Week 5: Daniel
The Book of Daniel is one of the most unusual books in the Old Testament.
The Book of Daniel is unique, filled with powerful lessons on faith and resilience. It tells the story of a young man named Daniel, who, along with his friends, was taken into exile by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar after Jerusalem was conquered. In the madness, Babylon didn't spare the Temple or the Palace, stripping them bare. Daniel 1:2 says they stripped the Temple of its treasures. From the Palace grounds, they took the nation's future; these young men were from noble families, likely destined for temple duties back home, but they were forced into service in a foreign palace instead.
Calling On The Go
Today’s Readings
Daniel 1:1-21
Daniel’s life changed completely when Babylon overtook Jerusalem. He went from growing up in the heart of Israel’s culture and faith to being a captive in a distant land. Without a clear “calling moment” like some other prophets, Daniel’s calling came from his situation and his trust in God.
We don't get a calling narrative for Daniel that includes mystical visions and fantastical beasts. Daniel's call to be a prophet comes from his environment. The belief that God was still in control despite the circumstances led Daniel to reject the King's food.
Back then, food wasn't just about taste preferences but about identity and devotion. food signaled cultural identity and was tied closely with religion. Eating certain foods wasn't just about nutrition; it was about allegiance. Daniel's food protest was a bold statement—a cultural earthquake—against bowing to the Empire's demands. By resisting the King's food, Daniel is resisting Empire's ability to dictate where he places his trust.
Calling On The Go
Before the Exile, Daniel and his companions worshipped in the splendor of the Temple, surrounded by communal support and familiarity. But now, it's all gone.
Instead of crumbling, Daniel adapts. He doesn't ask, "What would I have done?" but "What can I do?" Daniel's vision of God was big enough to accompany him into Exile.
Today, many people go through something called "deconstruction," where they examine their old beliefs, let go of those that no longer serve their view of God, and make space for growth. The Temple being ravaged of its treasures is a good symbol for this. We can think of Jerusalem's Temple as your "temple," which is the side of the head behind the eye between the forehead and the ear. It's where the four skull bones fuse, where the jaw latches. When we experience the deconstruction of a belief, it can feel like what Nebuchadnezzar did to the Temple. He ravaged the beauty people saw (eyes/sight), desecrated what people held sacred (forehead/mind), stole priceless instruments and tools (ears/hearing), and broke up their worship assembly by enslaving them (jawbone/speech). When our beliefs crumble, it feels like an attack.
However, in those moments, we can look at the example of Daniel. Food in the Bible often symbolizes our intake. Daniel focused on his intake. He was selective about what he allowed in his Temple, even if there appeared to be no options other than what Babylon offered. Faith is not a sprint; it's a marathon. When the Bible describes Faith as a race, it's because we must pace ourselves.
God is larger than our frameworks, so have grace with yourself when you need a new one. Cut yourself some slack! As Father Richard Rohr said, "All great spirituality teaches about letting go of what you don't need and who you are not. Then, when you can get little enough and naked enough and poor enough, you'll find that the little place where you really are is ironically more than enough and is all that you need. At that place, you will have nothing to prove to anybody and nothing to protect."
Like Daniel, we can adapt, stay connected to what’s true, and find God’s presence even in unfamiliar places. How can you, like Daniel, make small choices to keep your faith strong, even in challenging situations?
Moon, E., Golden, J., & McCoy, K. (2020, November 1). Faith Adjacent - Nebuchadnezzar . Spotify.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "The Book of Daniel". Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Feb. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Book-of-Daniel-Old-Testament. Accessed 16 March 2024.
Rohr, R. (2011). Falling Upwards. Jossey-Bass.
