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In the courts of kings, where pride was adorned, 

The best of Judah, in Babylon’s bond, 

Daniel’s faith, firm than mountain’s stone,  

Declared before the king, he will serve God alone.  

 
Daniel, the dreamer, with visions so clear, 

Spoke truth, did truth, nothing to fear,  

God’s Word his weapon, he needed no spear,  

Did not take the king’s meat, nor the king’s beer.  

“But there is a God in heaven,” he would boldly proclaim, 

Who reveals the mysteries and calls men by name, 

Not by might nor his own wisdom’s claim, 

But by the Spirit, he rose to fame. 

Thrown to the den where lions did wait, 

To devour whoever had an unlucky fate,  

God was with Daniel, he never lost his faith, 

God came through at the right time, God is never late. 

So let us be like Daniel, unyielding, bold, 

A vessel of truth in a world grown cold. 

“The wise shall shine as the stars on high,” 

For those who turn many to righteousness never die. 

Hebrews 11:32-35 (KJV) – “³²And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: ³³Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. ³⁴Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.” 

Background of Daniel 

The name Daniel comes from the Hebrew דָּנִיֵּאל (Dāniyyēl), which means “God is my judge” or “God has judged.” It is derived from two parts: 

דָן (Dan) – meaning “judge” or “judgment.” 

אֵל (El) – meaning “God.” 

Together, the names reflect a recognition of God’s authority as the ultimate judge and arbiter. This meaning aligns with the character of the biblical prophet Daniel, who is portrayed as a righteous and faithful servant of God, trusting in God’s judgment and guidance, even in the face of great trials. 

Daniel was a Jewish prophet and statesman during the Babylonian exile, known for his unwavering faith in God amidst pagan surroundings. The Book of Daniel is a blend of historical narrative and apocalyptic visions, detailing both his personal experiences and future prophecies. 

Historical Context 

Babylonian Exile: Daniel was taken to Babylon in 605 BC during the first deportation of Jews by Nebuchadnezzar. He and other young men from the Jewish nobility were selected for their intellect and potential to serve in the Babylonian court. 

Babylonian and Persian Empires: Daniel’s life spanned the reigns of several kings, including Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius the Mede, and Cyrus the Great. He served in high-ranking positions under both Babylonian and Persian rule. 

Cultural and Religious Challenges: Daniel and his friends faced immense pressure to conform to Babylonian culture and religion but remained steadfast in their devotion to God. 

Structure of the Book of Daniel 

Chapters 1-6: Historical narratives that recount the personal trials and triumphs of Daniel and his friends, including the famous stories of the fiery furnace and the lions’ den. 

Chapters 7-12: Apocalyptic visions that reveal future events concerning the kingdoms of the world and God’s ultimate plan for history. 

Hebrews 11 celebrates the faith of Biblical figures who demonstrated extraordinary trust in God despite significant challenges. Daniel and his friends epitomize this faith through their actions and experiences. Daniel’s unwavering faith led him to continue praying to God despite a decree forbidding it.  

Daniel received and shared profound visions of God’s future plans, which included promises of deliverance and the establishment of God’s kingdom. Despite being in a foreign land and facing continuous challenges to his faith, Daniel’s strength and influence grew because of his reliance on God. 

Daniel’s life and the lives of his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are vivid illustrations of the faith celebrated in Hebrews 11. Their experiences in the lions’ den, the fiery furnace, and the courts of Babylonian and Persian kings showcase their unwavering faith in God. Despite immense pressure to conform, threats to their lives, and the allure of power and prestige, they remained true to their faith, demonstrating righteousness, courage, and trust in God’s promises.  

Their stories serve as powerful examples of faith that “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire,” and “escaped the edge of the sword,” embodying the essence of Hebrews 11:32-35. 

Daniel’s Commitment to God’s Diet 

Daniel 1:8 (KJV) – “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.” (Daniel 1:8, KJV) 

Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, resolved not to defile themselves with the king’s meat and wine. It is widely believed that the food on the king’s table is the best food in the land. The king’s meal is usually the priciest, as one cannot bring cheap things to the king’s table. When presented, it looks beautiful, royal, ambrosial, delectable, luscious, saccharine, and dulcet.  

