INTRODUCTION
One fourth of the books of the Bible are of prophetic nature. You cannot
have a well-rounded view of the Bible without a knowledge of prophecy.
The neglect of the study of prophecy has allowed cults and fringe groups
to falsely teach and interpret it, resulting in some off-the wall, wackoo
ideas. The study of prophecy should not lead us to sensationalism or fanaticism.
It should lead us to a life of holiness and reverence for God.
1
John 3:3 (NKJV) says, “And every man that has this hope in Him purifies
himself, just as He is pure.” The goal of our study of Daniel is to magnify
the hope that we have in Christ that will motivate us to live lives pleasing
to the Lord.
I. DANIEL’S TIMES
Daniel 1:1-2 (NKJV)
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah,
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
2And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some
of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of
Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure
house of his god.
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 Daniel
was one of the Jewish teen-agers that was brought as a captive to Babylon
when Nebuchadnezzar, the greatest ruler of that
empire, first besieged Jerusalem. Biblical scholars place the time of this
invasion around 605 BC.
Nebuchadnezzar did not destroy Jerusalem or the Temple at this time.
That was to come later (586 BC). He did, however, take some of the cups,
utensils, candlesticks, etc. from the Temple and take them to the house
of the main god of Babylon. This was a symbolic act intended to show that
the Babylonian gods were superior to the Hebrew God.
One of the key phrases in chapter 1 is in verse 2, “And God gave….”
Daniel makes it clear that this Exile was not brought about by the strength
of Nebuchanezzar alone, but by the will of God.
Why would God do this? Idolatry.
He had warned them through Moses and the prophets that this would happen
if they continued to abandon Him and embrace the pagan idols. The irony
is that God brings them to Babylon - the origin and center of idolatry
- to cure them of this sin. And it worked. After this Exile, Israel
never again turned to idols.
Daniel’s life spans the entire seventy years of Babylonian captivity
for Israel. He probably died around 90 years of age, never returning to
his homeland.1
II. DANIEL’S TRAINING
Daniel 1:3-7 (NKJV)
3Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs,
to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king's descendants
and some of the nobles, 4young men in whom there was no blemish,
but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick
to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace, and whom
they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5And
the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king's delicacies
and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so
that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 6Now
from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah. 7To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave
Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach;
and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
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Nebuchadnezzar had a policy of taking the cream of the crop of the young
people from the people he conquered and taking advantage of their talents
for his purposes. At the core of this policy was to give them the top Babylonian
training that would in not only competence to serve in the king’s court,
but also make good Babylonians out of them He wanted them to dress like
Babylonians; eat like Babylonians; talk like Babylonians. Be Babylonians
inward and outward.
It is believed that these young people were somewhere between 12 years
and 17 years old. Notice the qualifications required of this group of which
Daniel was a part:
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From royalty or nobility
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No physical defect
-
Handsome
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Intelligent
-
Physically strong
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Know how to act in the king’s court
Daniel’s training included:
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Learning the language and literature of the Chaldeans, the ruling class
of Babylon.
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Learning to enjoy the pleasures of the king’s court by being privileged
to eat the same food that was prepared for the king and drink the same
wine that the king drank.
-
Learning a new identity facilitated by a new Babylonian name.2
III. DANIEL’S TESTING
Daniel 1:8-16 (NKJV)
8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile
himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which
he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might
not defile himself. 9Now God had brought Daniel into the favor
and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10And the chief of
the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed
your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than
the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before
the king."
11So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs
had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12"Please
test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat
and water to drink. 13Then let our appearance be examined before
you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king's
delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants." 14So
he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.
15And at the end of ten days their features appeared better
and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's
delicacies. 16Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies
and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
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Here, at the beginning of his three year training period, Daniel was faced
with a clearcut test of his obedience and faith. How would this teen-ager
respond when no authority figures were watching (mom and dad were not there;
no priest; no worshipping community to be accountable to)?
To get the full impact of Daniel’s situation, think back to your World
Civilization class. This is not a backward society; this is Babylon. Humanly
speaking, this is one of the most magnificent societies of all time. Home
to the “Hanging Gardens” - one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.
Consider, too, that this teen-ager was noticed and flattered. He had
the opportunity to indulge in the pleasures of the king’s table and was
even ordered to do so by the king.
In addition to this, no doubt there was tremendous peer pressure to
conform. There was also the threat of physical harm. Daniel’s overseer
was correct: you ran the possibility of losing your head if you disobeyed
the king. There was the possibility of losing this privileged status.
In spite of this, were are told that Daniel “purposed in his heart not
to defile himself.” Not because of rules and regulations. In his heart
he wanted to please God! Many Hebrew teens were brought to Babylon. We
are only given the names - we only remember the four - who “purposed
in their heart to serve God faithfully in this pagan culture.
It is interesting to note where Daniel took his stand.
He could have objected to the Babylonian names2 and considered
defiled by them.
 Their old names
all referred to the One True God - their new names, the pagan gods.
But
he did not make an issue of these new names.
He could have objected to the Babylonian education.
This, no doubt,
included learning about the Babylonian gods, astrology, etc.
But
he did not object to this secular education.
All
indications are that he applied himself and took advantage of this opportunity.
