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Daniel's life demonstrates how to maintain faithful identity in a hostile environment without compromising core values, showcasing God's sovereignty over human kingdoms.

• Daniel and three friends taken from Jerusalem to Babylon during exile (605 BC)
• Renamed to honor Babylonian gods but remained faithful to their Jewish identity
• Refused king's food to maintain ritual purity, choosing vegetables and water instead
• Served four kings over 70 years (Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, Cyrus)
• Interpreted dreams revealing God's plan for future kingdoms
• Three friends survived fiery furnace after refusing to worship golden statue
• Nebuchadnezzar humbled after pride led to temporary insanity
• "Writing on the wall" foretold Babylon's fall to Persians
• Daniel survived the lions' den after continuing to pray despite royal decree
• First half contains narratives of faithfulness; second half contains apocalyptic visions
• Central message: God remains sovereign over human kingdoms and honors faithfulness

Next time we'll explore the second half of Daniel featuring his visions about future kingdoms and God's ultimate plan. If this episode helped you see Daniel in a new light, please share it with someone who might need encouragement to stay faithful in challenging circumstances.

RELATED EPISODE

When Home Is Lost: Understanding the Babylonian Exile

SOURCES:

• Barnes, A. (1853). Notes on the Old Testament: Daniel. London, UK: Blackie & Son.
• Fee, G. D. (n.d.). How to Read the Bible Book by Book.  
• Galan, B., & Curiel, J. (n.d.). Bible Overview (pp. 269–270, 278)  
• Ireland, B. (2012). Daniel: Keeping Faith When the Heat Is On (Study Guide) (L. Andres, Ed.). Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Incorporated.
• Lexham Bible Dictionary. (n.d.). [Lexham Bible Dictionary].
• Longman, T. (n.d.). An Introduction to the Old Testament (2nd ed., p. 380) [Kindle edition].
• MacArthur, J. (n.d.). John MacArthur Study Bible, NIV.
• Nelson, T. (Ed.). (n.d.). The NIV Open Bible: Complete Reference System (p. 5592) [Kindle edition].
• Widder, W. L. (2016). Daniel. In T. Longman III (Ed.), The Story of God Bible Commentary (pp. 10–11). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
• Wood, L. J. (n.d.). Prophets of Israel.

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Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.