Daniel 1 Lesson: Stranded in Babylon

Bible Study Series: Daniel, Babylon and the End Times

Daniel Chapter 1 Lesson: Stranded in Babylon¹  

by I Gordon

The book of Daniel is amazing! What other book combines mystery and revelation, history and prophecy, while including fiery furnaces and hungry lions? I mean, what more could you want? Throw in some incredible prophetic dreams given to a semi-crazed Babylonian king and awesome prophecies of the coming Messiah and you have it all! And did I mention the insights into the often hidden angelic world seen in this book? Ok, now you've got it all! So as we move through this series we'll mix the events of the past with lessons for today and several glimpses into the future. As we shall see, Daniel's life is one of complete abandonment and devotion to the God of Israel. And while the book itself is well known for its extraordinary prophecies that outline the future gentile world powers, the coming Messiah and the end of this age, it also holds many lessons for living in an age and society that is hostile to belief in the God of heaven.

So we'll begin our series through this amazing book exploring chapter 1 today, looking at:  

• The background to this book - how did a teenage Jewish boy called Daniel, along with his friends, find themselves in Babylon? And how is this connected to a godly king who reigned over a century earlier?
• Babylon in the Bible - Is Babylon more than just a city and empire? And how does it relate to Christians today? 
• Babylon's goal - why and how did Babylon try to make 'good little Babylonians' out of our Jewish friends and how does this speak to us today?
• Daniel's Strength - How did a teenage Jewish boy resist Babylon's brain washing techniques and how do we?

But let's begin with...

The Background to the Book

Now the book of Daniel was written by, well, Daniel, around 537 B.C. Daniel identifies himself as the author of the book in Daniel 12:4 and Jesus confirmed this in Matt 24:15. And while 'critics' like to think otherwise, that's good enough for me! Daniel was led into exile as a youth in 605 B.C and most estimates place him at around 16-18 years old at the time. We know from Daniel 10:1 that he was still alive in the third year of King Cyrus, and still in Babylon, making him around 85 at that time. In fact Daniel never returned to the land of Israel. So how did Daniel, as a young Jewish boy, find himself exiled in Babylon you ask? Well, that is a good question. It can be traced back to the actions of the normally godly king, who made an out of character, ungodly mistake. But we need to start a bit further back still... like around 400 years before the days of Daniel!

So with that as a background, let's begin the book and see what happened...

Introduction to the siege and exile - then and now!

Dan 1:1-2 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.

The book starts with King Nebuchadnezzar's first attack on Jerusalem in 605 BC². Jeremiah had been warning the people of Judah since the start of his ministry in 627 BC... but they wouldn't listen. If you have heard of Jeremiah's nickname as the 'weeping prophet' now you know why. Imagine being a prophet, knowing what God says is coming, and also realizing that the people won't listen. Instead they go after false prophets who tell them anything and everything that they want to hear! Well it all came to a head in Jeremiah 25 where Jeremiah spoke to the people saying  

Jer 25:3-12 For twenty-three years--from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day--the word of the LORD has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened. (4) And though the LORD has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention. (5) They said, "Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices, and you can stay in the land the LORD gave to you and your fathers for ever and ever. (6) Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not provoke me to anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you." (7) But you did not listen to me, declares the LORD, "and you have provoked me with what your hands have made, and you have brought harm to yourselves." (8) Therefore the LORD Almighty says this: "Because you have not listened to my words, (9) I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon," declares the LORD, "and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy them and make them an object of horror and scorn, and an everlasting ruin. (10) I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, the sound of millstones and the light of the lamp. (11) This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. (12) But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt, declares the LORD, "and will make it desolate forever.

Again, imagine giving this message for 23 years without a single convert! So, as mentioned, from 605 BC the first of the exiles were taken to Babylon. Among many were young Daniel and three of his buddies. A later attack in 597 BC would see the prophet Ezekiel and many others taken. Jeremiah himself would be exiled later still in 586 BC when Jerusalem was completely overrun by the Babylonians. Now being taken captive to Babylon was no small journey! To give you an idea of the distance and time taken, the Bible tells us that Ezra the Priest would one day take 4 months to travel the 900 miles back from Babylon to Jerusalem (Ezra 7:6-9).  

