Read -- Daniel 1:1-21

It was the year 2003, when I was first introduced to the classic play, "The King and I," which was our junior high school drama department's presentation that year. The play's primary theme dealt with the interactions and conversations between a teacher, Miss Anna, and the king of Siam. Miss Anna was brought to Siam to teach the king's many children. Her love for teaching and for the children was evident, yet she rarely agreed with the king.

The importance of a good education must never be taken for granted. Miss Anna and the king of Siam certainly knew this. In the first chapter of Daniel we are introduced to King Nebuchadnezzar, of Babylon, who also desired for his children and the children of his kingdom to get a good education. In Daniel 1:3-4 we read, "Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility--young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians [Chaldeans]."

Our story begins when the evil King Jehoiakim was king of Judah. In 2 Kings 23:36 we learn, "Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years." And in Daniel 1:1 we read, "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it." (See 2 Kings 24:1.) King Nebuchadnezzar took some of the possessions of the land as his prize for invading the territory. Among the items taken were some dishes from the Jerusalem temple. Read Daniel 1:2 and devotional article, "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin," to learn more.

King Nebuchadnezzar also took some of the children of Israel as slaves into captivity to Babylon. In Daniel 1:6-7 we read, "Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego." So, this is how we are first introduced to Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were Israelites from Judah who were taken into Babylon when King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem. Read also devotional article, "Sometimes Life Is Hot."

Daniel was found to be among the young men who were healthy, good looking, gifted, and had the ability to learn quickly. Although in a foreign land, Daniel was still a good Jewish boy who was determined not to defile himself. In Daniel 1:8 we read, "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way." According to verse 9, Daniel had found favor in the eyes of his teachers. Because of God's grace, Daniel and his three friends prospered in their educations. In Daniel 1:17 we read, "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds."

King Nebuchadnezzar interviewed Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as recorded in verse 19 and none where found to be like them. They were healthy and well educated. In Daniel 1:20 we read, "In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom." Therefore, the king assigned them to be his servants.

In Daniel 1:12 we read, "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink." So, the moral of this story is: do good in school, eat your vegetables, and drink lots of water. No, seriously eating a healthy diet is good advice; however, I believe the real moral of the story is found in verse 8. Daniel, being Jewish, was determined and purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. Just because everyone else was doing it was not a good reason for Daniel. He took a stand early on during his captivity in Babylon and he never wavered from it.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were living in a foreign land and it would have been easy for them to go along with the crowd. Yet, they were determined to take a stand and serve the true and living God of Israel. Daniel was thrown into a den of lions and his friends were thrown into a fiery furnace as a result of standing up for God. Are we willing to follow Jesus and serve the true and living God of Israel despite the cost? I pray that we are willing to take a stand, as Daniel, to not defile ourselves with the things of this world. May you one day be found faithful and hear the words of Jesus, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant." Amen.

STAND UP AND FOLLOW JESUS


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