Bible Study: Daring to Stand - Part 1

Daniel held many roles throughout his lifetime. He was a captive, a student, a leader, a politician, a statesman, a prisoner, a dreamer, and a prophet. Yet, in all these positions, whether of high or low status, he remained constant in his devotion to God. In the first chapter of Daniel, we get a glimpse of his faith, obedience and courage as a young boy faced with wickedness in high places.

Daring to Stand, A Study of Daniel Chapter 1

<Recommended Reading: Daniel 1>

Verse 1. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.


At the outset of the Book of Daniel, the situation was pretty grim. It would be easy to overlook the statement in the first verse that Jerusalem was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar, but God put it there for a reason. Think about Jerusalem for a moment. Jerusalem is the place from which David reigned. God said Jerusalem is the place where He dwells, and the place He has chosen to set His Name (Psalm 135:21, 1 Kings 11:36). Jerusalem was and is a holy city, set apart unto God and His people.

A heathen king descended upon the holy city and ‘besieged’ it. The word ‘besieged’ means to surround; to torment with requests; to cause worry and distress. Think how it might feel to have your city surrounded by an enemy. At any moment, they could sweep in and destroy your home, your family and you. Oppression is the word that comes to mind.

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have all experienced oppressive circumstances. Sometimes, that oppression is an attack from the enemy. Other times, it is caused by our own response and lack of faith in the midst of the difficulty.



Verse 2. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.


Not only did this heathen king profane the holy city, he went on to desecrate the temple. He seized objects sanctified for the Lord’s use and carried them off to the treasure house of his pagan god. Imagine the feeling in Israel as this became known. Anger and grief were probably running very high. The priests may have torn their robes as they watched heathens ransack the temple. When holy things are profaned, such as the Name of the Lord, how do you respond?



Verses 3-4. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.


As if trashing the temple and oppressing God's people weren’t enough insult and torment, this wicked king then kidnapped their children. Notice he didn’t take men of learning. He chose the best and the brightest youngsters to use for his own wicked schemes. (Most scholars think they were probably teenagers.) Not only was it Nebuchadnezzar’s intent to train them in sciences and languages, but he also wanted them to serve his pagan gods.



Verses 5-7. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.


The king changed their names as a reminder that not only did he wish them to serve him, but also his gods. Their Hebrew names were a reminder of the LORD God of Israel. Daniel means ‘God is Judge.’ Hananiah means 'God is gracious' and Mishael means 'Who is like God?’ Their new names were a constant reminder of the pagan deities served by their new masters. Think about how often each day you hear, read, write or speak your own name. The name of some heathen god was invoked over these young men many, many times a day, every day. (We should be careful what names we choose for our children.)



These young men were taught the all the ‘wisdom’ of Babylon for a period of three years. They had been torn from their homes, torn from their families and torn from the study of the scriptures and from worship of the God of Israel. Some may have given in to the pressure and turned to Babylon’s gods, but four did not...      Go to part 2