It all happened so fast. Before the boy realized what was going on, he had been ripped out of his home. His family could not stop the soldiers from taking him. He had been chosen as one of the prime suspects to be taken to Babylon to stand before the king. With tears in his ears, the boy watches as his family disappears into the distance. He will never see them again. He will never see his homeland of Judah again. This boy was Daniel.
The year was 605 BC, and Nebuchadnezzar had just besieged Jerusalem after defeating Egypt at Carchemish. He was the most powerful man in the world. No nation could withstand his might. He chose to not completely destroy Judah. Instead he gave them a warning. He burned the Temple to the ground. He took thousands of captives, including the king. He set up a puppet king who would answer to his will. He left Jerusalem in pieces, and he did not care. It was as if God Himself had forsaken His people.
Daniel had been specially chosen, along with other young men, to forever live in Babylon and to serve the king. It was a great honor, but for Daniel and the others, it was a terrifying change for their young lives. They were of royal blood (v. 3), but now they would serve a foreign king, and never have the chance to sit on the throne of Judah.
But Daniel and the others were not just chosen because of their bloodline. Look at verse 4. They were handsome and intelligent young men. Nebuchadnezzar’s plan for them was simple: v. 4b. In other words, these Hebrew young men would be brainwashed to serve the gods of the Babylonians. Their intelligence would be used for the furtherance of Babylon. Their old lifestyles and religion would be a thing of the past, and they would embrace a new way of life in Babylon.
The Bible does not record how many young men there were. Perhaps there were only a dozen or so. But we do know of four young men. Along with Daniel there was Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Perhaps these four had long been friends, or perhaps Daniel met them for the first time as they headed off toward Babylon. Whatever the case, they had a common thread: their faith in Jehovah God.
Upon arrival to this new land, the prince of the eunuchs gives new names to all the young Hebrews. Notice the meaning of their original names:
—Daniel: God is my Judge
—Hananiah: Jehovah has favored
—Mishael: who belongs to God
—Azariah: Jehovah has helped
These names were changed to (respectively) Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. All of these are connected with Babylonian gods. The new names conveyed new identities for the young men. Their old self was dead and buried, and now they were living new lives in Babylon. But while the Babylonians could change their names, they could not change their hearts. They would soon find out that Daniel and his friends were untouchable, for they had great resolve for the God who gave meaning to their Hebrew names.
1. THE PURPOSE
The young Hebrews are brought into a room and seated at a table with delicious meat and wine. It must have been a feast! However, Daniel knew that this meat had been first offered to the gods of the Babylonians. Many times the animal was offered as a “victim” to the god. After the sacrifice, the meat was then used in banquets and feasts. To partake of such meat would be to sanction idolatry (see Ex. 34:15). Daniel could have ignored this fact given the circumstances, but his conscience would not allow it.
This was a defining moment for Daniel—v. 8a. Possibly Daniel knew that this moment was coming, and he had already made up his mind that he would not participate. But instead of outright refusing, he humbly requested for an alternative.
Application: Daniel was possibly as young as 12 years old! Teens, you are not too young to take a stand for the Lord.
v. 9—This is important. Just as Joseph had favor with the jailor (Gen. 39:21), so Daniel had favor with the prince of the eunuchs. When you have integrity, God sees to it that you will find favor with those around you, even in difficult circumstances.
Daniel was living for a higher purpose. Character was more important to him than comfort. Pleasing God was more important to him than pleasing the king. Leonard Ravenhill points out, “[God] is not concerned about our happiness but about our holiness. In other words, God is concerned that we wear character.” It does not matter where you are living; character is all-important. Instead of losing his purpose, Daniel embraced it. His purpose was simple: live for God. And in order to do that, Daniel could not allow himself to partake of the king’s meat. He would be defiled.
But this purpose would prove to be dangerous to Daniel time and time again. However, he does not hesitate. He goes to Melzar, the man who has been set over him and his three friends, about this request.
2. THE PROVING
The prince of the eunuchs had been reluctant toward Daniel’s request, so Daniel went to Melzar (maybe he would listen). Daniel and his three friends were together in this purpose of avoiding defilement. It’s a wonderful thing when friends band together to oppose the world and live for God.
Application: Teens, what kind of friends do you have? Those who encourage you to oppose the world and live for God, or the other way around?
