Undefiled and Undeterred
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 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. 3 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, 4 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. 5 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. 6 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. 7 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.
8 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. 9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, 10 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.” 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 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.” 14 So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. 15 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. 16 So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
17 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. 18 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. 19 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. 20 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. 21 And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus. Daniel 1:1–21.
In case you don’t know we are in an election year. You may have heard that a time or two already. I may not know who you are voting for, but I can tell you something about your views: you have a view and you are extremely concerned about it. Everyone running for office has the solution to the problem and if you vote for their opponent it is the end of the world. To be sure, there is much to be concerned about in our nation.
For Christians there should be great concerns. The ability to articulate Biblical values and positions is being threatened. Biblical views on sexuality and marriage are no longer tolerated. Many are concerned with the place Christians will have. It is hard to find people who allow such views and even harder to find candidates that live by them. Character has disintegrated. Faith is being attacked, and you may ask what hope do we have.
So we are studying the book of Daniel.
We are starting a new series on the book of Daniel. This is both a historical and prophetic book. It is historical in the sense that it records what God did with his people in history. It is prophetic in that what God speaks to Daniel is fulfilled centuries later in world history and more specifically in the coming of Christ, and even Christ’s second coming. It is apocalyptic in the sense that it reveals what God is going to do.
The theme of the book is that God is in control of all things and his people can trust him.
One NT scholar noted that among persecuted believers the most popular books are Revelation and Daniel because they teach in the end God wins.
As Christians find themselves more and more in the minority what are we to make of things and what are we to do? Daniel provides a clear answer: We are to place unwavering faith and trust in the Lord who is sovereign over all things.
Let’s orient ourselves to where we are in the Bible.
Slide 1.
Abraham 2000 bc
Moses 1500 bc
David 900 bc
Jesus 33ad
Slide 2
722 Israel Falls to Assyria.
Slide 3. Time Line of Daniel
605 bc Babylon Conquers Israel
586 bc
539 bc Persian Conquer Babylon.
Cyrus Issues Decree to rebuild Temple
- Trust in God’s Power
[1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
The capital of Israel, city of God, Jerusalem, is besieged and conquered. This is unthinkable, and yet it was all in the hand of God. This is the promised land of God’s people. This is where God promised to put his king. This is where his temple was built. The center of God’s redeeming work.
[2 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. 1:2
There are times God allows bad things to happen. In this case these events are the result of his people going against him. He had been telling his people to stop doing the things they were doing, but they continued.
God is sovereign and in full control of all things. From the rise and fall of nations, and decisions of kings, to the education of teens.
God is sovereign. At the same time he gives people responsibility. These two things fill every page of the Bible. Here we see God is in control of all that happens in history. He gave the people into the hands of the Babylonians, and yet this is also the result of the decision of the people. They have turned from God so he gives them over to their desires. Sometimes God lets the consequences play out.
Moses had even predicted Israel’s captivity as a consequence of forsaking the Lord (cf. Deut 28:36–37, 49–68). God had been patient, but Israel’s sin had now reached its limits, and judgment fell.
2 kings 24:2-4 make clear that Israel being handed over is the result of the sins of the people, the kings. It all happens according to the word of God.
God’s people were not interested in him. They made his house of prayer a house of robbers. They were not serving him, so he called them out. God doesnt play games with people.
The Babylonians conquer and pillage. They destroy the temple Solomon built, the temple that was the center of their religious, social, and political life. They destroy it and take some of the people back to Babylon, and they seek to ingrain the ways of Babylon into them. They take the future leaders of Israel and employ them in service to Babylon. They change their names. They take the holy items from the temple of God and place them in the temple of Marduk. The equivalent of saying my God is better than your God.
Daniel is one of these youths that is taken to Babylon. He would have been about 15 years old. He is in another nation. He is removed from his family and his people. He is taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans. This education is aimed at the deconversion of these youths. They will study BAbylonian history, Babylonian religion, the god of Marduk. They will study babylonian dream interpretation, reading of omens, and certainly babylonian morality.
God is not asleep. God is not standing back in fear of what is going on. He is not anxious or worried. He is in full control of the situation.
They are taken to the land of Shinar. This is the place of the tower of Babel.
