Daniel #2
Dr. C. Paul Willis
The Daring Test
Daniel 1:3 - 21 (NKJV) 3Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 6Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego. 8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king." 11So Daniel said to £the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12"Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants." 14So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. 15And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. 17As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19Then the king £interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.
How to integrate people into another society
Change their language and literature
The language spoken sets the personality of a nation and a people. The Greek language was the most precise ever known. The changing of one letter changes the meaning of the word. The ending letters tell the reader that the subject is male, female, or neither. It tells the reader if the action described was past, present, or future of if it is continuing. The Latin of Rome is still used in the court and medical system of America because of its legalistic nature. German is a mathematical language and thus the German people think in mathematical manner. French and Spanish are slow, warm languages (the languages of love) and thus the French and Spanish people are warm, romantic, and temperamental. English is a mixed language. Starting with Anglo-Saxon tongues words from all over the world have been placed into the English and regional slang has been added to American English making it one of the most difficult languages in the world but producing on of the most diverse societies. People from all areas of the world have come to America, were educated in English, and formed a unique society.
Changing the language alone will not do it – but Nebuchadnezzar was just starting!
Change their diet and taste in food & drink
It has been said, "you are what you eat." Like language Americans have cuisine from all over the world. But even in America some foods are regional. Dennis’ in-laws came from Michigan they couldn’t understand, grits, collards, and country ham (his mother-in-law got some sugar cured, hickory smoked ham and tried to boil it). Dennis told them "let them that be ignorant remain ignorant!" In Iran they serve sheep brain on thin bread slices instead of hot dogs as a fast food (sheep brain might be good but this teacher is not going to eat it!). Pizza is an American not an Italian food.
The Jewish youth were forbidden to eat shell fish that would have been on the King’s table – from the river. The Kings table would have had all types of carrion eaters served – the Jewish lads were forbidden to partake. Wild Pig would have been a delicacy – the Jewish lads were forbidden to partake.
In Babylon, getting drunk on wine and high on drugs was considered a spiritual experience – the Jewish lads were forbidden this excess.
Other foods had been offered to demon idols before being presented on the Kings table – the Jewish lads were forbidden to partake.
Change their names to change their destiny
Daniel = God is my judge to Belteshazzar=Bel protect his life
Hananiah = Johovah is gracious to Shadrach=The command of the moon god
Mishael=Who is like God to Meshach=Who is like Aku
Azariah=Jehovah is my help to Abednego=The servant of Nego
The Jewish people believed correctly that names formed character and destiny.
II. The Stewards problem
Nebuchadnezzar was known to:
Put peoples eyes out Jeremiah 39:6 - 9 (NKJV) 6Then the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes in Riblah; the king of Babylon also killed all the nobles of Judah. 7Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with bronze fetters to carry him off to Babylon. 8And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house and the houses of the people with fire, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. 9Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive to Babylon the remnant of the people who remained in the city and those who defected to him, with the rest of the people who remained.
Make their houses into dung hills Daniel 2:5 - 6 (NKJV) 5The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, "My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap. 6However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation."
Roast officers alive Jeremiah 29:21 - 23 (NKJV) 21 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie to you in My name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall slay them before your eyes. 22And because of them a curse shall be taken up by all the captivity of Judah who are in Babylon, saying, "The Lord make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire"; 23because they have done disgraceful things in Israel, have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives, and have spoken lying words in My name, which I have not commanded them. Indeed I know, and am a witness, says the Lord.
III. Daniel’s answer
Daniel 1:11 - 21 (NKJV) 11So Daniel said to £the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12"Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants." 14So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. 15And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. 17As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19Then the king £interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.
Moral Courage
Discernment
Resistance to Evil
Power to voice disagreement
Physical Courage
Perseverance
Determination
Meekness
Good Sense
B. Who’s In Charge?
Daniel 1:2 (NKJV) 2And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
Daniel 1:9 - 10 (NKJV) 9Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king."
Daniel 1:17 (NKJV) 17As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Conclusion: "And Daniel continued" (Dan 1:21)
Called "Beloved" Daniel 10:10 - 11 (NKJV) 10Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
Matthew 3:16 - 17 (NKJV) 16When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and £He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Only two men in the Bible are called "beloved" Jesus and Daniel!
