Book 27 of 39 in the Old Testament — Faithfulness & God's sovereignty.
Daniel is set among Jewish exiles serving in the courts of Babylon and Persia, opening with well-known stories of faithfulness under pressure — Daniel in the lions' den, his friends in the fiery furnace, and his interpretation of royal dreams. The book's second half shifts to apocalyptic visions of successive empires and a coming kingdom that God himself would establish. Throughout, the message is consistent: God remains sovereign over history and over the rise and fall of nations. Daniel's steady faithfulness in a foreign land became a model for exiled believers.
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”King James Version
Daniel resolves not to defile himself with the king's food.
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”King James Version
Daniel's friends declare God is able to save them, but even if not, they won't worship the idol.
“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”King James Version
God shuts the mouths of the lions to protect Daniel.
“And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”King James Version
The Son of Man is given a kingdom that will never be destroyed.
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”King James Version
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens.