God's Protection In Captivity Series

Let us begin a study of the book of Daniel to understand the protection of righteous Hebrew children during the captivity. God has always promised to his righteous he would always be with them in time of peril.

The very nature of man is to wonder or worry about their future. When under stress, the mind begins to wonder what can possibly happen next to inflict more pain and suffering upon the soul. However, a righteous man needs only to trust in God; He will guide you, protect you, and encourage you through the trial.

In reading the book of Daniel, we see just these promises fulfilled to righteous persons. God protected the righteous in captivity.

God gave Daniel insight to the physical, literal nature of His children of Judah to calm his soul. Daniel wondered about the position of Israel and how it would fair until the Messiah would come. Daniel strongly trusted and believed in God. Yet he wondered about the coming and the place of Israel in the scheme of things. At the end of Daniel’s writings, God tells him how the kingdoms of the earth would be until the destruction of Jerusalem; including the life and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. We will see these comforts for Judah in a later lesson.

In this study of Daniel, place in your mind you being under siege by evil leaders in this day, 2023. Will we find similarities in the literal and physical condition of our bodies and minds as we look for the return of Jesus the Christ? The study of Daniel will give us great hope and the power to endure the hardships God might be bringing upon any evil nation.

Now we will begin with the life protected for righteous Hebrews and their plight.

Daniel 1:1-2 we learned when Daniel was taken captive to Babylon. We learn he had three friends, prominent princes of Judah, taken with him. They were to be placed in the house of the king and given special treatment.

Daniel 1:3-6. 3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

Now these are not the men I remember learning about as a youth. Only one is recognized, Daniel. Let us read more.

Vs. 7. 7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are more familiar names.

With the leadership of Daniel, named Belteshazzar by the king, these four men held to their faith and teachings from their homeland, Judah. They remained righteous before God thus God was with them to guide them and protect them. God always provides. Not only did God go with them, he used them to find favor with the king of Babylon and to return a remnant of his people to Jerusalem to fulfill his promise to Abraham.

We, like these four men, should hold firmly to our faith and belief in Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. When we are under bondage to evil leaders, we must remain loyal to our Lord and he will protect us.

In the remaining portion of this chapter, Daniel and friends refused to violate their consciences with defiled foods. God caused their obedience and faith to flourish and to be recognized by the king, promoting them to prominence in Babylon.

Daniel and friends refused to eat from the king’s table. In their ten day test, eating vegetables and drinking water, they looked more ‘fairer and fatter’ than the other eunuchs. (Daniel 1:15) This type of a meal they ate for three years. This was the time appointed by the king to prepare them for the king’s service. Daniel 1:5. 5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

Daniel 1:18-19. 18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. God provided for Daniel and friends to live righteously before Him and men, including the prince over them and the king of Babylon. Scripture says there were none like them who stood before the king.