Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Daniel 1 and Psalm 142

Today, having just completed 1 & 2 Kings, rather than starting 1 & 2 Chronicles (which repeats the historical events of 1 & 2 Kings from a different perspective) we’re jumping in to the prophetic book of Daniel, which gives us insight into life in exile for the Judeans. Daniel and his compatriots were among the first Judean exiles to be taken into captivity in Babylon in 605BC, on the occasion of Nebuchadnezzar’s first attack on Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:1). The book that bears Daniel’s name gives us a series of wonderful snapshots into the lives of faithful Jews, as well as a record of the prophetic visions given to Daniel.

In Daniel 1 we see how four young Judeans withstood the pressure to conform to the surrounding religion of Babylon. First, the Babylonians applied pressure by changing the names of the Judeans. Daniel (God is my judge) was changed to Belteshazzar (prince of the god Bel). Hannaniah (Loved by the LORD) was changed to Shadrach (Illumined by the god Ra). Mishael (Who is as God) was changed to Meshach (Who is like the goddess Shach). Azariah (meaning The LORD is my help) was changed to Abed-Nego (meaning Servant of the god Nego). In their name-changes, the pressure was on to honour the Babylonian gods.

The next battle-front was food. As God-fearing Jews, these men could not eat the un-kosher meat prepared by the Babylonians. Whereas they had no power over the names by which others called them, they did have the power to refuse to eat. Rather than refuse outright, though, Daniel reasoned – first with the chief official and then, after the official refused his request, with the guard who had to enforce the diet. Reasoning with him bore more fruit and the Judeans were allowed to eat vegetables only. God honoured their commitment by causing their health to flourish on this diet. Pretty soon, instead of the Judeans being squeezed into the Babylonian mould, it was the young Babylonian men adopting the Judeans’ ways.

We Christians are also called not to conform to the pattern of the world around us (Romans 12:2). We must also not allow ourselves to be squeezed into an identity (naming) by the world. Nor must we allow ourselves to become just the same as everyone around us. We are called to stand out as different because we love and serve the LORD and are being transformed to be like Him. The implied promise of Daniel 1 is that when we do this faithfully, God will work powerfully to cause us to be a positive influence on the world around us.

Lord, please strengthen me to be faithful to You in all that I am and all that I do, so that the world around me may be impacted by Your Kingdom’s presence in and through me. Amen.