Daniel 1:1-4 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.
Daniel 1:5-7 The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
Daniel 1:8-10 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king."
Daniel 1:11-14 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, "Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see." So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days.
Daniel 1:15-17 At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 1:18-21 At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Two Lessons for Living Under Beastly Empire 1. Do not fear. 2. Be in the world, but not of it.
The Rise of Beastly Empire Nebuchadnezzar Son of Nabopolassar Skilled military leader King of Babylon 605-562 Fall of Judah Jehoiakim made king by Neco II (609 BC) Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem (606, 598 BC) Jerusalem and the Temple destroyed (586 BC)
Exile to Shinar And [Nebuchadnezzar] brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.
The Sovereignty of God And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand 1:2 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs. 1:9 God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom 1:17
Lesson 1: Do not fear Daniel had reason to fear, and so do we. Scripture exhorts us to fortitude, not fear. Say to those who have an anxious heart, Be strong; Fear not! Behold, your God will come Isaiah 35:4 The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:5b-6
In the world of Babylon Yes to a Babylonian career From Judean nobility to the Babylonian court Yes to a Babylonian education Language, literature, mathematics, astronomy, history, mythology, religious and spiritual texts Daniel and his friends excel (1:18-20) Yes to a Babylonian identity Daniel Belteshazzar Hananiah Shadrach Mishael Meshach Azariah Abednego
but not of it No to a Babylonian diet Why refuse the king s food? 1. Because God wanted them to have a healthy diet
Daniel and his companions were ruddy and plump and even remarkably robust...how could this occur unless the Lord, who nourished his people in the desert on manna alone, when other diet was deficient, even at this day turns our food into manna, which would otherwise be injurious to us? For if anyone asks the medical profession whether pulse and other leguminous plants are wholesome, they will tell us that they are very injurious, since they know them to be so. John Calvin
but not of it No to a Babylonian diet Why refuse the king s food? 1. Because God wanted them to have a healthy diet 2. Because the king s food was unclean and (perhaps) involved in pagan sacrifice 3. Because eating at the king s table implied covenant loyalty to the king (Dan. 11:26)
Christ and Culture 1. Christ against culture 2. Christ of culture 3. Christ above culture 4. Christ and culture in paradox 5. Christ the transformer of culture
Daniel and Culture Daniel studied the wisdom of Babylon. Daniel accepted a role in the political administration of Babylon. Daniel adopted a Babylonian identity. Daniel refused to compromise his loyalty and allegiance to God. Daniel trusted in his sovereign God over and against the sovereignty of Nebuchadnezzar.
Two 20 th Century Daniels
1. In what ways do you see Christians today being tempted to respond in fear to the threat of beastly empire? How might we trust in the sovereignty of God as Daniel did? 2. What are some examples of contemporary Christians who have used secular learning and/or political influence for God s glory? 3. Which aspects of contemporary culture should Christians embrace, and which should we resist? 4. How might we as Christians today be tempted to compromise our allegiance to God for the sake of political or partisan loyalty?