Daniel 1:17 Commentary and Bible Study

Again we see the modesty of Daniel in verse 17. He was given the great privilege of prophetic office even as a teenager, even as a youth, and had insights, revelations, and dreams. At those tender years he was in effect the pastor of the church in Babylon, the underground church in the palace – and probably not so underground because of his boldness – and he learned a great deal as a youth. Back in Jerusalem he had the Scriptures, but now God gives him much more than all that, and even prophetic understanding. They had learning and wisdom, and they were advanced, but it's all assigned to God. How amazing the progress they made!Daniel excelled even among the four, for it was his heart first that purpose to remain separate from God from what was unclean. This gift was given to him as part of God’s blessing upon him for his zeal to obey God.They are being intensely trained in diplomacy, Chaldean literature. Thousands of texts remain to this day. They were all bright but God gave them more. They learned but God gave Daniel a particular capacity to learn, weigh, see-through; he was quick as anything. They had skill in debate and strong reasoning power. God enable them to see right through the Chaldean learning, and even to confront it. They excelled in all literature, in all philosophy. Daniel would guide his friends. This kept them safe through the brainwashing. The world wants us to believe in evolution and alternative value system. If we don’t see it for ourselves, always there is someone God provides us with who helps us and points out the problems. Daniel sees what is really behind the Babylonian literature.