Eld Ko Swee Chay

Introduction

The book of Daniel, written by Daniel himself, is a most wonderful book that reveals the mighty power of God who is in total control of history and mankind. The first six chapters cover events during the reigns of the Babylonians and Medo-Persians, with Daniel and his three friends as the main characters. The next six chapters contain prophecies concerning the future of Israel revealed through the dreams and visions of Daniel.

Daniel was taken captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C. with other Jewish youths. He lived there and rose to a position of influence during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar (the last Babylonian king), the reign of Darius the Median, and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel chapters 1, 3 and 6 record events that tested the faith of Daniel and his three friends and how the LORD protected and delivered them:

• Daniel 1 - Transformation to royal Babylonians
• Daniel 2 - Worship the golden image or be cast into the fiery furnace
• Daniel 6 - Cease praying to God or be cast into the lions’ den

A study of these three historical events will encourage our hearts and help us to know that our God is a powerful God, who protects and delivers His faithful, trusting, obedient and courageous children. We also learn much from the spirituality and exemplary convictions of Daniel and his three friends. 

Today’s Elder’s Page covers Daniel Chapter 1. God willing, Daniel Chapters 3 and 6 will be covered subsequently.

1.  The exile – taken captive to Babylon (Dan 1:1-2)

This event marked the beginning of Judah’s 70 years of captivity because of her sins of idolatry despite numerous warnings, in fulfillment of what God had previously declared through Isaiah, Jeremiah and other prophets. The king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, besieged Jerusalem. The Lord gave the king of Judah, Jehoiakim, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was among many Jews carried away with Jehoiakim from Judah into Babylon in this first of three waves of exile.

2.  The test of Trust – subjected to Babylon transformation programme (Dan 1:3-7)

Nebuchadnezzar instructed his chief eunuch Ashpenaz to select children of Israel and of royal descendants to be trained and transformed into royal Babylonians so that they could be fitted for positions of trust and confidence. The selection criteria: no blemish, good appearance, intelligent, smart to acquire knowledge and understand science, ability to work in the king’s palace (Dan 1:3-5). Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were among this selected group (Dan 1:6). The transformation programme involved three areas:

• Education – teach them the literature, culture, science and language of the Chaldeans (Dan 1:4).
• Food – feed them with the king’s meat and wine for three years, that they might stand before the king healthy and strong (Dan 1:5).
• Name - change their Hebrew names which honoured the God of Israel (Dan 1:6) to Babylonian names to honour the false gods of Babylon (Dan 1:7).

The education together with lavish food and drink in Babylon and the prospect of good jobs in the court were devised by Nebuchadnezzar to win the hearts and loyalty of these promising young men. This is the same practice in our day! The name change was designed to make them forget the God of Israel and to replace Him with the idol-gods of Babylon.

3.  The stance of Trust – purposed in his heart not to defile himself (Dan 1:8-10)

Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s meat and wine. He requested Ashpenaz that he might not meet the king’s demand. God was gracious to Daniel. He made Ashpenaz show favour and tender love toward him (Dan 1:8-9). However, fearing the adverse result on their physical conditions and the king’s wrath that would put his life in danger, Ashpenaz was not comfortable with the request (Dan 1:10).  

These four devoted young men were away in a foreign land and from their parents. Faced with the evil of the kingdom of Babylon, they refused to comply with the king’s demand, for they knew that eating the king’s meat would defile them, i.e. their holy witness for Christ and their walk with God. This included unclean meat (Lev 11:7-8), blood (Lev 17:10-14), food dedicated to idols. By God’s grace, these devoted young men stood firm on what they learned from their parents from a young age. This highlights the importance for parents to diligently teach their children God’s Word from a young age. Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old , he will not depart from it.”

Note that Daniel and friends did not take issue when they were subjected to the Babylonian education and the name change. Mentally, they could deal with them by God’s spiritual discernment. It was within the control of their hearts and minds not to believe what they were taught. The names were of no consequence to their character and conduct so long as they remembered that they were the children of God and stood firm on His Word.

4.  The request from Trust – ten day trial on vegetables and water (Dan 1:11-16)

By faith and with God’s wisdom, Daniel respectfully requested a ten-day trial with pulse (seeds or vegetables) and water, and then to compare their countenance with that of others who were given the king’s food and wine. Melzar, the eunuch assigned to supervise them, kindly consented to the request. “And at the end of ten days, their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.” (Dan 1:15). Thereafter, Daniel and his three friends’ desires were met. They were spared from eating the king’s food, and continued to be fed with pulse and water (Dan 1:16).

This was a miracle from the LORD, for it was impossible within ten days to have such a marked difference.  It was God who in His providence made them strong and healthy. This account, however, should not be taken as a biblical endorsement of vegetarianism as some people have proposed.

5.  The result of Trust – the LORD delivered and blessed them (Dan 1:17-21)

God gave these four young men “knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” (Dan 1:17). At the end of the three-year training period, all the trainees were brought before Nebuchadnezzar for examination. None of them was found like these four devoted Jewish men (Dan 1:18-19). By God’s providential care, they passed the test with top grades! “And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired 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. ” (Dan 1:20-21). Daniel not only survived well in Babylon throughout the entire 70-year period of Babylon captivity, he also rose to high positions in the courts, as seen in the subsequent chapters.

The successful outcome demonstrates that God blesses those who trust Him. Though the believer be in completely adverse circumstances, yet he should not give up his convictions but wholly trust in the LORD.

Conclusion

Daniel and his three friends took a strong and uncompromising stand for God in a pagan environment. They purposed in their hearts to obey God’s Word, to remain separate from evil, to keep themselves pure and holy, even unto death. They stood out as a testimony of a believer’s trust and courage in severe trials because true faith was exercised. God was with them and showed favour to them and blessed them with learning ability and wisdom. God rewarded them for their faith. Faith is believing God’s Word, trusting in the LORD. This account of Daniel and his three friends is a powerful example for all believers, especially those travelling, working or studying overseas, to learn and follow: do not hurt our holy witness by giving in to an ungodly lifestyle and never compromise our convictions. In this instance, Daniel and his friends did not lose their lives because their work for the LORD was not done yet. There have been many who were just as faithful as Daniel but their lives were lost as they stood for Christ. The LORD was also faithful to them but by taking them home to glory for their work was done. Remember that we are the children of God. We are to trust and obey Him, and have courage to do what is right to honour and glorify Him. If we honour Him, He will honour us just as He honoured Daniel and his friends who trusted and honoured Him. Amen.