The movie, Daniel and the Fiery Furnace hit the movie theaters a few weeks back. I had read that a movie was in the works depicting the first three chapters of the Book of Daniel but, that was years ago. I had all but forgotten about it thinking that perhaps this movie never made it to fruition. I was disappointed of course, since I think the Book of Daniel is a very important book for our times. I was singing along to some praise and worship music in my kitchen recently whilst cooking a tray of banana bread when all of a sudden a pop-up ad ensued on YouTube.
Usually, I am so annoyed when my YouTube content is interrupted with some stupid commercial or ad. Especially, when I am unable to get to the screen to skip the ad because I am just in the middle of cracking some eggs! The advertisement usually involves some crazy diet hack, miraculous health solution or is selling some service that I don’t need and never did. It ends up to be more than annoying to listen to the baking soda digestive trick before I am able to get my hands washed, dried and make it over to my iPad to skip that infernal ad, grrrrr.
However, this time, I was thrilled when I glanced over at the screen and I was seeing a trailer for this long awaited film. I started thinking of the significance of Daniel’s life. The part of life that we don’t like to think of. It was war that brought Daniel from his home in Jerusalem to the far away land of Babylon. Slavery and sexual mutilation as in castration probably ensued. He could have given up, he could have committed suicide but he did not. His faith lead him to follow God even in this dark chapter of his life and in history.
There is a lot of darkness going on right now all over the world. We might be going about our business, we might be far from a war front if we are lucky enough but, life may not spare us. I am writing this blog post on the third anniversary of the October 7th massacre in Israel. It is not lost on me that as I contemplate Chapter 3 of the Book of Daniel how many Jewish people faced fire that day just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego did. And, just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego they were tied and thrown into a fire. Oh, the evil of this! I saw images of those Jewish souls whose post-mortem pictures tell the story. They were men, women and children burnt alive during violence on October 7th.
As Chapter 1 opens in the Book of Daniel the Jewish people faced attack, murder, sexual violence and captivity as the Babylonia Empire laid siege. Unfortunately, what Hamas did on October 7th gave an understanding to what befell Daniel and his people in the Bible. It mirrored the murder, torture, cruelty and death that continue in our world today. When the movie opens it gives us a glimpse into how it must feel when your whole world comes crashing down around you. I imaged myself there.
The movie was filmed to excellent effect in Rajasthan, India. The light, the beauty of the desert scenery, and the Rajasthani architecture are the setting of this story which mirrors the Judaean and Babylonian natural environment and sensibilities of antiquity. The movie gives a glimpse into the creative community of that Indian State since many film professionals and actors from that region were highlighted.
As the Book of Daniel depicts, we learn of the many horrendous evils that he was forced to face. Yet, God gave Daniel strength and used him to teach and to prophecize future events. Daniel may have been robbed of a marriage and having a family but he had God. Through Daniel, God chose to show his almighty power to those who did not believe and he still does that today. He often uses the small and maligned to confound and confront the strong of this world. Perhaps, the miraculous piloting of a jet being hijacked recently is an example of that. Yes, Daniel’s story foretells the age that we live in.
I was touched as the movies depicted scenes of the faith community coming together to pray even when all the odds seemed stacked against them. I was strengthened to see how Daniel and the other men chose to not bend in their faith but had the wisdom to compromise in other areas as they were confronted with a type of worldly culture that tempts us all. They knew what was foundational to their faith and what was not. Well that we should all run our daily lives with that wisdom today. They were as angels heralding God with us and showing the way for people then and now. The power of that message of the right path comes out in the first three chapters of the Book of Daniel and the movie does not depart from that message.
This movie comes down right in leaning into the biblical account and not going too far afield while still humanizing the story for us to connect with. The acting was wonderful starting with the Egyptian actor, Mena Massoud who portrays Daniel with poignancy and a mix of strength and vulnerability. His fellow captives played by Sunjay Midda, Adam Lahraoul,and Zaki Ali seemed like naturals and drew me into the fears, and the decisions that they were forced to face. Since seeing the movie, I am continuing to read and contemplate the many layers of meaning encompassed in the Book of Daniel and I hope that you will too. I recommend this movie. You won’t find the splashy large budget films that you and I may be used to. Instead, you will find a story told as storytellers of the past may have. It connects with you and it draws a picture that you carry with you. You will see wonderful acting performances and cinematography that stand out.
Since Daniel and the Fiery Furnace is a Christian movie, it will have limited release in the movie theater systems of the world. I suggest you see if it is available in your area or find out what streaming services in your area it will be available on. At a time when films exploring dystopian possibilities abound, here is a film which depicts the future turmoil but will ultimately lead you towards the right spiritual path. God is in this story and our story too. Discover that anew.
Am Yisrael Chai
