D 24-26, Daniel: A committed life

The book of Daniel quickly sets the scene for us: the time is during the first conquest of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, who then took the 'cream of the crop' as captives/hostages. A contemporary of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, we see Daniel both through the prophecies and the stories about him during the book. There is proportionally more narrative about Daniel than any of the other prophets included in the 'prophetic books' - one reason why the Hebrew Bible groups the book in with the narratives.

The book is clearly divided into narrative and visions, so I will deal first with the narratives, our first day's readings.
Daniel's life is very relevant to university students, as he is thrust into a situation where a lot of study is expected of him in a religious environment antagonistic to his faith in a single omnipotent God. I certainly remember Mark Grace (TSCF) and a few others using his life as an example in teaching student groups during my undergrad years, and these first few chapters of Daniel are often popular Sunday school stories also, so at least the general stories are familiar to many.
There is a beautiful character seen in Daniel's life. He is not antagonistic to the people around him, but treats them respectfully. He does not seek to make waves, but proactively responds to situations in which he finds himself, taking initiative to defend his ability to live in obedience to God and later preventing massive loss of life on the whim of a king by putting his trust in God.
There are aspects that these stories tell us about God, and aspects they tell us about how a Christian should walk.
We see God as One in control of nations and individual kings. We see His protection of His own, and His knowledge of past present and future.
We see Daniel as a man who leads by meek example - determined yet respectful. We see his friends following his example in the face of death, then later Daniel shows similar commitment to God in the face of death. We see Nebuchadnezzzar - he who was described as a king of kings by Daniel - brought low by God and even contributing to Holy Scripture by inspiration of God after his own repentance. No man is outside of God's ability to turn to repentance, no matter how prestigious a position or antagonistic to God he may have been! It is good to remember this, and I know personally God has surprised me concerning who is the most interested in talking about the gospel - showing again and again it is His work/what He sees and not our work/what we see that matters.
We also see Darius (possibly a formal title for Cyrus, who proclaimed the edict for the Jews to return)- we don't know if he repented and turned to God or not, but he was certainly used of God, and saw enough in Daniel's testimony to have confidence the Daniel's God would not allow Daniel to be eaten (6:16).

Concerning the visions and prophecies, I cannot enter into much detail without it becoming a mammoth task - there is a lot of debate and interpretive challenges in this section. Some is clear, and much of it becomes clearer when studied in conjunction with Revelation, as it discusses complementarily some of the same events.
Reading through many years later, of course, the events that have already been fulfilled are clear to see, and marvel at the knowledge of God concerning future events. It is interesting to know that apparently Israel was quite well-treated by Alexander the Great because some of the Rabbis came and met his army as he approached, and showed him the scriptures that talked about his conquest, and acquiesced to his rule civilly while diplomatically gaining provision for no taxation in the 7th year when the fields were not sown and the land was rested (not resting the land in obedience to God's law was one of the reasons for the captivity, the 70 years captivity making up for the time that the children of Israel had not rested the land).
One of the most interesting chapters, on an immediately relevant level, is the prayer of Daniel in chapter 9. He doesn't respond to the news that the captivity is over with joy as most would expect - and it seems this is because of his close relationship with God and knowledge of His Character and Holiness. Daniel knows the people haven't learnt their lesson from the captivity yet - they are still living idolatrously, in sin. He does not make excuses for them, he does not even excuse himself, but rather confesses on behalf of the people. He focuses on God, and His greatness, and beseeches the Lord for forgiveness and mercy. His passion for the people of Israel is compelling and challenging about how I also should care for the people around me as God does, and feel the sorrow over the sin of both myself and the nation I am in. There are times when we pray for NZ as a whole, particularly the non-Christian portion of it - but are there any times we pray on their behalf? It certainly provides a good pattern for a prayer of petition - asking God for something, but focusing on Himself rather than ourselves.

Finishing with some key verses good for meditation, that sum up the character of the book.

Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 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. "

(Dan 3:14-18, emphasis added)

"...Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgement: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. "

(Dan 4:37)

"...To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. ..."

(Dan 9:9-10)

And he said, "Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. ..."

(Dan 12:9-10)

All through Daniel's life, He was committed to God come what may. I pray to God that He might give us the strength courage and wisdom to be the same, in His power.