Have you ever realized that you've been raised in the church and there are just things you've learned and taken with you, never looking deeper into them? For me, it tends to be Old Testament stories. There are some I know fuller details on, and there's others that I've skimmed over, taken the highlights and moved on. Daniel and the lion's den and the 3 servants tossed in the furnace were two of them. I knew some basic background on Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, but not enough details and history, so I'm digging in and focusing on the book of Daniel in my quiet time right now.

I only read chapter one this morning and was fascinated over the pieces I've never picked up on before. I never realized that these four boys were brought before King Nebuchadnezzar together. My brain has never tied them together in history. I also never knew that these boys were vegetarians by choice, or what brought them to that decision. I am really going to enjoy this journey through Daniel! In just two pages this book is fascinating with history and details that I had never put together.

I also really liked the introduction in the Leadership Bible to this book.

Daniel: Faith and Leadership in Action
The exemplary personal character of Daniel makes him a favorite Bible personality for many. He is one of onkly a handful of men int he Bible about whom God says nothing negative. ALthought he shared the human nature of all other biblical leaders, he seems to rise above the others because of a combination of qualities:
Character—He displays character by refusing to do wrong before foreign kings
Competence—Kings offer to pay him for his ability to interpret dreams
Convictions—He refuses to eat the king's meat or drink his wine
Courage—He faces the lions' den without flinching
Charisma—He is so winsome that royalty wants him to play key roles in government
Commitment—He remains committed to his God despite pressure to compromise
Compassion—He never loses his love for others, even in an enemy culture.