Daniel Taken to Babylon
January 2, 2021
Commentary
This chapter introduces the book by giving the background and preparation of the prophet. It opens with Nebuchadnezzar’s besieging of Jerusalem which took place during the reign of Jehoiakim, the eldest son of Josiah (v. 1). Jeremiah had warned Jehoiakim of an impending invasion of Babylon. The prophet’s instruction to God’s people was to submit without resistance so when Nebuchadnezzar came little or no resistance was offered. Thus Judah came under Nebuchadnezzar’s authority, and the times of the Gentiles began (Luke 21:24) which will continue till the Messiah returns. Nebuchadnezzar took vessels from the house of God to the temple in Babylon (v. 2). Ashpenaz, chief of all the palace officials, was told to select strong, handsome, healthy boys who were quick to learn so they could be trained to work for the king of Babylon (vv. 3-4). Among those who were taken to receive this special training were four young men – Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (vv. 6-7). These were all of the royal line of David, perhaps nephews or grandsons of good King Josiah.
They had classes in which they studied the Chaldean language and history. Everything was new and strange in Babylon. These Babylonians worshiped Bael, a sun god. Instead of having the Scriptures, the Word of God, they had only magic and astrology for their sacred books. Satan was ruling in this land. Because these four young lads bore names that honored the God of Israel, these names did not please Ashpenaz, so he proceeded to give them new names which signified that they were to be subject to Babylon’s gods (v. 8).
Application
Just as Daniel and his friends, I do not know what kind of situations I may find myself in this life. No matter how things may appear I need to be strong in the Lord and His Word so I can stand for Him regardless of the circumstances.
Daniel 1:1– 7 (NET)
1 In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon advanced against Jerusalem and laid it under siege. 2 Now the Lord delivered King Jehoiakim of Judah into his power, along with some of the vessels of the temple of God. He brought them to the land of Babylonia to the temple of his god and put the vessels in the treasury of his god.
3 The king commanded Ashpenaz, who was in charge of his court officials, to choose some of the Israelites who were of royal and noble descent — 4 young men in whom there was no physical defect and who were handsome, well versed in all kinds of wisdom, well educated and having keen insight, and who were capable of entering the king’s royal service —and to teach them the literature and language of the Babylonians. 5 So the king assigned them a daily ration from his royal delicacies and from the wine he himself drank. They were to be trained for the next three years. At the end of that time they were to enter the king’s service. 6 As it turned out, among these young men were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 But the overseer of the court officials renamed them. He gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar, Hananiah he named Shadrach, Mishael he named Meshach, and Azariah he named Abednego.
Illustration: Wooden Man Pumping Water
Many years ago A.J. Gordon went to the World’s Fair. From a distance he saw a man pumping water with one of those old hand pumps. The water was pouring out and he said as he looked, “That man is really pumping water.” But when he got closer, he discovered that it was a wooden man connected to a pump powered by electricity. The man was not pumping the water, the water was pumping him. (Source unknown, Lou Nicholes – Missionary Author).