Daniel Taken to Babylon. Daniel 1:1-21
INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL
Daniel and Jonah differ from the other prophets in that their work was among foreign peoples. Their books are also unlike the other books of prophecy, in that they are largely historical. In both books, also, the supernatural element is unusually prominent.
Daniel was a prophet-statesman and his book deals with Babylon and the empires which should follow it until the coming of the divine kingdom. Of its twelve chapters, Dan_1:1-21; Dan_2:1-49; Dan_3:1-30; Dan_4:1-37; Dan_5:1-31; Dan_6:1-28 are narrative, Dan_7:1-28; Dan_8:1-27; Dan_9:1-27; Dan_10:1-21; Dan_11:1-45; Dan_12:1-13 are devoted to visions. From Dan_2:4-49; Dan_3:1-30; Dan_4:1-37; Dan_5:1-31; Dan_6:1-28; Dan_7:1-28 the Aramaic language is employed; the opening and concluding sections are written in Hebrew. The latter part of the book is written in the first person, and as its unity is not disputed, the whole is to be ascribed to Daniel himself.
It opens with an account of the captivity of Daniel and his three friends, their fearless loyalty to the faith of their fathers, and their advancement in royal Favor. While the heroic faith of his friends is manifested in their deliverance from the fiery furnace, Daniel himself is the prominent character in the history. He is distinguished for his ability not only to interpret dreams and visions but to reproduce such as had been forgotten. In his later life, after Babylon had passed into the hands of Persia, Daniel’s courage and faith received striding witness in his deliverance from the den of lions. This is the last recorded event in his life.
The symbolical visions which form the latter half of the book, with the dream of Nebuchadnezzar (Dan_2:1-49), set forth the successive establishment of four empires: Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. The last empire then gives way to smaller kingdoms until the setting up of the kingdom of God, which is to include all the dominions of the earth.
In the vision of a future kingdom of righteousness, the book is at one with all prophecy. In this kingdom even the dead shall share, being raised from the dust of the earth to everlasting life. Much as there is in the book that is hard to understand, the prophecy of Daniel has always ministered to Christian faith, and the climax of its visions is still the hope of the Church.
“The Lord’s Messenger”
I.HISTORICAL SECTION, Daniel 1-6
1.Daniel and His Friends Tested, Dan_1:1-21
DANIEL TAKEN TO BABYLON
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
Dan 1:2 The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles of the house of God; and he brought them into the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and brought the articles into the treasury of his god. [2Ch_36:5-7; Jer_27:19-20; Dan_5:1-3]
Dan 1:3 And the [Babylonian] king told Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some from the royal family and from the nobles, [2Ki_20:17-18]
Dan 1:4 young men without blemish and handsome in appearance, skillful in all wisdom, endowed with intelligence and discernment, and quick to understand, competent to stand [in the presence of the king] and able to serve in the king’s palace. He also ordered Ashpenaz to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.
Dan 1:5 The king assigned a daily ration for them from his finest food and from the wine which he drank. They were to be educated and nourished this way for three years so that at the end of that time they were [prepared] to enter the king’s service.
Dan 1:6 Among them from the sons of Judah were: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
Dan 1:7 The commander of the officials gave them [Babylonian] names: Daniel he named Belteshazzar, Hananiah he named Shadrach, Mishael he named Meshach, and Azariah he named Abed-nego.
DANIEL’S FAITHFULNESS
Dan 1:8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile (taint, dishonor) himself with the king’s finest food or with the wine which the king drank; so he asked the commander of the officials that he might [be excused so that he would] not defile himself. [Num_6:1-4; 1Co_10:21]
Dan 1:9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,
Dan 1:10 and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has prearranged your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the young men who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.”
Dan 1:11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
Dan 1:12 “Please, test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Dan 1:13 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the young men who eat the king’s finest food be observed and compared by you, and deal with your servants in accordance with what you see.”
Dan 1:14 So the man listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days.
Dan 1:15 At the end of ten days it seemed that they were looking better and healthier than all the young men who ate the king’s finest food.
Dan 1:16 So the overseer continued to withhold their fine food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.
Dan 1:17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all kinds of literature and wisdom; Daniel also understood all kinds of visions and dreams. [Luk_21:15; Jas_1:5-7]
Dan 1:18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring all the young men in [before him], the commander of the officials presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.
Dan 1:19 The king spoke with them, and among them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; so they were [selected and] assigned to stand before the king and enter his personal service.
Dan 1:20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the [learned] magicians and enchanters (Magi) in his whole realm.
Dan 1:21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of [the reign of] King Cyrus [over Babylon; now this was at the end of the seventy-year exile of Judah (the Southern Kingdom) in Babylonia, as foretold by Jeremiah]. [Ezr_1:1-3; Jer_25:11-12; Jer_29:10]
MORAL COURAGE REWARDED
These young men of noble Jewish families were brought to Babylon to receive education for the civil service. Their names were altered to break, so far as possible, their connection with the past. The food provided probably contravened Lev_3:17. According to the usual custom it had been presented before an idol, 1Co_8:10. Note those words: Daniel purposed in his heart. It is all important to resolve in one’s heart that certain things are not possible for us. Too many of us have a secret reserve. We barricade the front door but leave the back door on the latch. We ought to realize the extent to which Paul referred when he said, “dead to sin.” God always cooperates with His servants when they are true to Him. He brought Daniel into favor; He gave him skill; He caused his face and that of his three friends, to bear the hue of health. Let us trust Him to do His part! This is the secret of continuance, Dan_1:21.
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