Daniel The Man who Feared God 2016

Selection (46-49)

1. 
   How did Nebuchadnezzar respond to the resolution of the mystery of his dream?
   
   1. 
      He honoured Daniel and God. We will consider first his honouring of Daniel.
      
   2. 
      He honoured Daniel in a number of ways: bowing in worship before him, offering incense in worship to him, giving gifts to him, promoting him above the other magistrates, and making him the chief of the wise men. In summary, we can say that Daniel received:
      
      1. 
         Prestige – high honour and recognition among men, including honour from the most mighty monarch of all time.
         
      2. 
         Property –wealth and material rewards.
         
      3. 
         Power – authority over both the civil rulers of a significant territory and over the advisors to the king.
         
      4. 
         Maslow, in his theory of human motivation suggested a five-tier hierarchy of human needs that people seek to fill. An adaptation of his theory, is as follows:
         
         1. 
            People first strive (sometime with desperation) to meet their physiological needs (e.g., air, food , water) and to stay alive.
            
         2. 
            Once those essential needs are met, people work on meeting their physical needs (e.g., clothing and shelter, health) and the material means (income or wealth) of providing for the physical needs. If one of their physical means is deficient they will expend resources on attempting to fill the need. For example, a wealthy person who has cancer will spend a significant amount of his wealth trying to fight the cancer.
            
         3. 
            Once the basic needs are met, people begin to work on achieving their psychological needs (e.g., friendship, intimate love).
            
         4. 
            Then follows pressure for people to fill the need for prestige. This includes seeking self-esteem, meaning from work, and honour and recognition from others.
            
         5. 
            Above these are philosophical needs that include a sense of creativity and independence of mind, intellectual growth, and a desire to live a moral life.
            
      5. 
         Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is not based on a Biblical psychology or morality.
         
         1. 
            It is a reasonable analysis of the hierarchy of needs or general goals of many sinful men.
            
         2. 
            However, natural men, steeped in original sin, often do not rise above their basic needs. Many people are content to live as brute-beasts once their physiological and physical needs are met. For example, they would be content to eat, drink, copulate and be entertained indefinitely, if they didn’t have to work.
            
         3. 
            Some unbelieving men sensing God’s presence through the innate knowledge in them (Rom 1.18-20) know that man was called to a higher purpose and incorrectly seek meaning in power and prestige. They find these unrewarding and yet continually quest for more, for example:
            
            1. 
               A dictator over a small principality is not happy unless his territory is being expanded by conquest.
               
            2. 
               A pop entertainer isn’t content to have just the cheering crowds at a concert but wants her name on the tip of every teen’s tongue.
               
         4. 
            Believers, on the other hand, will often place the highest level ‘needs’ in Maslow’s hierarchy above some of their basic needs, defying Maslow’s theory. For example:
            
            1. 
               A monk or missionary might be willing to give up intimate family relationships, a secure food supply, or comfortable accommodation for the sake of preaching Jesus Christ (2 Cor 11.16-32).
               
            2. 
               A pastor might be willing to forgo his freedom and to be jailed or put to death for proclaiming truth about Christ in opposition to false religious practices (Dan 1.8; 3.18; Acts 4.10-13, 19).
               
      6. 
         Nebuchadnezzar gave Daniel rewards that, from a human perspective, are the most that men can achieve.
         
         1. 
            Daniel’s peers and contemporaries would have envied his property, power, and prestige. From their perspective what more could he have wanted?
            
         2. 
            In the context of the ancient paganistic, absolute dictatorship, even with these rewards a man did not have his real needs met—the ability to know and worship the true God.
            
         3. 
            Daniel, in contrast, already had moral accountability, knew the true God, and was determined to worship the true God alone. This placed Daniel in a unique position above the rewards given to him.
            
            1. 
               We know that Daniel did not let these rewards possess him and lose a proper perspective on reality since he continued to take a stand for God and his truth in the face of the world’s most powerful monarchs throughout his life.
               
            2. 
               Approximately sixty years later (~603-539 BC) Daniel showed that he had no interest in temporal rewards that kings could give (5.17).
               
            3. 
               Daniel as a true believer in God and expecting the coming Messiah (i.e., a Christian) would have believed the rewards from God to be far better than anything that could be given to him in this world (Ps 37.16; Mt 5.12; Acts 5.41; 2 Cor 6.10; 12.10; Eph 1.18; Heb 11.26, 39).
               
