Pastor Leslie Chua

The prophet, Daniel, is an exceptional man. He is one of the greatest heroes in the Bible. Personally, Daniel is one of my favourite biblical characters.

Daniel lived in a dark and dystopian time.

He witnessed the dismantling and finally the fall of his beloved nation. The Babylonians attacked the southern kingdom of Judah in three phases stretching over 20 years. Finally, Jerusalem was overrun and the temple of God was destroyed.

Daniel was among the first batch of Jews to be exiled to Babylon in 605 B.C. Because of his royal background and strong academic credentials, he was trained to serve in the Babylonian royal court.

Daniel was just a teenager, probably about 16 to 17 years old. He found himself in a foreign and hostile environment. He was a prisoner in a sense with no rights and freedom.

One of the first things the chief of the eunuchs did was to change his Hebrew name to a Babylonian name, Belteshazzar. Daniel means ‘God is my Judge’ whereas Belteshazzar means ‘Bel protects the king.’ Bel is one of the chief gods in the Babylonian pantheon. The same was done to Daniel’s 3 friends.

Daniel and his 3 friends were also put through 3 years of rigorous training in the language and literature of the Babylonians. Babylon is the source of pagan worship and occult practices. So, it would not be surprising that their training regime included courses in astrology and sorcery.

The purpose of all this was to change their identities and shape their thinking. It was essentially a brainwashing exercise to convert their loyalty and allegiance from Yahweh to the Babylonian gods.

It must be a challenging time for these young men because they were faithful and devout worshippers of the LORD God. Can you imagine yourself being subjected to a constant bombardment of contrary ideas daily?

From the accounts in the book of Daniel, we observe that they were steadfast and uncompromising in their faith in Yahweh. Despite their tender age, they stood their ground. They would not yield to pressure and threats to conform. They were ready to die for their faith.

I suppose Daniel also had to face criticism from his own people. The Jews were fiercely nationalistic. So, it would not be presumptuous to speculate that questions were asked about his loyalty to his own country and people.

The prophet, Jeremiah, was considered treasonous for prophesying that it was God’s will for the Jews to go into exile in Babylon and that they ought to pray for the peace and prosperity of Babylon.

Later, when Daniel and his friends were elevated to high positions in the royal court and civil service, they faced political manipulations, false accusations, and sabotage from their jealous colleagues. One wrong move could result in their demotion, or worse, death.

Like most kings in ancient times, King Nebuchadnezzar was a cruel and tyrannical monarch. He ruled his empire with an iron fist. He killed at will anyone who displeased him.

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How did Daniel manage not only to survive but thrived in Babylon? How did he do that without compromising his faith, integrity, and values?
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Do not forget this important fact about Babylon. Biblically, Babylon represents a system of politics, religion, and commerce that is anti-God. Babylon is the antithesis of everything that is associated with God.

This is the backdrop of Daniel’s life in Babylon.

So, this is the question. How did Daniel manage not only to survive but thrived in Babylon? How did he do that without compromising his faith, integrity, and values?

The answer is God. By His grace, God gave Daniel a very special anointing to enable and empower him to live victoriously in Babylon. He was faithful without compromise. He served at the highest echelon of power in 2 different empires and he was trusted by the kings.

I call this special anointing the Daniel anointing.

What is the Daniel anointing?


The Anointing of Wisdom & Discernment

First, the Daniel anointing is the anointing of wisdom and discernment.

To begin with, Daniel and his 3 friends were already smart and accomplished in their academic abilities. That was the reason they were selected to be trained in the Babylonian civil service academy.

They were ‘skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace’ (Daniel 1:4).

However, to survive and thrive in the hostile Babylonian court, they needed an additional edge. God added to their wisdom even more wisdom – ‘God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom…’ (Daniel 1:17).

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They were not just a cut better. They were 10 times better than the best in Nebuchadnezzar’s vast empire.
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At the end of their 3-year training, they were brought before King Nebuchadnezzar. The king discovered that ‘in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom’ (Daniel 1:20).

This is a remarkable statement. They were not just a cut better. They were 10 times better than the best in Nebuchadnezzar’s vast empire.

How is that possible?

It is because of God’s anointing.

Nebuchadnezzar was a smart ruler. He did not reserve the top positions in his administration for only the Babylonians. Instead, he picked and used the best people in his empire. So, Daniel and his friends were useful to the king and they were put in high positions.