Babylon as a Type

Now before we get into it too far, it is worth noting how Babylon is portrayed in the Bible. While Babylon was both a city and an empire, in scripture it speaks and stands for more than just the literal location or kingdom. The word 'Babylon' means 'confusion' and traces its roots back to Genesis 11:9 where God confused the people's language at the tower of Babel. As a type in scripture, Babylon stands for this present world with its false religion and systems. The future fall of Babylon is prophesied in Revelation chapter 17 and 18. Revelation chapter 17 speaks of the destruction of the world's false religious system and chapter 18 speaks of the fall of the world's financial system. So like Daniel, in many ways the Christian's life is one of exile, in a world that is by and large set against the ways of God. We too are 'stranded in Babylon' in that sense and are to consider ourselves as exiles and strangers on this earth while we wait for our deliverance and calling home. Truly, this world is not our real home and like the fathers of the faith, we too look for the heavenly city to come! (Heb 11:8-16)

The goal of the Babylonians - Let the brainwashing begin

Dan 1:3-7 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility - young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service. Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

Down in Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to employ the best of his new crop of intakes. It is fair to say that if you were old, ugly or, well... slow, then by all means submit your CV but definitely expect a 'thanks but don't call us, we'll call you' reply! But some young, handsome, smart Israelite boys did make the cut. And among them were Daniel and his three friends. Those selected were enrolled in a three year 'Bachelor of Babylon' degree where they were taught and indoctrinated into all things 'Babylon'.  

Now it is very interesting to see the method used to make good little 'Babylonians' out of these exiled Israelites. What was the method you ask? Well, first they were taught to speak the lingo - you had to sound like they did. Then they had to read all the Babylonian literature so they could be fully persuaded of how glorious and wondrous Babylon really is. And finally they even had their names changed so that their new identity was Babylonian and their conversion was complete. Everything was done to separate these boys from their Jewish roots. In short, brainwashing and indoctrination! Babylon doesn't want them to remember or think of their real home. The idea was to make the Jews so taken up by all the trappings of Babylon that they had no time to think of their own home and their own God.³ 

Now in this passage we are introduced to four important Jewish youths - Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah - although you might know Daniel's friends by their Babylonian names - Shadrach, Mechach and Abed-nego. It is interesting to look at the meaning of their names before and after the change. According to the Ryrie Study Bible:

In each case, their Hebrew name spoke of the true God and His character, and their names were changed to speak of the Babylonian gods. Now, I am sure you see a familiar pattern here... You should, because the enemy's plan is no different for Christians today! The world would rather that we are just like them. It would want us to follow their rock 'stars' and be in awe of their Hollywood 'stars'. They would prefer that their 'gods' are our gods. But they're not. The bottom line for our lives is clear: Don't let the world change your name or your character!⁴ Don't base your identity, as a Christian, on what the world would label you. So nearly all of Daniel's outward life was changed... but the question is, could they change his heart?

The inner resolve from God.

Dan 1:8-14  But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, 'I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.' Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 'Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.' So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

Verse 8 is obviously a key verse for anyone facing pressure from the worldly pressures of Babylon. With all these external pressures coming on it is great to read of this 'but'. 'But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself'... They could change his name but they couldn't change his heart or his love for God! Daniel and his friends know the commandments and the very first one is crystal clear: 

Exo 20:2-3 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. (3) You shall have no other gods before me.

So he was not swayed by the lure of Babylon even though he lived right in its midst. So think about the effect that the world has on your life? Is there a difference between the desires of your life and of those who don't know the Lord? Because it is fair to say that non-Christians watch you a lot more than you think. And they watch and are interested in your actions more than your words. So you've got to watch the affection of your heart.

A Proverb for our Day

Pro 25:25-26 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. (26) Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.

Proverbs tells us that good news from a distant land (or a far country as some versions say) is like cold water to a weary soul. That is what the believer has received. The distant land or far country that the good news came from is heaven itself. We have received the message from heaven giving the best news of all - that salvation is available in the Son of God! And the righteous are to stay true to this message. And what happens if we don't? Well, we become like a muddied spring or a polluted well. If Daniel had given up his convictions and just become like the other Babylonians (as they wanted) then he would have become like this muddied spring. He would have become someone that once had the ability to give life and sustain the thirsty and needy... but was now useless for that which it had been given! And why? Because the dirt and muck of the world had muddied the waters and his testimony. Unfortunately, a large part of the church in our day is like that. It should have a clear message and undefiled waters to give but has been compromised. Don't be like that. And thankfully, Daniel had a greater resolve than that! He may have been young but strengthened by his faith, he wasn't someone who was about to buckle under pressure and the influence of the world... and nor should we!

A wee note about friends and fellowship

Now, having spoken about Daniel's resolve to stay true to God's word in these trying conditions, it is also useful to note that he didn't do this totally alone. God allowed his three friends to be there with him in this test. And as we shall see in Daniel chapter 3, they were made of the same stuff as Daniel! So what can we take from this? It's simple really - it is important to have godly friends around you that can support you. It is important to maintain fellowship with like minded believers. God helps us in our trials but one of the methods He uses is support from fellow believers. So don't be an island all unto yourself for we are bombarded in this world with 'Babylonian' systems and beliefs. Fellowship with God is crucial but fellowship with godly friends comes next. A key element in the Christian life is the community of believers and that is how God has designed it. Recently I had an email from a young Christian lady living in the Muslim country of Libya. And she was really struggling because the Christian churches were being destroyed and there was no one that she could talk to. And so she reached out online. The bottom line is that we need each other. 