   3. 
      We will consider, shortly, Nebuchadnezzar’s honouring Daniel with worship and his promoting Daniel into two powerful positions. At this point, let’s consider only the honour of property that Nebuchadnezzar gave to Daniel.
      
   4. 
      What gifts might the king have given to Daniel?
      
      1. 
         The text says simply ‘many great gifts’.
         
      2. 
         The gifts probably included a large villa or palace, lands producing food and income, suits of clothing, gold and jewels, and servants.
         
      3. 
         These would have been the minimum required resources of a person in his position as governor of the province of Babylon and overseer of the wise men.
         
   5. 
      Why did Nebuchadnezzar give these honours to Daniel?
      
      1. 
         He kept his promise (6).
         
      2. 
         He was so thankful for having received the interpretation of the dream that had troubled him and caused him to lose sleep (1, 3), that he wanted to reward the person who had lifted this burden from him.
         
      3. 
         He had nothing better with which to reward Daniel.
         
         1. 
            He couldn’t reward Daniel with something that would appeal to an enlightened, intellectually superior believer who was not duped by superstitious paganism.
            
         2. 
            He couldn’t offer Daniel valuable information in exchange for the information he had given the king.
            
         3. 
            He couldn’t teach Daniel anything about the ultimate meaning of life.
            
         4. 
            He couldn’t give Daniel spiritual insight. Solomon gave this kind of award to those who came to him, such as the Queen of Sheba (1 Ki 10.6-8), but Nebuchadnezzar was, comparatively an intellectual and spiritual pauper, and the best that he had to offer was that which would decay and pass into oblivion (Mt 6.19-21).
            

2. 
   How did Nebuchadnezzar honour Daniel with worship? (46)
   
   1. 
      He fell down prostrate (with his face on the ground) and commanded that incense be offered to Daniel. Why?
      
      1. 
         He realized that he was in the presence of God and/or God’s true messenger, and was prepared to think of Daniel as a god or at least god-like.
         
      2. 
         It was customary in the AME to honour kings by falling prostrate before them and to pay them homage as if they were divine. Nebuchadnezzar sensed that he was in the presence of someone, or something, greater than himself.
         
      3. 
         Some commentators suggest that Nebuchadnezzar did not worship Daniel. They point to Alexander the Great falling before the high priest in Jerusalem. When asked by Parmenio why he bowed before a priest of the Jews when all men bowed to him as king, Alexander said, “I did not adore him, but that God who hath honoured him with his high priesthood.”¹²⁴
         
   2. 
      Why is Nebuchadnezzar’s response surprising?
      
      1. 
         Nebuchadnezzar gave an honour to a man that would normally have been reserved only for the gods of Babylon.
         
      2. 
         It is incredible to think that the most powerful monarch in the world would be humbled in any way before a man, especially a young man who was a Hebrew captive/slave.
         
      3. 
         It is even reasonable to think that Nebuchadnezzar would have been angry with Daniel who prophesied of the downfall of Nebuchadnezzar’s dynasty, instead of worshiping him. Kings have killed messengers for bringing news of less importance than that their aspirations to set up eternal kingdom’s would fail.
         
   3. 
      What is the significance of incense being offered to Daniel?
      
      1. 
         Incense is an aromatic paste or powder made with tree resins, gums, spices, oils and mineral salts. When burned, incense releases a fragrant or pungent smoke.
         
      2. 
         Incense was used in religious ceremonies, e.g., in purification rites, during prophetic utterances when some formulas were used to cause intoxication, and to invoke the spirits of the departed. It was used in the ceremonies of every religion with a recorded history from Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Arabia, India, China, Japan, Greece, Rome, Mexico, Peru, etc. This is probably a cultural memory based on the ‘pleasing aroma’ of Noah’s sacrifice (Gen 8.21).
         
      3. 
         In this case, the offering of incense was probably viewed as an oblation—a simple form of sacrifice or offering to Daniel. The aroma and smoke from the burning incense would have been considered an honour. It is possible that the composition of the incense was very expensive and that the consumption of the expensive incense in smoke was considered to be an extravagant honour—an honour for a god.
         
