Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

Character Study of Daniela character study by Jeff S. SmithIntroductionDaniel, the exiled prophet, is one of the greatest characters of the Old Testament because of his courageand determination to do God’s will regardless of the threats and consequences. Daniel overcame thepressures against him because he refused to compromise his convictions, even if they cost him his life.DiscussionI. His CharacterA. Exile1. Daniel was a young Jewish man of apparently noble birth who was carried off to Babylon inthe first captivity under Nebuchadnezzar in about 605 B.C. (Daniel 1:1-7)2. Nebuchadnezzar not only raped the land and ravaged the temple and other symbols of Jewishlife, but he exiled the best and brightest of the people in the hopes of promoting his own capital3. the book that bears his name presents him as the major character in a series of narrativesthroughout the first six chapter before switching to a series of prophetic visions in the last halfB. Kosher1. anyone visiting a foreign country or different culture will immediately be confronted with theissue of food and for Daniel, there were certain items on the Babylonian menu which were off-limitsa. God had instituted a number of laws regarding which animals, including beasts, birds,insects and marine creatures, could be eaten and which were forbidden, and how the blood of animals wasto be drained away (Leviticus 17:10-14)b. the Hebrew word kosher has come to represent the whole of these laws and it wasimportant for Daniel to remain kosher even as the Babylonians and most of his fellow Jews chose insteadto become acclimated to their new heathen home (Daniel 1:8-16)2. the success of Daniel and his three friends was owed to God himself who strengthened theirbodies and put them in positions where they could further his cause, which then was allowing Judah to bepunished, but not annihilated (Daniel 1:17-20)C. Interpreter for Nebuchadnezzar1. Daniel continued to serve before Nebuchadnezzar until King Cyrus was crowned, although hisprominence seems to wane a bit during that period as well2. Daniel is perhaps best remembered today as a dream interpreter for Nebuchadnezzar, whoforesaw the future of the western world beyond his own empire down into the establishment of Christ’s3. although his dream depicted Nebuchadnezzar’s decline, Daniel still told him the truth and wasrewarded for it (Daniel 2:46-49)4. he interpreted other dreams for Nebuchadnezzar, including one that predicted a period ofinsanity for the kingD. Interpreter for Belshazzar1. Belshazzar was regent for Nabonidus, his father, who ruled Babylon after the death ofNebuchadnezzar, from about 556 to 539 B.C.2. Nabonidus preferred to live in the Arabian oasis of Tema, leaving Belshazzar in command atBabylon, where he too came into contact with Daniel after watching a mysterious hand writing upon thewall of his party room (Daniel 5:10-12, 17-20, 22-23)3. Daniel told Belshazzar that God had numbered his days, but the king rewarded Daniel and“that very night Belshazzar … was slain. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom” (Daniel 5:30-31)E. The Lions’ Den1. Darius also favored Daniel because of his obvious abilities, but that only made his peers veryenvious (Daniel 6:1-9)2. many people in that position would seek to find some middle ground by which they coulddisobey God, but still feel pious by offering him some very private crumbs of devotion3. Daniel, however, went about his business like nothing had changed (Daniel 6:10)207