He
“ate the fruit and spit out the seeds."
Daniel would not have chosen to go to the University of Babylon,
but since he had no choice he was confident that the foundation of his
faith was strong enough to deal with the pagan teaching that would be part
of this education. He took advantage of the advanced education offered
him, sifting out that which he found objectionable.
Daniel’s problem was with this new diet. It would include meats considered
unclean by Mosaic law. Not only that, but both the meat and the wine would,
more often than not, have been consecrated to a pagan god before it was
served and this was in direct contradiction to God’s instructions.
Daniel exercised spiritual discernment when dealing with these issues.
His
first criteria for guidance was the written Word of God. Absent direct
guidance from God’s Word, his next criteria was to determine what he felt
compromised his faith.
1. This is the first “Truth For Today” from this chapter:
Choose wisely where you will take your stand as a Christian. Choose
your battles well! We should not do this in a legalistic fashion but we
should, rather, exercise spiritual discernment to know when our faith is
being compromised and when it is not.
If the Word of God speaks directly to the activity, then that’s the
end of the discussion. For example: Should a Christian enter a binding
relationship with a non-Christian? Marriage; Business Partner, etc. The
Word of God has already spoken on that and tells us to not be unequally
yoked.
But the Word of God does not speak directly to every situation of life.
One size does not fit all. Pat answers are not the answer.
It is at this point that we must determine what is at stake by the activity
in question. We must exercise spiritual discernment to know where to draw
the line.
Is our faith being tested or challenged?
If not, our
witness or influence may actually be harmed by taking an unwise
stand.
If yes, then
we must take a stand no matter the consequences.
Once he had determined what he had to do, Daniel requested that he not
be forced to defile himself. Actually the Hebrew carries the meaning “intensely
requested:"
9Now God had brought Daniel into the favor
and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10And the chief of
the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed
your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than
the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before
the king."
11So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs
had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12"Please
test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat
and water to drink. 13Then let our appearance be examined before
you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king's
delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants." (Daniel
1:9-13, NKJV)
Even though he felt strongly about this issue Daniel did not play the martyr
or whine and complain. Instead, he reasoned with his overseers. Though
respectful, he was persistent, and proposed a test that was feasible to
test his proposal and not place any of the king’s officers in danger.
2. The way that Daniel took his stand is the second “Truth For Today”
from this chapter.
Even though you feel strongly about an issue, try to reason with the
person in charge. The basis for this is to “have favor” with the other
person. At work, first be a valuable employee, then they will listen when
a problem comes up.
Show respect for the other person and an appreciation for their situation.
Don’t act like a martyr. Don’t complain. Don’t threaten.
Go to your boss, your family member, etc. with a respectful attitude
and be honest:
“I’ve
got a problem with ___________.”
“Isn’t
there some way we can work this out?”
If possible, propose a workable plan that addresses the problem.
Why did Daniel do this? Why did he propose this particular plan?
Because He
trusted God and God’s Word and he acted on that trust.
God had given
His people dietary laws and he believed that obeying God would also be
healthier:
15And at the end of ten days their features appeared
better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of
the king's delicacies. 16Thus the steward took away their portion
of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
(Daniel
1:15-16, NKJV)
Daniel passed this first test with flying colors. By this early decision
to obey God, he prepared himself for future greatness as a witness for
the One True God in the midst of a degenerate pagan culture.
IV. DANIEL’S TRIUMPH
Daniel 1:17-21 (NKJV)
17As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and
skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all
visions and dreams.
18Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that
they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before
Nebuchadnezzar. 19Then the king interviewed them, and among
them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore
they served before the king. 20And in all matters of wisdom
and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten
times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his
realm. 21Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King
Cyrus.
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It is clear that Daniel and his friends were granted special intellectual
ability by the Lord, not because of their diet, but because of His approval
of their commitment to His Word.
God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom. In the
"final exam" before Nebuchadnezzar (verses 19-20), he determined
that they were 10 times more knowledgeable and wise than, not only the
other trainees, but than all the so-called wise men of the kingdom.
Verse 17 tells us that God gave Daniel the extra ability of being able
to understand all kinds of visions and dreams.3 This is important
as an introduction to the rest of the book.
As a result of God’s enablements, Daniel was given a position of serving
in the king’s court. Daniel
2:48-49 (NKJV) tells us that he was eventually made second in command
to Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel did not seek this advancement: His exaltation came from God.
Daniel was
exalted because he was devoted to the God that he served.
His
satisfaction did not come from his circumstances, but from his God.
3. This is the third “Truth For Today” from this chapter.
Trust God with your exaltation.
The Scripture tells us that if we humble ourselves, God will exalt us.
(Matthew
23:12; 1 Peter 5:6; NKJV) Serve God and let Him get the credit.
Key words in the Christian’s vocabulary should be “serve” and “minister."
It doesn’t matter what you do in the church. Discover how God has gifted
you and find a ministry outlet for that gift.
Find out what ministry energizes you and give it your all. Do your best!
Whether ministering
to 1 or 1,000 doesn’t matter.
Whether others
notice or not doesn’t matter.
”Whatever you do - do heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men.”
(Col.
3:23, NKJV)
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