“In Babylonia” is literally “to the land of Shinar.” Shinar is used elsewhere in the Old Testament as a designation for Babylon (Isa 11:11; Zech 5:11). Baldwin remarks: “The land of Shinar is a deliberate archaism.… Shinar, site of the tower of Babel (Gn 11:1–9; cf. 10:10), was synonymous with opposition to God; it was the place where wickedness was at home (Zc 5:11) and uprightness could expect opposition
Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol. 18, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 59.
The Names. Their names are changed. This isn't your homeboy giving you a nickname. This is the bully asserting his dominance over you. Who’s your daddy now???
Hebrew.
- Daniel’s name signifies “God is my judge”;
- Hananiah, “Yahweh is gracious”
- Mishael, “who is what God is?” (the idea being that there is no god like the God of Israel); and
- Azariah, “Yahweh has helped” or “will help.”
Babylonian.
- Hananiah was called “Shadrach,” most likely signifying “command of Aku” (šudur-aku), the moon god.
- Mishael received the name “Meshach,” which seems to represent “who is what Aku is?” (mî-sha-aku), being the pagan equivalent to the Hebrew Mishael, “who is what God is?”
- Azariah’s name was changed to Abednego, “servant of Nebo.”
ădōnay, and this fact is significant. “Owner, ruler, or sovereign” is the meaning of ʾădōnay, the equivalent of kyrios in the New Testament and in the LXX. By the use of this expression, Daniel was emphasizing the sovereignty of Yahweh, which is the dominant theme of the book.
God is not asleep. These things are not outside his control. HE is not in the bathroom and he is not disinterested. His arm is not too short to save. He is in just as much control of this as he was the parting of the Red Sea for Moses, or David conquering Goliath. Even though the situation is disorienting, he is in control and is to be trusted.
When you are in that place, in Babylon, the belly of the beast you trust God and you also…
- Resolve to Honor God
[V8 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.
Daniel resolved in his heart, not to defile himself. He was determined not to do this. It was a firm and settled conviction. This is what this young man set for his goal. More than a resolve to not exercise.
He would not defile himself. Desecrate or pollute. Malachi rebuked the people for despising God’s name by offering polluted sacrifices on it. They were sacrifices which God did not call for. They were called to offer animals without blemish, but they offered the blind, the lame, the sickly animals. They offered sacrifices that cost them very little. Daniel says he is not going to be defiled by the food of the Babylonians.
Mother probably told you not to critique the food when you are a guest. This is next level! Your food defiles me!
At least two factors would have caused these Israelites to be reluctant to eat the king’s food. First, many of the foods eaten at the Babylonian court (e.g., pork and horseflesh) would have been unclean according to the law of Moses (cf. Lev 11 and Deut 14), or they were not prepared properly; for example, the blood might not have been drained from the meat (cf. Lev 17:13–14). To eat such foods would have been a sin for an Israelite and would have rendered the individual ceremonially unclean before God.
Second, the meat and wine first offered sacrificially to the Babylonian gods before being sent to the king and was therefore associated with idolatrous worship. To eat this would be to worship that God.
There are things I am not willing to die for. I have a friend who likes to go bike riding. He rides 50 miles on a weekend. I have no interest in that. The main reason is I see people doing this on busy roads. I don’t even like driving a car on the roads because nobody is paying attention. You are going to get hurt. I tell my kids, I like to ride bikes, but I don’t want to die on one. It’s just not that much fun. I feel the same way about eating vegetables. They are good. I should eat more but to die for them. For Daniel this is a matter of will he honor the Lord or will he not.
Jesus too was tempted to defile himself with food. What you eat is a reflection of what you worship. Daniel resolves that he will not let this food defile him. What does my partaking of food and drink say about my devotion to God?
Daniel stands strong against the temptation to comply:
- Refusal could be seen as an insult to the king/direct disobedience.
- Pressure from Daniel’s peers most certainly made the decision difficult. Everyone else was doing it.
- Could have jeopardized their chances for advancement.
- The quality of food would have been attractive. It was the best in the land.
- Their new location may have tempted them to be unfaithful. Judah was nine hundred miles away; parents and friends would never know whether or not they kept God’s laws.
- God didn't protect me before so why think he will now…
Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol. 18, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 67–68.
Daniel doesn’t care about those things. He knows God’s word and he is fully committed to it. That is the only thing that matters to him.
Daniel is undeterred. Daniel’s commitment to maintain a strict Jewish diet shows his commitment to his God, to his people. Let me point this out. He could have said, God let us down. Instead, he says God was faithful to his covenant. He said bad things would happen and they did. He could say we are out of the land, out of the people, out of the sight of God. Just do what makes you happy. He doesn't do that. If he was serving God because it was easy, it is what his people did, and it is what is socially advantageous he could have quit. He doesnt do that. True faith. True believe. Conviction.
