Daniel 1:1-21 Four Foreigners Fuss about Food & Find Favour

Introduction: the rise and fall of nations…

Do you get worried about our country. Perhaps you read the papers or listen to the radio, or watch the current affairs shows. You hear that the country is being sold off. The best farming land is going to overseas interests.

Or perhaps you are concerned about our way of life. People whose way of life is diametrically opposed to yours have control. They have taken over the government. They’ve taken over the media. They have taken over the suburb. They are pushing their way of life on everyone else. And you wonder what sort of future your children or grandchildren will have.

Perhaps you are worried about the economy. Many of our great Western nations are bankrupt. The US, UK and parts of Europe have skyrocketing debt. If they were companies, they would be declared bankrupt. Your superannuation has been ‘market corrected’ away. Things are uncertain at work. And you note that the mining boom doesn’t necessarily help every Australian.

Or perhaps you are worried about foreign powers. New great nation states are emerging, who walk to the beat of a different drum. Well known allies seem to be crumbling and decaying. New movements and nations are becoming stronger. Last century saw two world wars, a long cold war, and so many other smaller conflicts that claimed millions of lives. Our own century started with September 11, which has now led to intractable wars that have ensnared us and our friends. And peace and security seems no closer.

Or perhaps relationships are shaky, insecure, or fragile. ‘He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not. Will she be there when I get home?’ People no longer keep their promises but walk away when it’s too hard or where a better offer comes along.

In such uncertain times, what hope is there? Where is your security placed? Where is something firm, solid and reliable, that you can place your trust in?

Well, an old hymn tells us what is solid and secure: ‘Through the rise and fall of nations, one firm anchor holds us fast. God is King, his throne eternal, God the first and God the last’.

Context: Times are tough (Daniel 1:1-2)

Welcome to Daniel. Over the next 10 weeks, we are going to be looking at the Old Testament book of Daniel together.

In chapter 1, we are introduced to Daniel’s times. They could not be, from one perspective, more bleak. Judah and Jerusalem has fallen. Daniel chapter 1 verses 1 and 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. (Daniel 1:1-2 NIV)

Jerusalem has finally fallen. 350 years before, it had mighty kings like David and Solomon. Each one lived in peace and safety under his own vine and fig tree.

But now Babylon has besieged Jerusalem. And it fell. The temple in Jerusalem, where God promised to put his name, has been sacked. All the goodies have been looted, taken off to the pagan temple in Babylon. And Jehoiakim, the Davidic King of Judah, has been taken into exile.

And it looks like Yahweh, the God of Israel has failed. Yahweh and Israel have been overpowered by Nebuchednezzar and his god. That’s what Nebuchadnezzar thinks. I won the war. So my god is bigger and better than your god.

But that’s not what actually has happened. What does verse 2 say:

And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand (NIV)

God is in control. And the reason for this great loss? God is punishing his people. Before Israel ever entered the land, God promised he would punish them if they were unfaithful. Deuteronomy 28 said these things:

49 The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand, ⁵⁰ a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young. ⁵¹ They will devour the young of your livestock and the crops of your land until you are destroyed. …⁵² They will lay siege to all the cities throughout your land until the high fortified walls in which you trust fall down. …⁶³ Just as it pleased the LORD to make you prosper and increase in number, so it will please him to ruin and destroy you. You will be uprooted from the land you are entering to possess. (Deuteronomy 28:49, -52, 63 NIV)

It’s the worst of times, as far as the Jews are concerned. They’ve lost their land. They are humiliated. They’re best and brightest are taken naked and disgraced into captivity to a foreign land, where they are worse than refugees. They are the defeated remnant of a disobedient people. And among that despondent rag tag column of survivors is a young boy named Daniel.

Jerusalem’s Got Talent (Daniel 1:3-5)

But in the midst of this disaster, God is still looking after his remnant. Chapter 1 verses 3 to 5:

³Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— ⁴ 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. ⁵ 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. (Daniel 1:3-5 NIV)

King Nebuchadnezzar is cherry picking the youth of Israel. He sees that Jerusalem’s got talent. So he picks the eyes out of the survivors, taking only the best of the sons of the nobles and royal families. And he will bring them into his service.

They are to be a stolen generation, taken away from their families. They are to live in the big brother house. They are to be brain washed. Forget about Jewish law and culture and Yahweh the defeated God of Israel. Now you need to learn the better Babylonian way, proven in the contest of war to be superior. And so they are schooled three years in the religion, language and culture of Babylon. And they will be dependant on the King. They must eat from his table and trust in Nebuchadnezzar.

Can’t Even Keep Your Name (Daniel 1:6-7)

In fact, you can’t even keep your names. Imagine if our kids were forced to bear new names. No longer Jeremy and Josiah and Timothy and Luke and James. Far too biblical and Christian. They need to be renamed Mohammed, Ali, Mustafa and Bilal. Or renamed Zhen, Yi, Liang or Cheng. You’ld know the Australia you grew up in was long gone.