      4. 
         The first explicit mention of incense in the Bible is in Exodus 25.6.
         
         1. 
            There is no reference to incense being offered in the worship of Jehovah/Yahweh in the period of the patriarchs. In general, we take the view that if there is silence about an element of worship then it was not used; but we cannot be sure.
            
         2. 
            There may be a reference to incense burning in Genesis 15.17.
            
         3. 
            If incense was not used in the worship of the patriarchs, then Moses introduced it for use in the Tabernacle, under God’s direction. This raises the question of whether a religious practice of the pagan religions was taken over and included in the worship of God. It is simpler to explain God’s inclusion of ceremonial practices (like sacrificing animals) when they appear first in the true religion and then imitations appear in other religions, than to explain why God would have incorporated a practice used in pagan religions.
            
      5. 
         The use of incense in the OT worship symbolized somewhat different things than when it was used in pagan religions. Incense burning in the true religion, as mentioned in the Bible, symbolized the following:
         
         1. 
            Atonement (Num 16.46-47)
            
         2. 
            Prayer (Ps 141.2; Mal 1.11; Re 5.8; Re 8.3, 4).
            
      6. 
         In addition, the incense used in the OT Tabernacle and Temple was composed of a unique mix of: spices, stacte, galbanum, and frankincense (all three are tree gum resins), onycha (ground seashells), and salt (Ex 30:34-35).
         
      7. 
         We are not to use incense today in worship of God because:
         
         1. 
            It was associated with the sacrificial system of the OT economy which has been replaced with spiritual equivalents since Christ offered himself as the final sacrifice.
            
         2. 
            Incense burning was a physical type associated with a spiritual anti-type, prayer. We use only the spiritual elements of worship, unless Jesus has given specific instruction otherwise—for example with the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper and water in Baptism.
            
         3. 
            We have no warrant to continue the use of incense as there is no instruction to use it or example of its use in the NT Apostolic Church assemblies.
            
   4. 
      What are some examples of men attempting to honour men (or angels) as if they were divine?
      
      1. 
         Egyptians worshiped their kings as divinities.¹²⁵
         
      2. 
         Julius Caesar received many political and military honours and received religious honours. Apparently (the sources disagree) he was deified in his lifetime. This appears to have been an event never before seen in Roman history since until then the only human the Romans worshipped as a god was the (semi-)mythical Romulus.
         
      3. 
         Cornelius attempted to worship Peter, and Peter told him not to do it because he was also a man (Acts 10.25-26).
         
      4. 
         In Lystra Paul healed a crippled man and the people wanted to worship him as Hermes and Barnabas as Zeus. Paul tried to restrain the people by informing them that he and Barnabas were also men (Acts 14.11-18).
         
      5. 
         When John fell at the feet of the angel to worship, the angel told him not to do it because he also was a servant, and told him to worship God only (Rev 19.10; 22.8-9).
         
      6. 
         One example that stands out was October 1^st, 1999 in Edmonton. The Edmonton Oilers and the NHL officially retired the number 99 before 17,000 adoring fans who bid farewell to the greatest hockey player in the history of Hockey—Wayne Gretzky. I recall watching that event on TV and seeing someone holding up a sign in the background which read “Gretzky is God.”
         
   5. 
      Why was it wrong for Nebuchadnezzar to honour Daniel in this way?
      
      1. 
         God alone is to be worshiped (1 Sam 7.3; Mt 4.10).
         
      2. 
         We are not to worship men or angels (Acts 10.25-2614.11-18; Rev 19.10; 22.8-9).
         
      3. 
         Men (and angels) are creatures.
         
      4. 
         Mordecai refused to bow before Haman (Esther 3.2-5). This may indicate that it is wrong to bow before kings (and any man).
         
   6. 
      Even though it was wrong for Nebuchadnezzar to worship Daniel, it was God’s plan to begin humbling him:
      
      1. 
         God had begun the process of revealing his mighty power to Nebuchadnezzar. There are additional events yet to follow in Daniel’s account that are going to strengthen God’s witness to Nebuchadnezzar of his (God’s) greatness.
         
      2. 
         God brought a proud potentate to his knees before another man.
         
      3. 
         God had a Gentile bowing at the feet of a Jew. This may be a prophetic symbol of the Gentiles bowing before the Jewish Messiah, Jesus.
         
