A Bare Bones Study for Those Hungry To Go Deep into the Word.
This study of Daniel is based on viewing the entire book from an inward perspective. Each person, place or thing in the story has a counterpart within, and when we examine it from this perspective, great spiritual truths are revealed. The following quote from Andrew Jukes’ book Types in Genesis explains more about these inward types.
For the development of Adam or human nature in the great world without, has its exact image and counterpart in the little world within; I call it ‘little,’ though indeed it is not little; for if ‘the kingdom of God is within us,’ there must be room enough. And what confusion it seems: life and death, evil and good, love and hate, and pride and meanness everywhere: men praying, cursing, blessing; palaces and hovels, churches and armies, schools and markets, jails, cities, asylums, unions; such are some of the fruits of old Adam, in whom all this was before it was seen, and is only seen without because it was and is within him. (Jukes 1993, xv)
When we view the book of Daniel in this way, we see detailed before us how God works in the human soul, spirit and ultimately the body to bring a person into the fullness of Christ in the end times. In the work presented here, Nebuchadnezzar is a Christian’s natural mind, Daniel is the spiritual mind, his three friends are faith-based understandings that form a foundation for his life, the Chaldeans are demons, and so on. Chapter two is about the natural mind’s struggle to find identity. Chapter three is about dissociation. The image of gold is a new alternate personality the natural mind has formed to face the fiery trial (furnace) in his life. However, God will not allow him to use it because his faith (Daniel’s three friends) is strong enough to take him through the trial. The entire book of Daniel can be viewed in type in such a way that each verse fits with the verse preceding and following it. Each chapter falls in line with the chapter before it and flows logically into the next chapter.
Eventually the dissociative mind (Nebuchadnezzar) gives way to a more mature mind (Darius). Belshazzar is the sin nature as related to the soul in chapter five; in chapter eight he is the sin nature in relation to the physical body. The first ten chapters of the book of Daniel show the gradual progression of a Christian into the image of Christ in the end times.
What is laid out in chapter two, as revealed in the image, is fully revealed in the ensuing chapters up to chapter 11. Chapter 11 shows the spiritual dynamics the church will encounter as the antichrist spirit takes over the world. Chapter 12 reveals the church at the end of the age when that which is mortal puts on immortality.
Now we can begin our study of Daniel with this inward view to learn many things about our natural mind (soul), our spiritual mind (spirit) and the way God works in our lives to bring us into completeness in him.
Select Verse to jump to that particular study:Chapter 1:
[Verse 1] [Verse 2] [Verses 3 & 4] [Verse 5] [Verses 6 & 7] [Verse 8 & 9] [Verse 10] [Verses 11 & 12] [Verses 13-16] [Verse 17] [Verses 18 & 19] [Verse 21]
Dan 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
The first important type to be identified is Nebuchadnezzar. His name means “Nebo, defend the boundary.” According to the scriptural types laid down by the early church Fathers, men are certain minds. Nebuchadnezzar is a type of our natural mind that tries to defend itself. It sets up boundaries. Nebuchadnezzar was the ruler of Babylon. Babylon was known as “a walled city; the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers” (KJ Study Bible). Our natural mind tries to protect itself by putting up walls. In the ensuing verses we will see that this natural mind uses dissociation to protect itself. Dissociation is “a split in the conscious process in which a group of mental activities breaks away from the main stream of consciousness and functions as a separate unit, as if belonging to another person.” That is a definition from Webster’s dictionary. Biblically speaking I would define the main stream of consciousness as being our true self…the person we were before we dissociated the first time.
Nebuchadnezzar ruled over the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. These rivers represent our way of learning truth from the testimony of others (Tigris), and what we learn as we, by reasoning, interpret what we have observed and experienced ourselves (Euphrates). These are both ways of understanding that come from our natural mind. This is fully explained in Types in Genesis (Jukes 1993, 50). In Eden there was but one river but upon leaving the garden it was parted into four rivers. As Jukes states,
“What is this, but that stream of living waters, which one and undivided for those who enter Paradise,--and without a name while it is there, for in its undivided flow the one stream is beyond all human description,--without the garden is parted into four streams, giving its waters to the world as Pison (intuition), Gihon (Nile - the senses), Euphrates (testimony) and Hiddekel (Tigris - reasoning).”
