Daniel Character Bible Study Background and Lessons

Name: Daniel – God is Judge (Belteshazzar) – May Bel protect his life

Key Passages: Daniel 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Ancestry and Family Life

We know that Daniel was a young man of the nobility and was the cream of the crop of the Israelites (1:3-4). He was young, likely 16-18 at this time, good-looking, intelligent, and wise. He was taken as a captive for just these reasons. After a time of training in the Babylonian ways, culture, language, etc. he entered the personal service of Nebuchadnezzar as an adviser and also an overseer. Daniel lived in Babylon for over 60 years, into his eighties.

When and Where He Lived

Daniel grew up in a turbulent time. He was born around 620 B.C. and taken to Babylon after the siege of Jerusalem ended (it started in 605 B.C.) Israel had been under attack for some time and succumbed to the world power of Babylon. Daniel, along with many other native Hebrews, were exiled in Babylon for many years. Jews loved their homeland, Jerusalem, and the temple, but were forced from their homes and taken to a foreign culture and country. Daniel was merely a boy when he was forced to leave everything he knew. All the rest of his life he lived in a pagan and sinful culture. There were continual temptations to live as the sinful people around him. Peer pressure was strong to get him to conform. A law was even passed forbidding the worship of anyone/anything except the Persian king. It was certainly not an easy life or an easy time in the history of Israel for Daniel to live. Daniel was about 80 when Persia conquered Babylon.

Training and Occupation

Daniel was one of the elite. He had a very high education and was trained in all the branches of wisdom of the day. He also studied literature and learned to be at least bilingual. In Babylon he served in a number of capacities. He was a wise man, an adviser in the personal service of Nebuchadnezzar (1:19-20). After Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar his dream and its interpretation he was made the overseer over the province of Babylon and all the wise men and magicians in the Babylonian kingdom. Daniel was also one of three satraps, who ruled over the Persian kingdom.

Place in History

Daniel has an important place in history. He wrote the book of Daniel. He served some of the most powerful leaders in the history of the world. He was an important adviser to them. He was an important prophet for the nation of Israel and for the whole world. Daniel was honored by God to the extent that God gave him many sensitive visions and mysteries regarding the future. Many important things were revealed to Daniel because God knew what kind of person Daniel was.

Special Traits

God gave Daniel (like Joseph) the gift to understand dreams and visions and give the correct interpretation (1:17, 2:24). Daniel also distinguished himself wherever he turned (6:3).

Weaknesses

None are recorded.

See Daniel 6:4-5 for a summary of Daniel’s character. “Man of high esteem” (10:19).

Strengths

1. Wisdom/Discretion

Numerous examples can be seen throughout the book of Daniel. He was never one to act hastily, but he was patient and prayerful. He waited for the right time and opportunity to act and then he did so with modesty. See the example of his dealings with the commander of the officials in chapter 1 (1:8-16). See his example when Arioch came to execute him and all the other wise men (2:14-15).

Throughout the whole process, we can see he was calm and careful. He was never hasty and didn’t act rashly. He didn’t lose his temper, panic, or get nervous. Instead, he remained cool, calm, and collected. Panicking or acting hastily is never helpful and will typically make the situation much worse.

Reflect: What would have happened if Daniel had made an excuse and eaten the food?

2. Humility

In the eyes of the world Daniel had an amazing talent. He could have used it for his own gain, but he didn’t. It would have been easy for him to become prideful, but he never did. Every time he had an opportunity to praise himself he gave all the credit, glory, thanks, and praise to God (2:28-30, 4:19). When he approached the commander of the officials he also did so with humility and respect. He didn’t care about gifts (5:17).

Daniel 2:30 – But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.

He recognized it was not through any talent or wisdom of his own. He was only a tool to accomplish God’s purposes.

Reflect: What gave Daniel the confidence to boldly confront the king when needed, while remaining humble?

3. Reliance on God

Daniel faced a number of very difficult situations, trials, and temptations. He never relied on himself or trusted in his own strength or wisdom (though he was very smart and good looking too!). When faced with a dilemma, he prayed to God and asked God to show him His favor and compassion (1:9, 2:17-18, 6:10-11, 9).

He sought the Lord – Daniel did not only seek help from his friends. More importantly, he sought help from the Lord. No matter how wise or smart we are, if we try to do things on our own, we will fail. We must seek the Lord first because only He gives true success.

Reflect: When you face a difficult situation, what is your first instinct – to figure it out on your own, or to seek the Lord? What can you learn from Daniel’s example?

4. Steadfast/Uncompromising

Daniel lived in a foreign culture and was continually pressured to give in to sinful customs and practices (peer pressure). In each situation he chose instead to follow God unwaveringly. He wasn’t brash or prideful or rude about his beliefs, but he stood by his convictions with courage and boldness (1:8, 6:10-11).

This is the key verse in the whole of chapter 1. It highlights one aspect of Daniel’s character that will show itself throughout the book. That is his resolve. He made up his mind that he would not defile himself.

Notice where Daniel drew his line in the sand. It was not based on his own opinion, tradition, customs, or culture. It is based on the Word of God. God’s Word clearly forbids him from eating this food, so he resolved not to. He made up his mind to do what was right without compromise and without offering excuses.

Reflect: Share a testimony about a time you have been pressured to do something wrong. What lessons did you learn from it?

5. Courage

Daniel was very bold. He pronounced the true meaning of dreams and visions, even when those would be negative and unpopular (4:19, 27; 5:22, 25-28).

Reflect: Are you willing to risk your life in obedience to God? What “small” tests of obedience are you facing daily that are preparing you for larger ones?

