CHAPTER TWO:
DANIEL STANDS WITH GOD
TEXT:
Daniel 1: 1 – 21
When Nebuchadnezzar conquered the
city of
1.
of the king’s
seed and prince’s seed (thus royal, noble blood line)
2.
well favored –
no blemish (physically fit)
3.
skillful in all wisdom, cunning in knowledge, understanding
science.
These
would be servants to the king, allowed to stand in his palace (have
prominence), yet they must learn the language of the Chaldeans.
Inasmuch as these were to become
“special” servants to the king, the king ordered a daily feeding to these men
of his own “choice” meals. Their education within the literature and language
of the Chaldeans was to last three years, after which these men would become
the king’s “personal servants.” Of those chosen, we know of only four: DANIEL,
HANANIAH, MISHAEL and AZARIAH. We know these latter three by their Chaldean
names: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Daniel was given
the name, Belteshazzar. While some addressed him by
this name, it seems apparent through his writing that Daniel rejected the name,
even as he rejected the other commodities offered in this captivity. Daniel’s
choice was to STAND WITH GOD.
Because Daniel (and his three
friends) could not determine the SCRIPTURAL cleanliness of the king’s choice
food (see Leviticus 11), he desired a meeting with the caretaker of these men.
God blessed Daniel with a wonderful relationship between himself and this
official. The officer admitted his fear in the presence of Daniel; that Daniel
might become gaunt for not eating, and for this wrong, the king would be so angry as to possibly take the head of this officer! We
see through this fear the HIGH DEGREE OF AUTHORITY the king held over his
kingdom and his subjects. Make no mistake! This same authority was wielded over Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah! Yet,
BECAUSE OF THE FAVOR GOD GRANTED TO DANIEL (vs. 9) Daniel is able to request
WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRISAL the following:
“Test us for ten days. Let us eat
pulse (vegetables) and drink only water. At the end of these ten days, examine
us in comparison to the others who eat the king’s meals. If you agree, deal
with us in this fashion.” As an aside, it seems evident from Daniel’s request
they had NOT eaten any of the king’s meals. If there
should have been some time before this conversation, Who sustained them and
why?
The official agreed and for the next
ten days this was the substance sustaining Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. REMEMBER ALSO GOD IS WITH THEM, for they have
determined to STAND WITH GOD! At the
end of the ten days, the appearance of these three youths seemed better than
all the youths who had been eating the king’s meals. Therefore, the officer
(overseer of this group) continued to feed them
vegetables and water.
At the end of this proving time,
(ten days) God gave to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah knowledge,
and skill in all learning and wisdom. To Daniel God gave understanding in all
visions and dreams.
The three years have passed (vs. 5)
and they must now come before the king. Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael and Azariah stood
out as “exceptional.” Because of this, they entered into the king’s personal
service. Regardless of what the king desired to know, these four were “ten
times better” than all the magicians and astrologers in his kingdom. (Notice
the superstitious content of the king’s religion.) Daniel continued in this
service until the first year of Cyrus the king of
TTTTT
In
application of this truth, we must note the DETERMINATION of these four who
STOOD WITH GOD. Note as well the fact GOD blessed them – their education within
the Chaldean literature and languages was not “general education” but rather
these four excelled as the direct result of STANDING WITH GOD. This is the
emphasis within this chapter. The question comes, “What does this say of the
actions regarding the other youths captured and held for three years of
Chaldean education?” Frankly, that answer would be speculative at best. What we
know
is God’s favor toward Daniel, Hananiah, Misheal and Azariah. With this in
mind, let us examine them through the evidence of Galatians 5:22 – 26 and note
the elements within the fruit of the Spirit.
Several things come to mind
regarding these four Jews. First, THEY PLACED THEIR TOTAL DEPENDENCY UPON GOD.
Consider Matthew 6:33 and Colossians 1:18. True Bible study urges each student
to “place himself within the text.” How many of us would DARE TO BE LIKE DANIEL
and refuse the finest food and wine of the king’s court, and instead, limit our
diet to vegetables and water? Remember, there may well have been some time
elapsed between their captivity and this agreement (Dan. 1:8 – 16). How strong
is our FAITH regarding the promise of Matthew 6:33?
Next, the fact they remain UNCOMPROMISED in their conviction. Perhaps this element is the most outstanding of their character. Is it not the case such must prevail as we exhibit the fruit of the Spirit?