Daniel 1 - 2

Daniel 1 – 2

 

Daniel is a character and a book of the Bible that entire books, sermon series and commentaries have been written about.  We only read the first two chapters today, but know that there are so many layers that can be discovered and studied.  The last few weeks we have read the prophets and have read about the upcoming exile for the Judeans.  We know Babylon is coming for them and we have now reached that moment.  Daniel and his fellow Judeans have been taken to the physically, culturally, and spiritually distant land of Babylon in Mesopotamia, ruled by the historically famous King Nebuchadnezzar II.  In this Iron Age, it is a land enchanted by astrology, the home of The Hanging Gardens (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) and darkness. 

 

As the Hebrews are brought there, they are immediately assimilated; unlike their captivity in Egypt, they are given new names, taught a new language, and are expected to be apart of the culture and day-to-day life.  This included idol worship, sorcery, and devotion to the king.  Imagine if we were in this situation.  Suppose we were taken to a land that was not our home, we knew we were different, stripped of our very own identities?  Daniel, for example, his Hebrew name means, "God is my judge" and was changed to Belteshazzar, meaning, "Bel [a god] protect the king" a total insult to YAWH, God of Israel and Judah.  They almost had to take a new identity, but as we will continue to read, these Judeans did not forget who they were and where they came from.  And remember that even though this captivity is a judgment orchestrated by God, He never leaves them either. 

 

God gave Daniel and his companions' quality features of good looks, strength, intelligence, "knowledge and understanding," and provided the king's dream as a way to glorify Himself.  Like we read in Genesis with Joseph and Pharaoh, God used dreams and interpretation to bring glory to His name.  It took time and training for Daniel to finally be at the king's court and in God's sovereignty, dreams haunted the king and it was a Hebrew man to tell him the meaning.  Chapter 2: 20 – 23 we see Daniel praising God and acknowledging Him.  I read that these verses can be seen as an underlining theme or the entire book, praising God for His control and might. 

 

In these beginning chapters we see the foundation and faith that Daniel has as he changes and transitions into this land.  He is now in the courts of a ruthless king who kills, controls, and does not know God.  I am reminded of a similar figure in our own history.  Saddam Hussein called himself Nebuchadnezzar's reincarnation; so know that Daniel is surrounded by evil, temptation, and his life is in constant danger.  Yet we will see how his faith is strong and he leans on God.  Just like we see in Hebrews 11 & 13, this world is not our home, we are strangers in this land…we have a heavenly home that awaits us.  I strongly encourage you to read Psalm 137.  It's a sad Psalm, but it gives me warmth and hope that we are all in our own Babylon yearning for Zion.