Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

Daniel was written between 540 and 530 B.C. It is believed to have been written by Daniel himself. He was taken into captivity as a youth by Nebuchadnezzar in around 605 B.C. The first six chapters are a historical narrative of the events surrounding Daniel and his three good friends. The remainder of the book is prophetic, dealing with judgment, deliverance, and the Messiah. In a sense, it is a prelude to the Revelation to John. Daniel’s lifestyle shows how we should live in this world. Doing our work, but never ceasing standing on the Word (James 4:7) – even if it means our personal suffering. Daniel served faithfully for between sixty-seven and sixty-eight years, covering the reigns of at lease five kings.

Chapter one is the story of who Daniel and his good friends were and how they came to Babylon. All the youths taken were good looking and smart. They had to excel in wisdom, knowledge, and an understanding of science. They had to be assets to the court. They had to be willing and able to learn. In return, the king gave them the best of the best. However, the best of the best included food that had been sacrificed to idols in worship. Daniel and his friends refused that food for that reason. They asked to be allowed to eat food that had NOT been offered to idols. They were granted that permission and THRIVED because God blessed them for their obedience to only worshipping Him.

Chapter two focuses on a dream that Nebuchadnezzar had. It was so disturbing, he refused to reveal it to his occult advisors. He didn’t want to risk being told something just to placate him. He wanted a TRUE interpretation. The advisors could not give it and they were going to be killed because of it when Daniel heard of it. He said God could give him the interpretation and was offered a chance. He spend a night in prayer and fasting and went before the king. God told him the dream AND the interpretation and Daniel gave God the full glory for all of it. The king was grateful and was promoted and made him one of the chiefest rulers of Babylon. Daniel also promoted his three good friends into positions of influence.

While Daniel was off doing some kind of business elsewhere, the king set up a giant golden statue of himself that he ordered everyone to worship. Daniel’s three good friends refused. The penalty for not bowing to the image was being burned to death. Advisors jealous of the three men (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), tattled on them. They were brought to the king and given a chance to bow. They refused and said their God could save them from the penalty. They refused even if God WOULDN’T save them. The king heated the furnace much hotter than usual and had them thrown in. He waited to see them be consumed, but instead, he saw them walking around in the flames along with a FOURTH guy he didn’t put in the furnace and who did NOT look like a regular guy. The king called the friends out. They came out perfectly fine and not even smelling of smoke. The king acknowledged the supremacy of their God and decreed that no one could speak anything against their God in all his kingdom. He also promoted the three friends to higher positions within Babylon.

Summary

Key Players: God, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Nebuchadnezzar.

Key Verse(s): Daniel 1:11-17; 2:17-23; 3:16-25