by David Scott Robertson
"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel…" (Daniel 1:8-9)
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Attention all politicians and business executives! Anyone desiring to be successful in a political or business career should take note of a man in the Bible named Daniel.
Students pursuing a business administration or political science degree would also do well to include in their curriculum a personal study in "Daniel 101." Why? Because in this Bible figure we find a man whose career spanned the administrations of at least FOUR kings. That's like being appointed to be Vice-President of the United States of America for George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George Bush, Sr., and Ronald Reagan!
But unlike our current politicians, Daniel didn't campaign for office. He didn't seek position, authority, and influence - these things sought him. The Bible describes Daniel's personal and professional life as being "above reproach." He's one of the few characters in the Bible who we don't find any "dirt" on. To be sure he was not perfect but the scriptures omit any personal flaws and emphasizes Daniel's fidelity to his faith in God and practice of Judaism during his exile in a pagan culture.
The cycle of events in Daniel's life usually went something like this:
1. Work and pray hard (3 times each day)
2. The current king has a problem and the existing magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners can't help him - so they call for Daniel.
3. God works supernaturally through Daniel to interpret the dream, solve the enigma, foretell future events, or perform some other miracle in or through Daniel's life.
4. The king exalts Daniel and his God to high places.
For example, here is the end result of God working through Daniel in the presence of some of the most powerful figures in human history in their day and age:
KING Nedbuchadnezzar
"Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. The king said to Daniel, "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery." Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men" (Daniel 2:46-48).
King Belshazzar
"This man Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means" (Daniel 5:12).
[Daniel correctly interprets the "writing on the wall"]
"Then at Belshazzar's command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom" (Daniel 5:29).
KING DARIUS, THE MEDE & KING CYRUS, THE PERSIAN
"The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly! "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian" (Daniel 6:23-28).
THE GREAT GOD JEHOVAH
Even Almighty God Himself thought highly enough of Daniel to include him in the line-up of some the all-time Bible greats:
"Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out my wrath upon it through bloodshed, killing its men and their animals, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness" (Ezekiel 14:19-20).
Now why do you suppose Daniel seems to possess this unusual and incredible ability to garner the favor of God and man? I think the answer is found in our opening verse.
"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel…" (Daniel 1:8-9)
Daniel adhered to a simple Biblical principle that paid off for him throughout his lifetime: Be faithful in little things and God will put you in charge of bigger things.
Daniel passed the test time after time when confronted with the temptation to defile himself through compromise, deviate from the truth, or sacrifice his belief in the One True God. It started with not defiling himself with the food he ate but that act was only an outward demonstration of an inward transformation that had already taken place in his spiritual life.
Daniel refused to be intimidated by anyone regardless of power or position. As a result, God could trust him with incredible spiritual gifts of interpreting dreams, reading mysterious handwriting on walls, and prophesying in detail the rise and fall of entire civilizations.
Let's break this down to where we live and how it impacts us today. I believe - wholeheartedly - that if you and I purpose in our hearts not to defile ourselves with the "meat" and "delicacies" of this world, then we, like Daniel, position ourselves for favor and a good name with God. And when you are "approved unto God" (1 Th. 2:4), look out world!
Daniel was a real wise guy but not because he was abnormally intelligent, but because he developed a great relationship with God who owns all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3) and is glad to share it with those He can trust (James 1:5).
DSR
5/3/04