   7. 
      How did Daniel responded to this attempt to worship him?
      
      1. 
         We are not told, but we can surmise his reaction based on what we already know about Daniel.
         
      2. 
         What key aspects of his character are particularly relevant?
         
         1. 
            He was a man of prayer. He worshiped the true God (2.18-23)
            
         2. 
            He knew that God alone was worthy of worship (2.27-28)
            
         3. 
            He declared that honour belongs to God (2.30)
            
         4. 
            He did not consider himself more important or better than his peers (2.17, 49)
            
         5. 
            He would not defile himself with false worship (1.8).
            
      3. 
         We can reasonably conclude that Daniel refused the honours that were offered to him. He probably refused the honour in a similar way as Paul did when he spoke to the people of Lystra and the angel did when he spoke to John: “I am a man (creature) just like you, you should offer worship to the God of Heaven only.”
         
      4. 
         Why is this refusal not recorded in the account?
         
         1. 
            It is probably not recorded because Daniel, as the author of this account, is not seeking to bring honour to himself but to God. He mentions things about himself only as they are important to bring out what God did in humbling the kings of the ancient world empires.
            

3. 
   What confession did Nebuchadnezzar make? (47)
   
   1. 
      Nebuchadnezzar explicitly acknowledged that Daniel’s God was:
      
      1. 
         Superior to all the gods of Babylon
         
      2. 
         The supreme ruler over all kings of the earth
         
      3. 
         The only one who could reveal mysteries
         
   2. 
      What additional, implicit, confessions does Nebuchadnezzar make?
      
      1. 
         Since he acknowledged that Daniel’s God was superior to pagan idols, he also acknowledged that God is real. The only way that a God could be greater than idols is not if he were another idol but if he is the one true God.
         
         1. 
            Daniel’s God acts, knows (sees), speaks. Idols do not think, hear, speak, or act.
            
         2. 
            He put down his own god by saying that God is greater. His god was either:
            
            1. 
               Bel (Dan 4.8) or Marduk, the chief god in the Babylonian pantheon; the god of water (storms), vegetation, and judgement.
               
            2. 
               Nabu, since his name includes a reference to Nabu.
               
      2. 
         Since he acknowledged that God is the ruler over earthly kings, he also acknowledged that God is above all the highest rational creatures (kings); therefore, he is the almighty Creator. He accepted the fact that even he, the greatest king on earth, was subject to God.
         
      3. 
         Since he acknowledged that God is the only one who can reveal mysteries, he also acknowledged that God is a God who is all-knowing and wise, and who communicates. To be a God who can know things and communicate them he must be more than a force and, therefore, a personal God.
         
         1. 
            If Nebuchadnezzar’s god is Nabu, this is also a put down to Nabu, who was the Babylonian god of wisdom.
            
      4. 
         So, Nebuchadnezzar made a confession as follows: Daniel’s God is the one true God who is the all-powerful creator of this universe, a personal God who is sovereign over the lives of all his creatures.
         
   3. 
      What may be a limiting factor in his confession?
      
      1. 
         He referred to God as ‘your God’.
         
         1. 
            This may indicate that he had in mind a tribal god—the god of the Jews as distinct from his gods. He may have only acknowledged that one tribal god is better than another.
            
         2. 
            However, it is also possible that he used the expression in another way, “the God you believe in is ...”
            
      2. 
         Note, ‘your’ is plural. This may mean that he is speaking of the God of Daniel and his three friends, or the God of the Jews collectively.
         
   4. 
      Was Nebuchadnezzar’s confession true?
      
      1. 
         Yes, it probably was a true confession. He probably truly believed what he was saying about God.
         
      2. 
         Does this mean that his confession was a saving confession? No, for the following reasons:
         
         1. 
            He was acknowledging what he already knew in his inner being since all men know that God is God even though they suppress that truth (Rom 1.18-23). He was acknowledging nothing more than what all men know innately because God has implanted the knowledge in his image-bearers.
            
         2. 
            We can be sure that the devils in Hell can make the same confession (Jam 2.19). They know that God is a personal God who is the almighty creator and sovereign over the created realm. Knowing this they tremble. But their confession is not a saving confession because they hate God.
            
