DANIEL-GREATLY BELOVED BY GOD

Jehovah God had great affection for Daniel, who served as his prophet for many years. Indeed, God's angel described  Daniel as "someone very desirable." (Daniel 9:23)  The original Hebrew term  translated "someone very desirable" can mean "greatly beloved," "highly esteemed," even "a favorite." Daniel was especially precious in God's sight. 

Let us briefly consider the unique circumstances of this beloved prophet.  In 618 B.C.E., Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. (Daniel 1:1) Shortly thereafter, certain well-educated Jewish youths were forcibly taken in to exile in  Babylon. Daniel was among them. At the time, he was probably in his teens.

Daniel and his companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were among the Hebrews selected to receive three years of training in "the writing and the tongue of the Chaldeans."  (Daniel 1:3, 4)  Some scholars not that this was likely more than just a language course. For instance, Professor C.F. Keil states:  "Daniel and his companions were to be educated in the wisdom of the Chaldean priests and learned men, which was taught in the schools of Babylon."  So Daniel  and his companions were being specially trained  for government service.  

What a drastic change of circumstances this was for Daniel and his associates!  In Judah they had lived among worshipers of Jehovah.  Now they were surrounded by a people who worshiped mythological gods and goddesses. Nevertheless, young Daniel, Hananiah, Misahael, and Azariah were not intimidated. They were determined -despite this faith-challenging situation-to hold fast to true worship.

This would not be easy.  King Nebuchadnezzar  was a zealous devotee of Marduk, the chief deity of Babylon. The king's demands were at times totally unacceptable to a worshiper of Jehovah.  (For example, see Daniel 3:1-7) Yet, Daniel and his companions had Jehovah's unfailing guidance.  During their three years of training, they were blessed by God with "knowledge and insight in all writing and wisdom."  In addition, Daniel was given the ability to understand the meaning of visions and dreams.  Later when the king made an examination of these four young men, he found them to be "ten times better than all the magic-practicing priests and the conjurers that were in all his royal realm." -Daniel 1:17, 20. 

Next time: PROCLAIMING GOD'S MESSAGES

From the Book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999