Bible Characters – Part 25

Series – May 2025 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Bible Characters
Gleanings From The Old Testament
Part 25

Daniel’s Life Of Prayer
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. —Daniel 6:10 NKJV

The Times Of The Gentiles
Daniel was an exile living in Babylon, far away from Jerusalem, the city of the God of his fathers. After Jerusalem had fallen into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylonia, a significant turn in the history of God’s people had taken place. Jerusalem, the chosen city, was no longer the dwelling place of God on earth and the center of His government. In God’s view, Israel had become “Lo-Ammi,” that is “not My people” (Hos. 1:9). God was unable to recognize them any longer as the nation which belonged to Him, or the one from which He could exercise His righteous reign.

In the book of Daniel we find God as the “God of heaven” (2:18-19,37,44), since He had withdrawn from His throne on earth to His heavenly throne. Governmental power on earth had been put into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, who wielded absolute authority over men and beasts (2:37-38). God had given His people and city into the hands of this world ruler (1:1-2). This heralded a new era: “the times of the Gentiles” (Lk. 21:24). During this period the nations take a prominent place. The period will last until the second coming of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. At the close of the history of the world powers, the God of heaven will set up an eternal kingdom: the kingdom of the Son of Man (Dan. 2:44, 7:13-14). Then, Israel will be restored as God’s people, and Jerusalem will be the center of world dominion again.

A line can be drawn from the first ruler, Adam (Gen. 1:28), through David and Solomon, who sat on the throne of the Lord in Jerusalem (1 Chr. 29:23), to the true Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6-7). He is the Christ, under whose feet everything in heaven and on earth will be subjected (Ps. 8:6; 1 Cor. 15:24-27). His rule will put an end to the dominion of the nations, who, like Israel, have failed and turned their backs on the living and true God. Christ, the Stone of Daniel 2 and the Son of Man of Daniel 7, is the counterpart of the head of the Gentiles. He will take the place of Nebuchadnezzar, who soon forfeited the moral right to exercise world dominion. When Christ’s kingdom will appear, justice and peace will prevail at last.

Daniel And His Friends As Examples To Us
The book of Daniel is not only significant because it describes the course of world history, but in connection with and often also in contrast to the history of the world powers, the book portrays challenges for the remnant of God’s people, presented here as Daniel and his three friends. The record is very interesting because in this faithful, small remnant we can also see a picture of a Bible-believing remnant in the last days of Christendom, the days of the professing Church.

Therefore, the book of Daniel contains many lessons for us, for “the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God” (1 Pet. 4:17). As in those days when unfaithful Israel had to be put aside, judgment on God’s testimony on earth is looming ahead. We live in perilous times, and God is looking for a remnant that is faithful to His Word and devoted to the place where God chooses to make His name abide (consider Rev. 3:8).

Just as Jerusalem, the city of the great King, always played a vital role in Daniel’s life, we should cherish the heavenly Jerusalem, the Church of the living God and revealer of divine light here on earth (Mt. 5:14; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 21:9-10). Daniel had his windows open toward the city of God when he prayed. Three times a day his eyes were directed toward the city of his ancestors (consider 1 Ki. 8:27-53). His heart was there in the city where once God had made His name to dwell, a city which was in ruins.

In Daniel 9 we see that he prayed and made supplications for the holy city, taking into account the prophetic word (v.2). Therefore he was given insight into the future restoration of the city, as we see in the well-known prophecy of the 70 weeks (vv.24-27). Daniel’s attitude is exactly what ours should be toward the Church as the present dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Are we concerned about its well-being? Do its interests affect us? Do we direct our eyes to the Church as it is after God’s thoughts, in spite of all our failures which turned so much of its beauty into ruins?

If that is the case, and if we, like Daniel, make supplication for the city and the people of God, God will also grant us a superb view of the future of His city. Then we can direct our eyes to that heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, which will come down from God out of heaven in dazzling beauty. So the prophetic word is “confirmed” (2 Pet. 1:19). God’s plans will not fail, and His counsels concerning the Church – which is so closely linked with Him and the Son of His love – will be gloriously fulfilled. Faith can count on this, for it has open windows toward the heavenly city.

