The first two chapters of Daniel provide a beautiful view of discipleship. Daniel and three others, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, four of God’s people, the Hebrews, were captured and forced to live in Babylon, the land of pagan gods. Because of their God given blessings of appearance and intellect, these four were given an opportunity to be members of the kings court in Babylon. They were given new names, Babylonian labels, for which they were identified in the kingdom, Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, respectively. These four Hebrews were dedicated to God even though they were living in a kingdom that did not worship God. Regardless of their circumstances, they maintained close relation with God and He protected and sustained them.
8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. – Daniel 1:8 KJV
Daniel’s heart was to remain faithful to God. He did not wait for his circumstances to change, he sought to change them himself by reaching out to the guard and asking for special religious consideration. God knew Daniel’s heart and was with him in his request.
9Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. – Daniel 1:9 KJV
God saw the righteousness of Daniel’s heart and made sure the path was clear for him to continue his devoted and close walk with the Lord through abstaining from the king’s meat and wine.
15And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. – Daniel 1:15 KJV
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah did not partake of the fruits of Babylon. They lived under the king’s rule but stayed true to God and His ways. After a brief period of time, the benefits of their choice were noticeable in their appearance by others.
Their dedication brought blessing from God.
17As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. – Daniel 1:17 KJV
19And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. – Daniel 1:19-20 KJV
The blessings of wisdom and understanding from God put these four above all others in the Babylonian kingdom. They chose to forgo rich foods and wine available to them from the king. The result was physical strength and stature, with mental acuity and wisdom from God. They stood out above others because they chose not to indulge.
Chapter 2 opens with king Nebuchadnezzar being disturbed by a dream. When the Chaldeans, magicians, astrologers and sorcerers of the day could not tell the king his dream, Nebuchadnezzar ordered them all killed, including the four Hebrew boys.
Facing the threat of death, Daniel does two things. He goes to God, who he knows has ultimate power over the situation and he calls on others who are also living righteously to join him in seeking God through prayer.
20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. – Matthew 18:20 KJV
17Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 18That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. – Daniel 2:17-19 KJV
God gave Daniel the answer in a vision and Daniel responded by praising the Lord.
20Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
22He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. – Daniel 2:20-22 KJV
Daniel glorifies God, understanding that he himself has absolutely no power, strength or knowledge. It is all God’s power and God’s wisdom working through him. He also knows Nebuchadnezzar only rules because God has allowed it. Daniel realizes what has been revealed to him is to be used for God’s purpose alone.
27Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these – Daniel 2:27-28 KJV
Daniel gives all glory to God for the knowledge he brings. He shows the king God’s power is greater than any “wise” men of the kingdom.
47The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. – Daniel 2:47 KJV
God showed Daniel the dream that the king of Babylon may know and glorify the one true God. God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to reign over Babylon and for that He should be glorified by the king. The statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream reflects the beginning and end of Babylon. The first kingdom of Babylon is led by Nebuchadnezzar represented as the head of gold. There will be two more kingdoms of Babylon before the fourth and final rising depicted as a divided kingdom. This kingdom will ultimately be destroyed as documented in Revelation. Jesus is the final stone in the dream that ends the fourth and final rise of the kingdom of Babylon, just as we were told in Revelation.