"Greatly Beloved"

Daniel 9:20-23, 10:10-21

Daniel 9:20–23 NKJV

Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:

Daniel 10:10–21 NKJV

Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.” Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.

In Daniel 9, Daniel had been praying and the angel, Gabriel, appears to him and talks to him about his prayers. In addition to that, in Daniel 9:23; 10:11 , 19, Gabriel called Daniel a "man greatly loved." At times, I wish I could have a personal encounter with God, Jesus or one of the angels to let me know exactly how I stand in God's eyes. I would like to know if I am a man greatly loved or not. The reality, however, is I do not have to have a personal encounter. I can know how God feels about me based on what is revealed in scripture. I can examine a man like Daniel. If I compare at all to him, I know I too am greatly loved. If I don't compare, then I have some work to do. Therefore, if we want to be greatly loved by God, we need to examine Daniel's life and see how ours compares.

This is not unconditional love offered to all, but a statement of God's desire for Daniel.

Doesn’t God Love Unconditionally? 1 Jn. 4:7-8; Deut. 4:37, 7:8; 1 Sam. 9:20; 2 Chron. 20:25; Ps. 106:24

The first problem these verses pose for us is knowing that God loves everyone unconditionally because He is love (I John 4:7-8).

How can the text say Daniel is greatly loved as if he is set apart because of something about him?

The word translated "love" here is not the one for our common concept of God's love.

The Hebrew word most related to our common concept of God's love is 'ahab (Strong's H157). For instance, consider Deuteronomy 4:37.

Another form is 'ahabah (Strong's H160). See Deuteronomy 7:8.

The Hebrew word used in Daniel 9:23; 10:11, 19 is chemdah (Strong's H2532). Consider a few other usages of this word.

I Samuel 9:20, in which it is translated "desirable."

II Chronicles 20:25, in which it is translated "precious."

Psalm 106:24, in which it is translated "pleasant."

This is a specific statement to Daniel.

This passage is not about an expression of the unconditional love God has for all mankind which caused Him to offer His Son as a sacrifice to save us all.

Rather, it is an expression that Daniel is pleasant and precious to God.

God desires Daniel. This is a statement of God's acceptance of Daniel based upon Daniel's life and action.

God loves everyone, but does not take pleasure in everyone.

Yes, God's love is unconditional. He loves us all no matter what we have done and sacrificed His Son for us all because of that love.

However, He does not view everyone as pleasant, precious and desirable. He does not accept everyone.

God loves us all with that unconditional love, but He only blesses with salvation those who submit to His will and become desirable.

This is why we need to examine Daniel's life. Why was he pleasant, precious and desirable to God?

Chapter 1 - Daniel was willing to stand out in order to obey God.

Daniel had healthy, Godly boundaries. Daniel 1:8

In Daniel 1, Daniel had been taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and carted thousands of miles away from his home.

His name was changed and he did nothing.

He was enrolled in Babylonian education and he let that slide.

However, when it came lunch time, they wanted him to eat food that was unlawful. He refused (Daniel 1 :8).

Daniel 1:8 NKJV

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel took a severe risk for his faith.

His refusal was dangerous for him and even for the eunuch who had shown him so much kindness (vs. 10).

However, Daniel and his three friends insisted.

Daniel developed a ten day test and the eunuch agreed (vss. 12-13).

We already know how the story ended. Daniel and his three friends looked better than all the other captives who ate the food (vs. 15).

What about the other captives?

What always catches my attention is all the other captives who didn't take Daniel's stand.

Here was Daniel, far from home, in a strange place, with strange customs.

Everyone else was just going along with the new regime.

Four men stood alone against everyone else.

Despite the danger of rebelling against their new ruler ... Despite the influence of everyone else who feared rocking the boat, Daniel and his three friends stood out in order to obey God.

If we want to be precious, pleasant and desirable to God, we must be willing to stand out and be different. Rom. 12:2

We must be willing to obey God no matter what anyone else is doing or what anyone else threatens.