God’s anointing of divine wisdom set them apart from the pack. It distinguished them from the best in Nebuchadnezzar’s royal court.

Their profound wisdom earned them the king’s favour, which accorded them a level of protection from the jealous courtiers. These people would have to think twice before they tried to do anything against them.

Besides, wisdom is also indispensable for them to navigate their way through the politics and shenanigans in the court.


The Anointing of Supernatural Wisdom

Second, the Daniel anointing is the anointing of supernatural wisdom.

Daniel was given this uncommon wisdom. Besides the added wisdom and discernment, ‘Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams’ (Daniel 1:17b). Joseph is the other biblical character endowed with such a supernatural anointing.

Such a kind of wisdom cannot be learnt. It cannot be acquired through the hard work of study and practice. It is a spiritual gift. It is God-given. It is supernaturally endowed.

This supernatural capability set Daniel further apart from the rest. The ability to understand dreams and visions is a prized asset, especially in the ancient world. God and the gods frequently communicated to people through dreams and visions. Notice that the wise men in the Babylonian court are known as magicians, diviners, and enchanters.

Daniel’s ability to understand dreams and visions was put to good use when Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him greatly. He knew that it contained an important message.

To ensure that his wisemen gave him an accurate interpretation, he refused to disclose his dream to them. Instead, he demanded that they tell him his dream and then interpret it. In that way, he would know that they were telling him the truth.

Long story short, no man could do that except Daniel. God revealed the content of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its interpretation to Daniel.

King Nebuchadnezzar was so astounded that he ‘fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him’ (Daniel 2:46). He went on to give glory to Yahweh God, saying, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery” (Daniel 2:47).

God was exalted and Daniel was richly rewarded. He was made the ruler over the province of Babylon, which was the capital city of the Babylonian Empire. He was also appointed the chief prefect over all the wise men and magicians of Babylon (Daniel 2:48; 4:9).

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The anointing of supernatural wisdom put Daniel one up over people and situations. This is a key reason to Daniel’s success and his ability to thrive in a dark and dystopian time.
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From then onward, Daniel became a trusted advisor and confidant of King Nebuchadnezzar. He was also hugely influential in the Babylon court.

How amazing was that!

It was the same with Joseph. His ability to interpret dreams and give wise counsel elevated him to become the second-in-command over Egypt.

The anointing of supernatural wisdom put Daniel one up over people and situations. This is a key reason for Daniel’s success and his ability to thrive in a dark and dystopian time.


The Anointing of Courage

Third, the Daniel anointing is the anointing of courage.

Having wisdom and supernatural wisdom was not enough. Daniel was given the anointing of courage. So were his 3 friends.

To remain steadfast and faithful to God in a dark and dystopian time require courage. Having wisdom without courage is useless.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image even when they were threatened - “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.  If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18).

Now, that is courage!

It is the same with Daniel. When Nebuchadnezzar asked him to interpret another dream, Daniel spoke truthfully despite it being God’s warning of judgement to the king. Daniel had the temerity to ask the king to repent of his sins. (Daniel 4:4-27).

This account has a good ending. After experiencing 7 years of divine judgement as revealed in the dream, Nebuchadnezzar repented and acknowledged God as the God Most High (Daniel 34-35).


The Anointing of Daniel for the Dark & Dystopian Time Ahead

In the last 2 to 3 years, I often say that the days ahead will be dark and dystopian. An increasing number of Christians are beginning to discern the same thing as we race toward the end of this present age.

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If God could enable Daniel and his 3 friends to thrive in the belly of the Babylonian beast, He will also enable us to live through and navigate the dark and dystopian time ahead. 
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Many believers are anxious and worried. I can understand why. But do not despair. God is in control of everything. So, let us put our trust in Him.

If God could enable Daniel and his 3 friends to thrive in the belly of the Babylonian beast, He will also enable us to live through and navigate the dark and dystopian time ahead. 

The darker the time, the brighter His light will shine upon us. The tougher the road ahead, the more grace we will experience. God’s grace will always be sufficient for us. His strength will be made perfect in our weakness.  

May the Lord Jesus give us the Daniel anointing! May He anoint us with supernatural wisdom and courage for such a time as this!