Daniel 1

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 KJV)

Nebuchadnezzar ruled from 605–562 BC, placing Jehoiakim as vassal king after his first siege of Jerusalem and returned to Babylon. Unfortunately after three years Jehoiakim listens to false prophets claiming God will deliver Jerusalem from Nebuchadnezzar, thus Jehoiakim rebels against Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:1, 2 Chronicles 36:1–8). God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to take Jerusalem for His reasons — a warning for people thinking God will always give you an easy life or what you want. Read Jeremiah 27–29 for a warning against listening only to people who tell you what you want to hear.

And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spoke unto me in the house of the Lord, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the Lord’s house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon; And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the Lord; for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the Lord, Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen! The Lord do so; the Lord perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the Lord’s house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place. Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people; The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence. The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him.

Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck, and broke it. And Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.

Then the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron. For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him; and I have given him the beasts of the field also.

Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The Lord hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth; this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the Lord. So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month. (Jeremiah 28 KJV)

Who gave Nebuchadnezzar Jerusalem? The Lord did. God sent the people into captivity for a reason; when God says it, believe it. He uses different events as His judgment and tools, yet it wasn’t popular with the people so prophets arrive telling the king what he wants to hear — the captivity will end if you rebel against Nebuchadnezzar. Unfortunately, Jehoiakim listened to the false prophets; you must beware false prophets who only tell you what you want to hear.

Yet surely we’ve evolved, right? We’re not as foolish as the kings of old? Nope. Nothing changed during thousands of years, as Paul warns Timothy.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3–4 KJV)

God’s truth isn’t popular sometimes. False prophets told the king God would deliver them from Nebuchadnezzar — today it’s the popularity of name-it-and-claim-it or gab-it-and-grab-it, with the idea God wants you to have a bigger house and a Lexus. But perhaps something needs to be learned, perhaps a lesson you can’t (or won’t) learn any other way. Just as your spiritual body needs exercise (which isn’t fun), your spiritual body needs the benefits of something which isn’t much fun to go through. However, after it’s over, you can look back and realize how much you needed the lesson.

It’s certainly easier to believe God will always deliver you out of a tough spot, but it’s not true. Many churches become popular by telling people what they want to hear (instead of proclaiming God’s Word), doing a great disservice to people — if you’re not healed, or rich, or get the promotion, it’s because you didn’t have enough faith. Yet is that Biblical? I think not — Paul prayed three times for his thorn in the flesh to be removed, and it wasn’t (if he lacked faith, I sure wouldn’t want to be the one to tell him). It’s not (as some say) due to a lack of faith, but God has His own reasons we don’t always see.

Why does God deliver some and not others? I don’t know. We do know God values spiritual things vastly above physical things; we usually hold the opposite view. It’s popular to point to the book of Job as an example — but the lesson of Job isn’t why the innocent suffer, but the need for the divine viewpoint (Job 38:4–6, 40:8–9). God calls Job and asks “who are you to question me”? A question Job can’t answer (neither can we). As Bill Ritchie says, “if God is God, then God is God”. Leave the reason to God, your task is to trust Him.

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; Youths in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and gifted 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. (Daniel 1:3–4 KJV)

Nebuchadnezzar desires the best of the captives to serve in the government, providing years of schooling to discern the best before having them serve before the king. This was a common pattern during this time — conquerors were smart and utilized the skills of the conquered. It wasn’t until Rome the pattern changed to people bent on destruction of conquered areas.

Daniel was as young as 14, but could have been as old as 19 (just call him a teenager). Imagine being taken at that age to a far away place where you knew no one. Could you maintain your dedication? After all, who would know? No photos would appear on the Internet, and nobody expects you to maintain your devotion. It would be extremely difficult to maintain your devotion in a situation where nobody cared, and nobody would know if you failed to follow Jewish law.

Daniel receives years of training from the best the king could offer; he was intelligent and well schooled by the best the empire had. It’s popular to cast religious people as uninformed dummies, only after being enlightened do you realize the sham of religion and come to true knowledge. But Daniel was the best and brightest with considerable training, serving under several kings as an excellent administrator. Daniel isn’t alone in his superior training and knowledge; others in the Bible include Moses’ training in Egypt, and Luke’s training as a doctor.

And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s food, and of the wine which he drank, so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. (Daniel 1:5 KJV)

Daniel received good food — not prisoner rations. Nebuchadnezzar treated them well with schooling and food, a contrast to some other kings who after conquering an area didn’t treat the people so well. Nebuchadnezzar desired to improve his government by utilizing the skills of people he conquered.

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 KJV)

• Hananiah — “The Lord is Gracious”
• Mishael — “Who is like God”
• Azariah — “The Lord helps”

In captivity the first goal requires stripping the previous culture and installing a new one; to this end all three received new names. As teenagers in a foreign land, stripped of heritage and culture, how is it they maintained identity? Daniel made up his mind long before taken captive.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s food, 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 KJV)

It takes commitment and devotion to maintain in spite of circumstances. Daniel purposed in his heart — likely considerably before his deportation to Babylon. You’ve got to be prepared before the situation arrives. Don’t wait until it happens, that’s too late. Just as a military soldier trains and prepares for every conceivable situation, think about how you’ll respond now, before the situation arrives. You’d better be prepared with Ephesians six (The Armor of God) as it’s all you’ve got. Be sure you practice and train with it before you need it, and if you’ve got areas of the armor requiring training and repair, get started now.

The King’s food wasn’t likely kosher and had probably been offered to idols. Daniel (as a good Jew), would not want to violate kosher law, and requests only vegetables and water.

Now God had brought Daniel into favor and compassion 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 food and your drink; for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths which are of your age? Then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. (Daniel 1:9–10 KJV)

If Daniel and his friends get worse the penalty falls on Ashpenaz. To not follow the king’s rules and have some of the people he was responsible for get worse would endanger his life. Daniel was liked, but Ashpenaz could pay with his life.

Kings had absolute authority. Recall Esther as she called for three days of fasting before going in to the King (Esther 4–5). You can’t enter the presence of the king without being requested under penalty of death. Ashpenaz has valid concern — if Daniel’s plan doesn’t work, Ashpenaz is in big trouble.

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Test thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us vegetables 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 food; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. (Daniel 1:11–13 KJV)

A reasonable request by Daniel — try it and see if we’re right. Daniel trusted the Lord to maintain his health while turning down better food.

So he consented to them in this matter, and tested them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the youths which did eat the portion of the king’s food. (Daniel 1:14–15 KJV)

Even though they didn’t eat food as good as the others, God honors their commitment and sustains them.

Thus Melzar took away the portion of their food, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them vegetables. As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. (Daniel 1:16–17 KJV)

Who gave? Not from Nebuchadnezzar’s school. God blessed them as a witness to a pagan king. In chapter two we’ll see God reveal to Daniel something all the king’s magicians couldn’t see.

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 conversed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore stood they before the king. (Daniel 1:18–19 KJV)

Nebuchadnezzar sees them, and they’re above all the others. This causes jealousy and problems later as Daniel and his friends are above all the other government officials. Politics hasn’t changed in three thousand years.

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. And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. (Daniel 1:20–21 KJV)

Daniel served in government for decades under several kings. No matter what the government, he rose to the top.