Nebuchadnezzar means “Nebo, defend the boundary.” Nebo was the scribe of the gods. He wrote down everything about the law. This is like the natural mind…everything must work according to natural laws. Nebuchadnezzar is the natural, upright mind in us, not spiritual, yet respecting truth, and to a considerable degree, following it. It protects itself from hurt by dissociating and putting up walls. This causes confusion. Babylon (804 in Strong’s) means “confusion.”
Jerusalem was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar. Our spirit is besieged by our natural mind. Jerusalem is a type of our spirit as seen in the following scriptures:
“The living waters shall go out from Jerusalem” (Zec 14:8) and “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water (John 7:38). Living waters are flowing out from Jerusalem in the Old Testament and from our heart (belly) in the New Testament. This, of course, is our spiritual heart.
Other indicators of Jerusalem being our spirit are the following names assigned to Jerusalem in Scripture. It is called “the City of God” (Psa 46:4), “the City of Judah” (2 Chron 25:28), “Faithful City” (Isa 1:21; 26), “City of Righteousness” (Isa 1:26), “City of Truth” (Zec 8:3), “City of the Great King” (Psa 48:2). It was originally named “Salem” which means “peace.” These are all attributes of the human spirit.
Other words we need to define for our spiritual understanding of this first book of Daniel are as follows:
Three – number of divine completeness or perfection. Taking the things of Christ and making them real and solid in our experience. (Number in Scripture by Bullinger)
Jehoiakim – Strong’s Concordance gives meaning as “Jehovah will raise.”
Judah – our true self. This is the person we were before we ever split off from our self. A complete understanding of this requires a long teaching. Briefly, Judah is described in Gen. 49 by Jacob as “a lion’s whelp.” Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah. If Jesus is the lion and Jacob is his offspring, it has to be our true self.
Besieged – 6696 to cramp, confine
Based on all the above understandings of types I give the following interpretation of Daniel 1:1:
Interpretation:
It is time for God’s people to enter into divine completeness and perfection (in the third year). God is going to begin to raise them up into a new dimension in Him (the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah). The state of God’s people at this time is that the natural mind (Nebuchadnezzar) has ruled over (king of) the spiritual part of the person (Judah and Jerusalem) causing the spiritual part to be confined and cramped (besieged).
Application: In most Christians the natural mind keeps us looking at life from a natural perspective rather than a spiritual one. Our natural side is stronger than our spiritual side keeping our spiritual side confined. As we face the challenges of everyday life, it is helpful if we stop to consider whether we are thinking according to our natural mind or listening to God via our spiritual mind.
Verse 2Dan 1:2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
Jehoiakim – means “Jehovah will raise.” God’s people were spiritually in a higher place than the Babylonians. For our spiritual interpretation, Jehoiakim represents that which is higher being taken captive by that which is lower.
Hand – power
Part – a portion
Vessels – 3627 – something prepared, receptacle. Ex. Strong’s…receptacles were made of clay, potsherd or wood and used to hold documents, wine, oil, fruits, bread, etc. Our mind is a receptacle for God’s truth and character.
Shinar – means “the watch of him who sleeps” (Interpreting Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names).
Treasure house – the natural mind has stored up a lifetime of information…facts, history, things learned in school and books, things learned by experience.
Gods – logic, reason, intellect, science
Interpretation
The Lord has allowed something for his purposes here. He has allowed what he has raised (Jehoiakim), which is spiritual in nature (Judah, the true self [based on other studies] to be given over to the power (hand) of the natural mind (Nebuchadnezzar). There is part of the spiritual mind that God has kept asleep (with part of the vessels of the house of God which he carried into the land of Shinar). This describes the condition of humankind during the watch of him who sleeps (the period of time since the fall). The natural mind is in charge over that which is spiritually higher. Much of the spiritual mind is sleeping. All of this is because of the fall. The gods of the natural mind are logic, reason, intellect, science, etc. These comprise the treasure house of the natural mind. The spiritual mind must be awakened if we are to have a deeper relationship with God and move in the supernatural realm of the gifts of the spirit.
