Daniel 1
This book opens with Daniel and others taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BC. Daniel and the three other Hebrews mentioned 6 were trained and educated for three years with the goal of being put into the king's service 1-7. Though renamed and retrained, Daniel decided to not 'defile himself with the king's food' (He wanted to follow the Lord's law as much as he could)8. He did not demand, but asked for this exemption, which was granted him (because the Lord was at work in this process) 9. After a ten day test Daniel and his friends looked healthier than those who ate the kings food 10-15. They were permitted to have just the vegetables and water 16. God also gave these Hebrews knowledge and understanding 17 and then were presented to the king 18. The king (Nebuchadnezzar) was impressed 19-20. Daniel lived a long life and served until the first year of Cyrus which would make him about 85 years old. Note: This chapter teaches that God can protect, use, and grant favor to His people even in the midst of a corrupt and godless society. Even being educated in the 'pagan ways' can not change the heart of one who is committed first to the Lord. Also, do you and I pray and then ask for exemptions (so that we do not violate God's Word or our conscience)  of those in authority over us ? God can grant us favor even through those who do not know Him. The underlying motive of Daniel was not a selfish request, but a desire to honor God and keep His word. This must also be kept in mind !

Daniel 2
Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that troubles him 1. This was given to him by the Lord. He calls for all his wise men to give him the dream and its meaning 2-7. They could not do what he asked so Nebuchadnezzar orders all the wise men put to death 8-13. Daniel asks for time and is granted this by the king 16. Daniel and his three Jewish friends pray and ask the Lord for mercy in this matter 17-18. God reveals to Daniel the mystery of this dream and its interpretation 19 and he praises the Lord 20-23. Note: Here is an example of praise ! Daniel comes to Nebuchadnezzar and gives him the dream and it's interpretation 24-36 after giving the credit to the Lord alone 28. The interpretation applied to the successive nations of the world that would come from the time of Babylon (the head of the statue 36-38) to the coming of God's eternal kingdom 44. This statue goes from gold, to silver, to bronze, to iron and iron and clay. (successively less in value). While the kingdoms (world powers) are not named here they parallel the vision of the four beasts in chapter 7. Some prophecy students see in the ten toes of iron and clay a final 'world empire' that will be overthrown by the second coming of Christ 44-45. Note: The Lord showed Nebuchadnezzar (and us) what will take place in the future 45b. Since all world empires were actual nations on earth, the final one, ruled over by the Lord Himself, is also actual and not merely a spiritual kingdom. The king honors Daniel and places him in a prominent role in the kingdom 46-48. Daniel recommends that his fellow Hebrews have positions also, which the king granted 49. Note: Having those who knew the true and living God, no doubt provided them an opportunity to be a witness for Him. Believers are needed in all areas of life to be 'salt and light' (Matthew 5:14-16).

Daniel 3
In this well known chapter, Nebuchadnezzar sets up a huge image of gold and calls all his officials to come and worship it 1-6. I wonder if he made this image of 'himself' based on the dream he had interpreted by Daniel earlier ? The Jewish men refused to bow to this image and were called to account by the king 8-12. Nebuchadnezzar gives them a second chance, which they also refuse 13-18. Note: They are confident in the Lord and know He is able to deliver. They will trust Him even if He does not deliver. They will not bow 17-18 ! The fiery furnace was heated seven times hotter and the men were bound and thrown in 19-23. They are not harmed as Nebuchadnezzar sees them walking around (free) and there is a fourth man 'like a god' with them 24-25. Not a hair of their head was harmed, not did they even smell of the fire 27. The Lord is given praise and the three are freed and promoted. The king issues a decree that nothing is to be said against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 28-29. Note: The Lord acts and the glory goes to Him ! The Lord also acts to make Himself known. Are we willing to trust the Lord to the same degree ? (pun intended).

Daniel 4
This chapter is written by Nebuchadnezzar himself as a testimony to what the Lord did in his life to bring him to faith in the true and living God 1-3. He tells of a dream that troubled him 4-7. Daniel is called in to hear and interpret the dream 8-9. Nebuchadnezzar tells the dream of the great tree that is cut down and banded with iron for seven times (years) 9-18. Daniel is troubled with what it means for he realizes it as a warning to Nebuchadnezzar. He is that tree that was in the dream 19-23. Daniel makes it clear that the Most High God has decreed this 24. The Lord wanted Nebuchadnezzar to recognize that the Lord rules and reigns 25-26. He is called to repent and avoid this judgment 27. After twelve months Nebuchadnezzar is still full of pride and boastfulness 28-30. Immediately the word of the Lord comes to pass and Nebuchadnezzar becomes as an animal for seven years until he acknowledged that 'heaven rules' 31-33. Nebuchadnezzar's new perspective and faith in the Lord are expressed in his own words 34-37. Note: The Lord reveals through Nebuchadnezzar that HE alone is the sovereign Lord over all. The Lord is the one who puts individuals in power and can remove them also. Every person needs to come to the same conclusion 'The Lord alone reigns' or simply 'heaven rules' 26. Have you bowed the knee to Him and live yielded to His Lordship ? One day every knee will bow to Him (Philippians 2:9-11).

Daniel 5
Many years later the events of this chapter occurred. This, in fact, was the final night of the Babylonian Empire before it was overthrown by the Medes and the Persians. Belshazzar, (Nebuchadnezzar's grandson?) had a great banquet where he drank and praised the 'gods of gold and silver' as he desiccated the goblets taken from the temple of the Lord 1-4. As this was happening, God wrote with a hand on the wall His message 5. Belshazzar became terrified and called for the wise men to interpret its meaning 6-7. They could not 8. Daniel is called in and he speaks (for the Lord) 9-17. He reminds Belshazzar of God's dealings with his grandfather and how he responded with humility before the Lord 18-21. Belshazzar, however refused learn and bow before the Lord. Note: The Lord holds his life and ways in HIS hand 23b. The message was MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PERRES = God has weighed them in the balance and has found them wanting. He has numbered their days and has given their kingdom to the Medes and Persians 26-28. This came to pass that very night and the word of the Lord (the handwriting on the wall) came to pass 29-30. Note: A life that is lived in rebellion towards the Lord will not change at the end. Some feel they will wait till their 'death bed' to call on the Lord. That may be too late !

Daniel 6
This is also a well-known account of Daniel in the lions den. Daniel was made an administrator in by Darius the Mede. He was so exceptional he was promoted over all 1-4. Part of this was his trustworthy and blameless character which impacted the way in which he did his work 4. Others we plotting his downfall and used 'his faith and his God' as the way to trap him 5. They plan a way to 'make him guilty' with a unchangeable decree from the king. Death to anyone who prays to any god but to the king 6-9. Daniel was unmoved by this and continues to do as he always did, praying to God three times a day 10-11. He is arrested and charged 12-15. The king regretfully enforces the law after trying to rescue Daniel 16-17 Note: Maybe he knew that Daniel was a man of integrity and honor and that his prayer to God was right. The king had a sleepless night as Daniel was in the lions den 17-18. The king goes at first light to see if God spared Daniel 19-20. The words 'O king, live forever ! (words of respect) may have never sounded so sweet 21. Daniel gives all the praise to God for saving him from the lions 21-22. Daniel is lifted out without a scratch 23. The king turns against those who plotted against Daniel. They are thrown to the lions, (along with their families), and they don't make it to the bottom live 24. Darius issues a decree that all should worship Daniel's God 25-27. Darius also gives praise and testimony to the Lord. Note: How we trust the Lord in the circumstances of life can be a powerful witness to the true and living God ! God is able to save to the uttermost and when He does, He gets all the praise and the glory !