[:en]SCRIPTURE: DANIEL 1
INTRODUCTION:
Daniel’s name means “God is my judge”. He was of the princely line and was one of the greatest man in Jewish history. He was deported to Babylon and lived in Babylon for almost 60 years through the reigns of 4 rulers (Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus) and three different kingdoms (Babylon, Media and Persia). King Nebuchadnezzar appointed him chief of the wiseman and ruler of the land (2:48), a position similar to prime minister. Because God blessed him with wisdom, he was able to explain three handwritings of the wall under Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson Belshazzar. Belshazzar made him third ruler of the land (5:29) and Darius named him administrator over the whole realm (6:1-3). Daniel was God’s faithful witness in a wicked and idolatrous kingdom.
The book of Daniel describes the divine revelation of dreams and visions and the rise and fall of the earthly kingdom and the rise of an everlasting kingdom. It emphasizes on the sovereign will of God in the affairs of nations. Daniel served the Lord faithfully without fear. He knew God is in control of history and will work out his perfect plan.
“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way” (Daniel 1:8)
“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see. So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead” (Daniel 1:12-16)
“In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom” (Daniel 1:20)
DANIEL’S TRAINING IN BABYLON (vs. 1-21)
When Babylon took over Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility – young men without any physical defect, handsome, intelligent and qualified to serve in the king’s place. Among them chosen from Judah were: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. They were given new names as Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego respectively. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine. They were to be trained for 3 years before entering into the king’s service.
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. He requested the chief official to give them vegetables and water instead. They were given permission to test for 10 days. At the end of 10 days, they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So, they continued to have vegetable and water as their food.
God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. The king found them ten times better tna all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom in terms of wisdom and understanding.
LESSON:
Dare to be a Daniel who can stand alone. He and his friends were taken into a new home, given strange names, taught new knowledge and offered a new diet. But they had a firm conviction to keep their heart dedicated to the Lord.
When you are in a new environment under difficult circumstances which you cannot control, keep your heart right and close to the Lord. Never conform to the world and instead, believe in God’s word and trust God for victory. Let Him work out a plan for you. It takes faith and obedience to overcome the temptation and pressures of the world.[:]