Dan 1:3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;Dan 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
The king is the natural mind
“Eunuchs were regarded as especially trustworthy in the Ancient New East and thus were frequently employed in royal service” (Holman Bible Dictionary).Jesus spoke of those who were a “eunuch for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” as a metaphor for those choosing the single life in order to be more useful in kingdom work.
Ashpenaz is the Jesus because (1) he is master over all the parts of the person that are faithful and trustworthy (eunuchs) (2) God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs (as seen in verse 9). This describes his relationship with Jesus.
Ashpenaz means “guest” (Strongest Strong’s). This is like Jesus living in us by invitation.
Spoke – when the natural mind speaks to Jesus, it is prayer.
King’s seed – all that is fruitful
Princes – all that is noble
Children – all the spiritual aspects of this person’s life that are filled with good qualities yet are not mature.
No blemish – morally pure
Well favored – actions show the life of a good person
Skilful in all wisdom – they make wise choices
Cunning in knowledge - those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Heb. 7:14)
Understanding science – they have studied the Word to gain understanding
To stand in the king’s palace – they are not weak or wavering in faith
Whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans – to whom they might teach discerning of spirits. Discerning of spirits involves knowing when demons are operating. The Chaldeans are a type of demons as seen below:
Chaldeans means “as demons, as robbers” (Interpreting Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names)
The character and practices of Chaldeans may be seen in Hab. 1:5-11:
Bitter, hasty nation
Terrible and dreadful
Possess dwelling places not their own (demon possession)
Fly as the eagle (they are in the spiritual air as though they fly)
They come for violence and gather captivity as the sand
They deride strongholds and scoff at kings ( no regard for earthly position)
They heap dust and take it (we are made of dust…clay)
God says concerning them, “ye will not believe, though it be told you.” This is absolutely true about demons…people refuse to believe they exist or can affect their life.
The scripture once more is:
Dan 1:3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;Dan 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Interpretation
The natural mind prayed to Jesus (spoke to Ashpenaz) who ruled over all that was faithful and true in him (master of the eunuchs), and asked him to impart to him discerning of spirits. We need to remember here that the aspect of the natural mind we are dealing with in Nebuchadnezzar is concerned with protecting itself. When we are trying to protect our self from hurt, we try to discern the spirit of the people around us. We try to be what they want us to be so they won’t hurt us. It is with the spirit that we discern. The person in whom this is taking place is a Christian whose spirit is in right relationship with God even though his natural mind is not yet mature. Throughout our Daniel study we will see him mature as the natural mind (Nebuchadnezzar) gradually allows the spiritual mind (Daniel) to take charge. This involves the natural mind letting go of dissociation…its efforts to protect itself from hurt.
The following describes the character and attributes of the person in whom this is taking place: fruitful, noble, morally pure, living righteously, making wise choices, discerning of good and evil, a student of the Word and not weak or wavering in faith.
To teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans is to be taught the discerning of spirits. The character and practices of demons are described in Hab. 4:6-11.
Bitter, hasty nation
Terrible and dreadful
Possess dwelling places not their own (demon possession)
Fly as the eagle (they are in the spiritual air as though they fly)
They come for violence and gather captivity as the sand
They deride strongholds and scoff at kings (no regard for earthly position)
They heap dust and take it (we are made of dust…clay)
God says concerning them, “ye will not believe, though it be told you.” This is absolutely true about demons…people refuse to believe they exist or can affect their life.
Today we will learn more about the natural mind and the way it functions.
Dan 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
King – (Nebuchadnezzar) natural mind
Appointed – 4487 – to be divided; to be divided out (from Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament)
Provision – 1697 – portion
Meat – 6598 – Gesenius “delicate food, pleasing and light, mild”
Wine – 3196 – wine as fermented
Fermented – Webster “to boil, be agitated.”
Three years – Three is the number of divine completeness and perfection (Bullinger’s Number in Scripture). Therefore three years is the time necessary to come into completeness, perfection and wholeness.
King – this second king mentioned is not necessarily Nebuchadnezzar as one would assume in the natural story of Daniel. For our spiritual interpretation, I believe this is the King before whom we will all stand and give an account…the Lord Jesus Christ.
Read the verse again and then see the interpretation below it.