He Who Overcomes
Meanwhile, we strive to be faithful to the Word of God in these dark days before Christ’s coming. In the midst of all the present decay, our desire is to belong to the overcomers who hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Rev. 2–3). We are to display the characteristics of a faithful remnant and try to put into practice the truths concerning the Church as the temple and the city of God, the bride and the body of Christ.

In the book of Daniel we see a man who, in surroundings hostile to God, received an insight into God’s thoughts. We too live as strangers in a world full of idolatry, in the midst of a Christian Babylon, where the service of God is being mixed with the worship of idols (consider Dan. 5:3-4; 1 Pet. 5:13; Rev. 16–17). Yet, we are privileged to know God’s thoughts as to the future of the world and the Church. The Epistles and Revelation disclose what is going to happen. The knowledge of God’s Word, the understanding of His thoughts, will save us from the negative influences of the world. It will help us to behave as “those who are wise” (Dan. 12:3). People will then see that the Spirit of God indwells us, and that light, understanding and excellent wisdom is found in us (consider 5:14, 11:33).

The preservation and the inner enlightenment of the remnant of God’s people in an idolatrous world is a major theme of the book of Daniel. The name of the prophet means “God is my judge.” God speaks up for His people and does them justice. He carries them through the difficulties they encounter and grants them the help of His Spirit.

In Daniel 1 we see the firm resolve of Daniel and his friends not to defile themselves with the food and drink of the king, which had been consecrated to idols. God rewarded their faithfulness and blessed them in body and soul. They proved to surpass in wisdom and knowledge all the others at the court.

Daniel 2 describes the empires of the world as a large statue with the image of a man, and Nebuchadnezzar and his empire are represented by the gold head. This impressive statue shows the powers of this world in their relationship to God and in their responsibility before Him – for man is a responsible creature. God had given Nebuchadnezzar all power, and He was the One to call him to account (2:37-38).

In Daniel 3 we see how Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue for himself in order to consolidate his power and to get a firm hold on his subjects from a religious point of view. Thus he abused the power God had given him, and he fell prey to idolatry. Turning his back on the true God, he made a god himself before whom all his subjects were to kneel. In chapter 2 Daniel and his companions were saved because God gave the prophet an insight into the course of world history; in chapter 3 Daniel’s friends were saved from the burning fiery furnace by the power of God. Although their decision not to bow before the image was put to a severe test, God helped them and saved them. The Son of God was with them in their trials, and He released their chains. “In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them” (Isa. 63:9).

Daniel 4 deals with Nebuchadnezzar, his pride and ensuing madness, but also his ultimate acknowledgement of the Most High. Turning away from God, man becomes like an animal without a rational relationship with God. In this chapter Daniel acted as the king’s advisor, calling him to repentance (v.27).

In Daniel 5 the prophet acted more severely – straight away he announced the coming judgment. To be true, in this chapter we find a more serious form of evil than in chapter 4, where we have human pride and self-exaltation – not taking God into account. In chapter 5 God’s holy name was being reviled in that the golden and silver vessels from the temple were abused to honor idols (vv.2-4).

Daniel 6 depicts the climax of injustice since here all religion was abolished and replaced by the worship of man. A decree was issued that no one else but the king was to be petitioned (vv.7-9). Daniel, however, persevered in his service of the true God and was found praying and making supplication before his God.

What a big contrast we see between this man of God, who was aware of his total dependence on God, and all the evil of natural man around him. The natural man:

• Set up an idol for himself (Dan. 3),
• Glorified himself (Dan. 4),
• Mingled the service of the true God with that of the idols, thus despising and insulting God (Dan. 5),
• Publicly took for himself, in the end as the man of sin (2 Th. 2:3), the place of God (Dan. 6).

Yet in the same chapter, through faithful prayer, Daniel was delivered from the lions’ den. God honors those who honor Him (1 Sam. 2:30). Let us take this example of Daniel to heart so that we will be aware of our dependence on God and keep our windows toward heaven open in a world still marked by injustice and idolatry. Very soon all that is here will culminate in “Babylon the great” and the sphere of influence of the “beast” of Revelation 13 and 17.

May we consider the lessons from Daniel for ourselves.

By Hugo Bouter (adapted)

Look for the conclusion of this Series next month.

The basis of prayer is set forth in such words as the following: “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (Jn. 15:7 KJV). Again, “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 Jn. 3:21-22). —Charles H. Mackintosh, “Prayer And The Prayer Meeting”