         3. 
            This confession was not the result of a change of heart that led to a confession of sin and a change of behaviour in Nebuchadnezzar. As we will see in chapter 4 God has to humble Nebuchadnezzar further to bring him closer to true repentance and a change of heart. [We will determine when we look at chapter 4, if Nebuchadnezzar made a saving profession of faith.]
            
         4. 
            Salvation requires not only confession of sin but also a belief in Jesus as saviour. The OT Jews who were true believers understood, through the types of the sacrificial system, that the Messiah would provide their salvation. Nebuchadnezzar needed to declare that Jesus is Lord—the Saviour is Lord—in order to make a complete confession there must be belief in the facts about God, faith as trust in God as saviour, and repentance of sin.
            

4. 
   To what position(s) was Daniel promoted? (48, 49)
   
   1. 
      He was given two positions of highest authority:
      
      1. 
         He was made governor over the entire province of Babylon.
         
         1. 
            Babylon likely had more than a dozen provinces (some of the provinces, beside Babylon, may have been: Egypt, Syria, Phoenicia, Judea, Celicia, Accad, Sumer, etc.).
            
         2. 
            At the time of Esther (Ahasuerus/Darius I Hystaspes¹²⁶ reigned from 522-486 BC), the Persian Empire had 127 provinces (Est 1.1; 9.30). But it covered a much larger geographic extent (including territory to near the Indus River).
            
      2. 
         He was made the chief administrator over the wise men of Babylon. In Canada, this would be a bit like holding the position of Ontario Premier and also sitting on the Canadian Supreme Court as the chief justice.
         
   2. 
      What power might have accompanied his promotion to governor of the province of Babylon?
      
      1. 
         He likely also had authority over the city of Babylon
         
      2. 
         Being governor of the chief province in the Empire, he may have been second in command over the entire Empire. When the king was absent (e.g., leading a military campaign) Daniel may have acted as the representative of the entire government of the Empire.
         
   3. 
      What power might have accompanied his promotion to chief administrator over the wise men?
      
      1. 
         He would likely have been the chief advisor/counsellor to the king.
         
         1. 
            The (Aramaic) text says, literally (end of 49): “and Daniel at opening of king”. This can be translated as “and Daniel was at the king’s gate/door’. This is likely an idiom indicating that Daniel served in the king’s court.
            
      2. 
         The wise men of Babylon would have been under his direction.
         
         1. 
            This raises the question of what role Daniel had relative to the religious rituals, divinations, astrology, and sorcery of the wise men.
            
         2. 
            It is undoubtedly true that Daniel kept clear of their pagan practices.
            
         3. 
            How he was able to do this, we aren’t told.
            
            1. 
               God gave Daniel such wisdom that his advice was always sound and the king sought it out, over the advice of his pagan counsellors.
               
            2. 
               Daniel may have simply refused to participate in pagan practices and absented himself when they were being performed.
               
            3. 
               He may have refused to organize events, festivals, and ceremonies that were required, under Babylonian religion. The king, knowing Daniel’s stand on conscience and having respect for his capabilities would have delegated these tasks to others.
               
            4. 
               It is also possible that during the ~40 years that Daniel served Nebuchadnezzar he was able to have such an influence that the majority of the pagan practices were kept out of the court.
               
   4. 
      Why are these promotions important?
      
      1. 
         God prepared his man to be in a key position of authority in the pagan empire so that when Jerusalem was destroyed (586 BC) and the Jews taken into captivity (597 BC and 586 BC) there was someone able to watch over their welfare.
         
         1. 
            Daniel was probably able to advise as to the re-location of the people so that families and communities were able to be kept together and not scattered throughout the Empire.
            
         2. 
            Daniel was probably able to provide for the needs of those who came out of Judea in extreme poverty and hardship and enable them to get re-established.
            
      2. 
         What are other examples of godly people who were in important government positions and were able to protect the interests of God’s people?
         
         1. 
            Joseph in Egypt looking out for his family (Gen 50.19-21). In this instance it was also through revealing dreams that Joseph was raised to a position of authority in the pagan government. Pharaoh called Joseph Zaphenath-paneah (Gen 41.45), possibly from the Egyptian for ‘the god speaks and he lives’ or, as suggested by one of the Targums (an Aramaic translation of the OT) a word play meaning ‘revealer of secrets’.
            