Many would want to access the king’s food but unfortunately, they cannot. Some would even be willing to eat it even if they are told that it is infiltrated with poison. They would love their eulogies to be read that they died eating the king’s food. Daniel and his allies were different. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself by eating the king’s meat.  

The king at that time was Nebuchadnezzar, possibly the most powerful king the world has ever seen (as he is symbolized in the statue of Daniel with the head of gold, gold being superior to all the other metals in the statue). He had conquered the entire world, taking nations to captivity including the nation of Judah which Daniel and his friends came from. He was not democratic. He ruled with an iron fist, killing whoever he felt like (Daniel 5:19).  

Daniel stood his ground because he understood that the best that the world has to offer is not good enough for God’s children. He understood that the king’s diet is high but the diet that God taught him to eat was higher. He understood that even though Nebuchadnezzar had conquered the world, he had not conquered God, the Creator of the World. He maintained the high Godly standards that he had learned back at home in the land of the Chaldeans.  

Daniel’s character is very peculiar. There are certain things I do not normally eat but I used to find myself eating them for social purposes. I did not want to look like the odd one out in front of the crowd. Therefore, I would easily consent to eating them to fit in the social circle. The crowd I was trying to please was not even a royal crowd, it was a normal crowd with peers that were about the same level and age as me. I told my friend Richard that I eat certain things for social purposes, and he told me, “Do not do things for social purposes.” That single statement greatly influenced my eating habits. When I am about to eat something for social purposes, I remember that statement.  

When people (mostly students) from a rural area come to an urban area, probably to school, they adopt harmful habits that they once loathed to fit in with the urban crowd. Many young boys have gotten into drugs and crime because of that. Many young ladies have gotten into prostitution because of that. Their urge to fit in makes them overdo those things to a greater extent than those who taught them. This is also common with people from a poor background trying to fit in with those from a rich background.  

Daniel showed faith when he refused the best at the high table and chose to eat from the higher table which was God’s table. He chose to honor God even while in captivity at the very risk of his life. He was willing to honor God even if it meant losing his life.  

What did God do?  

Daniel 1:9 (KJ21) – “Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” 

When God saw Daniel’s faith, He brought him to favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. Many Christians ask God for favor but are unwilling to show faith in God. Faith in God gives you favor in the eyes of the people whom God has chosen to favor you. You sometimes feel that you have liked someone for no reason. That might be God enabling you to favor that person. Follow God’s direction to guide you on how to be a blessing to that person. As you trust God for favor, be willing to do everything He tells you to do, including the things you don’t like. Like Daniel, do the righteous things that others find difficult to do. The good news is that it is easy through Christ who works in you. 

Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream 

Daniel 2:28 (KJV) – “But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.”  

The king had called all the wise men, magicians and soothsayers to tell him the dream and to give him the interpretation. The king could not remember the dream and he expected those people to tell him. He promised to give them a great reward if they told him. However, if they did not tell him he threatened to punish them severely by killing them.  

The king was troubled by a dream which he had forgotten. Therefore, he demanded that someone should tell him the dream before telling him the interpretation. The greatest wise people and magicians of Babylon could not do that. They demanded to be told the dream so that they could give the king the interpretation.  

The king could not remember the dream; therefore, he could not tell them what he dreamt. Secondly, he knew that if he told them the dream, they will manipulate the interpretation and tell him a wrong one. Since they were not able to, the king was so furious that he commanded that all the wise men of Babylon should be destroyed (Daniel 2:12). This clearly shows that the Devil has limited powers. When Nebuchadnezzar ordered the execution of all the wise men, Daniel sought mercy and time for an interpretation (Daniel 2:15-16). 

Daniel, by God’s revelation, interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about the great statue. Daniel started by honoring God before the pagan king, acknowledging that it is God who has the power to reveal secrets and not himself. If you honor God before people, He will honor you before them. If you glorify God before people, He will glorify you before them.  

Daniel told the King the fact that he could interpret the dream does not make him more special than any other human being (Daniel 2:30). This showed humility. Many people are boastful about the gifts that God has given them. Instead of using their gifts to bless others, they use them to feel more special than others.  

