Topical Bible: Good Children: Daniel

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Daniel, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is often celebrated as a paragon of faithfulness and integrity. His life and actions provide a compelling example of how a young person can remain steadfast in their faith, even in the face of adversity and cultural pressure. The Book of Daniel, which is part of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament, details his life and the extraordinary events that marked his journey.

Early Life and Captivity

Daniel was among the young men of noble or royal lineage taken captive from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar around 605 BC. This event is recorded in Daniel 1:1-4, where it is noted that Daniel and his companions were chosen for their wisdom, knowledge, and physical appearance to serve in the king's palace. Despite being in a foreign land, Daniel remained committed to his faith and the laws of his God.

Faithfulness in Dietary Laws

One of the first tests of Daniel's faithfulness occurred when he and his friends were offered food and wine from the king's table. Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal provisions, requesting instead to be given vegetables and water. Daniel 1:8 states, "But Daniel resolved in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine." His commitment to God's dietary laws resulted in God granting him favor and compassion in the eyes of the chief official (Daniel 1:9).

Wisdom and Understanding

God blessed Daniel and his friends with knowledge and understanding, surpassing that of all the magicians and enchanters in the kingdom. Daniel 1:17 notes, "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and wisdom; and Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds." This divine wisdom set Daniel apart and prepared him for future challenges.

Interpreting Dreams

Daniel's ability to interpret dreams became a significant aspect of his life in Babylon. In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream that none of his wise men could interpret. Daniel sought God in prayer, and God revealed the dream and its meaning to him. Daniel 2:19-20 records, "During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven and declared: 'Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.'" Daniel's interpretation not only saved the lives of the wise men but also elevated him to a position of high honor in the kingdom.

The Fiery Furnace and the Lion's Den

Daniel's unwavering faith is further exemplified in the accounts of the fiery furnace and the lion's den. Although Daniel himself was not in the furnace, his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into it for refusing to worship an idol. Their miraculous deliverance (Daniel 3) demonstrated God's power and protection over those who remain faithful.

Later, Daniel faced his own trial when he was thrown into the lion's den for praying to God despite a royal decree prohibiting prayer to anyone but the king. Daniel 6:22 recounts his deliverance: "My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him." Daniel's faith and God's intervention led to the king acknowledging the power of Daniel's God.

Prophetic Visions

Daniel was also a recipient of significant prophetic visions concerning the future of Israel and the coming of God's kingdom. These visions, found in the latter chapters of the Book of Daniel, have been the subject of much theological study and interpretation. They reveal God's sovereignty over history and His ultimate plan for redemption.

Legacy

Daniel's life serves as an enduring example of how young people can live righteously and influence their surroundings through steadfast faith and obedience to God. His account encourages believers to trust in God's provision and protection, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 1:6
Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Baptism of Daniel.
... Daniel used very frequently to sit in the school listening ... to read himself, he had
his children taught, and ... a very retentive memory and with good common sense ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter eighteen baptism of daniel.htm

Daniel: a Pattern for Pleaders
... The prayer of Daniel was a prayer of holy nearness. ... after Christ's own sort, "If
ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/daniel a pattern for pleaders.htm

The Children's Bible
... <. The Children's Bible Henry A. Sherman. ... THE STORY OF CREATION. GOD'S GOOD
GIFTS TO MAN. ... THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

On Daniel. Iii. Scholia on Daniel.
... Daniel, though he stood at a distance and kept silence ... And this idea of ours is not
without good ground ... For as the children of Israel were destined to see God in ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on daniel iii scholia on.htm

Daniel's Sickness and Happy Death.
... I have been spared to see my children's children, even to the ... I went with Mr and
Mrs Hocken to see Daniel. ... made him understand who we were, the good old man ...
/.../hodson/old daniel/chapter twenty five daniels sickness.htm

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... Afflictions are purifying. Many shall be tried and made white' (Daniel
12:10). ... (i) Good things work for good to God's children. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

Men Often Highly Esteem what God Abhors.
... What was Daniel Webster? ... The world has what it calls good husbands, good
wives, good children; but what sort of goodness is this? ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xxi men often highly esteem.htm

Of Good Angels
... to the strength of these first-born children of God ... greater, we may reasonably ascribe
to the good angel whom ... have a remarkable instance in the case of Daniel. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 71 of good angels.htm

How Agreeable all virtues are to God.
... And if Daniel had not known that the infidelity ... Pagans understood that marriage was
good and necessary, they ... it was becoming to have their children brought up ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i how agreeable all.htm

Daniel's Band
... the false; but Daniel could distinguish between good and evil ... Thus I have briefly
describe the case of Daniel. ... thy brother, and thy wife, and maybe children too ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/daniels band.htm