         2. 
            Esther (she became the wife of Ahasuerus/Darius I Hystaspes¹²⁷, who reigned from 522-486 BC; Est 2) and Mordecai (Est 10.3) in Persia were able to defend the Jews against the vile plans of Haman and pursue the welfare of the Jews.
            
         3. 
            Ezra appears to have been a scribe known to Artaxerses (Ezra 7.6) and was thus able to ask for permission to lead back a delegation of captive Jews to Jerusalem and restore the regular teaching of the law and the Temple services.
            
         4. 
            Nehemiah wine steward to Artaxerxes, was permitted in 445 BC to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and provide for the welfare of the dispirited returned exiles.
            
         5. 
            A topic for a life-time of research would be to identify ‘Daniels’ who God has raised up in governments throughout history.
            

5. 
   What additional boon did Daniel request of the king? (49)
   
   1. 
      He asked that his three friends be appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon.
      
      1. 
         Even though he was governor of the territory of Babylon and had authority to make appointments he asked the king to make the appointments.
         
      2. 
         He did not take unilateral action that might have later caused his jealous peers to complain to the king about favouritism, even though nepotism and the appointment of friends was standard practice throughout the kingdoms of the ancient world.
         
      3. 
         By obtaining approval from the king, Daniel displayed wisdom and insight into human nature that was beyond his years and peers.
         
   2. 
      Daniel did not forget his friends when he was promoted, but asked that they also be recognized.
      
      1. 
         Daniel has shown a willingness to share with and depend on his believing friends. For example:
         
         1. 
            He asked them to pray with him, 2.17.
            
         2. 
            He included them in the solution to the mystery in his prayer, 2.23.
            
         3. 
            He appears to have included them when he reported the solution of the mystery to the king, 2.47 (‘your’ is plural).
            
         4. 
            He included them in the problem and in having them recognized for their part in finding the solution to the problem.
            
      2. 
         What does this show about Daniel?
         
         1. 
            Daniel was a team player.
            
         2. 
            Daniel displayed a true team-oriented management style.
            
         3. 
            Daniel was a humble man. Humility is:
            
            1. 
               Not being proud or arrogant but having a modest opinion of one's own importance or rank, even though being successful.
               
            2. 
               Being courteous and respectful of others.
               
   3. 
      What was their role?
      
      1. 
         They were appointed as sub-administrators in the province of Babylon.
         
      2. 
         They were to serve under Daniel in the same province.
         
      3. 
         It is possible that they were his assistants, but it is more likely that they were given independent duties within the province, reporting to Daniel. For example, they might have been appointed over aspects of the province such as the irrigation systems, roads, public buildings, slave labour pool, food procurement for the king, or administration of the palace, etc.
         
   4. 
      What would have been the impact of these promotions?
      
      1. 
         Someone else had to be demoted.
         
      2. 
         The appointment Daniel and his three friends is similar to the situation when a company brings in outsiders to senior positions over the heads of long-term employees and those who thought they should have received a promotion.
         
      3. 
         It is likely that there were a number of people in Nebuchadnezzar’s court who were jealous because of the promotion of Daniel and his three friends. It is possible that they held a grudge which led to their attempt to have the three men put to death in the fiery furnace (chapter 3).
         

6. 
   What are some lessons that we can derive from this section?
   
   1. 
      Promotion – God speaking to Eli said: “those who honor me I will honor” (1 Sam 2.30).
      
      1. 
         The truth of this promise is made apparent in the life of Daniel.
         
      2. 
         He received honour and rewards in this life and ultimately a place in heaven.
         
         1. 
            We may receive no reward or recognition in this life. Our honour may be reserved entirely for heaven. But it is just as sure and certain that we will be rewarded, because God’s promise cannot fail.
            
      3. 
         We are not, however, to honour and serve God assuming or expecting rewards.
         
         1. 
            We are to honour and serve God because he is worthy of our obedience and allegiance.
            
         2. 
            We are not to do something for God and then stick out our hands and say. “Okay, now where is my reward?”
            
         3. 
            Our focus must be on faithfulness not on favours.
            
      4. 
         God made Daniel great before Nebuchadnezzar made him great.
         
         1. 
            Daniel was a man of faith, reverence, character and discipline. Daniel was a man who feared God
            
         2. 
            He was already a great man before he was honoured by the king.
            
   2. 
      Preparation – God places Christians in strategic positions in various times and places.
      
      1. 
         God appoints his people in key places of power and responsibility. He gives them positions as leaders and as advisors to leaders in government and business.
         
