The Book of DANIEL

By: Fr. Tadros Y. Malaty, Bishoy Boshra Behnam

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

The book of Daniel has a special significance in the life of believers, for it is not a record of Daniel’s life or an era of the history of the Israelites during the Babylon captivity. But instead, it is a divine book that the Holy Spirit offers us to instill hope in the hurt souls. Sometimes, God allows throwing us in the fiery furnace of trials, yet He changes the nature of fire for our comfort and peace. On the one hand, the book reveals to us that God is the Controller of all histories, who works for the edification of his faithful believers in any place. On the other hand, this book reveals to us that God is glorified in the very few people who are sincere to Him. He is their support in sanctifying their lives and a fiery fence that protects them and arranges everything for their salvation. God allows His believers to go through tribulations, as He allowed Daniel while still a youth. Yet He elevated him to the highest level so that the greatest king at that time came and worshipped him, realizing that the Spirit of the Holy One is inside him. God enlightened Daniel’s vision and granted him not only the wisdom to know the king’s dreams and to interpret them, and conducting all the affairs of the kingdom wisely, but rather to enjoy the surpassing mysteries of God. So the Holy Spirit revealed to him the future and eternal work of God with humanity. It is the book of divine friendship, which can lift up the believer’s heart to a surpassing heavenly life, even if he lives in captivity during his sojourn. It is also the book of divine knowledge, which God offers to His chosen and beloved people. This knowledge stems from faith, from a heart filled with divine love. This knowledge is granted through the experience of severe tribulation and enduring sufferings for the sake of God and His people. The book also reveals how Satan tries to take away this knowledge by destroying our faith. Finally, this book is directed to every believer to reveal to him what is the active role he can play at Church as well as in the life of the human race. For Daniel was not devoted only to the ministry and prophecy, but instead he was playing the role of a Prime Minister of a country, which dominates the whole world. He knew how to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God. Daniel did not go back to Jerusalem like those who came back from the captivity, did not participate in building the walls of Jerusalem with Nehemiah, and did not restore building the temple with Zorobabel. Still, he was the first man who worked secretly on these matters. He influenced the kings of Babylon and Persia; he offered a great service through his holy life and his faithfulness in his work. May the Spirit of God enlightens our vision so we may discover His divine mysteries, know Him, accept His friendship with us, and may He use us in whatever way He sees suitable for the building of His kingdom. Father Tadros Y. Malaty