Dan 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
Complete Interpretation:
The natural mind, (King Nebuchadnezzar), thinks it will come into maturity by dividing out certain parts of Scripture in daily portions (daily provision - nourishing them three years). On the surface the word “meat” would cause one to think this would imply seeking deep spiritual insights into the Word. However, in the Hebrew, the word “meat” means “delicate food, pleasing and light, mild.” We can see that the natural mind is willing to daily go to the Word, but it picks and chooses what it likes…that which is mild and pleasant. No deep convicting scriptures requiring death to self will be sought by the natural mind!
The natural mind also drinks wine. The Hebrew tells us this is “wine as fermented.” Fermented, according to Webster, means to boil and be agitated. When a mind takes in wine that is boiling and agitating, it is taking in thoughts that cause it to worry. The natural mind’s diet of mild, delicate and light scriptures, is not sufficient to bring it into a faith in Christ where it does not worry.
If we choose to live according to the dictates of our natural mind, we will not be prepared to stand before our King in the Day of Judgment which is even now upon us. As we shall see in our next verses, Daniel (as our spiritual mind) will enable us to stand before King Jesus as we partake daily of spiritual vegetables! We will have to come to verse nine before I reveal what spiritual vegetables are. I encourage my readers to take a good Webster’s Dictionary (such as one with the word “college” in the title) and check the definition of “vegetables”. Not all dictionaries will have a thorough definition of that word. Pray and ask the Lord to give you a spiritual insight into what “vegetables” are spiritually. Insights such as this make Bible study fun! Why do crossword puzzles or Sudoku puzzles when one can study the Scriptures? Please read my article on “Principles of Bible Study” to learn more about how to dig out the true buried treasures from the Word.
One more thing here, the Hebrew definition of “appointed´ as written above, is “to be divided; to be divided out.” This might cause one to think of 2 Tim. 2:15 which states, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” However, the Greek word “dividing” used here actually means “rightly dealing with a thing. What is intended here is not ‘dividing’ Scripture from Scripture, but teaching Scripture accurately, carefully discerning each nuance” (The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible).
Verses 6 & 7 Daniel and His Three Friends
In this next exciting verse of Daniel 1, we will see just who Daniel and his three friends represent. For many years I wanted to know what the three friends…Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego…stood for. No matter how hard I researched and studied, I could not come up with the answer. Then when I decided to study the entire book of Daniel in depth, the answer came. See below as we continue our spiritual interpretation for the book of Daniel. Remember Nebuchadnezzar is the natural mind that protects itself by dissociating. Let’s look at the next two verses of our text:
Dan 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Dan 1:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
Judah is our true self. (There is a lengthy article explaining this under SRA “The Wounded Child: Dissociation and Codependency etc.”)
Daniel is our spiritual mind. With men (in type) representing certain minds or the understanding (as taught by the early church Fathers), Daniel is the spiritual mind. He has a relationship with God. He always makes right decisions based on that relationship. Daniel never compromises. His name means “judgment of God.” God works first in our spirit to bring that into perfection…the natural mind and the body come later as will be seen as our study unfolds.
The three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, are three understandings possessed by the spiritual mind.
The meanings of their names are from Strong’s Concordance:
Hananiah – God has favored
Mishael – Who (is) what God (is)?
Azariah – God has helped
The three friends are three understandings of the spiritual mind. Daniel’s name shows us this spirit has been judged and purified by God. Hananiah reveals that he knows God loves him. Mishael shows that he is secure in his relationship knowing the character of God. Azariah reveals that he knows God will protect and provide for him.
The prince of eunuchs is Jesus. He is the one who gives us a new name as seen in the following scriptures.
“thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name” (Isa. 62)
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it (Rev. 2:17)
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God (Rev. 3:12).
Eunuchs – Eunuchs were known to be most trustworthy, faithful, and, of course, they were free from lust.
Their names are changed to the following as found in the Interpreting Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:
Daniel's new name is Belteshazzar – who lays up treasures in secret
Hananiah's new name is Shadrach – tender, nipple – being secure in God’s love so he can tenderly nourish those around him.
Mishael's new name is Meshach – that draws with force – One who knows who God is can draw great strength and power from God and minister this out to others.
Azariah's new name is Abednigo – servant of light, shining – The security of knowing he has God’s help and protection enables him to minister to others without fear.
