Challenge and Responses in Daniel’s Life

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There were four big changes in Daniel’s life as the result of his captivity. When Daniel went from Jerusalem to Babylon; from prince to servant; from familiar surroundings to strange surroundings he

was confronted with four radical changes. These four changes were major adjustment and he needed to make important decisions about them.

Daniel 1:1-16 (NIV): Daniel’s Training in Babylon. 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 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[a] and put in the treasure house of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service 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.[b] 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. 6 Among those who were chosen 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. 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. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[c] 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.” 11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 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.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 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. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

Change 1: He Was Given a New Home.

Daniel 1:1-3 (NIV): 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 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[a] and put in the treasure house of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—

Daniel lost his safe and secure home environment in Jerusalem. He was taken to an extremely country. His home country was theistic, meaning they had one God. His new country was a center of idol worship. Everything had changed and was unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and alien. College students and missionaries can identify with Daniel’s situation. They leave home for unfamiliar surroundings. There are community bathroom and shower facilities. They go from living in a quiet home to turmoil. Going from a familiar home to a new country is hard. It’s stressful Daniel experienced that kind of strain too.

Change 2: He Was Given a New Knowledge. 

Daniel 1:4 (NIV): 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.[a]

Daniel made his mark in understanding specific disciplines of learning. He was in a monotheistic, God-fearing society. At the time of his capture Daniel was a student of Hebrew history. He grew up believing there was one God (Jehovah).

In Babylon, he was being taught by Babylon’s scholars: that there were many gods. That humans were central to all issues of life. That study of origin and destiny were not part of good thinking. That being egocentric is desirable. He was also being taught to learn a new language, the “tongue of the Chaldeans”

How could he keep his integrity in this environment?

Change 3: He Was Given a New Diet.

Daniel 1:5 (NIV): 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.

One of the challenges you may face when traveling is eating the local food. Travelers may be offered food that they don’t want or recognize. There may be stress of pleasing your hosts as you sit at theirtables.

For Daniel, the food was new and had symbolic and spiritual consequences. The food they gave him violated Hebrew dietary laws. Eating this food would have gone against his faith and his conscience. Daniel’s character was being tested again. (Pattern)

Did he have the character to stand for what is right? Was he committed to maintaining his self-discipline? Would he have the courage to refuse the food?

Change 4: He Was Given a New Name.

Daniel 1:6-7 (NIV): 6 Among those who were chosen 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.

Names do matter. Parents put a lot of thought into choosing the right one. Names mattered even more in ancient cultures. Daniel’s name in his native language meant “judge of God.” His identity was attached to his name because his parents chose His name for who they wanted him to become but his captors gave Daniel a new name. They told him that his name would be Belteshazzar, a name that represented pagan religious acts and beliefs. The name represented everything Daniel was not.

Daniel had right responses to the wrong influences. 

He faced issues that challenged who he was and who he was to become. How would he respond? Would he grudgingly adapt and make the best of things. Would he just give up?

He responds with strong character “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself” The early days in Babylon became the defining days for Daniel and how he would live the rest of his life separated from the comforts and memories of Jerusalem. Character helps a person to do what is right even when it is hard. When he made up his mind not to be defile himself with Babylonian beliefs he showed credibility, courage, consistency, respect and trust. He became an example for other Hebrew young people who had also been forced into the new system. He gave them a reason to overcome and celebrate in their God.

In the early years of Daniel’s life he learned the important skill of diplomacy. He used wisdom and diplomacy in responding to his captor’s demands. Daniel becomes a calm and cool diplomat. He presents his situation to his new authorities in a compelling manner He didn’t have to negotiate away any convictions of his spiritual life.

Daniel 1:8-16 (NIV): 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. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[a] 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.” 11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 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.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 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. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

Daniel made a request to the person who was in charge of him after he established a working relationship with that individual. He told his supervisor that he knew the food they were given was to strengthen them for their work. He told them if he and his friends could eat the diet of their youth for ten days their work, attitudes and health would be better. The plan worked and Daniel was able to take a stand and keep his integrity. We can gain favor with a hostile world through good character.

Daniel’s early decisions set a pattern for his life The patterns we create early in life will impact our future decisions. Our choices have an impact on the lives we lead. Daniel decided at a young age to keep himself clean and focus on his pursuit of God. He became a model of character and integrity.

Daniel told the truth even when it was risky. In Daniel 2,  Daniel was called to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. When Daniel was brought in to interpret the dream, there was tension in the palace. The king was disturbed and could not figure out his dream. His interpreters couldn’t explain its meaning. If they couldn’t interpret the dream they would be executed. Daniel asked an official if he could interpret the dream, explaining that only God could do this.

The result of the accurate interpretation was that God was glorified and the king was impressed. Daniel was promoted to a higher level of influence because of his success. Daniel some risks by interpreting the dream and telling the truth about its meaning. He was able to do this because he trusted in God. Being prideful and lying weren’t options.

He lived the truth even when it was unpopular. Daniel rose to the highest levels of power and influence directly under the king. He lived through both the Babylon and Persian kingdoms. Both kingdoms knew he was necessary to their success. Because of this, he became the focus of jealousy by others who resented his rise. His co-workers were trying to destroy his public influence. They tried to find something in his past to force him out of office but he was faithful and trustworthy. They only found that he was a faithful servant of God (6:5). 

The jealous peers made a proposal to the king that appealed to his ego. They suggested a law that everyone pray only to King Darius as god, making prayers to other gods treason that would lead to execution. Darius made it law, and with it also sentenced Daniel to possible death. His co-workers knew Daniel would never deny his God, and in a short time, Daniel was sentenced to be thrown in a den of lions but God saved him. Darius realized he was wrong and God received the glory. Daniel worked, honoring his God, and maintaining his integrity.

Build a Godly Foundation Early. 

Develop and maintain your own character and integrity. Here are some early and practical steps to help you accomplish that. 

• Discipline yourself to do two necessary things you do not like every week. 
• Set clear, specific goals. 
• Study God’s word.
• Find a mentor.
• Write down promises you make.
• Take responsibility for your actions and emotions.
• Look at the motives behind your actions.

Daniel possessed character and integrity. Combine character with courage and you have an incredible servant of God. When you mix in God’s favor: You have a person who influences influencers and leads nations through good and bad times.

You can do the same.

Michael at R2W