Deeper Reflection
Daniel and his friends, in a small but powerful fellowship of
prayer (cf. Matt 18:19-20), appealed to God to help them
“concerning the mystery” (vv.17-18). Then came the answer
from God: “the mystery was revealed to Daniel” (v.19a). Four persons
sought God together, but God revealed the mystery to only one person,
Daniel. There were no protests from Daniel’s friends, complaining out
of envy and jealousy, “Why to Daniel only?” Nor was there any sense
of spiritual superiority and pride on Daniel’s part. Unity, fervency,
humility and God’s glory marked this fellowship of prayer. The
temptation to compare and compete in Christian ministry is great.
Aaron and Miriam (Num 12:1-2) and the sons of Korah (Num 16:1-3)
are clear biblical examples.The wise men of Babylon were only half-right that “no one else
could declare” the dream and its interpretation “except gods, whose
dwelling place is not with mortals” (Dan 2:11). Babylonian gods were
inaccessible to mortals, but not “the God of heaven” whom Daniel and
his friends prayed to (vv.18, 19). This God “humbles Himself ” toward
mortals (Psa 113:5-6) and “revealed the mystery” to them. This God is
“the high and exalted One” who “dwell[s] on a high and holy place” and
“also with the contrite and lowly of spirt” (Isa 57:15).The answer from God leads to adoration of God: “Then Daniel
blessed the God of heaven” (v.19). We are to “bless” God “every day”
– good days and bad days (Psa 145:1-2). Job’s first response to the
terrible things that happened to him was: “he fell to the ground and
worshiped” (Job 1:20-21).
