I have entitled our message this morning “Serving in Captivity,” as we’ll be examining the events surrounding the Babylonian captivity of 587 B.C. What would we, as believers, do if our country ever came under siege by a foreign nation that did not believe in God or His Son, Jesus Christ? How could we practice our Christian faith, and how could we live according to biblical principles? What would the Lord have us to do under such unspeakable circumstances? These are questions we seriously need to consider as our nation continues to move further away from God, and is in danger of judgment.
Even if our country never falls, we still need to ask these questions in knowing how to live under a Godless and corrupt government; and the Bible actually answers the question of how we are to conduct ourselves while residing under immoral or oppressive leadership. These answers can be found by looking at the events which led to the Babylonian captivity; by viewing God’s advice to His captive people; and by examining the behavior of the Lord’s faithful servants Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. We are going to begin our message this morning with a quick overview of why the Israelites fell under captivity by Babylon.
Falling and Coming Under Subjection
The Israelites had an ongoing problem. They often became distracted with worshipping false gods and idols; and they chose to practice sin instead of walking in the commands of the Lord. In 2 Kings chapter 20, verses 16-18, the prophet Isaiah shared with King Hezekiah the fate that would later befall the Israelites. Isaiah declared, “Hear the word of the Lord: ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon’.”
Skipping a few generations; in 2 Kings chapter 21, verses 1-3 and verse 9, we are told about the ungodly leadership of King Manasseh: “Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem . . . And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; he raised up altars for Baal, and made a wooden image, as Ahab king of Israel had done; and he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them . . . But [the Israelites] paid no attention, and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.”
The Israelites “paid no attention” (21:9) to the Lord, or to the direction that King Manasseh was leading them; and, therefore, the nation entered the slippery slope of sin and came under God’s judgment. The sins perpetrated by Manasseh and perpetuated by the people continued through the generations into the reign of King Jehoiakim; and in 2 Kings chapter 24, verses 1 and 3, we read this: “In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his vassal . . . Surely at the commandment of the Lord this came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done.” Jehoiakim and all of Judah were carried off into Babylon for seventy long years, because they forsook the Lord.
Psalm 137 portrays the harsh reality that the captives experienced upon arrival in Babylon. The Scripture declares, “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it. For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, ‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’ How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” (Psalm 137:1-4). In this question about singing God’s song in a foreign land, the captives were asking, “How do we live under such conditions, and how do we continue serving the Lord?”
God answered their question; for in Jeremiah chapter 29, verses 4-6 and verse 10, we read, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters – that you may be increased there, and not diminished . . . After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.”
Now that we’ve gained an overview of why God’s people fell under captivity by Babylon, let’s begin looking at our main passage of Scripture.
Serve Your God-Chosen Leaders (vv. 1-2)
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And 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.
Notice what verse 2 tells us: “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand.” It was not by pure coincidence that Nebuchadnezzar conquered the Israelites. Jeremiah prophesied on behalf of the Lord, “I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me. And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him” (Jeremiah 27:5-6). It was God’s decision to allow - if not to send – Nebuchadnezzar to enslave His people; and I hope you caught the part about how the Lord called him “My servant” (Jeremiah 27:6).
If a foreign super power (such as China) were to arise and conquer America, it would not be by sheer accident or misfortune. If our actions tell the Lord that we don’t need Him anymore, then He will allow us to have what we’ve been asking (cf. 1 Samuel 8:1-22). In Romans 13:1, Paul said, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” This tells us that the leadership that we currently have in our country is what God feels we need in relation to our spiritual condition. Therefore, if we ever find ourselves with a Godless leader, that leader may not be indicative of the Antichrist; but rather, he may represent the Lord’s judgment on our nation.
In Romans 13:2, Paul continued to admonish, “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” As I share this verse, I am not saying that we should never take a stand; for we know that Daniel stood up for his faith when Nebuchadnezzar demanded that he worship before a golden idol (cf. Daniel 3:1-30). What I am saying is that we must serve our God-appointed leaders whenever it doesn’t compromise our faith; and if there is something that challenges our faith, then our first course of action should be to pray. Jeremiah admonished the captives: “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7).
Become a People of Excellence (vv. 3-4)
3 Then 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, 4 young 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.
All around us we see signs of what is called “the dumbing down of America.” We have become a nation whose greatest heroes are those who play games for a living; not inventors, scientists, composers, or artists. Look at the school programs that are being cut and the ones that are receiving larger funding. It is a sad day when ballplayers receive a higher salary than the president of the United States. This is an example of how America has placed recreation above learning and intellectual pursuit, and the lack of focus on education is resulting in a shallow-minded society; and while the citizens of this country are distracted with fun and games, they are failing to pay attention to what’s happening on Capitol Hill – like when Israel paid no attention to Manasseh leading them astray.
