Jesus in the Old Testament is a series of posts that will offer my readers a chance to consider pictures or shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament. As mentioned in the introduction to this series, some may be obvious, some may be not so obvious, and some may simply be a facet of the Lord those reading may not have considered previously.

I hope as we venture through this series, we will see the Lord in many wonderful pictures throughout the Old Testament.

Daniel, in a strange land, among a people of a strange tongue, and within a culture that defied the True God, (I speak of the Babylonian nation) exhibited wisdom beyond the ages and was raised to an elevated place of authority and privilege. A young man of incredible conviction, he rose through the ranks of others, seemingly without any desire but to honor his God.

It is a well known truth found in the Word that a man skillful in his work will increase in authority and privilege.

Proverbs 22:29 Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

Such was the case with Daniel, and what made this young man so different from his peers amongst the kings servants, was his unabashed dedication to the God of Israel. His focus was on serving the God of Israel, and in this service, his wisdom shone in the kings court.

Out of this wisdom, he became a ruler in Babylon, even a chief ruler over those in the Babylonian royal court claiming to be wise. Heady stuff for a young man. Scholars estimate Daniel was between 14 and 18 when he provided the king this interpretation of his dream in Daniel 2, out of which came this elevation in the kings court.

Daniel, as a very young man, having provided the revelation of this dream to the king must have created quite a stir in the royal court. This act began a public recognition of the wisdom of Daniel that never diminished.

Jesus, in like manner, and yet so much more, also displayed great wisdom early in life, and was fully dedicated to the will of God.

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Jesus also increased in wisdom from youth, being noticed by those in authority, as they were “amazed” at His understanding of the laws of God. He continued amongst them, providing greater and greater proofs through His teaching that He was no mere prophet or rabbi. His teachings were irrefutable, with His wisdom shutting mouths and silencing His detractors.

Both of these men exhibited incredible wisdom in their youth, and provided notice to their contemporaries that God was active and present!

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