A Sincere Faith - Daniel 1:8-21

Introduction

The focus of this quarter’s lessons is the two-fold nature of faith as encompassing both belief and action. The unit of four lessons that begins with today’s study is drawn from the Old Testament book of Daniel. Daniel and his three friends lived in perilous times for Judah and its capital of Jerusalem. The “third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah,” mentioned in , was 605 BC. This was also the year when King Nebuchadnezzar came to power in Babylon. He ruled for 43 years.

The seige of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar noted in was the first of a series of excursions by Babylon into Judah, climaxed by the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of Solomon’s temple in 586 BC. Of course, it is vital to read what follows the account in : “And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God”. This makes clear what all of Scriptures proclaims: kings such as Nebuchadnezzar, as great as they may be or consider themselves to be, are ultimately under the reign of the truly “great King,” the Lord.

Part of the Babylonians’ strategy is conquering territories such as Judah was to select individuals from those territories who showed significant potential for being schooled in the culture of the Babylonians. In the words of , they were looking for “young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.”

This was intended to replace the captives’ cultural identity with that of the Babylonians. Among those taken from Jerusalem for this purpose were Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah (). One component of the cultural reeducation of the captives was that of changing their given names. In a culture where names were of great significance, such an action was intended to show the captives that their very identity had been changed. Thus Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah became Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, reference to fictitious Babylonian gods; they no longer reflect the name of the God of Judah.

It is interesting that while Daniel’s three friends are referred to by their new names exclusively after , Daniel himself , whose Hebrew name means “God is judge,” is identified by both his old and new names together six times. Some propose this to be a way of recognizing that Daniel’s God remained in control in a pagan setting; but this theory does not explain why the same is not noted of Daniel’s friends, who serve the same God.

Our lesson begins with the first of a series of tests that Daniel, and his friends faced regarding their loyalty to the true God - their God.

Maintain Values -

Daniel 1:8–10 NRSV

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself. Now God allowed Daniel to receive favor and compassion from the palace master. The palace master said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king; he has appointed your food and your drink. If he should see you in poorer condition than the other young men of your own age, you would endanger my head with the king.”

tells us that King Nebuchadnezzar “assigned (Daniel and his friends) a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.” However, Daniel has resolved not to defile himself with such provisions. The reference to Daniel’s resolve is noteworthy for indicating his steadfast devotion to his God. Daniel’s captors can change his surroundings and his name, but they cannot touch his heart.

Modern culture has hijacked the axiom, “When in Rome, do as the Romans”, to justify accommodating oneself to whatever secular customs are practiced in a given location. But we should note that Daniel didn’t adopt the perspective, “when in Babylon, do as the Babylonians do”. The issue that confronted Daniel also confronts us.

Which of society’s customs are appropriate to practice, and which are not? This is a question that must be asked and answered on a daily basis.

When was a time you honored a boundary to stay true to God’s will? What did you learn from that experience that could help others?

We should also note that Daniel goes through the proper channels to voice his concerns about his diet. He does not become obnoxious or defiant in his behavior; rather, he brings his concerns to the chief official.

Verse 9 shows additional evidence of the Lord’s control in Daniel’s life & God honoring the faithfulness of Daniel. This man’s experience in a foreign land is thus very similar to Joseph’s in Egypt.

Offer Solutions -

Daniel 1:11–16 NRSV

Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe.” So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations. So the guard continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

Verses 11 & 12 reveal that Daniel suggests alternative diet for him and his friends. They are to be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Since the time of training that Daniel and his friends are undergoing is three years, a 10-day trial run on a vegetarian diet will not interfere with the overall program.

How should a Christian go about appealing an employer’s policy that goes against his or her Christian convictions?

Verse 13 reveals that at the end of the 10-days, the person in charge can examine the results, specifically the appearance of the four young men, comparing their appearance with those who have eaten of the royal food. The official can treat the four men as the results dictate. If their appearance is inferior to that of the others, that will be sufficient evidence to end the experiment.

Verse 14 reveals that Daniel’s tactful, polite approach is persuasive, so the test commences. It may seem odd that Daniel and his friends could have looked healthier and better nourished, following a 10-day diet of nothing but vegetable, and water, than those who have eaten the royal food.

God has caused foreign officials to look with favor on Daniel and his friends, and it seems that he has done so again. The guard now honors his promise and allows the four men to continue with their nutrition plan.

What did you learn from an experience when you saw an attempt to honor God backfire? Regarding a “holier than thou” witness; regarding misunderstanding of God’s desires; regarding an inconsistent witness.

Work Diligently -

Daniel 1:17–21 NRSV

To these four young men God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and wisdom; Daniel also had insight into all visions and dreams. At the end of the time that the king had set for them to be brought in, the palace master brought them into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, and the king spoke with them. And among them all, no one was found to compare with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they were stationed in the king’s court. In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. And Daniel continued there until the first year of King Cyrus.

These verses reveal another sign of God’s special blessing and care for the four young men from Judah. says that the Babylonians’ intention is to teach the young captives their “language and literature.” But Daniel and his three friends have an additional teacher: God.

Daniel and his friends were willing to be instructed in the language and ways of their captors. But to be instructed about something does not necessarily imply personally adopting the values that stand behind cultural practices. The fact that these men ended up with the approval of both God and King Nebuchadnezzar indicates that the four walked a tightrope between two extremes perfectly.

How would you use these illustrations in the text today to counsel a student who is worried about being corrupted by secular higher education? Regarding humility; regarding the role of discernment; regarding the role of academic excellence.

Daniel here also demonstrates that he could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. Now the end of their time in training is at hand; when the king will grant his approval, but Daniel and his friends already have the approval from one who has greater authority than Nebuchadnezzar. These four men now enter the king’s service.

The four Judean captives distinguish themselves from their peers. The expression ten times better is a way of saying that they are far more competent than any of the other men who come before the king.

Verse 21 indicates that Daniel’s service will outlasts not only the great King Nebuchadnezzar but the Babylonian Empire itself, which will fall to the Persians in 539 BC. Daniel will then continue his exemplary service under Cyrus, the ruler who will issue during his first year the decree allowing those Jews who wish to do so to go back home to Judah (,).

Daniel’s three friends are mentioned again when they are promoted to higher positions as “administrators over the province of Babylon” ().

Conclusion

These four men could have viewed their new status of being captives in Babylon from a negative perspective, and therefore resolved to serve God never again as they once did. But they chose instead to see their circumstances more in terms of an open door to honor God before pagans.

That more positive perspective produced within Daniel and his companions a strategy that we as exiles who serve Jesus in alien territory can apply. Our intention to “obey God rather than human beings” does not mean that we must set out to create hostility. Taking a strong stand need not mean being belligerent.

Prayer

Our Father, guide us in following the example of Daniel as we exhibit tact and grace under pressure. May we emulate our ultimate example, Jesus, who was filled with grace and truth. Grant us your Spirit’s power in our spheres of influence. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.