Daniel was a young man of noble lineage taken captive to Babylon during the exile. From the start, he resolved to honor God. Daniel 1:8 says, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies.” God gave him favor and wisdom, and he quickly rose to prominence.
He was known for interpreting dreams and visions. He revealed and interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great statue, declaring that God “reveals deep and secret things” (Daniel 2:22). He made it clear that his wisdom came from the Lord, not from himself.
Daniel served under multiple kings with integrity. His enemies could find no fault in him, so they targeted his prayer life. He continued to pray faithfully to God, even when it was outlawed. For this, he was thrown into the lion’s den, but Daniel 6:22 declares, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths.” His deliverance glorified God before the entire kingdom.
Daniel also received profound visions of future kingdoms, the coming Messiah, and the end times. Daniel 7:13-14 speaks of the Son of Man receiving an everlasting dominion. Daniel 9:24-27 contains the prophecy of the seventy weeks, pointing to the timeline of the coming of Christ.
He was a man of prayer, discipline, and unwavering faith. His life displayed righteousness in exile, courage under pressure, and confidence in God’s sovereignty. Ezekiel 14:14 lists Daniel alongside Noah and Job as men of great righteousness.
Daniel’s life teaches faithfulness in a hostile culture, and his visions point forward to the return and reign of Christ.