The three friends are all relational aspects of knowing God. These qualities increase in the spiritual mind enabling it to minister the life of Christ to others.
Interpretation
Jesus is the one who will change our name as the Scriptures say. Daniel, is representative of the spiritual mind of a mature Christian living in the end times who has been under God’s judgment for many years. (Anyone who has been through this knows what it must have been like for Daniel. Others could get by with things, but he couldn’t. God would reprimand him for the slightest infraction or bad attitude. As a result of this judgment, his character has changed. He has become pliable and yielding in the Lord’s hands. His will is now subjugated to God’s will.) Daniel's name change from Daniel meaning "judgment of God" to Belteshazzar meaning "who lays up treasures in secret" shows that God is revealing marvelous things to him in his Word…things reserved for the church of the end times. However, the church has not been ready to receive this word until they go through the same intense judgment experienced by Daniel, so Daniel has treasured these things in his heart (laying up treasures in secret). He has kept them safely stored away in journals and notebooks filled with his meticulous studies ready to bring them forth when God signals the time is right.
The three friends are all relational aspects of knowing God within the spiritual mind. These qualities increase in him and enable him to minister the life of Christ to others.
The name change from Hananiah to Shadrach shows that he is secure in God's love and therefore able to tenderly nourish and disciple those around him.
Mishael's name change to Meshach reveals one who knows God's character and can therefore draw upon the strength and power of God necessary to minister out to others.
Azariah's name change to Abednigo (a servant of light) reveals one who has the security of knowing he has God’s help and protection which enables him to minister to others without fear.
Dan 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank : therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Defile – Gesenius - To be polluted, stained, impure, i.e. to be removed as a priest from sacred ministry.
Portion of the king's meat - The natural mind, (King Nebuchadnezzar), thinks it will come into maturity by dividing out certain parts of Scripture in daily portions. On the surface the word “meat” would cause one to think this would imply seeking deep spiritual insights into the Word. However, in the Hebrew, the word “meat” means “delicate food, pleasing and light, mild.” We can see that the natural mind is willing to daily go to the Word, but it picks and chooses what it likes…that which is mild and pleasant.
Wine - The natural mind also drinks wine. The Hebrew tells us this is “wine as fermented.” Fermented, according to Webster, means to boil and be agitated. When a mind takes in something that is boiling and agitating, it is taking in thoughts that cause it to worry. The natural mind’s diet of mild, delicate and light Scriptures, is not sufficient to bring it into a faith in Christ where it does not worry.
Prince of eunuchs - This is Jesus as explained in previous verses. He watches over the spiritual mind. He is the one who gives us a new name. It is Jesus with whom we have a deep and loving relationship.
Interpretation
The spiritual mind in this person living in the end times purposed that he would not allow himself to be polluted or impure as a result of merely staying on the surface of the Word picking and choosing what he would believe and only choosing scriptures that were mild and pleasant. ( But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat.) He also purposed not to take in the anxiety producing, peace robbing thoughts from the natural mind (nor with the wine which he drank .) Therefore he prayed and asked God to help him with this resolution to remain pure in his thoughts and to live according to the spiritual mind (therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.)
Dan 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
God brought this person living in the end times into a very close relationship with Jesus. (Jesus as prince of eunuchs has been established in previous verses of Daniel Study.) The decision and request of the previous verse deepens this person's relationship with Jesus. If we want a rich, close relationship with Jesus, we must spend time studying the Word rather than just skimming across the surface of the Word. Also, we must learn to apply all the Word to our own lives, not just pick and choose what we like or what is easy. If we don't understand a verse, we need to get the necessary tools to study and dig deeply to find the understanding we lack. Once we get that understanding, we need to apply it to our own life. In this way we mature and our relationship with Jesus is enhanced and deepened.
Dan 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
Prince of eunuchs is Jesus, as established in previous verses. Of course Jesus is not afraid of the natural mind (Nebuchadmezzar). However, God has given our natural mind the freedom to make decisions. God does not override this freedom and force his will on anyone.
The king - This is Nebuchadnezzar, the natural mind.
Daniel - the spiritual mind
Appointed - to weigh out; by impl. to allot (Strong's)
Meat - On the surface the word “meat” would cause one to think this would imply seeking deep spiritual insights into the Word. However, in the Hebrew, the word “meat” means “delicate food, pleasing and light, mild.”
