The Hero’s Journey in the Bible

Background:

After Babylon’s first attack on Jerusalem, they had plundered the city and its temple and took the Isrealites into exile. Among them was a noble youthful jew, Daniel and his friends Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendigo. Daniel would serve as King Nebuchanezzar’s interpreter and would be loyal to him as well as all of his successors while remaining true to God.

Call to Action:

King Nebuchanezzar would have troubling dreams leaving him unrested. He then would call upon all the magicians, sorcerers, and astrologers in the land. All that failed to interpret his dreams would be punished, but the person who did would receive “gifts and rewards and great honor”. After everyone failed to do so, out of anger the King would order the execution of all wise men. Guards would fetch Daniel and his friends for their execution, but Daniel would offer to interpret the king's dreams. Daniel 2: 1-24

Depature:

Daniel was the only one able to interpret the king's dreams. Nebuchadnezzar would dream of a statue made up of four different types of metal: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Iron. The different metals would symbolize a sequence of kingdoms. The dream would continue with a rock shattering the statue and the rubble turning into a huge mountain. Daniel interpreted this as the rise and fall of kingdoms, but ultimately God’s Kingdom will come and humble the arrogant kingdoms of this world. Daniel was then made the ruler over the entire province of Babylon and in charge of all wise men. Daniel 2: 31-49

Trials:

Being beside the crown, Daniel would interpret for not just Nebuchadnezzar, but his successor Belshazar and Darius. During Darius’s rule, he favored Daniel and wanted to make him the ruler of the kingdom. This resulted in the king's wise men being jealous. They knew that Daniel prayed to God everyday and refused to worship the king as a god. The wise men would then trick the King into passing a law that anyone who did not worship the king would be thrown into a lion's den. Daniel 6: 1-16

Crisis:

The King would try his best to defend Daniel, but ultimately he would be thrown in the lion's den. The King would not be able to eat or rest through the night and would rush to the den in the morning to check on Daniel. Daniel 6: 16-18

Result:

The king would shout, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?". Daniel would reply and mention how an angel has closed the mouths of the lions as he has done nothing wrong. As Daniel was lifted out no wounds were found because he had trusted God. The King then commanded that the men who falsely accused Daniel and their wives and children be thrown in the lion's den. As they reached the floor they were crushed by the lions. Daniel 6: 18-24

New Life/Resolution:

King Darius would issue every person of his kingdom to fear and respect the God of Daniel. Darius states, "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions”. Daniel has shown the whole kingdom the power of his God. Daniel 6: 25-28