Topical Bible: Hatred: Enemies of Daniel

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In the biblical narrative, Daniel, a prophet and a man of great faith, faced significant opposition and hatred from various individuals and groups during his time in Babylon. This enmity was often rooted in jealousy, political maneuvering, and spiritual conflict, as Daniel's unwavering devotion to God and his exceptional abilities set him apart in a foreign land.

Jealousy and Political Rivalry

Daniel's rise to prominence in the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires was marked by his exceptional wisdom and ability to interpret dreams, which earned him favor with kings such as Nebuchadnezzar and Darius. However, this favor also incited jealousy among the other officials and satraps. In Daniel 6:3-4 , it is noted, "Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so."

The other officials' inability to find fault in Daniel's conduct led them to conspire against him by exploiting his faithfulness to God. They convinced King Darius to issue a decree that anyone who prayed to any god or man other than the king for thirty days would be thrown into the lions' den (Daniel 6:7). This plot was a direct attack on Daniel's religious practices, as they knew he would not compromise his devotion to God.

Spiritual Conflict

The enmity against Daniel was not merely political but also spiritual. Daniel's commitment to God and his refusal to worship the gods of Babylon set him apart and made him a target for those who opposed the God of Israel. This spiritual conflict is evident in the account of the fiery furnace, where Daniel's friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, faced persecution for refusing to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image (Daniel 3:12-18). Although Daniel is not mentioned in this particular event, it reflects the broader spiritual battle faced by the Jewish exiles in Babylon.

Divine Protection and Vindication

Despite the hatred and schemes of his enemies, Daniel experienced divine protection and vindication. When Daniel was thrown into the lions' den, God sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths, and Daniel emerged unharmed (Daniel 6:22). This miraculous deliverance not only demonstrated God's power but also led to the downfall of Daniel's enemies, as those who had conspired against him were themselves thrown into the lions' den (Daniel 6:24).

Legacy of Faithfulness

Daniel's experience with his enemies serves as a testament to his unwavering faith and integrity. His account illustrates the challenges faced by those who remain faithful to God in a hostile environment and the ultimate triumph of divine justice over human schemes. Daniel's life and the hatred he endured highlight the spiritual warfare that believers may encounter and the assurance of God's presence and protection amidst adversity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 6:4-15
Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; for as much as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Tribute from Enemies
... in such a position had incurred much hatred and jealousy ... of a place was that court
where Daniel was ... pure and stainless, by the acknowledgment of enemies, and in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a tribute from enemies.htm

Patmos
... more convincing his testimony, the deeper was the hatred of his ... was hunted like a
beast of prey by his enemies. Daniel was cast into a den of lions because he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 56 patmos.htm

Daniel's Band
... friends, you are greatly beloved is, when your enemies meet to ... You see nothing of
selfishness about Daniel. ... In us there was no love; there was a hatred of God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/daniels band.htm

Title and Position.
... reason" is that of H. Deane in Daniel, his Life ... probably on account of the feelings
of hatred the three children express with regard to their enemies, it was ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/title and position.htm

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
... ever been among the most bitter enemies of the ... [Hatred against Christianity would
prove stronger than all family ... which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxiii destruction of jerusalem foretold.htm

John Chapter xv. 24, 25
... for refuge from an onset of their enemies, and had ... Who else besides Daniel 54ed unhurt
amid the jaws of ... surely to have requited with love, and not with hatred. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xci john chapter xv.htm

Faith Stopping the Mouths of Lions
... and from selfish motives, they let fierce hatred have its ... final verse of the passage
implies Daniel's restoration to ... the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/faith stopping the mouths of.htm

An Era of Spiritual Darkness
... Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:5-7. (See Appendix.) Christians were ... The same spirit of
hatred and opposition to the truth has inspired the enemies of God in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 3 an era of.htm

part vi.
... The same persons who were his enemies before, are ... Babylon [1664] , seeking an occasion
against Daniel, found none ... to all), except the charge of hatred to their ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part vi.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... things in the future; if we praise the three children and Daniel, because they refused ...
Instead of destroying what is written about hatred of enemies in the ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm