Daniel

I recently re-read the book of Daniel, which is one of my favourite books from the Old Testament. The early part of the book is set during the period when many of the Judean people had been carried into exile in Babylon, although the book may well have been written much later. There is doubt as to whether Daniel was a historic figure, although the stories are set against the background of real events.

At the start of the book some young Israelites from royal and noble families were selected to be trained, alongside Babylonian men, for service in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. They were expected to feast on the choice food and wine which is selected for them, but Daniel and his companions refused to eat it. Daniel suggested a ten-day trial during which they ate only vegetables and water. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier than the young men who had eaten the King’s food, and at the end of the training they impressed the King with their wisdom and understanding, and they entered the King’s service.

Then the King had a dream which troubled him. The local astrologers were asked to interpret the King’s dream but were unable to do so; however Daniel had a vision from God and was able to interpret the dream. His reward was to be placed in a senior position in the King’s service.

The focus then shifts to Daniel’s companions, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The King made a huge gold statue - ninety feet high and nine feet wide - and gave an order that whenever a fanfare was sounded, all the people had to bow down and worship the statue; anyone who failed to do so was to be thrown into a fiery furnace. The three Israelites, clearly remembering that the ten commandments forbade worshipping idols, refused to do so and were thrown into the furnace, which had been heated hotter than usual. However an angel protected them from harm, and they too were promoted to high rank in the King’s service.

The story then moves to the reign of King Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s successor as King. A great feast was held with 1,000 guests present, where wine was served in the sacred vessels, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought from the temple in Jerusalem. Suddenly a hand appeared, writing on the wall. The astrologers were unable to explain the writing, but the Queen remembered Daniel’s interpretive skills. He was summoned and explained that the writing predicted that due to Beshazzar’s lack of respect for God, he would be killed and his Kingdom divided.

Belshazzar was succeeded by Darius, and Daniel continued to occupy high office. He was the subject of plotting by the other administrators, who persuaded the King to pass a decree that no-one should pray to any god other than the King himself, and anyone who disobeyed would be thrown into the lions’ den. Daniel refused to pray to the King, and insisted on praying to God. He was thrown into the lions’ den, whilst the King spent a sleepless night, knowing he had done the wrong thing. He rushed to the den and found that an angel had been sent and had closed the lions’ mouths so that Daniel was unharmed. In a reversal of fortunes, the plotters were then thrown into the lions’ den.

What is the relevance of these ancient stories to our lives today? It is likely that Daniel was written to encourage the Jewish people at a time when their way of life was under threat from foreign invaders At a time when our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine, perhaps it can be seen as a message of hope to them too. We can pray that God will intervene in this situation, even though it may appear hopeless to us.

Daniel gives a message to those with power and influence, to use power in a way which honours God. Belshazzar failed to do so, and as a result his power was taken away. The book also stresses the importance of those who are subject to power following God’s standards, even when facing unjust laws.

None of us have the power which the Kings had, and we don’t face the risk of being thrown into the fiery furnace or the lions’ den. But in our lives we both exercise, and are subject to, power and influence of different types. Daniel tells us that we should do both in a way which honours God, and if we do, we know that God will bless us.

Adrian Rudd