Well, Daniel and his three friends can’t even keep their names. Daniel chapter 1 verses 6 and 7:

Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. ⁷ The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. (NIV)

Here are young Jewish boys, with Jewish names giving honour to Yahweh. Daniel meaning ‘God is my judge’. Hananiah meaning ‘Yahweh is gracious’. Mishael meaning ‘Who is what God is?’ And Azariah meaning ‘Yahweh is a helper’[1].

Daniel’s new name Belteshazzar means ‘Oh Lady wife of the god Bel, protect the King’. Hananiah’s new name is Shadrach meaning ‘Command of the Moon God’. Mishael’s new name Meshach means ‘Who is like the moon God?’ And Azariah’s new name Abednego, which means ‘Servant of Nebo, the Shining one’. Their very names now say, Yahweh is not your god, your god’s are now the Babylonian gods[2].

Well, there wasn’t much that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah could do about their name. Perhaps they could have made a stand. But apparently, they were prepared to live with being called other things. And they learnt everything about Babylonian literature, language, culture and religion that was served up to them. In fact, they went to the top of the class. Look at verses 19 and 20:

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. (NIV)

They outdid the Babylonians in Babylonian. So they knew what it was to accept their situation, to compromise where they could, to please their masters and overlords, and to bend when it was required and prudent, while still serving Yahweh the God of Israel.

Fussy Eaters (Daniel 1:8)

However, peaceful co-existence could not continue. The four faithful friends still had a hill to die on. There was something that they couldn’t stomach. The new name, the language, the learning, the literature, they could go along with all that. But the king’s food and wine was a different story. Food was where they drew the line. Verse 8:

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. (NIV)

Every family has a fussy eater. No, I’m sorry, I don’t eat meat. Don’t defile me, I will not join in your carnivorous blood shed. Sorry, Feed the Man meat, I don’t eat rabbit food. Give it to the guinea pigs. Or I don’t eat crusts. Or I only eat organic. Or is it fair trade. Before I drink it, where were those beans grown. No sorry, I don’t drink supermarket bought coffee – I’m a self confessed coffee snob. Don’t you know that I only eat chicken nuggets, french fries, vegemite sandwiches and chocolate.

Not to put too fine a point on it, some people are difficult to feed. And from the point of view of the chief official, Daniel was one of them. Daniel is fussing about food on behalf of the four. For all four of the friends couldn’t bring themselves to eat the royal food.

Now, we are not told why they fuss about the kings food. It’s not because they are vegetarians. Chapter 10 verse 3 tells us that Daniel later normally ate meat. Nor is it because they are teetotalers, and wine is evil. Because Daniel is said later to drink wine (Daniel 10:3). But we can make some pretty good guesses why the four friends fussed about the food.

Some of the food would have been non-Kosher. Yahweh had prohibited his Old Testament people from eating certain meats. Pork, lobster, camel, rabbit, crayfish, prawns and crabs where all off the menu (Leviticus 11:1-47; Deuteronomy 14:3-20). And the Babylonian diet probably included some of those prohibited meats.

Likewise, the wine may have been made from grapes in breach of Leviticus 19:23-25, which said only the 5^th season’s grapes could be used.

Also, the meat and wine may well had been offered to Babylonian idols. And so they were reluctant to partake. Despite their national humiliation, they wanted to be faithful to God in a foreign land.

God Goes Before: the Four Friends Find Love & Compassion (Daniel 1:9)

Well, in the midst of national humiliation and shame, God goes before and prepares the path of obedience for Daniel and his three friends.

Consider the possible consequences of the request. The official might have been deeply offended. ‘What, the King’s table not good enough for you Jewish upstarts. Have you forgotten your place. A subjugated, inferior people who my great King has condescended to improve. How dare you question our cooking!’ He might have passed on the complaint not just to the kitchen, but to the king. And then he wouldn’t have to worry about his head. But the four Jews would have to worry about theirs.

But the chief official doesn’t do that. Why? Verse 9:

Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel. (NIV)

Literally, ‘God gave Daniel faithful love and tender mercy before the chief eunuch.’ Daniel and his three friends have been concerned to honour God’s word. And God meanwhile has not been idle. He has been preparing the heart of the official. As Proverbs says:

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD. He directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. (Proverbs 21:1 NIV)

Consequently, the official loves Daniel. He is compassionate and merciful toward him and his request.

Do you have to take a stand about something? Have you got a difficult conversation to have? Do you have to make a sensitive request?

Remember, God is bigger than the person before whom you will appear. God is sovereign and in control. He will work everything for your good in the end, if you are seeking first his kingdom.