Worse liking – dejected, (Strong's)
Children – quality (Strong's)
Sort – joy, rejoice, gladness (Strong's)
Interpretation
Jesus says to the spirit in this mature Christian (Daniel), “I respect the authority of your natural mind that picks and chooses (appointed) what it is willing to believe leaving behind some important truths because of its desire for pleasant and mild words ( your meat). Since it has free choice, it can choose to think thoughts that cause it to get agitated and upset over things (and your drink). But why let your natural mind (for why should he) see your spiritual heart become dejected (your faces worse liking) when you have within you the quality (children) of joy (sort). If you give in to your natural ways of thinking and let yourself lose your joy, I have to let this happen because the natural mind has been given freedom to choose. The spiritual mind has to stand against the natural mind”.
The word "children" reminds me of the scripture that says we must become as little children to enter the kingdom of God. The word "joy" brings to mind the scripture "The joy of the Lord is my strength. "The joy in our spirit gives us strength to stand against the unwise ways of the natural mind.
Dan 1:11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
We determined in previous verses that the prince of eunuchs is Jesus. The only one he would set over the spiritual mind would be the Holy Spirit (Melzar). Daniel’s three friends represent different understandings in his knowing God (as established in earlier verses). The Holy Spirit will be Daniel’s guide, counselor and teacher as Daniel begins his “diet” of vegetables as revealed in the next verse.
Dan 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Daniel is praying here…talking to the Holy Spirit who has been put in charge of his spiritual diet. He asks that he be able to partake of the Word in its entirety, not just pick and choose and stay on the surface. The number "ten" speaks of perfection of divine order, nothing is wanting, the number and order are perfect; the whole cycle is complete (Bullinger's Number in Scripture). Daniel is asking to partake of the entire Word until he comes into perfection of divine order (10 days).
Vegetables are a type of the entire Word because in that food group, every part of the plant is eaten…roots (carrots), seeds (peas), stems (celery), leaves (lettuce), tubers (part of the stem underground), fruit (tomatoes), and blossoms (squash and pumpkin). The spiritual mind (Daniel) wants to eat the entire Word of God. There is no part of the Word he will not gladly study. He will not reject anything the Holy Spirit teaches him as he daily delves into his study of the Bible. By choosing vegetables he is rejecting the king’s meat…the practice of choosing only passages that are “delicate food, pleasing and light, mild.”
In place of wine, Daniel request water. Wine, as seen earlier, speaks of agitation caused by thoughts generated from the natural mind. Water, therefore, is the opposite…it washes the mind daily in the water of the Word so it will be at peace and calm.
Dan 1:13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
This is not about outward appearances (countenance). This is about the condition of the mind. He believes his spiritual mind will grow and prosper more than the natural mind that picks and chooses what parts of the Word to believe and merely skims across the surface of the Word. He had to ask the Holy Spirit for this (to go deeper into the Word and understand it in its entirety [vegetables]) because he is our teacher. It is he who opens the Scriptures to us. Without his permission we would see nothing of spiritual significance in the Word. If we read the Scriptures using just our natural mind and our intellect, we won't grow spiritually.
Dan 1:14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
Dan 1:15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
The Holy Spirit permitted spiritual mind (Daniel) to do this for the period of time necessary to come into the perfection of divine order where nothing is wanting, the number and order are perfect, and the whole cycle is complete (ten days). The spiritual mind grew stronger than the natural mind.
Dan 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
In answer to the spiritual mind's prayer and subsequent spiritual growth, the Holy Spirit took away any desire in this person (in whom this spiritual mind and natural mind dwell) to just read the Word and skim across the surface. The Holy Spirit granted this person great revelation in the Word in its entirety as he studied. This is a story picture of the natural mind gradually shrinking and the spiritual mind taking over.
Application:
If we feel we live too much out of our natural mind and not our spiritual mind, the only way we are going to grow more spiritual is to delve into the Word of God. If we only read the Scriptures, that is better than nothing; but if we desire to come into the fullness of Christ and all the great things reserved for the church of the end times, we are going to have to change our approach to the Word of God.