      2. 
         This does not mean that Christians are in important positions in every place and at all times.
         
         1. 
            Where God has removed his gracious hand and placed a nation under damnation he will remove Christian influence. For example, you won’t find Christians providing advice to the leaders in countries destined for destruction such as Saudi Arabia or Iran.
            
         2. 
            When a nation has Christian leaders or administrators we should praise God that he has not totally handed the nation over to go its own way in evil. There is hope that the Christians may be able to provide a leavening influence in the society in which they serve.
            
      3. 
         Sometimes God places Christians in key positions in governments as a means of softening the punishment he is bringing on his Church.
         
         1. 
            Before God sent Jerusalem and Judea into captivity he placed Daniel in a key position in the conquering government so that he could provide amelioration of the punishment that was in store for the people.
            
         2. 
            Other Biblical examples: Joseph sent ahead to Egypt to provide for the Jews’ forefathers (Gen 50.19-21), Obadiah protecting the prophets from Ahab (1 Ki 18), Esther and Mordecai saving the Jews, Ezra (probably) a court scribe (Ezra 7.6) bringing back the people from captivity, Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem, the people on the ship being saved because Paul was present (Acts 27).
            
         3. 
            If we look closely at our history since the time of Christ we will find that God has used his people in positions of power to soften the power of the abusive state and persecuting forces of anti-Christian religions.
            
      4. 
         Questions are sometimes raised about the role Christians should have in politics and government.
         
         1. 
            Some argue that believers should not participate in the administration of wicked governments.
            
         2. 
            Some suggest that it is impossible to participate without being compromised. They suggest that it is impossible to be effective in government without making compromises.
            
         3. 
            The example of Daniel teaches that:
            
            1. 
               God has a place for Christians in the governments of this world.
               
            2. 
               It is possible to participate in government without necessarily making compromises.
               
            3. 
               Believers within the ‘power structure’ of society can be an influence for good.
               
            4. 
               Christians in government can remain faithful to God and influence the direction of events.
               
      5. 
         God continues to raise up Daniels today.
         
         1. 
            World magazine has a ‘Daniel of the Year’ recognition. This has included:
            
            1. 
               Philip Johnson (a professor of Law and philosopher who launched the Intelligent Design movement)
               
            2. 
               Ken Starr (laid out the ugly moral and legal case against Bill Clinton)
               
            3. 
               John Ashcroft (attorney general who lost popularity by pursuing the legal case against Muslim terrorists)
               
            4. 
               Franklin Graham (Samaritan’s Purse ministry leader who told the truth about Islam as politicians dithered)
               
            5. 
               Baroness Caroline Cox (a crusader for human and religious rights in Sudan who traded aristocratic settings for hardship)
               
            6. 
               Michael Yerko (a native Christian pastor in Muslim Sudan).
               
            7. 
               Zakaria Botros, a Coptic priest, who challenges Islam in Arabic on TV and via Internet discussion rooms.
               
         2. 
            We need to pray that God will continue to raise up Daniels and that he will protect those who are currently active, that they can have an influence for Christ.
            
   3. 
      Praise – All men know there is one true God and that he is worthy of worship.
      
      1. 
         Nebuchadnezzar, deemed a god by his people, fell before a captive slave and acknowledge that one true God rules over the affairs of men.
         
      2. 
         The world continues its slide toward destruction and ultimate renovation. Each successive generation and dominion faces only defeat. Their systems and schemes (political, religious, social, economic, scientific, technological, etc.) end up in the dustbin of history. In contrast, God’s people and the Kingdom of his Son go from strength to strength (Ps 84.7).
         
      3. 
         At all times and in all places, in spite of their hardened hearts, all men grudgingly end up giving God the honour and praise that is his due.
         
         1. 
            Whether or not they want to honour him they must and will.
            
         2. 
            God receives the glory even from those who rebel against him because he shows his power over them by bringing them into subjection at their death and on the Day of Judgement.
            
         3. 
            Jesus in particular of the God-head will receive honour from every rational creature, Phil 2.10,11.
            
      4. 
         God’s honour is the joy of his people. When he is praised, we rejoice for he is the Creator who is worthy to receive all honour and praise (Rev 4.11).