Across the pages of the Bible a great host of men and women has passed. But the majority have been lost in the colorful background they present, against which, however, has been portrayed a lesser number of strong and impressive characters, whose words and works are with us to this day. So vividly faithful is this portrayal that to the earnest student of the Scriptures some seem almost to detach themselves from the printed page, and live and move again!
Among these is Daniel, a man of deep discernment, strong convictions, and unflagging loyalty to his concept of right. He scorned "the portion of the king's meat," and proved the wisdom of his course. He unflinchingly faced the den of lions rather than compromise in his allegiance to God, and thereby won his own deliverance, while the living God was magnified throughout the kingdom. In a degree, at least, it seems certain that Daniel must have understood and availed himself of the truth which Jesus later taught.
It would be a mistake, however, to assume that all Daniel's moments were those of spiritual ascendancy and triumph. He was assailed by the doubts, disappointments, and discouragements which are common to mortals. It was concerning one of these periods that he wrote in the tenth chapter of the book of the Bible which bears his name, when he had been "mourning three full weeks" and was "by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel." There, following a season of self-denial, and doubtless of self-examination, he had a vision of one the voice of whose words was like "the voice of a multitude." "O Daniel, a man greatly beloved," said the heavenly visitant, "understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. . . . Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard."
