Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Daniel Commits To Serve God

Daniel 1:1-21

“ In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.  And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.” (Daniel 1:1-2) 

Nebuchadnezzar first besieged and captured Jerusalem about 605 BC, as a result of their refusal to obey God. Jehoiakim was initially crried into Babylon, but later returned to reign in Jerusalem.  Three years later he rebelled and the Babylonians again invaded.  At that time Nebuchadnezzar carried of many of the gold vessels from the temple, as well as a large number of the more educated leaders in Judah.

“And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.  And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.” (Daniel 1:3-5)

Where the Assyrians had tried to disperse conquered peoples and thus prevent any possibility of rebellion by destroying their culture, Nebuchadnezzar tried to assimilate them into the nation while still retaining their culture.  It was only after repeated rebellion by the Jews that he destroyed Jerusalem and carried the main group away captive.

In his effort to assimilate the Jews, Nebuchadnezzar had the brightest and most promising brought to Babylon where they were given the best education Babylon had to offer, at the best universities in the world.   They were provided a three year scholarship, including room and board, at the kings expense.

“Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.” (Daniel 1:6-7)

Daniel, and his three friends were among this first group of captives and were enrolled in the program.  All of their names were Jewish and related to the worship of God.  To prevent discrimination because of their names, they were renamed with Babylonian names.  While it was probably unintentional on Nebuchadnezzar’s part, this also took away the reminders of God that their Jewish names would evoke,thus weakening their traditions..

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8)

The Levitical law specified certain dietary requirements the Jews were to fulfill.  The Jews were already in trouble because they had not met God’s requirements.  There was no way to be sure the food the king would provide would meet those requirements and Daniel did not want to further antagonize God by disobeying his dietary laws.

Daniel did not make an issue of his decision, simply asking permission to follow whatr he believed was right.  While he believed God wanted him to follow the law, he was not going to try to force the Babylonians to give what he wanted.  

“Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.  And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.” (Daniel 1:9-10) 

Daniel’s cooperative spirit had earned him the respect and trust of the administrator of the program.  As a result, his request was considered, but as the administrator told him, it was initially turned down because of fear of the consequences if the results were not satisfactory.  Melzar’s concerns were legitimate.

“Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.  Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.” (Daniel 1:11-13)

Rather than getting angry and causing trouble or threatening a lawsuit over the refusal, Daniel made a reasonable request to make a short test of his proposal.  In just ten days, things could not go so far as to be irreversible, yet it would demonstrate whether the idea had merit or not.  Daniel would abide by the decision that resulted.

“So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.  And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.  Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.” (Daniel 1:14-16)

Because Daniel’s request was so reasonable, and he had earned Melzar’s respect and trust, he was allowed to conduct the experiment.  Ten days later it was apparent that the more basic diet was in fact healthier than what the government had specified.  Melzar agreed to allow them to choose what they wanted, and not insist they ate the same as the others.  Had Daniel demanded his way human nature would have caused Melzar ro refuse and Daniel would never have been allowed to do what he believed God wanted.  Our approach naturally makes a great deal of difference in our results.

“As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” (Daniel 1:17) 

Because they obeyed God, Daniel, and the three friends who went along with him were given special intellectual abilities, and Daniel most of all because of his commitment to God.

“Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.  And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.  And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” (Daniel 1:18-20)

As a result of God’s blessing, all four of the young men scored higher on their finals than any of their classmates.  In practical applications, they scored ten times better than their professors and the kings advisors.

“And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.” (Daniel 1:21)

Though he was a captive, Daniel would remain in positions of influence for almost seventy years, from about 605 BC until 539 BC, when Cyrus the Great, of Persia conquered Babylon.

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