Daniel: Did he sin? If so, what? Others.....

[Caver]

In the bible there are two individuals involved in central and prominent roles where I remember no mention of their committing any sin or partial to lack of obedience to God; Noah and Daniel. Both, I believe, lived a long life and died a peaceful and natural death. Daniel is the only one following the flood.

A number of times, we are told that Daniel prayed for forgiveness of sin. All men fall short of the glory of God so we know each sinned in some way (or do you disagree). Noah may be a special case since he was basically pre-flood.

Assuming I'm correct in this....

Why was no mention made of any sin by Daniel?

Why are we told of the sin and subsequent punishment by all the others and not by Daniel?

What are the implications of nothing, neither sin nor punishment, being specified for Daniel and being specified for all the other biblical characters?

Looking forward to both the biblical references and opinions.:)

[fracturedInfinity]

Ok, I'll take a crack at this.

Why was no mention made of any sin by Daniel?

Do we really need to know about other people's sin? I believe the biblical way to resolve sin is to first confess it to God and ask forgiveness (because all sin is ultimatly committed against him). Then we need to privately bring it to the person to whom we've sinned against and ask their forgiveness.

Why are we told of the sin and subsequent punishment by all the others and not by Daniel?

Why were we told about other's sins in the Bible? Probably because God has something specific for us to learn from it. This is just speculation, but it's possible that Daniel's sins weren't any that God wanted to use to teach us, or that he hadn't already used to teach us in someone else's life story.

Another possible reason (after considering the passage I quoted below) is that Daniel was always careful to forgive and to ask forgiveness without having to bring others into the situation in order to help him see the error of his ways.

What are the implications of nothing, neither sin nor punishment, being specified for Daniel and being specified for all the other biblical characters?

There are no implications at all IMO. All sin is forgiven by God through the death of his Son Jesus on the cross. Since all sins are ultimatly committed against God and resolved by him, there is no real need for us to know about anyone else's sins unless God has something specific he wants to use that particular instance for.

If you remember where Jesus talks about dealing with someone who's sinned against you, he's giving us this model, I think, so that people can see it as an example of what happens to those who are unrepentant and can learn to not make the same mistakes.

Matthew 18:

15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

I hope this is a little helpful.

[Hootmon]

The Word of Jehovah came again to me, saying, Son of man, when a land sins against Me by traitorous betraying, then I will stretch out My hand on it, and will break the staff of its bread, and will send famine on it, and will cut off man and beast from it. And though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver only their own souls by their righteousness, says the Lord Jehovah.

If I cause destroying beasts to come through the land, and they spoil it so that it is deserted, so that no one may pass through because of the beasts, though these three men were in its midst, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters. They only shall be delivered, but the land shall be deserted. Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it; though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves. Or if I send a plague into that land, and pour out My fury on it in blood, to cut off man and beast from it; though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter. They shall only deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

For so says the Lord Jehovah: How much more when I send My four evil judgments on Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the destroying beast, and the plague, to cut off man and beast from it. Yet, behold, there shall be left a remnant in it that shall be brought out, sons and daughters. Behold, they shall come out to you, and you shall see their way and their doings. And you shall be comforted concerning the evil that I brought on Jerusalem, for all that I have brought on it. And they shall comfort you when you see their way and their doings. And you shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, says the Lord Jehovah.
(Eze 14:12-23)

[Caver]

Thank you. Since this was brought up for discussion in a biblical theological class, I suspect the answer might get interesting. I did want to see what, if any, feedback we got from this room before it submitted to open class discussion.

[fracturedInfinity]

[I]The Word of Jehovah came again to me, saying, Son of man, when a land sins against Me by traitorous betraying, then I will stretch out My hand on it, and will break the staff of its bread, and will send famine on it, and will cut off man and beast from it. And though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver only their own souls by their righteousness, says the Lord Jehovah.

I think the most amazing thing about this passage is that Daniel is listed, and yet he was a contemporary of Ezekiel.

That's GOT to say something about Daniel's faith when he's lumped in with the likes of Noah and Job while he's still alive.

Thank you. Since this was brought up for discussion in a biblical theological class, I suspect the answer might get interesting. I did want to see what, if any, feedback we got from this room before it submitted to open class discussion.

I'd be really interested in what conclusion that discussion comes to.

[truthseeker815]

There is a reference in Genesis 9:21 where Noah indulged in wine:Gen.9:20-21:"And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent." :idunno I'm not sure if this was what you were looking for,Caver?

[willow]

Thank you. Since this was brought up for discussion in a biblical theological class, I suspect the answer might get interesting. I did want to see what, if any, feedback we got from this room before it submitted to open class discussion.

:lol2 Caver, I just realized (I bet you thought of it before me) You have a major ADVANTAGE in your class! You have RR. Pretty cool. Couldn't wish it on a nicer person.:wave

[Gabby]

Caver ~ if I'm not mistaken...no mention is made in Scripture of Joseph ever sinning. I'm sure he did, but still, the Word is silent on it.

[Caver]

I'd be really interested in what conclusion that discussion comes to.

Anything I give you will be second hand, I'm not in that class. I will pass along what I'm told about the discussion. :hat

[Caver]

There is a reference in Genesis 9:21 where Noah indulged in wine:Gen.9:20-21:"And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent." :idunno I'm not sure if this was what you were looking for,Caver?

That is a good point but what I'm looking for is reference Daniel. That's the mystery ..... so far. :idunno:scratch