Daniel - Chapter 1
(1:1-2) Man Proposes, God Disposes
Daniel and his companions were young disciples, set into adverse circumstances, and unpromising conditions for service to God.
Here we see their early beginnings in Babylon. Without these early steps of faithfulness from them, there would have been no later acts of heroism.
The book of Daniel opens with two strong statements about the taking of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. This thought focuses upon the fact that man is active in history but so is God. Here we see that Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem and set his siege there but we also see that God gave Jehoiakim, the king of Judah into his hand. We see the when & what of this historical event from man's view, but we see the why from the perspective of the Lord. The city fell in three stages, 605, 597, & 587 B.C. And we see in 1st Kings 24 & 25 that “... Thus Judah was carried away from its own land...”.
The consequence of this event was clear. God was robbed of His possessions and blasphemy was committed against His name. His people were taken, and all His temple vessels and furnishings were taken to be placed in a pagan temple. But the Lord himself was instrumental in the defeat as He gave His anointed king and chosen ones to a pagan conqueror.
The prophecy of Deuteronomy 28 was fulfilled as it was foretold to Moses. “... the Lord will bring a nation against you from afar... they shall besiege you...”.
God's word is true and it endures.
(1:3-7) Brainwashing
The king of Babylon was cunning and sly. He commanded that young men of high families and good understanding be taken apart from the other spoils and that they be placed into a training program for three years to learn to serve in the king's court.
The king was taking a long view of what was necessary to keep the Jewish people subdued. He was using Jewish resources for his own purpose. What better agents would deal with the Jews than those of their own families? In addition, he was a master of self glory and he wished to surround himself with those of great learning and wisdom. Verse 4 tells us these men would serve in the king's palace.
Notice the methods this king used to conform Daniel and his three friends to his purposes:
Isolation: They were separated from the word of God and its worship. They no longer had the fellowship of their own people. They were separated out and the king felt this isolation would mold them to his ways.
Indoctrination: They were taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans. These writings were centered upon a completely different worldview and were focused upon pagan matters, not godly matters.
Compromise: They were given a daily portion of the king's best food and wine. Here they were to be seduced by the grand lifestyle and best of all things that were now available to them. The good life was meant to lure them away from the spareness of godly service that would have been theirs at home. These court managers knew well that almost all men have their price for their loyalty and that price was beginning to be granted to Daniel and his three companions.
Confusion: A final method used to wean these young men away from the Lord was to confuse their very nature by changing their names into Babylonian names. The king was forming them to actually BECOME Babylonian. They were given names in reference to pagan gods:
Daniel (God Is My Judge) became Belteshazzar (Whom Bel Favors)
Hananiah (Beloved Of The Lord) became Shadrach (Sun God Shining)
Mishael (Who Is As God) became Meshach (Who Is Like Venus)
Azariah (The Lord Is My Help) became Abed-Nego (Servant Of Nego)
(1:8-16) A Firm Purpose
Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king's food and wine. A forced change of names did not change his character. He quietly went to the chief who was responsible for the four men and kindly asked for assistance. There was no confrontation. Daniel was told by the manager that he was worried that their health would be diminished if they did not eat the king's food and he would be held responsible. So Daniel proposes a ten day trial of the four eating only vegetables and drinking only water. Consent was given. At the end of the ten days, the four were seen to be healthier and more fit than all others in the court.
What is our lesson?
Daniel was decisive.
Daniel was true of purpose.
Daniel was modest in his request.
Daniel expected positive results.
Do our ears hear the lesson of the results of obedience?
(1:16-21) God Honors Faithfulness
As they began this captive life still in obedience to the Lord, God grants them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom and he now grants Daniel understanding in visions and dreams.
All four were considered to be the very best of all the young men in training at the king's court and we are told they were ten times better than the king's own magicians and astrologers.
Daniel knew that the Lord alone blesses our food and that the nourishment given by God would strengthen their minds and bodies to His service. This first test showed the four that obedience to God brings positive results. This test prepared them for the trials and temptations ahead. By standing firm in this first trial they were gaining their inner resources in faithful devotion to Jehovah God that would serve them well in the trials to come.
It is not who you are or where you are that ultimately matters in the kingdom of God. What matters is what you are. Faithfulness is the foundation on which our devotion rests.
