The book of Daniel is filled with incredible accounts of individuals and their encounters with God. Most of the book is about Daniel and his three companions—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah––but there are also stories about the kings of Babylon. As we read these stirring accounts, we learn a lot about God and his concern for all people (Isa. 49:6; Acts 13:47; 10:34–35), even the Babylonians.
God’s concern can be seen in the story of Nebuchadnezzar. As we read the book of Daniel, we see how Nebuchadnezzar begins to accept that the God of the Jews is the true God (Daniel 2:47; 3:26, 28; 4:2, 34–37), but struggles with his own pride and allegiance to his gods (2:47; 3:1–5, 12, 25; 4:18, 29–30). Akin to Nebuchadnezzar are the stories of Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. In each case, God attempts to get the king’s attention through dreams, visions, prophecies, humbling punishments, terrifying messages, or unnatural feats. Every time God uses one of these tactics, there is a messenger of God willing to step in and provide further evidence for God and clarity to the situation.
In one striking scenario, king Nebuchadnezzar has a harrowing dream that causes him to seek guidance (2:1). After the king commands his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans to tell him his dream and its meaning, they admit, “There is not a man on earth who can…” (2:10). In fact, they agree that only a god can do what he asks, but, sadly, the gods do not dwell on the earth (2:11). The king is outraged by their response and seeks to kill all of his wise men. When Daniel hears of the king’s anger, he discusses it with his friends, prays to God, and asks for the ability to help (2:17–23). When Daniel is granted an audience with the king, he begins with the same phrase as the others, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can…” (2:27). Daniel’s opening statement is bold because he is standing in front of the king claiming to explain the meaning of the dream while making the same statement the others uttered. However, Daniel offers an actual solution, “…but there is a God…” (2:28).
Much can be said about Daniel’s faith that caused him to stand before the king, but there is much more to say about God’s role in this scenario. When the king desired help, he looked for human solutions, but those solutions lacked what he needed—supernatural help. Daniel provided exactly what needed to be given. He gave more than a dream and its meaning; he gave God as the solution to the problem.
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah credited God numerous times throughout the book (1:17; 3:16–18; 5:17–28; 6:22), regardless of the situation in which they found themselves. When a solution needed to be offered, they unabashedly said, “There is a God!”
Billy Camp
Billy grew up at the Decatur Highway congregation in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduating from high school, he moved to Montgomery to attend Faulkner University. In 2012, he graduated from Faulkner with an undergraduate degree in Biblical text. He then went on to complete his Master’s degree in New Testament Studies at Faulkner and his Ph.D. from Liberty University in Christian Apologetics. In addition to serving with our family ministry and preaching, Billy also teaches in the Bible department at Faulkner University.
Billy is married to the former Shelby Vega and they have three children: Kinley, Roman, and Lewis. He works with the Family Ministry at Dalraida and also preaches and teaches classes regularly.