Not only must we study the Word, we must live the Word. If we fail to live out of what we learn, God will close the door to revelation. He does this out of his love for us. The more we know, the more we will be judged based upon that revelation. To know and not obey is to harden our heart. When the heart is hardened, it can no longer receive revelation from God.
What does it mean to live out of our spiritual mind? We will see all of life from a spiritual perspective. The deeper we see into the Word, the deeper we see into our own heart, into the lives of people around us and into our society. If we listen to the evening news programs with our natural mind, we may believe everything we hear. If we listen with a spiritual mind, we will discern what is a lie and what is truth. We will be able to identity propaganda when we hear it.
To live out of a spiritual mind increases our ability to make wise decisions. We become more like Jesus when our spiritual mind is stronger. We have more faith and are not fearful when circumstances of life seemingly come against us. We see God's purpose in all things.
Moving in the gifts of the Spirit requires having a strong spiritual mind. We are more able to hear the voice of the Lord. We have more power to live righteously and minister to others. God will show us things to minister out to others because one who lives out of a spiritual mind can be trusted.
Dan 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
To me this is a very exciting verse. Something I have always wanted is to have dreams and visions and to understand them. I’ve wanted this because I want to hear from God and this is a major way he can communicate to us. When we are sleeping our flesh is at rest and we are more open to receiving from God.
The more we study the Bible, the more likely that God will give us dreams and visions. I have noticed over a period of many years, that if I get lax about my studies, the dreams and visions become rare. This is, I believe, because God wants us to rely on the Word more than on supernatural experiences. Supernatural experiences can be deceiving if we are not well grounded in the Word. First and foremost our foundation must be upon the Word of God which deepens our relationship with God.
As we study and obey the Word, as we meditate and allow our mind to dwell on spiritual things, God gradually removes the veils that separate us from the spiritual realm. This is a process. However, we must remember there are two ways to come into the place of abundant supernatural revelation. Not everyone who has abundant dreams and visions is a student of the Word. People who have been deeply involved in occult activity (such as satanically ritually abused people, witches, psychics, etc.) are open to spiritual phenomena because the veils have been stripped away by demons. However, they are subject to deception and harassment by demons. The righteous way to come into revelation is through holiness, death to self (the cross) and a serious pursuit of God. The veils are either removed by demons or by God.
If we are to study the Word in its entirety, we will have to understand types and shadows as well as academic ways of study. The deepest revelations for the end times are hidden in types in the Scriptures. The Scriptures show us word pictures of deep spiritual truths. The story of the four soils in Matthew 13, for example, gives us a picture of someone sowing seed in the ground. Jesus could have taught using only words stating that people have different hearts and are able to receive the Word in different ways. That would have been difficult to remember. The picture of the four types of soils imbeds these types into our minds using something with which we are all familiar. The more we get used to thinking in picture (or parable) form, the more our imagination gets exercised. This increases our ability to understand dreams and visions which are pictorial in nature.
Notice that God gives all the knowledge and wisdom to “these four children.” We learned earlier in this study that Daniel’s three friends represent three qualities within the natural mind that are relational with God…the deep knowing that he is loved by God, that God protects him and provides for him, and his knowledge of the character of God.
Revelation in the Word and its application to our lives (knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom) must rest on a foundation of knowing God…a kind of knowing that comes with the experience of having walked with God in obedience over a period of years. If we doubt God, these doubts can block the true revelation in the Word God has for us. Therefore, deep study and our knowing of God go hand in hand.
As we study, our foundational beliefs in God are deepened…we know him better and better. The more we know him, the deeper he can take us in his Word. This shows that revelation in the Word is not a function of the intellect. It is not dependent on having a high IQ score. It comes out of a relationship with God. Therefore, anyone can have revelation in the Word if they are willing to die to self and make the sacrifices necessary in order to study and receive from God. Study requires setting aside and even literally forsaking some of our favorite pastimes—like watching TV, going to the movies, shopping, hobbies, etc. We only have 24 hours a day and we must decide how we will use those 24 hours. As our economy worsens and energy costs soar, many of us will have less free time because we are going to have to work more. If we will pursue God with the free time we have, we will be opening ourselves up for all the wisdom and gifts from God we will need to survive what is coming upon us in these end times.
