes, mentioned in the book of Esther). Archeologists currently believe Artaxerxes’ reign started about 130 years after Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. Even if Daniel was only 13 (the year boys became men in Jewish culture), he’d have to be over 140 years old to participate in this second wave.
Because of historical and biblical context, it is assumed that Daniel died naturally around 85 years old, prior to the reign of Artaxerxes.
Where Does Daniel Fit into the Line of Prophets?
By nature, the books of the major prophets–Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel—include prophecy from God to the writers. Some prophecies called the Jews to repent and recount what would happen to the nation in the short and long term.
Daniel’s book goes even further and includes prophecies about the world’s end through visions he received. These visions involved strange creatures and happenings that he couldn’t understand alone. The angels Gabriel and Michael appeared to him separately, interpreting what these visions meant for the future.
His writing doesn’t recount whether these visions were shared with anyone else then. At some point, though, his writing did become part of the Scriptures the Jews passed along to one another. The Old Testament only quotes Daniel once (in the book of Ezekiel). However, he had clearly become a recognized prophet by the New Testament period. Jesus refers to “the prophet Daniel” in Matthew 24:15.
Revelation 13 recounts the same four beasts that Daniel saw in his visions. The Encyclopedia of the Bible indicates that scholars agree that Daniel’s writings have the requisite qualities of apocalyptic literature: special revelation given by “God concerning the imminent coming of the end of the present evil age and the final advent of God’s kingdom.”
Were these visions given to Daniel because of his integrity and unwavering commitment to God? One thing is certain: because of Daniel’s commitment to spending regular time with God in prayer and never compromising in his faith walk, Daniel was ready to hear and see from God.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/CatLane
Mary Oelerich-Meyer is a Chicago-area freelance writer and copy editor who prayed for years for a way to write about and for the Lord. She spent 20 years writing for area healthcare organizations, interviewing doctors and clinical professionals and writing more than 1,500 articles in addition to marketing collateral materials. Important work, but not what she felt called to do. She is grateful for any opportunity to share the Lord in her writing and editing, believing that life is too short to write about anything else. Previously she served as Marketing Communications Director for a large healthcare system. She holds a B.A. in International Business and Marketing from Cornell College (the original Cornell!) When not researching or writing, she loves to spend time with her writer daughter, granddaughter, rescue doggie and husband (not always in that order).
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