Historian David McCullough told The Wall Street Journal, “We’re raising young people who are, by and large, historically illiterate.” “History textbooks,” added McCullough, “are ‘badly written.’ Many texts have been made ‘so politically correct as to be comic. Very minor characters that are currently fashionable are given considerable space, whereas people of major consequence’ – such as inventor Thomas Edison – ‘are given very little space or none at all’.”(1) He continues to say, “If the generations coming out of our schools do not know our past, do not who we are or what we have done as a people, how will they come to love America, refute her enemies or lead her confidently?”(2)
I believe the Lord calls us to become a people of excellence; a people who value knowledge. One major way we can successfully navigate our culture, have an impact on society, or, at worse, survive the takeover by a foreign nation, is to become educated and knowledgeable in numerous areas of academics. Notice how those who were “gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand” and “whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans” (v. 4) were the ones selected to serve in the palace; and it became these individuals who would get close enough to the king to influence the nation for the Lord. We will observe this principle in operation throughout the book of Daniel. As believers, we must strive to learn all we can, in order to become a people of excellence.
Use Discretion with Federal Aid (vv. 5-6)
5 And 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. 6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
The dumbing down of American has positioned its citizens at the mercy of the government; and another thing that has the same consequence is relying too heavily on federal aid and assistance programs. We learn an important principle from the first chapter of Daniel, which is this: “If you find yourself in want, then take only what you absolutely need; don’t turn temporary assistance into a way of life.” Be sure that you use discretion and wise judgment when receiving federal aid.
We read how Nebuchadnezzar gave Daniel and the others daily provision that consisted of lavish delicacies, which was so much more than basic sustenance. In verse 8, which we didn’t read, the Bible says, “But 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” (v. 8). So, what did he eat instead? In verse 12, Daniel stated, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.” He only requested basic sustenance, for he didn’t want to take more than what was needed.
You see, Daniel trusted in the Lord for His sustenance, because he realized the biblical principle that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4). The Jews acknowledged that provision comes from on high. For example, in the psalms we read, “Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help . . . Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps truth forever, who executes justice for the oppressed, [and] who gives food to the hungry” (Psalm 146:3, 5-7).
Daniel realized that taking too much would eventually require a reckoning. You rarely receive something for nothing. If you take from a corrupt government, then one day you may be asked to pay back what you owe, or “return the favor.” This reckoning could lead to indentured servitude, being forced to join a military that is fighting for an unjust cause – and I’m not referring to the U. S. military – or perhaps, you will be asked to perform some immoral action. Daniel didn’t want to be indebted in such a way that he was obligated to serve Nebuchadnezzar’s every whim.
God Will Grant You His Favor (vv. 18-20)
18 Now 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. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And 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.
When Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah finished their intensive three years of training, King Nebuchadnezzar recognized how they possessed great insight and wisdom, and how they knew things that even his own magicians and astrologers couldn’t comprehend. They had committed themselves wholeheartedly to their training, remembering the Lord’s instruction to honor their leaders, and how they should strive to become individuals of excellence. Nebuchadnezzar also recognized, perhaps subconsciously, how they had an inner source of strength that kept them optimistic and driven, even though they lacked the lavish provisions afforded the other trainees. They were found to be ten times better than all others in his royal court.
Daniel and his companions chose to live a God-honoring life, which resulted in them receiving the Lord’s favor; and therefore, the King’s favor. When we live according to biblical principles, working “as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23), then those in leadership will take notice. Jeremiah prophesied, “You will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13). “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (29:11). The Lord promised the Israelite captives in Babylon that if they would seek His face, and put Him first, that He would grant them His favor.
Time of Reflection
The Lord has shown us from His Word some strategies for serving and conducting ourselves while in captivity, or while living under a corrupt government. We should 1.) serve our God-chosen leaders; 2.) become a people of excellence; 3.) use discretion with federal aid; and 4.) continue seeking the Lord with all of our heart, so that we may find Him and receive the bright future and hope that He has planned for His people (Jeremiah 29:11). And last, but not least, we should 5.) do all things as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23), refusing to conform to this world; resolving to stand firm in our faith.
Paul said, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). We prove the perfect will of God by maintaining our faith in Jesus Christ, and by upholding biblical morality; however, at the same time we must use our God-given intellect, and be strategic in how we go about our daily life. Jesus admonished, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up . . . [and] you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles” (Matthew 10:16-18).
The reason why we must maintain our faith, even while living in captivity, is to become a testimony to the love of Jesus Christ, and to become a light in the darkness, so that others will ask about our faith. Peter said, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 peter 3:15, NIV). What is the hope that we have? What is it that drives us to strive for excellence in all that we do, and to “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1)? We have the hope of spending eternity with the Lord; the forgiveness sin, and the guarantee of eternal life. This same hope can be yours today, if you will put your trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
NOTES
(1) Patrick J. Buchanan, “The Dumbing Down of America,” Human Events: www.humanevents.com/2011/06/21/the-dumbingdown-of-america/ (Accessed October 9, 2012).
(2) Ibid.