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Chapter 2 - Daniel relied on God and confessed Him.

Daniel bravely approached danger. Daniel 2:12,14-16

In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream he wanted interpreted. Yet none of his wise men could do so.

Finally, in his anger, Nebuchadnezzar decreed all these wise men should be executed (Daniel 2:12).

Daniel did not act out of fear. He did not act rashly in panic.

Rather, he boldly faced the king asking permission to extend his life for a time and then allow him to come back with the dream and its interpretation (vss. 14-16).

Daniel did not despair. Daniel 2:17-18

Daniel did not return to his house and fret over what they would do.

He did not try to plan an escape so he and his three friends could get away.

Instead, he told his friends to seek mercy from God (vss. 17-18).

Daniel and his friends relied on God to save them, not on themselves.

They did not rely on guesswork or trickery but on God's mercy.

Daniel revealed the dream honestly. Daniel 2:27-28

Further, when Daniel knew the dream and its interpretation and came into the king's presence, when he had every opportunity to act as though he was somehow special, instead, he told the king exactly why he knew the dream.

He told the king about his God and how his God had revealed the dream (vss. 27- 28).

We have to trust in God to be pleasing to Him. Matt. 6:31-33; 10:32-33

None of us has anyone breathing down our necks threatening to kill us.

However, all of us have worries about life.

If we want to be pleasant, precious and desirable to God, we must rely on Him.

Matthew 6:31-33 ““Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Further, if we want to be pleasant, precious and desirable to God, we must confess Him before others.

Matthew 10:32-33 ““Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”

We need to tell others what God has done and acknowledge Him in all our ways, especially regarding salvation.

Chapter 4 - Daniel did not withhold the truth or God's warning.

Daniel was willing to deliver bad news. Daniel 4:19, 20-27

In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar had another dream.

Once again, none of the wise men could interpret it.

However, Daniel, by the grace of God, could.

Once again, Daniel relied on God.

Once again, Daniel confessed and gave God the glory.

However, the important point in this story is how this dream differed from the first.

In the dream of Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom were the head of gold.

They were the greatest of kings and kingdoms. It was all good news about Nebuchadnezzar.

This dream was a rebuke and a prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar's coming punishment.

He was proud and had not acknowledged the working of God.

For seven periods of time (we do not know if this was days, months, seasons, years or a figurative reference to the fullness of time), Nebuchadnezzar would be as an animal, roaming the countryside, grazing on the grass.

Specifically notice Daniel's response in Daniel 4:19. Daniel didn't like this portent. He certainly didn't want it to be about Nebuchadnezzar.

I think Daniel would have preferred to say nothing. He would have preferred to gloss over the whole dream and move on. He didn't want to be the one to tell Nebuchadnezzar what was coming.

Nevertheless, he did (Daniel 4:20-26). Further, he offered a warning showing how Nebuchadnezzar could avoid the punishment (Daniel 4:27).

It’s hard but necessary to deliver bad news! 2 Cor. 5:11

I don't know about you, but I feel this way all the time.

I have friends and family and I don't want to be the one to tell them of their coming punishments.

I don't want to be the one who rocks the boat and says everything is not alright.

I don't want to be the one to let them know they are in danger of being lost.

Think about how that could negatively impact my relationship with them.

However, if we want to be precious, pleasant and desirable to God, then we have to be willing to share the truth.

We have to warn others.

We have to let them know what God says about their future.

2 Cor. 5:11 “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

In II Corinthians 5:11 , Paul said we must persuade others because we know the fear of the Lord.

No doubt, we do not have to be mean and malevolent about this.

We do not have to be harsh and hateful about it.

Consider Daniel's words. He was tactful and gentle about it. He was not happy to let Nebuchadnezzar know of his coming punishment. Yet he did it anyway.

Chapter 5-Daniel chose God's reward over man's.

Daniel still had a reputation, but had been forgotten. Daniel 5:11

In Daniel 5, Nebuchadnezzar's grandson, Belshazzar, was king.