And here is a great encouragement to pray. For the God who caused the chief official to show favour and sympathy to Daniel still answers the prayers of his people for their good.

Don’t give up. Pray that God will work the good. Say what you need to say. Because while acts are with us, consequences are with the Lord. He can melt the most stubborn heart.

God has been working on the official to soften him up. The official loves Daniel and his friends and is compassionate towards them. But the official is also afraid that any variation from the King’s command will cost him his head. So he listens to them, and consents to a compromise. A ten day test, a bit like a detox. Daniel’s pitch is ‘see for yourself – try the 10 day test’. The four friends will eat grains and vegetables[3] but not the meat. They will drink water not wine. And the result, verse 15:

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. (NIV)

Literally, they looked ‘good and fat of flesh’ when compared to the other lads. They weren’t all skin and bones, but strong, muscular, fit and healthy.

So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. (NIV)

God honours those who are faithful to his word.

Now, God’s people are no longer under food laws. Jesus declared all food clean (Mark 7:19; Romans 14:20). But there might be some other area where God wants us to make a stand.

Perhaps in the area of sexuality and relationships. Maybe you know God is not happy with something there. And you are afraid to take a step you need to make. Or perhaps it is at work – that something is not right, that something is going on that shouldn’t be happening. A whistle needs to be blown. Perhaps it has to do with honesty. You want to stop stealing, or do what is right on your tax return. And you need to say sorry, but you are afraid. Perhaps it is with your children, or your family, or a friend. A hard word needs to be said for the good of all. Or it might be to speak up about Jesus and his way, in a situation where he really needs to shine light into darkness.

Friend, dare to be a Daniel. Pray that God make the person favourable to your approach, preparing the ground upon which you need to make your stand. And then talk to the person you need to talk to. Pray and Say, speak the truth in love, and leave the rest to God.

God’s Gifting the Four (Daniel 1:17)

But not only has God softened the heart of the chief eunuch toward the four foreigners. Not only are they godly enough to risk offending the King that subjugated them. God has also graciously gifted the four friends. Verse 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. (Daniel 1:17 NIV)

They were only so smart and wise and able because God gave them their abilities and powers. Sure, they might have studied. But still, it all comes down to God’s gifting.

Are you good at something? Perhaps you are good at understanding or teaching bookish stuff. Perhaps you are handy, and you can fix all kinds of things. Perhaps you are good at making money. Perhaps you understand numbers or computers. Perhaps you have a knack with people – perhaps children, or young people, or older people. Perhaps you’re a good homemaker. Perhaps you’re musical, or have a way with words, or have a fantastic imagination. Or perhaps you have the gift of plod, just getting in there and doing what needs to be done.

Then know, it is all God’s gifting. Sure, you might have worked hard at it, like Daniel and his friends. He had an intensive three year course at the royal residential college. But whether it is mostly your own hard work, or mostly just natural ability, or wholly God’s supernatural gifting, all of it’s all God’s gift. As Paul says:

‘For who makes you different from anyone else? [answer, God] What do you have that you did not receive? [answer, nothing] And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? [answer, because we are nearsighted, proud and sinful] (1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV)

Daniel: A Life Spent in Exile (Daniel 1:21)

And so as we leave Daniel chapter 1, the introduction to Daniel, we are told that Daniel is a Career Public Servant. Verse 21:

And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. (NIV)

This verse speaks of God’s blessing but also frustration. Blessing, because the verse tells us that Daniel served successive emperors for a total of 66 years. Blessing, because as a man of about 80 or more, he continued to serve under Cyrus the Persian (Daniel 6:28) Blessing because he outlived successive not just Kings but whole Dynasties. And not just dynasties, but he saw the rise and fall of Superpowers. And not only did he outlive the old superpower, but he prospered under the new superpower and continued in administration, receiving the favour of the new Nation, Dynasty and King.

But it also speaks of frustration. Because God leaves this faithful man in a foreign land far from home. The impression we are given is that Daniel died in exile. The probability is that he foresaw that the exile would only be 70 years, but that he himself never returned to the beautiful land, Jerusalem. It was for others to return, not Daniel. For it seems that Daniel stayed faithfully serving Cyrus the King while others returned home (Daniel 6:28).

We are going to see that Daniel shut the mouth of the lions by faith (Hebrews 11:33). He was commended for his faith. Yet he did not receive what had been promised. (Hebrews 11:39)

And I hope you find that encouraging. For you and I too, need to be faithful for the time of our exile. We might never see in this life all the things God has promised. Jesus might not come back in our life times. But whether he does or doesn’t come, we know that God will be faithful to his word. All we need to do is trust and obey . Let’s pray.

[1] ESV study bible note

[2] Compare the words of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:8 ‘(He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god)’ (NIV).

[3] Literally, ‘sown things’.