Angela LinggIn the passages from Daniel (chapters 1-2), Daniel and his three companions gave a great example of how to faithfully live as exiles both abiding by God’s law but also being engaged in the local government. They firstly fulfilled their obedience and responsibility to God by not eating foods that were prohibited under the law. Even in the chapters that we did not read they demonstrate their obedience by God by not bowing down to false gods even at the risk of their life.
The men served in the King’s court influencing decisions that would impact the people. When Nebuchadnezzar demanded that one of his men interpret his dream, Daniel gathered his companions around asking them to fast and pray before he went before the king to interpret the dream. Daniel relied first on the prayer and seeking God’s spiritual help and he relied on his companions to intercede on his behalf (demonstrating Christianity is a communal faith).
Furthermore the dream that Daniel interpreted was a foretelling of God’s coming kingdom that begins with Christ coming to earth and endures forever. Daniel was engaged with the world around him while living a life in obedience to God, seeking God’s spiritual help, boldly proclaiming his submission to the one true God to the King, and continuing to serve the leadership he was under while in exile. Daniel’s life was a perfect example of living out the Hebraic tradition.
