Daniel: Humble Servant, Faithful God - Practicing Righteousness

Sunday we will consider Daniel’s statement to Nebuchadnezzar, “Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may be a lengthening of your prosperity” (Daniel 4:27). While Daniel communicated that to the king, he records it so that Israel will hear the call to repentance. For the Jew living in Babylon, the language of Daniel would sound eerily familiar to God’s prophets. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Ezekiel, all use the same language to address God’s people. Israel was worshipping Baal and adopted the values and lifestyle of Baal, specifically oppression.

Daniel urges Nebuchadnezzar to repent and adopt two practices: righteousness and compassion to the oppressed. These two issues apply the last six of the ten commandments, or what’s called the second book of the law, which focuses on how we treat each other. That doesn’t mean Nebuchadnezzar doesn’t need to follow the first book of the law, or the first four of the ten commandments, to worship the LORD alone. His comments follow a similar prophetic pattern of using behavior as evidence of what is being worshipped. In other words, “The gods you worship allow and encourage your current behavior. Turn to the LORD and follow his ways.”

In urging the king to practice righteousness and compassion to the oppressed, Daniel is urging him to worship and serve the Lord. By recording his counsel to the king, he is reminding Israel of God’s ways. Just as Israel went into a season of correction (Babylonian captivity), Nebuchadnezzar will have a seven-year time out. What’s the message to God’s people? Come Sunday and let’s consider the call to repentance.

Tim Locke