We are living in a multicultural context in a globalized world. Even then different countries have different cultural norms, and what is appropriate in one culture may be offensive in another culture. For example, you should never touch a person’s head in Thailand; the head is considered sacred. In Portugal you should never write anything in red ink; it is very offensive. Chewing gum is illegal in Singapore and can result in a large fine. In our message today Daniel illustrates for us how to live when we “leave home” or encounter new situations. Anytime something changes in our lives (a new job, a new house, a new school, a new stage of life), we face challenges to our faith. Daniel illustrates how to live when we leave what is familiar to us and encounter new situations.
Sometimes our faith can become an inconvenience; It will place us in inconvenient situations.
When you are in the midst of people who cracks filthy jokes, When your superiors demand you to take unjust decisions, such circumstances come in life where your faith will be a sort of inconvenience to you. Daniel and his companions are great reminders of how we can remain holy, even in times of distress, pain, and suffering. Let's see how we can learn from their example as we examine Daniel 1:1-17.
During the reign of Jehoiakim the king of Judah, in 605 BC Nebukadnezar the Babylonian king attacked Judah and took some smart boys as slaves. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were among them. These boys had to face certain challenges that put their faith in test.
1. V. 1-2 They were Taken to a New Home
These boys had been brought up in and around Jerusalem. There they were constantly reminded of their God and of his importance in life. The Jerusalem Temple with its rituals was there. The priests and the scribes were there to teach them. The prophets were preaching the message of Jehovah.
Now, they are slaves and have been taken to Babylon. Here, they are surrounded by heathen worship, heathen images and heathen people. It would have been easy for them to conform just to fit in. For the Christian, the danger is just as real. It is easy to be spiritual in church. It is easy to be godly around godly people. However, when we separate from the godly influences around us, we are placing ourselves in a dangerous position. We are opening up our lives to the possibility of compromise.
2. V. 3-4 They were Given New Knowledge
These young men were taught a new language and new ways of looking at life. All their lives, they had been exposed to Jewish wisdom. Now, they are being taught the wisdom of Babylon. They are being exposed to things they have never been exposed to before. It is a dangerous time for them.
In ancient Babylon three languages were prominent.
a) The aramic language or Syrian language which was used by business people
b) Assyrian language- This was historic and legal document language
c) The language of literature and language of ritual- Chaldeans language or Accadean language. Daniel and friends were taught this language.
We as Christians face the same challenges in this world today. We are constantly being exposed to new ways of thinking and are being told that our way of looking at the world, through the eyes of God in the Bible, is outdated, ancient and intolerant. There is much pressure being placed on the Christian community to conform to the world's way of thinking. We are told to accept new languages of homosexuality, social drinking, trolling, promiscuous sexual activity, etc.
3. V. 5 They were Given Orientation into a New Diet
All their lives, these four young men had lived by the dietary laws handed down by the Lord. Now, they are forced to take new food. Most likely, this food was unclean, by Jewish standards, and most of the meat had probably been sacrificed to idols. Therefore, it would have defiled these men and made them unclean before the Lord.
As Christians, we too are faced with choices that run contrary to what God has purposed for us. There are decisions about our choice of entertainment, choices in our personal relationships etc We are confronted daily by choices to either do or not do certain things. The choices I make in life can either build me up, or tear me down. Therefore, it is extremely important that we constantly guard ourselves in this matter of what we take into our lives.
4. V. 6-7 They were Given New Names
When these young men arrived in Babylon, they came carrying wonderful names. Each name carried with it a testimony to the person of God.
a. Daniel - God is my judge
b. Hananiah - God is gracious
c. Mishael - God is without equal
d.Azariah- The Lord is my helper
When they arrived in Babylon, they were given new names which are closely associated with Babylon Gods and Goddesses.
a. Daniel became Belteshazzar - Which means, "Bel will protect."
b. Hananiah became Shadrach - Which means, "Inspiration of the Sun."
c. Mishael became Meshach - Which means, "Belonging to Aku."
d. Azariah became Abednego - Which means, "Servant of Nego.
"Nebuchadnezzar's goal was to change their identity and hopefully their way of thinking. Even though their names were changed their character remained intact.
Let me tell you three major characteristics of personal faith which we draw from Daniel
1. My personal faith will have an influence on my friends, the Inner Circle (Daniel 1:7-8)
Daniel’s courage inspired the other three friends. Daniel would not eat the meat sacrificed to idols. This three friends later would not compromise as well.
All four young men were given new names, but it was Daniel who first resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. And Daniel’s three friends followed his lead. Not only that, two chapters later in this book we will see these three young men boldly facing death before the furnace. Daniel is nowhere to be seen yet his resolution enabled them to stand firm without compromise before a powerful king in a test bigger than the first.
They said in Daniel 3:16–18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
This is showing us that Daniel’s personal faith made a long lasting impact upon his friends.
Christianity is a faith, but it is also a way of life. One must learn that if one is to follow Christ, there will be costs. We can’t always take the easy way out.
2. My personal faith will affect me personally (Daniel 1:15-17)
My personal choice to follow God can affect me. How I choose to live for God can affect myself. In these verses, we see that play out in the life of Daniel. My personal faith will affect me in three different areas
a.My body
“At the end of 10 days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who were eating the king’s food.” (Daniel 1:15, HCSB)
By making the choice to follow God, in Daniel’s case it was a healthier choice. He was not eating all of the rich meat that could have made him just one among them. Now he stands out as a healthier person.
b. My spirit
“God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind.” (Daniel 1:17, HCSB)
Daniel was in tune with God and Daniel was able to hear from God. He was more spiritually in tune and able to listen to God.
c. My mind
“In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them 10 times better than all the diviner-priests and mediums in his entire kingdom.” (Daniel 1:20, HCSB)
Daniel’s mind was clear and sharp. His mind worked better than the people around him. My personal holiness affects me. The way I grow in my faith can actually help my mind, my spirit, and my body. But it is more than that
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3. My personal faith will have an influence on others (Daniel 1:18-21)
Daniel influenced King Nebuchednazzer, King Nabo, and King Belshazzar until the reign of King Cyrus the Persian king who overthrew the Babylonian empire.
“Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.” (Daniel 1:21, HCSB)
Daniel’s personal faith impacted the governance of a nation. Daniel was able to influence these kings and have an impact because of his devotion to God. When we influence others, it becomes essentially our ministry. When you live out your life as a Christian, you will have an influence on others.
Let me tell you a personal experience shared by a priest called Fr.Jacob Manjali. While he was studying at seminary he along with two friends went for a walk in the kochin Marine Drive, Kerala, India on a Sunday evening. Seeing three young seminary students with cassock in Marne Drive here and there people began to make fun of them. They felt very ashamed and sad. While they returned to seminary they explained to seminary principal what had happened, how shameful they felt etc. That time Seminary principal asked them. Why have you been there? They said just to feel the breeze of the beach. Then the seminary principal said all breezes are not meant to be felt by us.
I think this lesson is important for me as a priest and also for you as a believer.
Daniel is also giving this same lesson to us. All the pleasures in this world, all the diet in this world, all kind of relationship in this world, and all comforts are not meant to be enjoyed by a child of God. If you will be able to get away from these elements you will be able to make an impact in the place you live. What kind of Christian are you going to be? In Daniel’s case, he was put in a position to influence three successive secular kings. What is it going to be in your case? Who are you going to be able to influence?
