TLS6–the Transformational Leadership of Daniel (DUMC)

Pastor Tan Moy How, 27/11/2010

Dan 5:12-17;22-30  because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation."  (13)  Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, "You are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah.  (14)  I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.  (15)  Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the matter.  (16)  But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."  (17)  Then Daniel answered and said before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.  …  (22)  And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,  (23)  but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.  (24)  "Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed.  (25)  And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.  (26)  This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end;  (27)  TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting;  (28)  PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians."  (29)  Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.  (30)  That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed.


The transformational leadership of great men and woman in the Bible xx nations, xx people, xx communities
and saves lives. (I didn’t get this.)


1. Moses - “… Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face … “ (Deut 34:10)
2. Joshua – “… But as for me and my household we will serve the LORD.” (Josh 24:15)
3. Joseph – “… it was not you who sent me here, but God.” (Gen 45:8) “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good …” (Gen 50:20) “Life must be understood backwards; but it mus tbe lived forwards.” ~Soren Kierkegaard
4. David – “… it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Sam 17:47)
5. Esther – “I will go … and if I perish, I perish.” (Est 5:16)
The book of Daniel is well known for 2 deliverances – Daniel’s friends in the furnace and Daniel in the lion’s den.
Daniel’s life is one that demonstrated consistency and character.

1. Impressive Character

• His family instilled in him the importance of living by the principles found in his study of the Scripture.
• His Godly upbringing gave him the ability to endure exposure to a pagan culture without compromise.
• He made wise decisions based on Godly convictions. “Dan 1:8  But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.”
• He was known by pagan kings and top officials to xx the spirit of the holy gods in him. “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you. Dan 4:18"

Daniel transformed chief officials, court officials, commanders, and guards, with his impressive character.
Dan 1:12 And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Daniel’s impressive character is due to his upbringing.

2. Impeccable Conduct

• His success was due to his excellent spirit in him, not cunning or political maneuvering.
• He was a man with renowned integrity for his enemies could find no corruption in him.
• He comes in humble confession.

Dan 10:12  Then he said to me, "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

Daniel transformed kings and kingdoms with his impeccable conduct.

Pro 15:33  The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Daniel’s impeccable conduct is due to his servanthood.

3. Immovable Commitment

Sportsmen and athletes spend  a lot of time and efforts

• He was a man of prayer.

Dan 6:10  When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

• He cultivates a posture of dependent n God.

“God is still on His throne and man is still on his footstool. There’s only a knee’s distance in between.” ~Jim Elliot, missionary

Jim Elliot martyred in Ecuador. He wrote in his note, “he is no tool who gave up what he cannot keep to obtain what he cannot lose.”

The original quote was attributed to Philip Henry, a nonconformist preacher. The original quote goes, “"He is no fool who parts with that which he cannot keep, when he is sure to be recompensed with that which he cannot lose"”

• He knew God was at his right hand.

Psa 16:8  I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

• His trust and confidence was in God.

Jer 17:7-8  "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.  (8)  He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Daniel’s immovable commitment came about by consistently transforming himself through imitating Christ’s attitude.

Before he could change others, he changed himself first. He dug deep and spent time with God. He served 3 super powers during the course of 70 years.

Daniel reaped what he sowed. A man reaps what he sows.

Php 2:3-5  Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  (4)  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  (5)  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Daniel’s immovable commitment stemmed from his dependence on God.

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN

Daniel’s interpretation of the inscription.
Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to the end.
Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.


“Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God.” (Westminster Larger Catechism)

Daniel warned against not honouring God.

2Co 5:9-10  So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.  (10)  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Rom 11:36  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
At the end of the day, let us review whether God has become greater and we ourselves have become lesser?