Forming Faith Blog

Daniel the Hero (Daniel 6)

Posted on November 19 2024 by Gregory Rawn

Daniel and the Lions’ Den is a fun and meaningful story that teaches the audience that God is faithful to us and will reward faithful living.

A male lion against a black background. Daniel got thrown into a lions' den.

I love a good story. One might say I’m a story addict (to use the term “addict” non-clinically). Something with a plot will likely hook me, even if it’s a bad plot. As I’ve mentioned—ad nauseum at times—that’s one of the reasons I love the Narrative Lectionary, and therefore create faith formation resources to support it.

Among my favorite stories in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) are the tales of Joseph, Ruth, Esther, and Daniel (the first six chapters). They are quite spiritually meaningful, but they are also fun (Ruth is less “fun,” but she’s such a compelling character it doesn’t matter).

Daniel the Hero

What makes Daniel’s stories engaging? As for the character, Daniel is admirable: a hero. He is a paragon of Jewish virtue, a man of unwavering faith amid a dominant pagan culture. He is also highly gifted, intelligent, and handsome, a man chosen by God to rise to almost ultimate power within a foreign empire (initiated by the interpretation of a king’s dream, no less). Sounds a bit like Joseph, doesn’t it?

A Furnace and a Den

Two of the most well-known stories in the Book of Daniel are about the three men in the fiery furnace and Daniel in the lions’ den. These two are so parallel that it could not be an accident.

In the first,

  1. Daniel’s companions Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego attain important governmental positions.
  2. The king decrees the worship of an idol upon pain of death.
  3. Certain “Chaldeans” denounce the Jews to the king.
  4. The three men stay strong in their faith, disobeying the decree.
  5. They are thrown into an impossibly dangerous situation (the fiery furnace).
  6. God saves them.
  7. The king is amazed and praises their God.

 In the second,

  1. Daniel attains a very important governmental position and may soon become the second-most-powerful position in the kingdom.
  2. Jealous officials plot against Daniel as a power grab. They get the king to decree the worship of only himself (still idolatry).
  3. The officials denounce Daniel to the king.
  4. Daniel stays strong in his faith, disobeying the decree.
  5. He is thrown into an impossibly dangerous situation (the lions’ den).
  6. God saves him.
  7. The king is amazed and praises Daniel’s God.
Unrealistic

Reading carefully, you can see that this is an unrealistic story with over-the-top details, similar to the story of Jonah. It is highly unlikely that a young foreigner would have such staggering success that he would become the second-most-powerful person in the empire (and leave no non-biblical records). A king would not—probably could not—write an irrevocable interdict forbidding all worship other than to himself. The king would more likely believe that, without worship, the pagan gods would be angry and most likely punish the city (and king) severely. And, if you are going to punish someone by feeding them to wild animals, you would do that in public so that everyone could see what would happen if you disobeyed the king. Sheesh, that’s like “ruling by fear” 101.

Not the Point

The fact that these stories are most likely ahistorical, isn’t the point or even relevant. Entertaining fiction is not necessarily useless fluff; it can teach and inspire, sometimes more effectively than facts.

The Point

The message of these stories is that—even in exile in a foreign land—the God of Israel is still the supreme God and will reward faithful living. This is also a power fantasy for the audience: “A person like me (though idealized) is in a similar, faith-challenging situation (though far more dramatic). Our relatable (but almost perfect) hero stands strong in his faith and amazing things happen. Maybe I can do that, too.”

Advent

This Sunday begins the season of Advent, a season of hope. Many of the people of Israel hoped for a messiah to come and rescue them, which we believe happened in the birth of Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem. We also look with hope to the return of this Messiah for the fulfillment of the promised rescue. Just like Daniel, and Daniel’s audience, we look with hope to a faithful God who saves.

In these darkening days, may God provide you with hope.

Blessings,

Gregory Rawn (Publisher)

Download a FREE activity for 12/1/2024
Free Resource

During the main Narrative Lectionary year (September 8 to June 8), we provide a free resource download from one of our products to help you in your faith formation ministry. This week, download the activity “Pray around the World” from our Living the Word: Cross+Gen Education (NL) curriculum, though this activity can be adapted for other age groups!

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Order now for winter (and spring)! The fall season has ended, so now is a great time to order winter and spring seasons for the Narrative Lectionary, Revised Common Lectionary, and Classic Sunday School products. Products are available for immediate download. If you don’t have much time for full-length children’s Christian education, then check out our Kids Mini Lessons for the NL and RCL.

Are you looking for shorter resources for family/intergenerational events or Sunday school? Check out our Learning Together series, a set of five-lesson units on a variety of topics. You can read outside reviews on both our newest Do Justice and Created to Care units! Our faith formation resources are easy to use, theologically sound, and inclusive.

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