Daniel told the king the dream which he had dreamt and told him the interpretation. He told him of the statue that had a head of fine gold, breast and arms of silver, belly and thighs of brass, legs of iron and feet that were partly iron and partly clay (Daniel 2:32-33). He gave him the interpretation and told him that the various metals on the body of the statue represented the various kingdoms with the Kingdom of Babylon being the head of gold (Daniel 2:38-45).  

King Nebuchadnezzar was extremely delighted. He made Daniel a great man and gave him many great gifts. He made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. When Daniel received all that, he was not selfish for he thought of his friends. He requested the king to promote his friends as well. When you get something good, do you think of your friends? Many love to hide lucrative opportunities from their friends so that they can be ahead of their friends and their friends can be astonished of their achievements.  

Interpreting the Handwriting on the Wall 

Daniel 5:25-28 (KJ21) – “²⁵ And this is the writing that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. ²⁶ 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.” 

Daniel interpreted the mysterious writing on the wall during Belshazzar’s feast. Belshazzar had dishonored the vessels of the temple. Using them to drink wine and make merry with his friends. King Nebuchadnezzar did not do that. He showed honor to those vessels by taking them from the house of God to the house of his god. At that time, he did not know the true God. He thought that his god was the true god. Since he understood his god to be the most holy, he saw it noble to store those vessels in the house of his god. He knew that those vessels were sacred.  

Belshazzar did not care. To him, those holy golden and silver cups were normal cups that could be used to drink wine. He made a feast and invited his wives, his princes, and his concubines and gave them the vessels to drink from (Daniel 5:2-3). While drinking wine, they praised the gods of gold, of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood and of stone (Daniel 5:4).  

In the same hour, four fingers of a man’s hand came and wrote over against the candlestick upon the wall of the king’s palace (Daniel 5:5). The king called all the wise men, the Chaldeans and the soothsayers but none could tell him what the writing meant (Daniel 5:7-8). The queen recommended Daniel to the king and Daniel was called (Daniel 5:10-13). 

Daniel correctly interpreted the writings and told the king that God had numbered his kingdom and finished it. He (Belshazzar) has been weighed in the balances and found wanting. His kingdom was already divided and given to the Medes and Persians. Those writings were in Aramaic, a language that is closely related to Hebrew, commonly spoken in the ancient Near East.  

What did Belshazzar do after hearing those words?  

Daniel 5:29 (KJ21) – “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.” 

Belshazzar commanded for Daniel to be clothed in scarlet and to be adorned with a golden chain around his neck. He also proclaimed that Daniel should be the third ruler in the kingdom. Upon hearing the very ‘hurting’ truth that his days in the kingdom are over, Belshazzar gave Daniel great gifts. He did not harm him as is expected when you tell someone such hurtful words.  

You are missing out on many gifts when you fail to speak the truth or when you delay speaking the truth. Not just material gifts but also spiritual gifts. Daniel was promoted for speaking the truth. Truth promotes you while error demotes you. Speaking the truth will always lift you. Speaking error or choosing to keep quiet when you are called to speak the truth, will surely drown you.  

Daniel 5:30 (KJ21) – “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.” 

That very same night after Daniel had told the interpretation of the writings on the wall, Belshazzar the Babylonian king was slain. Darius the Median took over at around the age of sixty-two (Daniel 5:31). 

In the Lion’s Den 

Daniel 6:10 (KJV) – “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.”  

Daniel continued to pray to God despite the king’s decree. A decree had been issued because Daniel was preferred by the king more than all other presidents and princes. Daniel was favored by the king because he had a spirit of excellence (Daniel 6:2-3).  

The presidents and princes plotted against Daniel because they were envious of him, but they could find no fault (Daniel 6:4). Therefore, the only way they could attack him was through the law of his god (Daniel 6:5). Therefore, together they formed a decree that whosoever shall be seen worshiping any other god besides Darius shall be thrown to the lion’s den (Daniel 6:6-7). They gave the decree to Darius, and he signed it (Daniel 6:8-9).  

When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house and prayed to God (Daniel 6:10). Most people would not have done that. Their carnal minds would direct them to go to the king and question him why he signed the decree. Some would plot evil against those people who have plotted evil against them.  

Daniel sought God first. He knew that the only person who could help him was God. We rarely have God as the first option. We go to Him as the last option after all the other options have failed. We would save a lot of time by seeking God first before doing something. He would direct us whether to do that thing or not. If it is something that He wants us to do, He will give us the directions of doing.  

Matthew 6:33 (KJV) says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.” God’s will should be first, last and best in your life. No other word should be followed, only God’s. Daniel did not give up and did not fear the king’s decree. He continued praying three times a day (Daniel 6:10). He did not hide when praying. He prayed when his windows were open (Daniel 6:10). 

Many Christians, especially young Christians try their best to hide their Christianity. When faced with opposition against our Christianity we should rise with greater power than before. This is because we are filled with the Holy Spirit’s fire which cannot be quenched by anything. When the men saw Daniel praying, they went to the king and reported him. Therefore, Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den. King Darius felt sorrow for Daniel and went to check on him the next day.   

Daniel told him that God had sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths. Thus, they did not hurt him (Daniel 6:22). The king was exceedingly glad for Daniel and commanded that the men who had accused Daniel be thrown into the lion’s den (Daniel 6:23-24). Those people thought they had set a trap for Daniel but they had set a trap for themselves.  Daniel 6:10 (KJV) – “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.”   

The Bible says in Proverbs 26:27 (KJ21), “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.” The Holy Word of God also says in Psalm 7:15-16 (KJ21) – “¹⁵ He made a pit and dug it, and has fallen into the ditch which he made. 1⁶ His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealings shall come down upon his own pate.”  

When you think you have done something bad to someone, you have done it to yourself. The reverse is also true. When you have done something good to someone, you have done it to yourself. A story is told (I don’t know how accurate it is) of a lady who did not like a certain preacher because that preacher used to preach things that she did not like.  

The lady plotted to kill the preacher; therefore, she made some chapatti for him to eat and kept poison in them. While the preacher was walking, he saw a hungry boy on the way and gave him the food that the lady had given him. Being so hungry, the boy ate it and died. The lady reached out to the preacher and told him of her ordeal. The preacher told her that he gave the boy the food that she had given him. Upon hearing this, the lady was sad and confessed that she had put poison in the food. The preacher told her, if you do something good it is for your own benefit and if you do something bad it is for your own detriment.  

It is possible to bless and curse yourself by the actions you do. After the men were cast into the lion’s den, the king made a new decree for the true God, the God of Daniel, to be worshipped (Daniel 6:26-27). Daniel prospered during the reign of King Darius and during the reign of Cyrus the Persian (Daniel 6:28). 

Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts 

Daniel 7:2 (KJV) – “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.”  

This is the vision that Daniel saw:  

Daniel 7:3-7 (KJV) – “³ And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. ⁴ The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. ⁵ And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. ⁶ After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. ⁷ After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. ⁸ I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. ⁹ I beheld until 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. ¹¹ I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke; I beheld even till the beast was slain and his body destroyed and given to the burning flame. ¹² As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. ¹³ I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. ¹⁴ And there was given Him dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” 

Daniel was troubled by this vision. Therefore, he sought the interpretation from God. This was the interpretation he got:  

Daniel 7:17-28 (KJ21) – “¹⁷ ‘These great beasts, which are four, are four kings which shall arise out of the earth. ¹⁸ But the saints of the Most High shall take the Kingdom and possess the Kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.’ ¹⁹ Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron and his nails of brass, which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet, ²⁰ and of the ten horns that were on his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell, even of that horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. ²¹ I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints and prevailed against them, ²² until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the Kingdom. ²³ “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down and break it in pieces. ²⁴ And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise; and another shall rise after them, and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. ²⁵ And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. ²⁶ But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion to consume and to destroy it unto the end. ²⁷ And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’ 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.” 

The Symbols mentioned 

The Four Beasts: Represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. Those kingdoms are the same as the kingdoms that the statue represents. They are: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greek and Roman kingdoms.  

The Saints’ Victory: Despite the rise of these kingdoms, the “saints of the Most High” will ultimately inherit and possess an everlasting kingdom. 

The Fourth Beast: Daniel is particularly interested in the fourth beast, which is more terrifying and powerful than the others, with iron teeth and bronze nails. This beast crushes and devours its victims and has ten horns. The fourth beast symbolizes a fourth kingdom on earth, distinct from the others. It will dominate, crush, and break all other kingdoms. 

