Setting – The training and establishing of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah as Nebuchadnezzar advisers.
Content – Because of Judah’s rebellion against God, God allowed for their capture (v. 2a NLT) “The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah”. Possibly to help deal with the Jewish tribe as well as daily affairs, Nebuchadnezzar had some of the young Jewish men trained (v. 3b NLT) “to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah's royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives.” Specific criteria for selection, which gives us some idea of these young men, was used (v. 4a NLT) “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men," he said. "Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good sense, and have the poise needed to serve in the royal palace” They were to be trained in the Babylonian ways (v. 4b, 5b NLT) “Teach these young men the language and literature of the Babylonians.”, “They were to be trained for a three-year period” To incorporate them to they were renamed Babylonian names, that were linked to Babylonian gods (v. 7 NLT) “The chief official renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego”. Daniel committed to honoring God (v. 8 NLT) “But Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief official for permission to eat other things instead.” Daniel was already gaining respect before he appeared before Nebuchadnezzar (v. 9 NLT) “Now God had given the chief official great respect for Daniel.” The four men choose to not eat the meat and wine that was offered (v. 12 NLT) “’Test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,’ Daniel said.” The result was (v. 15 NLT) “At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king” God honored these men’s commitment (v. 17 NLT) “God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for learning the literature and science of the time. And God gave Daniel special ability in understanding the meanings of visions and dreams.” Nebuchadnezzar was impressed by them (v. 19 NLT) “The king talked with each of them, and none of them impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they were appointed to his regular staff of advisers” And they excelled at their duties (v. 20 NLT) “In all matters requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, the king found the advice of these young men to be ten times better than that of all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.” Daniel retained the position for a long time (v. 21 NLT) “Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus's reign”
Application – God still blessed those who followed Him (Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah), while He is disciplining Israel (now in captivity). Even though these young men would much rather be living in their own city (Judah), under their own authority, God blessed them by exulting them to high positions.
While we don’t always understand God’s plan, God will bless those who honor Him. May God bless us due to our commitment to following His ways and other might find from us “the advice of these young men to be ten times better than that of all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom”
Content – Because of Judah’s rebellion against God, God allowed for their capture (v. 2a NLT) “The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah”. Possibly to help deal with the Jewish tribe as well as daily affairs, Nebuchadnezzar had some of the young Jewish men trained (v. 3b NLT) “to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah's royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives.” Specific criteria for selection, which gives us some idea of these young men, was used (v. 4a NLT) “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men," he said. "Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good sense, and have the poise needed to serve in the royal palace” They were to be trained in the Babylonian ways (v. 4b, 5b NLT) “Teach these young men the language and literature of the Babylonians.”, “They were to be trained for a three-year period” To incorporate them to they were renamed Babylonian names, that were linked to Babylonian gods (v. 7 NLT) “The chief official renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego”. Daniel committed to honoring God (v. 8 NLT) “But Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief official for permission to eat other things instead.” Daniel was already gaining respect before he appeared before Nebuchadnezzar (v. 9 NLT) “Now God had given the chief official great respect for Daniel.” The four men choose to not eat the meat and wine that was offered (v. 12 NLT) “’Test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,’ Daniel said.” The result was (v. 15 NLT) “At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king” God honored these men’s commitment (v. 17 NLT) “God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for learning the literature and science of the time. And God gave Daniel special ability in understanding the meanings of visions and dreams.” Nebuchadnezzar was impressed by them (v. 19 NLT) “The king talked with each of them, and none of them impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they were appointed to his regular staff of advisers” And they excelled at their duties (v. 20 NLT) “In all matters requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, the king found the advice of these young men to be ten times better than that of all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.” Daniel retained the position for a long time (v. 21 NLT) “Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus's reign”
Application – God still blessed those who followed Him (Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah), while He is disciplining Israel (now in captivity). Even though these young men would much rather be living in their own city (Judah), under their own authority, God blessed them by exulting them to high positions.
While we don’t always understand God’s plan, God will bless those who honor Him. May God bless us due to our commitment to following His ways and other might find from us “the advice of these young men to be ten times better than that of all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom”
Comments