Part 3: Daniel found to be excellent (Dn 1: 17-21) published 29/9/1999

Eventually the three years of training for Daniel and his companions came to an end and they were presented to the king (v.17), and they were found to excel in every respect. The king's impression was that they were ten times better than all of his own Babylonian entourage (v.20).

Daniel excelled in the job he had been trained to do
Babylonian was a difficult language to learn and its literature was culturally alien to Daniel. The main reason that he excelled was because God had given to him special enabling - knowledge and understanding, and the spiritual gift of interpretation of visions and dreams. This sort of activity was the bread and butter of serving in Nebuchadnezzar's palace. The king soon had a dream and wanted his usual interpreters to tell him what the dream was and also give interpretation (Dn 2:4-12) which they could not do. Daniel was able to do rescue the astrologers of Babylon from their plight and tell the king what was the dream that he had had (Dn 2:24-35). He also went on to interpret. Daniel was rewarded with promotion to high office (Dn 2:48) and given opportunity to bring his three companions into government as well (Dn 2:49).

Q How do we feel about long periods of training in the secular field (eg degree course, apprenticeship etc.) to equip us for a job? Can we be spiritual about it? Does God help us to do well in such an area? Should we aim to be better than others?

Q How have those members of the group who have studied or trained at length fared in finding ways of using the skills they have acquired to serve God more effectively?

Daniel excelled in his steadfastness of service
Daniel had a great deal of 'stickability'. He was spotted in his youth as one 'qualified to serve' and that was how his training began. As soon as he was installed into the service of Nebuchadnezzar he was engaged in bringing his witness before the king in his first task. His ministry survived not only Nebuchadnezzar whom Daniel saw come to praise and worship God eventually (Dn 4:34-37) after a period of severe judgment in his life, but it survived also the rule of his grandson Belshazzar who also called for Daniel on the basis of his reputation (Dn 5:12). Daniel again was faithful in being honest with this king about God's impending judgment and was installed to third place in government (Dn 5:29). Daniel continued to serve through the rule of Darius also as one of three administrators under the king, as we shall see later. Altogether Daniel served for 60 years!

Q Can we stick at tasks through thick and thin, using our gifts to serve God time after time, or are we inconsistent or easily get fed up with jobs?

Q Daniel clearly spoke out with conviction and with candour, and as it worked out was always honoured for his honesty. Do we manage to find the courage to say the difficult thing?