"Even His Enemies Were at Peace with Him"

From the moment the people of Judah were exiled to Babylon in 605 B.C., Daniel’s life was a constant tug in one direction and then another. Whether he was forced to serve under a foreign king, threatened by Nebuchadnezzar’s ridiculous demands, or thrown into the lion’s den, his existence was constantly defined by unforeseen, life-altering events. But, even though he had no real control over his path, he was never a man agonizing over the things happening to him. Instead, He showed immense faith and obedience in the midst of sin and temptation

Daniel lived in the last of two kingdoms. Only a century before, the northern kingdom, Israel, had been annihilated before an Assyrian assault. As was their custom, the imperial army had not only conquered their enemy, the Israelites, but they had destroyed any remnants of their belief or culture. This left Judah with its Godly kings to rule until the next imperial assault. Daniel was a citizen living in Judah during that time. Among his fellow country men he enjoyed the freedom of religion and culture. In 605, however, the long awaited assault manifested itself through the Babylonians.

At the army’s head, Nebuchadnezzar besieged and conquered Jerusalem taking king Jehoiakim captive along with all of Israel. Fortunately, Babylon, unlike Assyria, did not destroy the identity of their enemy. In a more subtle approach to conquering the world, they would win their enemies over by giving them the same freedom they would possess before being conquered. This approach was nice enough for normal Israelites. Unfortunately for Daniel, any of the wiser Israelites were assigned to the king’s top eunuch. Being one of these men, Daniel would be forced to learn the language and literature of the Chaldeans and to eat the defiling food of the king. In a very frustrating chain of events, he was essential placed under the watchful eye of the king himself. Every move he made would be scrutinized as he was forced to bend to the ways of the Babylonians.

A series of tests ensued for Daniel that lasted most of his existence in captivity. When he first arrived in the “land of Shinar” he was required to feast on the King’s food. The feast contained defiling unclean animals. To eat the meal would have been sin against the God of Israel. Daniel knew that his situation was a serious one, and he made a distinct choice at that moment. Whether he lived or died he “resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine that he drank”. But he had not yet resolved to die. Instead, he made a test for the King. The captured Israelites would continue to eat clean, holy food and the Babylonian youth would continue to eat their meat and drink their wine. If Daniel and his country men remained healthy and grew stronger, they could keep their diet. If they did not remain healthy, the Eunuch would deal with the Israelites as he felt necessary.

The test ended well for Daniel and his companions. They remained healthy, and grew much stronger physically then the rest of the youth. Impressed by this unusual turn of events, the eunuch took away the wine and king’s food from everyone and replaced it with vegetables.
As time went, Daniel and his companions became wiser then all of the wise men in the nation. Soon, when the king had a dream that none could interpret, a servant sent Daniel before Nebuchadnezzar. He was able to explain the dream to the king and interpret its meaning. Pleased beyond belief, even bowing before Daniel, the king acknowledged the God of Israel and made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon.

Several years later when the Medes took over the Chaldean throne Daniel again was tugged in an unforeseen direction. However, because of his trust in God and the wisdom that God gave him, he earned prestige once again with the king, Darius. Eventually some of the other councilors to the king became jealous of Daniels relationship with Darius. They plotted to kill Daniel legally. After much scheming they discovered a perfect way to rid themselves of their competition and gain favor with the king. They devised a document requiring that for thirty days no one could bow down or worship any other being but the king. Signed by the king himself, this document was authentic and could not be defied. But Daniel, being the Godly man that he was, would not cease to worship his God. Seeing this defiance, the councilors brought news to Darius that Daniel was worshiping God. With much sorrow the king was forced to abide by the document casting Daniel into the lions den. After a day, the king found Daniel alive. Through God’s miraculous hand, the lion’s mouths had been shut.

Daniel’s life was a reflection of proverbs 16. “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord…” (16:1) “…Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established…” (16:3) “…When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him…” (16:7) “…the heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (16:9) Daniel was taken along so many different roads he had never planed on taking. The Lord constantly placed difficult circumstances in front of him. This was a fact of life for him. And it is a fact of life for us all. Everyone’s life is dependent on God’s rules and His plans. None makes a way outside of God’s way. Daniel understood this fact and did what was commanded of him by his God (16:1, 7) and just as it is said it will happen in proverbs it happened for Daniel. He committed his work to the Lord, he pleased his God and even his enemies were at peace with him.