The fourth beast is identified as the Roman Empire, which followed the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, and Greek empires. The characteristics of the beast—terrifying, dreadful, exceedingly strong with iron teeth and bronze nails—reflect the Roman Empire’s extensive power, military strength, and ability to crush its enemies. 

It is known for its unmatched power and extensive conquests. Prophetic interpretations often see this beast as a symbol of a future, final world empire that will arise before the end times. It will be characterized by great tyranny and opposition to God and His people. 

The Ten Kings: The ten horns represent ten kings arising from this kingdom. A subsequent king, different from the first ten, will subdue three kings and will speak against the Most High, oppress the saints, and try to change sacred times and laws. 

The ten horns represent the division of the Roman Empire into ten smaller kingdoms or nations. These are the barbarian tribes that overran the Western Roman Empire, leading to its fragmentation. Some commonly identified tribes include the Visigoths, Vandals, Suebi, Alemanni, Anglo-Saxons, Ostrogoths, Lombards, Heruli, Burgundians, and Franks. The barbarian groups contributed to the fall of the Western Roman Empire and subsequently formed the foundations of various European nations. 

The Barbarian groups 

Visigoths: 

• Modern Countries: Spain and Portugal 

• Notes: The Visigothic Kingdom established control over much of the Iberian Peninsula. 

Vandals: 

• Modern Country: Parts of Tunisia and Algeria (in North Africa) and earlier movements through Spain 

• Notes: The Vandals settled in North Africa, creating a kingdom centered around Carthage. 

Suebi (Suevi): 

• Modern Countries: Portugal and Galicia in Spain 

• Notes: The Suebi established a kingdom in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. 

Alemanni: 

• Modern Countries: Germany (specifically southwestern Germany) and Switzerland 

• Notes: The Alemanni were eventually incorporated into the Frankish Empire. 

Anglo-Saxons: 

• Modern Country: England 

• Notes: The Anglo-Saxons formed several kingdoms that united into England. 

Ostrogoths: 

• Modern Country: Italy 

• Notes: The Ostrogothic Kingdom was centered in Italy until its conquest by the Byzantines. 

Lombards: 

• Modern Country: Italy 

• Notes: The Lombards established a kingdom in Italy, which was later conquered by the Franks. 

Heruli: 

• Modern Country: Parts of Italy and regions within the Byzantine Empire 

• Notes: The Heruli were eventually absorbed by other groups like the Ostrogoths. 

Burgundians: 

• Modern Countries: France (Burgundy region) and Switzerland 

• Notes: The Kingdom of Burgundy was integrated into the Frankish Empire. 

Franks: 

• Modern Countries: France and western Germany 

• Notes: The Franks established a powerful kingdom that became the Carolingian Empire under Charlemagne. 

A smaller horn emerges among the ten, displacing three of the original horns. This horn, with eyes like a human and a mouth speaking arrogantly, symbolizes a ruler who will rise to power, speak against the Most High, and oppress the saints. It prevails until the “Ancient of Days” (a title for God) arrives. Judgment is rendered in favor of the saints, and they receive the kingdom. 

This oppressive ruler’s power will last for a set period, after which divine judgment will strip him of his dominion. The kingdom will be handed over to the saints of the Most High, establishing an everlasting dominion where all rulers will serve and obey God. 

Although the vision and its interpretation trouble Daniel, he keeps the matter to himself. 

Daniel received visions from God, including the interpretation of the dream about four beasts representing future kingdoms. 