In the midst of a hedonistic party desecrating the utensils of the Jerusalem temple, a hand appeared and wrote four words on the wall-Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.

No one could explain the meaning of the words. In Dan. 5:11, the Queen mother remembered how Daniel was useful for Nebuchadnezzar. Once again, Daniel was called upon to interpret the cryptic message of God.

Daniel sought but obedience to his God. Daniel 5:7,16-17

However, take special note of Daniel 5:7,16.

Belshazzar offered the highest reward of men to whoever would interpret this message.

Yet, Daniel was not interested in the rewards offered by men.

In Daniel 5:17, he told Belshazzar to keep his gifts and reward someone else.

Daniel was a man of faith. He did not seek material goods. He sought to obey his God. He was far more concerned about the rewards of God than the rewards of men.

PRIORITY: Daniel knew where he needed to be.

There is a second aspect to this. Daniel did not view serving God as a means to material wealth.

He was not trying to keep one foot in heaven and one foot on earth.

He would not interpret the signs for pay.

He would interpret the words because that was the obedient and God honoring thing to do.

Yes, I know he did receive the reward anyway. The point is he did not offer this interpretation for material prosperity. He did it to honor God.

Our goal is not material wealth, but treasure in heaven. Matt. 6:1,19-21, Col. 3:2

According to Matthew 6:19-21 , we are taught to value the heavenly things that cannot be destroyed.

All of man's rewards fade and wear away. In Matthew 6:1 , Jesus explained if we are doing our good deeds to be seen and rewarded by men, God will not reward us.

Yes, like Daniel, when we serve God, we may receive honor and material blessings from men.

However, if that is our goal, we are not serving God.

As Paul said in Colossians 3:2, we must keep our mind set on things above not on the things below.

If we want to be precious, pleasant and desirable to God, we need to be more interested in God's rewards than man's.

Chapter 6 - Daniel was trustworthy and loyal, both to men and God.

Daniel was blameless. Daniel 6:4

In Daniel 6, the other officials in Darius's court became jealous.

Daniel stood above them all and he was being honored by Darius for that.

So, the other officials decided to bring Daniel down.

At first, they tried to bring about a scandal (Daniel 6:4). However, they could find no grounds for complaint against him.

They could not find an error where Daniel purposefully did something wrong.

They couldn't even find where Daniel had been negligent.

They wanted to have some kind of legal proceeding against him, but they simply couldn't.

Daniel was loyal to his boss. He was loyal to his job. He was trustworthy in his relationships. He was the ideal employee.

Daniel was persecuted. Daniel 6:10

However, it didn't stop there. The other officials knew only one way they could bring Daniel down.

Make praying to anyone other than Darius illegal for an entire month.

What I find most amazing is they knew Daniel would get in trouble.

Even Daniel's enemies knew he was so devoted to his God that he would pray to Jehovah anyway.

The text says when Daniel knew about the decree (vs. 10), he prayed anyway.

Daniel was loyal to his God. He was a trustworthy servant who could be expected to obey God above men, no matter what.

If we want to be pleasant, precious and desirable to God, we have to be trustworthy and loyal to men and to God.

We need to be people who do all our work as if it is for the Lord, just as Paul commanded servants to do in Ephesians 6:5-7.

Further, we need to be absolutely loyal and trustworthy to God. No matter what men threaten, we must be willing to stand up and serve the Lord as the apostles did in Acts 4:19-20; 5:29.

Daniel - unconditionally loved and specifically precious.

No doubt, Daniel was unconditionally loved by God as are all men. However, Daniel was precious to God. He was pleasant to God. He was a man God desired. Therefore, he was a man greatly loved by God. Heb. 11:16

One of the greatest compliments I believe I have ever heard is found in Hebrews 11: 16. It speaks of the people of faith and says, "Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God" (ESV).

That is what Gabriel was saying about Daniel. God was not ashamed to be called Daniel's God.

I want to hear that same compliment some day. I don't have to have an epiphany with Gabriel. I simply need to examine men like Daniel and live like them. How do we compare?