He also did not give into another great sin, that plagued God’s people. Grumbling. He would have every reason to grumble. He has every reason to stand strong in his faith. He doesnt wine. Doesnt complain. At times he is alarmed, speechless, but he never complains in the whole book.
[9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
His trust in God makes him clear headed. Look how respectful he is. He doesnt say give me my way or else. He cares that his decision may affect the person over him. Ashpenaz says Daniels decision might endanger his head. Daniel says test us for 10 days and see how we look.
Daniel is not fearful of Babylon. Though all has gone on he see every reason to trust God. In many ways these judgments of his people instill trust and fear of God. Don’t play games.
This is very different from today where people serve God when it is possible. When it is convenient. There is not a convition.
Daniel is not trying to win the popularity contest, he is not focused on advancing in Babylon. He is focused on the Lord.
Daniel is doing what his people should have been doing. He is doing what his kings should have done. Daniel is in a bad place because of what the people before him did.
Election… we cant be satisfied with an election. We just cant. Do we want to see the Spirit move or a person elected. Going to take risks.
- Rest in God’s Favor
Many people read about Daniel's decision to eat only vegetables and that he looked better than others and they conclude we just need to do the Daniel fast. We eat too much junk and we need to cleanse and if we do that we are going to be healthier. Let me say, as one who overcame significant health issues by changing diet, not eating processed stuff, That is absolutely true. You should eat better. We all should watch what is in your food. I am an advocate of that. But that is not the point of this passage. The point is that God is with them. Meat is a significant source of protein and has things that help one’s body. They ate only vegetables and water and were healthier than the others. God is at work in the lives of these youths. God is giving them favor!
[9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs,
[17 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.
One thing you have to see with these biblical figures is that they didn't know the outcome. They were not doing these things because they thought it was a way to advance. They were doing these things because they couldn’t do anything else. They were focused on honoring God and fully prepared to give their lives for it. Many lost their lives. But God gave favor to them.
This pagan empire’s meticulous stomping down of another nation actually allows the infiltration of a powerful missionary. They overestimated their power, and these young men are going to turn the nation upside down.
Daniel will serve in this influential position for over seventy years. He outlives others, he even outlives the king. Character and competency. And a divine blessing. They are better Babylonians than the Babylonians. No one can do dream interpretation like these Hebrews, who don’t even believe in it.
Daniel served in this influential position for seventy years. His integrity and uncompromising character had far-reaching results, for when I see the wise men coming from the east (jesus birth), I think of the impact Daniel’s theology must have had upon the Chaldeans’ astrology. God gave him the influence that I believe led to the decree of Cyrus to send the people back to their land… influence that led to the rebuilding of the wall under Nehemiah and to the restablishing of the nation of Israel… influence that eventual let the wise men to come to crown the King who was born in Bethlehem. Daniel was behind the scenes of the history of the Messiah as well as the Messiah’s people. John MacArthur quoted in DAnny Aikin, Daniel, p15
God blesses his people, no matter their circumstances. An Israelite exiled, subjugated, name changed, profession picked, misfit with food, not standing with his peers, trusting in a God whose presence may feel very far away. But he is being blessed.
God takes care of his faithful followers even in less than ideal situations. We can trust him and know he will not fail us. It may be hard. We may suffer.
God is not thwarted. He is not hindered in accomplishing his plan. If you are in the Land of Shinar serving the Babylonians, you can stand strong. Don’t defile yourself.
All this paves the way for another son from the tribe of Judah, who at a young age his wisdom will leave his teachers speechless, who would come to a foreign land, and boldly stand strong against the enemy attack, he will not defile himself, the favor of God will rest on him, and God will raise him up to benefit his entire people. He will show mercy and compassion and wisdom. He will die for the sins of his people, and yet the favor of God will rest on him for his life of perfect obedience. He will inherit the throne of God and rule the world in perfect righteousness. This is the God whom we serve. This is the confidence we can have. Undefiled and undeterred.
This work does not hinge on a person being elected to office. It does not hinge on our views being supported by the government, now our lives may be easier or harder depending on what the government does. But our confidence is not in any person or office. And that is why we can find peace in the midst of the turmoil. God can give the boldness of Daniel, but it comes through confidence in what he has done for us.
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