TESTIMONIES ARE TO GLORIFY GOD, NOT SELF

In the first chapter of the Book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, conquered Jerusalem, and his army captured King Jehoiakim's children, princes of Israel (v. 1-3). He decreed that they were to be taught the ways, the knowledge, and the language of Babylon (v. 4).  Because Nebuchadnezzar gave this responsibility to Ashpenaz, master of the eunuchs, many theologians believe that the Jewish children were made eunuchs as well.  Since the Book of Daniel does not say that, some question this, but those who do, have forgotten a key step in interpreting the Scriptures:  comparing Scripture with Scripture.  For we read in 2 Kings 20:17-18, a prophecy that answers this question: 

"Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.  And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."

Since all Bible prophecy is, or will be fulfilled literally, there is no doubt that Daniel and the others were mutilated by the Babylonians.  You would think that Daniel would have mentioned such a terrible experience, but in not doing so, he reminds us of Jesus, who was silent before His accusers (Isa. 53:7; Mt. 26:62-63; 27:12-14)!

Daniel did, however, write concerning his experience in the lion's den.  And that is, I believe, not because it was such an awful experience, but because of the effect of the event on Darius, the Median who conquered Babylon (Dan. 5:31).  Darius was tricked into sentencing Daniel to death, by those he had appointed a leaders in his Empire (Dan. 6:1-15).  Darius clearly did not want to cast Daniel to the lions, but by his own law, he was forced to do so (Dan. 6:14).  Before carrying out the sentence, Darius said to Daniel, "Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee" (Dan. 6:16).  Darius' faith was weak, but evident in his calling out to Daniel the next morning (Dan. 6:19-20).  And what was the final outcome of that horrible event?  Darius decreed: 

"Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.  I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end.  He delivereth and rescueth, and He worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions" (Dan. 6:25-27). 

Daniel's testimony was not about what happened to him.

Daniel told of what Almighty God had done to Darius' heart!