The story of Daniel and his compatriots in Babylon is another lesson on how to exercise dominion in society. In some respect, the story of Esther and Mordecai in Shushan and Daniel in Babylon share some similarities. They were all Hebrew children who were persecuted for their Jewish faith.

Secondly, they were taken as slaves to a strange land, but through faith in God, they rose to enviable positions of leadership and governance in a hostile environment.

Thirdly, God endowed them with the power of conquest, which they used, wherever they went.

Daniel was taken to Babylon as a captive during the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian captivity. While in Babylon, he was among the few Jewish youths chosen to be trained in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court. The year 623 B. C. was the probable date of his birth, in the reign of Josiah, the last of the righteous Kings of Judah.

According to the received accounts, he was about 17 years, possibly younger, at the time of the captivity. Daniel lived in Babylon through the reigns of successive Babylonian Kings and into the reign of the Persian King, Cyrus in 539 BC (Dan. 1:21;6:28).

Babylon was a spectacular city. Nebuchadnezzar had initiated a vast building programme and improved the city’s fortifications, raising its magnificence to new heights. At the time Daniel lived there, it was the largest city in the world, covering over 10 square kilometers (4 square miles).

Daniel lived and served under four rulers in Babylon, yet commanded great influence in Babylon. He was able to exert his influence in Babylon through prayers and the exercise of his gift in the interpretation of dreams.

Daniel lived in captivity in Babylon along with his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Though they faced pressures to conform to Babylonian society and give up the ways of their people, they stood strong in their faith, and God blessed Daniel with wisdom and the ability to interpret dreams. God granted Daniel favour with multiple rulers and preserved his life when others plotted against him.

King Nebuchadnezzar is portrayed in the Bible as the Babylonian king whose conquest of Judah led to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. However, he is also well known for his relationship with Daniel who interpreted his dreams. Daniel came before Nebuchadnezzar numerous times in his service to the king (Dan. 2:25; 4:8), and thus, was likely very familiar with both the northern and southern palaces in Babylon.

When the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; they could find no fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.

How were Daniel and his compatriots able to influence the Babylonian society? It was by maintaining their Jewish identity. They refused to compromise in the service and worship of their God. For instance, Daniel, and possibly the other Hebrew children, maintained a consistent prayer life. Daniel prayed three times a day. His prayer life blended with his gift of interpreting dreams. He was identified as having an excellent Spirit, which distinguished him and gave him fame in the land (Daniel 5:11-12). God’s presence was with him in an exceptional way and gifted him with faith and courage, which enabled him to survive the lions when he was thrown into the den.

Blaise Pascal’s words: “The serene beauty of a holy life is the most powerful influence in the world next to the power of God,” best describe the influence Daniel had over the Babylonian society.

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