Dan 1:18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
Dan 1:19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
The following are interpretations as explained in previous verses:
King Nebuchadnezzar - the natural mind.
The prince of eunuchs - Jesus
Daniel - the spiritual mind
Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah - three foundational understandings of the spiritual mind…the knowledge that God loves him, the knowledge of the character of God and the knowledge that God helps and protects him.
Communed - 1696 - The primary power, as the etymologists in Holland long ago rightly observed, is that of setting in a row, ranging in order. Also to bring into order, subdue, to follow, to be behind (Gesenius' Hebrew Chaldea Lexicon to the Old Testament).
Stood - 5975 Ges. To set firmly, to sustain (Gesenius' Hebrew Chaldea Lexicon to the Old Testament).
Sustain - Webster - "to keep in existence, keep up, maintain or prolong, to provide for the support of, to support from below."
Interpretation
This passage shows us what happens within us “at the end of days.” This is referring to the time when we come into the fullness of Christ in the end times. When the spiritual mind has come to spiritual completeness (Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in), Jesus (the prince of the eunuchs) brings the spiritual mind before the natural mind (brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar). The natural mind (and the king) is put in proper order, a place of subjection under the spiritual mind (communed with them). The natural mind admits that it is inferior to the spiritual mind (and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah). The spiritual mind is now supported from below by the natural mind (therefore stood they before the king). This is the order our natural mind (soul) and spiritual mind (spirit) should be in when God's work is completed in us. This verse is showing us where the rest of Daniel will be leading us…into the completeness of Christ formed in us. There are many interesting things to learn along the way.
According to teaching by Watchman Nee in his three volume work, The Spiritual Man, before the fall of man, man's spirit was in charge over his soul. After the fall, the soul dominated the spirit. Here we see the proper order being restored. This is a process. The spirit does not dominate here, but it is higher in its purity and development than the natural mind. However, the natural mind is still king…it still makes decisions about the person’s life on earth, but it consults the spiritual mind first. Jesus has brought the natural and spiritual minds to the place where there can be communication between them.
In the book of Daniel, four kings are spoken of as ruling over the realm of Babylon, the Medes and Persians. The four kings are Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Cyrus and Belshazzar. Three of these kings, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, and Cyrus are types of the natural mind. Belshazzar is a type of the sin nature.
Nebuchadnezzar is the natural mind of a Christian who is immature and subject to dissociation and bondage. Darius represents our natural mind in a more mature state. Cyrus is a type of our natural mind that has come to completion in Christ. Our mind matures in stages, and each of these kings represents a different stage of the natural mind’s development. These stages of development are fully displayed before us in the ensuing chapters of the book of Daniel.
Belshazzar, on the other hand, is a type of our sin nature. There are two parts to our sin nature in that one part is attached to our mind and the other part to our physical body. Hence, Belshazzar has two appearances in Daniel. In chapter five, the part of the sin nature attached to the soul is removed and destroyed. In chapter seven, the part in the physical body is removed and destroyed.
Dan 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
The natural mind has learned that he can find direction and understanding for his life by consulting his spiritual mind that is joined with Christ in a deep, abiding relationship.
Our verse for today is the last verse of Daniel Chapter One:
Dan 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
This verse in Daniel is telling us that Daniel, the spiritual mind in us, will remain and help us until we come into the fullness of Christ with a fully redeemed and perfected soul and body. The spiritual mind is the part of us that is joined with Christ beyond the veil. The spiritual mind works in conjunction with Christ to bring us to completion.
Cyrus can be viewed as our natural mind in its highest state because of what we know about Cyrus historically.
· He ruled over the entire world. Our natural mind rules over all in us that is natural and relates to the world.
· He is best remembered for his policies of peace. The mature mind is at peace.
· He, along with Darius, conquered Babylon. Babylon, the walled city,represents the brokenness of dissociation. The more mature minds no longer allow dissociation to occur. They have ceased building protective walls.
· He is referred to as Yahweh’s shepherd and anointed (Isa. 44:28-45:6) because of his kindness to the Jews and worship of Yahweh. This mature natural mind no longer hinders the spiritual mind in any way. He is in favor of worship and all activities that draw us closer to God. The natural mind will never be in the same position as the spiritual mind because it relates to things of this earth, but it can work in harmony in all things with the spiritual mind.