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DANIEL…A SPECIAL MAN

[Scheduled Reading: Daniel 1-6]

Growing up, Daniel was one of my favorite Bible figures. 

The book of Daniel contains many of the famous Bible stories that are taught to children...the fiery furnace, the handwriting on the wall, Daniel in the lion’s den, Nebuchadnezzar’s famous dreams.

He’s still among my favorites. He must be one of God’s favorites, too (check out Ezekiel 14:14 & 20.)

Seriously though, I don’t want to speculate on God having favorite kids. But you have to admit – those verses in Ezekiel are pretty cool. 

Daniel is one of the few prophets who comes from the line of Judah. He was among the royal family and in the first group to be exiled during Babylon’s initial breach against Judah. 

Daniel was sharp – he understood Bible history. Of course they didn’t call it “Bible history”. But he understood the significance of the legacy of The Seed through David and Judah.

He likely had an idea of what was going on. While we have the benefit of history and are studying the Bible’s big picture from the rearview mirror, Daniel was in the midst of it all. 

Exiled from Jerusalem – Daniel was raised in Babylon, learning the Babylonian culture. 

Daniel finds himself interpreting a series of dreams for Babylon’s ruler, and later interprets a strange handwriting on the wall incident.

And what exactly was the message God had for the Babylonian king (Belshazzar)?

That the Babylonian kingdom was getting ready to end. 

Sure enough, Belshazzar is killed that very night. And the kingdom is wrestled away from Babylon and seized by the Medes and Persians. 

Yep – the Medes and Persians are the ones God uses to send the tribe of Judah back to Jerusalem.

Daniel has a fascinating position in Bible history. 

- He lived in Jerusalem before exile. 

- He lived in Babylon during exile. 

- Then he witnesses the downfall of Babylon and likely witnessed the return of the remnant to Jerusalem.

Guess what now? 

We’re at the end of our Old Testament Reading.

Time to Talk

What are some of your reactions and reflections after completing the Old Testament reading? 

What themes stands out most to you?