Now we read above that Daniel and his friends decided to only eat vegetables instead of defiling himself with the King's food and wine. This is not to say that Hebrew boys were vegetarians. Far from it. People have used this to write books on 'The Daniel Fast' or 'The Daniel Plan' but Daniel was no vegetarian or vegan, God prescribed that every family in Israel had to cook and eat the Passover Lamb every year. But they were concerned about what meats and drinks were being given in Babylon and whether they had been sacrificed to the Babylonian 'gods'⁵ So they weren't going to break God's dietary or religious laws but notice that they still acted wisely in this, graciously asking permission of the chief official. They didn't demand anything, protest loudly at night with signs outside the king's residence, get snarky or go on a hunger strike. We also need to remember that the chief official was putting his life on the line here as well if he agrees to their request. King Nebuchadnezzar could be highly unpredictable at the best of times and wouldn't want sickly-pasty looking servants coming into his presence! So Daniel, in God-given wisdom that belied his age, proposes a 10 day test. So would God honor such commitment or would Daniel and his friends be headed for the chop?

The God who watches...

Dan 1:15-21 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. (16) So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. (17) To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. (18) At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. (19) The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. (20) In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. (21) And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

So does God watch and act for those who fear Him and put Him first? We know from scripture that He does watch and He certainly does act when it is required . I have always especially liked how Psalm 33:13-19 puts it for it is very clear on this point:

Psalms 33:13-19 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; (14) From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth, (15) He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works. (16) The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength. (17) A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. (18) Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, (19) To deliver their soul from death And to keep them alive in famine.

So Daniel lives on only vegetables and water... Rather him than me, but that aside, God certainly looks after Him just as He promised in Psalm 33 because Daniel fears the Lord and puts God first. And after the 10 days he even ends up fatter on veggies than those eating the king's choice food. Now that is a miracle! So what can we take from this?

Learning from Daniel

As we learn from Daniel we see the need for a simple, uncomplicated faith. A faith that says God watches, God cares, and God acts. The Christians that really know God seem to be blessed by what I would call a 'divine simplicity'. They know the character of God and this makes all the difference. They know that God is well able to look after His own and does that very thing. Whether it is Daniel in Babylon, Joseph in Egypt, Moses in the backside of the desert or even, yes, you! We are not called to totally separate ourselves from this world mind you. We are called to be in it, like Jesus and Daniel were, but not of it (and yes, like Jesus and Daniel again!)

It is also worth pointing out the spiritual lesson provided here with this food. The choice 'food' of Babylonian may seem attractive and nice but it won't sustain you like that which God gives. All too many feed exclusively on what the world offers and ultimately find it to be 'junk food'. It tastes good initially but only leads to further problems, emptiness and discontentment. Stick with what the Lord offers!

Every good and perfect gift...

The Bible says that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights (Jam 1:17) so we should also make note of the abilities and gifts that God gave these four Jewish teenagers. Their knowledge, their understanding and their wisdom were all from God. Personally, I love it when simple folk with God first in their lives can confound the wise! Proverbs tells us that wisdom builds her house on seven pillars (Proverbs 9:1) and it is likely that James picks up on this as he lists the seven attributes of wisdom saying: 'The wisdom from above is (1) first pure, then (2) peaceable, (3) gentle, (4) reasonable, (5) full of mercy and good fruits, (6) unwavering, (7) without hypocrisy. (James 3:17) We see this in Daniel's wise, gentle, reasonable, gracious plan and request. But can you remember what the Bible says is the beginning of wisdom⁶ and knowledge? 

Proverbs 1:7 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.'

This was Daniel and his young Jewish friends and the Bible says that in their wisdom and advice they were ten times better than any of the so-called wise-men in the Babylonian kingdom. But God aye?! And so the chapter concludes by saying that Daniel was still serving the King unto the first year of Cyrus. Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon in 539 B.C so this is 66 years after Daniel first arrived as a young teenage captive. What an amazing long ministry Daniel had amongst these heathen kings! And what an influence he had as we shall see in this series.

Conclusion 

So as we conclude, what have we seen?

We have seen that Babylon, as a type of the World's system, likes to mold us into its ways through education, identification and nutrition:

1. Firstly it tries to educate us in all the ways of its kingdom so that we will think like everyone else does
2. Secondly it tries to give us an identify that is in reference to the world and they gods they follow
3. Thirdly it tries to feed us with that which they like and enjoy 

So... are you being conformed to the world's image or being transformed into the Lord's image? Daniel was able to resist this Babylonian brain washing and stay true to God because he had a godly fear of God and trusted God in the midst of the temptation. How about you? Do you have that divine simplicity of faith that trusts the Lord in trying times? I hope we all do. Daniel and his friends may have been 'Stranded in Babylon', but though in the world, they were not of the world. And may we be the same. The world's system and ways haven't changed. Its goals haven't changed because the god of this world hasn't changed. So may we trust and walk close to the only One that can uphold us. May we be conformed to His will and not transformed into the world's image.

God Bless.

FOOTNOTES