Daniel sets out his plan to Melzar—v. 12-13. The Hebrew word for pulse has to do with any vegetable grown from seeds. Daniel and his friends would be on a vegetarian diet while the others would eat meat. They were also taking full responsibility if they turned out worse than the others at the end of the ten days. Melzar agrees to these terms.
The ten days of testing begin. I’m sure the other boys mocked Daniel and his friends.
The ten days finally come to an end. The proving period is over. Now the boys stand before the prince of the eunuchs as he looks them over. He notices that Daniel and his three friends are slightly more lean than the others, and overall they appear to be more healthy. Indeed, vegetarians are more physically active (they have more energy) and have better health behaviors than carnivores. Melzar is pleased, and decides to let Daniel and his friends continue their diet. No meat for these boys!
This does not mean that the Bible is condoning the vegetarian diet. We know that God blessed Daniel and his friends because of their purpose to live for Him. God tells us in His Word, “…for them that honour me I will honour…” (I Sam. 2:30). God was honoring these young men of integrity, but they would also bring great honor to another king. Next the boys were ushered into the throne room of King Nebuchadnezzar.
3. THE PROSPERITY
The Bible goes out of its way to tell us something extra about these four young men—v. 17. God had gifted these men with great wisdom, and Daniel specifically had an affinity for visions and dreams. The wisdom was apparent to all, and Daniel’s gift would be greatly used for many years to come.
Finally, the moment comes for all the boys to be brought in before King Nebuchadnezzar. They must have been very nervous. The king looks them over and then begins to ask them questions. Slowly, they answer. The king is impressed, but four boys in particular catch his attention. They look different from the rest. And so, he addresses the four and speaks with them. Their words astound him—v. 20.
Somehow these thirteen-year-old boys (or so) had surpassed the king’s own wise men in wisdom! This seems ridiculous, but not when God is in the picture. God was prospering them because of their great integrity and faith. The diet had helped them physically, but God had helped them intellectually and spiritually.
Just imagine the king turning to Melzar. “This is unbelievable! These four boys know more about astrology than my own astrologers! What did you feed them?”
“They requested pulse, your Majesty.”
“PULSE?!” The king is stunned.
Melzar continues, “They are different from the rest, not just in their diet, but in their attitude and behavior. The other boys are discouraged and homesick, but not these. They seem determined.”
This was no coincidence. It was true back then, and it’s still true today: those who live with purpose always get God’s blessing. But they also get the attention of others.
Application: Can others see that you’re living your life with a clear purpose?
CONCLUSION
Christians with purpose are needed today. Many times we choose to live our lives the way the world dictates. Don’t forget that the devil has a purpose too. But let me clarify. There are many purposes. You could purpose, as so many do, to live for yourself. Daniel’s purpose was that he would not be defiled by the wickedness of Babylon. So let me ask you, what is your purpose?
Illustration: One of golf's immortal moments came when a Scotchman demonstrated the new game to President Ulysses S. Grant. Carefully placing the ball on the tee, he took a mighty swing. The club hit the turf and scattered dirt all over the President's beard and surrounding vicinity, while the ball placidly waited on the tee. Again the Scotchman swung, and again he missed. The president waited patiently through six tries and then quietly stated, "There seems to be a fair amount of exercise in the game, but I fail to see the purpose of the ball.”
It’s sad when Christians swing hard in life, but fail to hit the ball. They are missing their purpose. Perhaps it is because they do not have one. Thomas Carlyle stated, “A man without purpose is like a ship without a rudder—a waif, a nothing, a no man. Have a purpose in life, and, having it, throw such strength of mind and muscle into your work as God has given you.” Billy Sunday was right when he said, “More men fail through lack of purpose than lack of talent.”
We find characters in the Bible who decided to have purpose. Joshua lived with a purpose: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Josh. 24:15).
Jesus lived with a purpose: “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34).
The Apostle Paul lived with a purpose: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).
But what about you? What is your purpose? I hope that every day you wake up, you will make God the purpose of your life. Today I am going to live for God, no matter what happens. Daniel’s purpose defined the rest of his life—it’s that important! And when you live with purpose, God will see to it that you prosper.
Every part of your life should have a purpose. Why is that so important? No purpose, no passion; no passion, no power. Basically, if it doesn’t have a purpose, it’s pointless. What purpose will you live for?