Important Acts and Events

2. Refusing to eat the corrupting food – From the beginning, Daniel resolved not to compromise. If he had compromised this one time, we most likely would not have the book or story of Daniel that we love so much.
3. Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams – God gave Daniel the ability to interpret dreams. Daniel used that ability to serve the king and give God glory. On each occasion, he also preached boldly to Nebuchadnezzar, even counselling him. An exile gave unsolicited advice the most powerful man in the world.
4. Interpreting the handwriting on the wall for Belshazzar – When Daniel was an old man, Belshazzar had discarded him and rejected all the lessons his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar learned. But when he needed help, Daniel was called for. Again, Daniel gave wise (and unsolicited advice).
5. The lions’ den – The king declared that anyone who prayed to anyone but him for thirty days would be thrown into the lions’ den. Daniel could have prayed with his eyes open while walking around the city, but he chose not to compromise. That is the root of the beloved story that is told in Sunday School around the world.
6. The visions about the future of the world – Daniel received detailed prophetic visions about the rise and fall of world kingdoms. In all of these visions, one thread connected them all. God’s kingdom is forever.

How He Died

No info, but he did live a long life, into his eighties.

Lessons from His Life

1. No Compromise!

From Daniel’s life we can learn from his example in all the areas of his strengths. We see the might and strategies of the Babylonian ruler on one side. On the other side, we see a teenage boy. He is far from home, lonely, and surrounded by pagan culture. Temptations and sin are on every side. And when he is faced with a temptation, he draws a line in his mind and resolves that he will not cross it.

Even in the face of overwhelming pressure, he stood on the truth and wouldn’t budge.

We also live in a society that does not honor God. The education system, not only here but around the world, brainwashes people to accept lies, including evolution and atheism. There is intense pressure to conform and be like everyone else.

Let Daniel be an inspiration to all of us to stand uncompromisingly on the truth even in the face of powerful pressure to give in to the world’s way. If we only learn this one lesson from this book, it will be well worth it.

Reflect: What are some ways you are tempted to compromise? What are practical ways you can stand firm?

Application: It is critical to resolve in your mind not to compromise before you ever face a potentially compromising situation. You should make your commitment before God long before you ever face a moment of opportunity/temptation.

2. God Protects and Blesses Those Who Seek Him and Put Him First

From Daniel’s life, we see that God protects and blesses those who seek Him and put Him first. On several occasions Daniel risked his life in order to follow God and God protected him (6:20-23).

In verse 17 of chapter 1, God blesses these four young men’s obedience. He gives them great skill, knowledge, and wisdom, blessing them with special gifts and abilities. The Bible says that He who is faithful in a little thing is also faithful in much. They had proven their obedience to God in this “little thing” in front of some low-ranking officials. And because of that, they would have many more opportunities to use their gifts and talents to serve God in kingdom-altering events.

An objective observer would conclude that not eating the food would destroy their political careers and possibly their lives. But amazingly, doing what seemed like political suicide from man’s perspective was the catalyst that sparked their rise to political office.

Reflect: Have you ever been through a situation where honoring God seemed costly? How did you handle it and how did it turn out?

3. God Throws Down the Prideful and Raises Up the Humble

Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and the other satraps were all prideful. God punished all of them. Daniel was humble and obedient and God honored him by raising him to positions of leadership, giving him long life, entrusting visions and dreams to him, as well as with materials.

Throughout this book, we have seen God teaching Nebuchadnezzar this lesson. But despite all of the miracles to this point, the king had not yet gotten the point. He was still prideful and credited himself for his great empire. In the end, God wins. Truth wins. Sooner or later, every person will learn the same lesson that the Lord sought to teach Nebuchadnezzar.

James 4:6 – But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Reflect: How does God show His comforting presence to believers in the midst of trials? How have you personally experienced that?

Application: Understand that this world and everything in it is temporary. Riches will not last. Do not set your hope on them. At the same time, what you do have is given to you by the Lord. Give Him full credit for everything good in your life. God gives grace to the humble but is opposed to the proud (1 Peter 5:5-6).

4. Seek the Lord Together with Other Believers

Daniel was not a lone ranger. Daniel was not prideful. He wasn’t using this situation to seek after his glory and get all the credit for himself. Neither did he place confidence in his powers. Instead, he surrounded himself with a team, sharing with them the details of the situation. They, in turn, could help him share the load.

There is strength in numbers and no matter how wise or intelligent we are, we need other believers for encouragement, counsel, and support as we seek the Lord together. When you face a difficult situation, remember that you are not alone. Go to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Share with them about your struggles. Ask them to lift up their voices with you so that together you can seek mercy from the Lord. Many times, our difficulties are compounded because we try to face them alone. God has made us part of a larger spiritual family. Let us be quick to support others and equally willing to ask for help.

Reflect: When you face a difficult situation, do you tend to face it alone or do you reach out to other believers for prayer and support?

5. God Is Sovereign Over the Rise and Fall of Governments and Kingdoms

Daniel lived in a place that had no respect for God. There were temptations all around him. The education system was brainwashing people to believe in lies instead of the truth from God. There was tremendous pressure to conform to society and be like everyone else.

Daniel lived in a time when darkness seemed to reign. Judah was defeated. He and his friends were exiles in a strange, foreign land. Idolatry dominated every aspect of culture. Violence, pride, and selfishness were rampant. He needed a reminder that these things were temporary. In the end, God wins. We too need that same reminder.

Reflect: How does recognizing God’s sovereignty over the rise and fall of governments affect your attitude toward yours?

Application: From this chapter, we see that God holds the future in His hands. He is sovereign and on the throne. Which aspect of your future are you worried about? How can you entrust that to Him? How would your life look different if you entrusted your future to the Lord?