Alien Youth: The Invasion Has Begun

Four of these deportees were teenagers. They were to be trained in the Babylonian arts, literature, and culture. Their names were changed. This was significant because all four of them had names that honored God. That is why I will be using only their Hebrew names today. The goal was total indoctrination so they would forget that they were Hebrew and soon talk, walk, and speak like a Babylonian. There was one problem though. The Babylonians sorely underestimated these four teenagers. They were the original “alien youth.” Living in a foreign land, fifteen hundred miles away from family and anything familiar, these four students stood out, stood together, and stood up for God and, in the end, provide us a shining example of no matter how young a person is God can use them to change the world.

They stood out

Daniel, Hanniah, Mishael, and Azariah were living in the king’s palace and had the opportunity to enjoy all the enticements of royalty. In particular, the food was wonderful. They were offered an expensive bottle of wine and a steak and shrimp dinner every night. The other Hebrews lined up to eat. To them, it just wasn’t that big a deal. To Daniel, it was a matter of loyalty to God. We are told that Daniel:

• “He purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the royal food and wine.” (V. 8) This was a decision made beforehand out of a strong conviction. The food being offered was not kosher and had, most likely, been offered to idols. This was a no-brainer. There was no way he was going to defile himself before God.

• He proposed a compromise. (V. 9-10) He approached the head official and politely explained the situation. Because of their deeply held religious convictions they would not be able to eat the royal food. While the official felt for Daniel and his friends, he was not willing to put his neck on the line by changing their diet. So Daniel proposes a compromise to the guy that actually brings the meals to their rooms. Give us veggies for ten days and then see how we look, and “treat your servants according to what you see.” This is the original vegi-tale. Daniel proved you can be contrary to the world without being contrary with the world!

• They prospered physically and socially. (V. 15-20) While the rest of the good Jewish boys were eating hamburgers and oysters on the half-shell, our four Hebrew heroes were munching on broccoli , cauliflower, and a variety of grains. By day ten, the rest of the group looked in need of a personal trainer. But Daniel, Hanniah, Mishael, and Azariah proved your mother right – eating your vegetables does make you healthy. Not only did they prosper physically but God blessed them with wisdom ten times greater than any of the wise men in Babylon.

Application:

Our students live in a world very similar to Babylon. Although God makes it clear in His Word that each of them is made on purpose, with a purpose, for a purpose, the world system in which they live attempts to change their identities. Their culture contends that they are nothing more than a product of random chance; the final equation in a cosmic freak accident. There is no meaning or purpose to life other than to eat, drink, and be merry…then die. There is no right or wrong. Truth is relative and defined individually.