While the Book of Revelation is the major prophetic book in the New Testament, Daniel is it’s equivalent in the Old Testament. In fact, some have called it “The Apocalypse of the Old Testament.” But in addition to it’s prophetic aspects, there are some well-known historical elements in the book, such as the three young men Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were thrown into the “fiery furnace,” and years later, Daniel was thrown into the “lion’s den.” All of them miraculously walked out alive. But let’s jump back just a bit.

Daniel’s life and ministry bridge the entire 70-year period of Babylonian captivity predicted by Jeremiah. Before destroying the city and the temple in 586 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar entered Jerusalem in 605 B.C. and then again in 597 B.C. During his first “visit,” the King carried off many of the brightest young men to serve in his “courts,” and Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were four of them. Daniel was just 16 years old when he left Jerusalem in 605 B.C. and was almost immediately placed into government service.

Daniel’s wisdom and discernment brought him into a position of prominence, especially in the courts of Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, and Cyrus. He ministered as a prophet and wise counselor during the entire Babylonian captivity, and when Babylon was defeated by the Medes and Persians in 539 B. C., Daniel continued to hold a position of prominence. During this entire time, Daniel’s life was characterized by faith, prayer, courage, consistency, and righteousness.

During his years in captivity, Daniel was God’s prophetic mouthpiece to the gentile and Jewish world, declaring in dreams and visions God’s present and eternal purposes. In chapters 2-7, Daniel describes the future course of the gentile world powers, and then in chapters 8-12, he describes the future of the Jewish nation while remaining under gentile domination. His vision of the “70-weeks” begins like this,

“Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy” (Dan. 9:24).

 In prophetic language, the 70 weeks are actually 70 “weeks of years,” with “one week” equivalent to “7 years.” And so, the prophecy runs for 490 years from the “issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince comes” (Dan. 9:25). Bible scholars have worked out the details of the prophecy, including the starting date of Daniel’s “70-weeks” up to Jesus coming on the scene and providing “atonement for iniquity.” If you want to study more of this prophecy, feel free to do so. It can be challenging, but well worth the effort.

However, there are two areas that I would like us to focus on. First is the comment made by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they are threatened to be thrown into the “fiery furnace” if they did not bow down to the king’s image (this would have been considered idolatry to these Jewish boys). Here is what they said,

“Oh Nebuchadnezzar….our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Dan. 3:16-18).

Such profound faith and commitment. They knew that God was able to deliver them and fully expected Him to do so, but they also realized that God may have had other plans if He chose not to deliver them. In other words, in the midst of believing faith, they still relied on God’s wisdom with regard to their future. At the same time, they would adhere to the Law of Moses, in that they would not bow down to or worship any idol. They took a stand, regardless of God’s choice in the outcome. They stood firm while trusting in the wisdom and providence of God. Oh, that we may do the same.

And then, years later, Daniel was praying with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes (signs of humility) and prayed this prayer for the nation. Such a prayer is instructive for each of us to look at as we consider the idolatry, injustice, immorality, and indifference to God that surrounds us each and every day. Christians need to take heed to Daniels prayer of “confession,”

“Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments; we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly, and rebelled, even turning aside from Thy commandments and ordinances. Moreover, we have not listened to Thy servants the prophets, who spoke in Thy name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and to all the people of the land. Righteousness belongs to Thee, O Lord, but to us open shame…Open shame belongs to us, O Lord, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers because we have sinned against Thee” (Dan. 9:3-8).

And then, after confessing the sins of the nation and realizing that “open shame” has resulted, Daniel continues with these words,

“To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him; nor have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His teaching which He set before us through His servants the prophets…O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For thine own sake, O My God, do not delay, because Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name” (Dan. 9:9-10, 19).

In spite of the “open shame” that came upon Israel, Daniel knew that God was a compassionate God who forgives sin in response to repentance. On behalf of the nation, Daniel repented of its sins, and in the end, asked God to forgive and restore them to the land of Israel. Which, as a result of his prayer, God would accomplish in just a few short years.

I would like to encourage us to recognize that we all play a role in “the sins of our nation.” Who among us is innocent of idolatry, injustice, immorality, or indifference toward God? During these difficult times for our nation, let’s pray that righteousness will prevail, not only in our nation, but in our own lives as well. In other words, let’s get our own house in order as we pray for our nation. God will honor those prayers in ways that we may not see at the present time. We believe, by faith, that God is able to do far above all that we ask or think.

May God richly bless each of you.