Daniel’s Intercession for Israel 

Daniel 9:3-19 (KJ21) – “³And I set my face unto the Lord God, seeking by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes. ⁴And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession and said, “O Lord, the great and fearsome God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love Him and to them that keep His commandments, ⁵we have sinned and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly and have rebelled, even by departing from Thy precepts and from Thy judgments. ⁶Neither have we hearkened unto Thy servants the prophets, who spoke in Thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. ⁷O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto Thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day: to the men of Judah and to theinhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel who are near and who are far off, through all the countries whither Thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against Thee. ⁸O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against Thee. ⁹To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him; ¹⁰neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. ¹¹“Yea, all Israel have transgressed Thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey Thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the Law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against Him. ¹²And He hath confirmed His words which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil; for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. ¹³“As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us. Yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Thy truth.” ¹⁴Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us; for the Lord our God is righteous in all His works which He doeth, for we obeyed not His voice. ¹⁵“And now, O Lord our God, who hast brought Thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast made Thee a name, as at this day — we have sinned, we have done wickedly. ¹⁶O Lord, according to all Thy righteousness, I beseech Thee, let Thine anger and Thy fury be turned away from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mountain; because for our sins and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Thy people have become a reproach to all who are about us. ¹⁷“Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Thy servant and his supplications, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. ¹⁸O my God, incline Thine ear and hear. Open Thine eyes and behold our desolations and the city which is called by Thy name; for we do not present our supplications before Thee because of our righteousnesses, but because of Thy great mercies. ¹⁹O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hearken and do! Defer not, for Thine own sake, O my God; for Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name.” 

Daniel prayed a heartfelt prayer of confession and intercession for the sins of Israel. In his prayer, he starts by acknowledging that righteousness belongs to God (Daniel 9:7). He says what belongs to us is confusion of faces (Daniel 9:7). The confusion we have is brought about by sin because God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33) and the Spirit of God is a spirit of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).  

Despite being righteous and committed to God, he intercedes for the Israelites and says, “We have sinned (Daniel 9:5). When you are interceding for confession of sins for your friends, family members or whoever else you are interceding for, make yourself part of their sins in prayer. Instead of saying, “they have sinned,” say, “we have sinned.” 

Daniel’s Prayer for Understanding 

Daniel 9:4 (KJV) – “I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love Him, and to them that keep His commandments.”  

Daniel prayed for understanding and wisdom in interpreting the vision he received from God. Whatever you do not know and understand and you would like to know and understand, ask God because He is truth. Secondly, God wants you to gain more knowledge and understanding. When you ask God, He will reveal to you great mysteries which you never knew (Jeremiah 33:3). God does not want His children to be ignorant. He wants His chosen ones to be well educated and well exposed. He wants you to teach others and you cannot teach what you don’t know and don’t understand.  

Daniel 10:16 (KJV) – “And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.”  

Daniel received visits from angels, providing him with understanding and insight into future events. They also enabled him to understand the visions given to him by God.  

God will use various ways to make you understand. Most of the time, He will lead you to read a Bible verse which will help you understand better. Other times, He may lead you to ask a friend. Sometimes He may give you a vision or a dream and the interpretation to help you understand. Sometimes He may lead you through a certain experience in your life. Whatever method He uses is always in accordance with His Word. God wants you to know. God wants you to understand. Therefore, ask Him.  

Daniel did various faithful actions. He denied the king’s diet for he was committed to God’s diet. He interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and the writing on the wall that had appeared to Belshazzar. Daniel also interceded for Israel. God worked mightily through him and tremendously rewarded him. He enabled him to have favor with the master of the eunuchs.  

God made Daniel and his friends get promoted by King Nebuchadnezzar. God made Daniel to be promoted by Belshazzar as well. God gave Daniel a wonderful privilege of giving him visions concerning the future. For example, the vision of the four beasts and the seventy week prophecy. God desires to do more through us than he did to Daniel if we have faith in Him and obey Him.  

GOD BLESS YOU! 

Prayer 

Dear God, I thank You for the lessons that I have learnt from Daniel. Help me to always have faith in You. Help me to be pure and holy, not to defile myself by the sinful pleasures of this world. Show me how to use my gift for Your glory. Help me to be righteous and excellent in everything that I do. Show me great and mighty things which I do not know as You have promised in Your Word. Take away all the obstacles that are blocking me from serving You. In Jesus name, Amen.  

Activity 

1. What are some of the threats you are facing for being a Christian? Write them down and ask God to help you to overcome them.  

2. Prayerfully find out how you can help your friends as Daniel helped his friends.  

3. Ask God daily to reveal new things to you. To increase your knowledge, understanding and wisdom.  

4. Ask God daily to give you an excellent spirit. 

5. Write down the things that are blocking you from serving God and ask God to help you to overcome them.  

Author: Mark Alex   

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