Biblical Characters – Daniel the Prophet, Part 2
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III presents in this second part a deeper image of the Prophet Daniel and the three youths in the land of captivity, and how their presence in exile became a reason for glorifying God through their steadfastness, holiness, humility, and the miracles God performed with them. He shows how God turns affliction into testimony and glory, and how His children become a light even among nations that do not know Him.
1. Holiness in the land of captivity and exile
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His Holiness explains that captivity or exile never prevents holiness; it may even reveal God’s grace.
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Examples include Daniel, the three youths, Ezekiel, Nehemiah, Ezra, and John the beloved in Patmos.
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Even Joseph in a foreign land had God with him and succeeded in everything.
2. Daniel as a model of purity and spiritual leadership
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Daniel was the greatest among the three youths: he led the decision not to be defiled and spoke to the chief eunuch.
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He interceded for them before the king so they could be appointed to positions of responsibility.
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They became “ambassadors of God” in Babylon, presenting His worship, and even the kings respected them.
3. Glorifying God through miracles
1. Daniel interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
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The king bowed before Daniel and declared: “Truly your God is the God of gods and Lord of kings.”
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Daniel attributed everything to God: “There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets.”
2. The three youths in the furnace
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The king proclaimed: “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego… for no other god can deliver like this.”
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He commanded that no one speak evil against their God.
3. Daniel in the lions’ den
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King Darius said: “He is the living eternal God… He delivers and rescues and works signs and wonders.”
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The miracle became a testimony to God among the nations.
4. Bearing the sins of the people and interceding for them
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Despite his royal position, Daniel did not forget his people.
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He fasted with sackcloth and ashes and prayed: “We have sinned and done wickedly.”
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Like Nehemiah, he carried the sins of the whole nation in his prayer.
5. Daniel’s profound humility
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He asked the three youths to pray with him before meeting the king.
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He said: “This was not revealed to me because of wisdom in me.”
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Even after angelic explanations he said: “I heard but did not understand… I was astonished by the vision.”
6. Warning against prideful interpretation of times
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His Holiness warns against those who calculate the time of the Second Coming from Daniel’s numbers, while Daniel himself said he did not understand everything.
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Christ said: “It is not for you to know the times or seasons,” rebuking prideful knowledge.
7. Daniel’s prophecies about Christ, angels, and resurrection
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He called Christ “the Son of Man” and “the Anointed Prince,” and spoke about His eternal kingdom.
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He explained the difference between “giving by nature” and “giving by gift” in the phrase “He was given dominion.”
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He referred many times to Archangel Michael and to Gabriel.
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He spoke about the resurrection: “Many who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake… some to everlasting life and some to shame.”
Spiritual conclusion
Daniel and the three youths are a model of believers who live in exile yet remain faithful to God.
Their lives teach courage, humility, intercession, and being a light to glorify God before the world.
It is a message: Be faithful in your exile… and God will be glorified in you.
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