Please read all of Habakkuk.The Septuagint translation contains some extra material not in the Hebrew text of Daniel. Daniel Chapter 14 of the LXX (see link below) has a story about a very brief meeting of Daniel and Habakkuk while Daniel is in the lion's den.Suppose Habukkuk really did have a chance to visit Daniel very briefly--long enough only to leave him a verse or two as advice. Cite a couple of verses from Habakkuk that might have been particularly good for Daniel to hear while he was in the Lion's den. Explain why these verses would be good for Daniel, or for others in similar difficulties.
Link: Daniel vs. Bel and the Dragon (and the visit from Habakkuk).
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Even though Daniel was a faithful man I believe a little extra encouragement from Habakkuk would have been welcome. I believe Habakkuk 3:13 - "You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot" - would be helpful. This verse is reassuring because it reminds us that God has delivered his people before from evil. Just as God delivered his faithful from the Egyptians and the Canaanites etc. he will surely deliver those you face harm because of Him. Another verse that might boost Daniel's confidence is Habakkuk 3:19 - "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." Psalms makes reference that having feet like a deer is having sure- footed confidence. Once again this verse claims that faith in the Lord can bring you the strength to overcome anything.
I think Steph got some of the best encouragement in the entire book. But here's a couple more I found that would have given Daniel some consolation in the Lion's den:
1) Habakkuk 2:14--For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the seas.
I dont know what was going on in Daniel's head as he stayed in the den (overnight in Daniel 6; for a week in Daniel 14), but this verse would comfort him and maybe put his possible death in perspective--sure, he may die at the hands of wicked people, but someday the knowledge of the Lord would cover the whole earth and the people would follow him alone--not Bel, not a dragon, nor anything else.
2)Habukkuk 3:17-18--Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Daniel was experiencing a time where things were bleak. Maybe this verse is literal and there was crop failure in the area, maybe he or people he knew were without means. And as far as religion went, maybe Daniel was realizing that the people's faith was without "buds" and "fruit". He himself had been punished for tring to show people the right way. So if Habukkuk said these verses to Daniel, he would no doubt be comforted and reminded that no matter what was happening to him or the good people he knew, the Lord was still to be trusted and praised because his ways right even though they are unknown to man.
Habakkuk 2:14-For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Daniel was thrown into the lions den out of jealousy from the other administrators. This verse would bring encouragement because God will still use him to display his glory and those who did this to him will not go unpunished. Another verse that would maybe help is Habakkuk 3:19- The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. God is always faithful and will not forsake him. He will give him strength and confidence to endure. All Daniel has to do is trust.
The Book of Habakkuk’s major theme seems to be one of growth, by taking one’s faith from perplexity and doubt to simple and absolute. This is crucial in one’s religious belief, because when a religion is complex and uncertain it can not fulfill its purpose.
For though the fig tree doesn’t flourish, nor fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food; the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in Yahweh. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
This would be a great for Daniel, while he was in the lion’s den. This verse reflects the importance of establishing a firm belief in one’s religion. Daniel’s strong faith helps him survive his stay in the lion’s den.
Daniel was an extremely faithful individual, but given his circumstances, even he could have used a little encouragement while in the lions den. The verse I thought was most inspirational was Habakkuk 3:18-19:
"I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights."
This verse shows us that although things may seem terrible, the Lord will get us through everything. He will not give us more than we can handle.
Another verse I saw fitting to tell Daniel and one that I particularly enjoyed was Habakkuk 2:4,
"Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith."
I thought this would have been uplifting to Daniel in that although his situation in the lions den looks bad, he needs to keep his faith and it will see him through. He just needs to hang on and by his faith God will constantly remain by his side.
These versus are fitting for Daniel, but also fitting for anyone else in a hard situation. If we can keep our faith and our heads about us God will remain with us through it all. Nothing is ever gained by giving up our hope and faith!
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