The life of Daniel is nothing short of impressive. All through his life, you can see the hand of God on him. At a young age, he was taken captive into a foreign land only to eventually become one of the highest-ranking men in the land. He acts as an example to all the believers that have followed after him. Showing us that it is possible to be found blameless before both God and man. The way he lived his life and conducted himself even aligns with much of the teaching of the New Testament. Which didn’t exist until he had long passed away.
The Bible tells us that Daniel decided in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the King’s food he was supposed to be given. Because doing so would have meant breaking the dietary laws set forth by the Lord. This was a decision made very early in his captivity in Babylon. From the beginning, Daniel knew that he wanted to live a blameless life before the Lord.
Daniel 1:8 (ESV)
8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.
Doing so though always meant living in such an upstanding way that even the world would see him as blameless. Even those who despised him, for his righteousness and favor with the king, could find no way to accuse him. In order to trap him, they had to create a new law that they knew he would not be able to uphold due to his unwavering service to the Lord. Outlawing prayer to anything or anyone other than the king for the space of thirty days.
Daniel 6:4–5 (ESV)
4 Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”
Daniel 6:7–9 (ESV)
7 All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.
Daniel’s enemies were right and finally, they found a way to accuse him of an unlawful act. But while Daniel was no longer blameless in the eyes of the law, he was still blameless in the eyes of God. Because he refused to sin against the Lord. The Lord protected Daniel thought the night in the lion’s din and he was pulled out without a scratch.
Daniel 6:10 (ESV)
10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Daniel 6:22–23 (ESV)
22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
Interestingly enough, even though Daniel was guilty of breaking the King’s law, the Bible still records that he was still to be seen as blameless in the King’s eyes. As his continued prayers to the Lord were not meant to harm or even dishonor the king. Something the King himself was very well aware of. The king himself hoped to keep Daniel out of the lion’s den but couldn’t. Yet he still fasted all night and was the first one there to check on Daniel the following morning. So even while breaking the law, Daniel was still seen as blameless in the eyes of the king. Because all he was truly guilty of was living for his God.
Daniel 6:13–15 (ESV)
13 Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”
Daniel 6:18–19 (ESV)
18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions.
Daniel’s life shows us our ability to live a blameless life even in times when it is not easy. As he found himself in a foreign land that served false gods and wanted everyone else to serve them as well. Yet still, Daniel found a way to live for God and be found blameless in His eyes. While still being seen as blameless in the eyes of the world. A balance that seems impossible to achieve but as his life proves can be done by those who live righteously.
As modern Christians, our goal should look no different than that of Daniel. Working to be found blameless both before man and God just as he did. Serving the Lord and living in complete accordance with the laws of the land, as long as they don’t contradict the laws of God.
Romans 13:1 (ESV)
13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Acts 5:29 (ESV)
29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
His life also acts as proof of the scripture. As the psalmist wrote blessed are the blameless. A truth that cannot be argued against when the life of Daniel is examined. Daniel consistently lived a blameless life and God continually blessed him. Seemingly without trying, Daniel rose to the highest positions in the land. He prospered under the rule of multiple kings. Even when faced with trials and tribulations God’s hand of blessing was still upon him and he always made it through unharmed.
Psalm 119:1 (ESV)
119 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
Of course, the prospect of being blessed is no reason to try and live a blameless life. Doing so shows that one’s heart is not right and will not result in blessings. Being blessed is simply the byproduct of living a righteous life and the blessing will look different from person to person.
Daniel strived to live such an upstanding life not because he hoped it would result in blessings but because he feared and loved the Lord his God. As such he did his best to always live in accordance with the commands of God. As well as honoring others as a way to honor God and working hard at everything he was asked to do as if God himself had asked him to do it. The very same things we are instructed to do in the New Testament.
John 14:15 (ESV)
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
1 Peter 2:17 (ESV)
17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
To that point, Daniel acts as an example of how Christians today should strive to live. As he lived a life that aligned with the New Testament scriptures written long after his time on earth had ended. The very verses that God has given us to live by. He has called every Christian to make it their goal to live a blameless life both before Him and the world.
1 Peter 3:16 (ESV)
16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Philippians 2:14–15 (ESV)
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
So we should strive to live a life similar to that of Daniel. Working to be found blameless in the eyes of God as well as the world. Putting God first in every situation just as we see Daniel always did. Holding to the laws put in place by both God and the government. While always working hard at everything we do. Should we expect to be perfect and never do something wrong or worthy of blame? Not at all but we shouldn’t ever do something we know is wrong. Daniel was a man just like us serving the same God we are. So if he was able to live a blameless life we can still do the same today.
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