Dare To Be A Daniel

Daniel 1:1-20

It takes courage to stand up for what you believe, to stand for your convictions.  Sometimes we get afraid to speak up with our convictions when there is opposition.  This is especially true if that opposition is someone who is powerful and the consequences could be very serious.  In our Scripture passage today from the Book of Daniel, we read how the young man Daniel had courage to stand firm for what he believed, despite what the consequences could be.

Chapter 1 of the Book of Daniel takes place around 606 - 605 BC.  The Babylonian Empire has started their conquest of the Kingdom of Judah, and the first round of exiles have been taken eastward into Babylon.  This first round of captives were primarily young men from the wealthiest families, men that were good looking and were smart.  They were men who showed potential and were “the cream of the crop”.  Daniel, who was possibly a relative of the king, and his three friends were among those who were taken captive into Babylon.

King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to select from these young men some who he would train to become leaders of state.  Qualifications to be given this honor to be trained in affairs of state were to be free from any blemish or handicap, handsome, intelligent and mentally sharp, and socially poised and polished (vs. 4).  Daniel and his friends, who were probably teenagers at the time, were among those chosen.

One of the first things that the king’s court wanted to do with these chosen men was to facilitate a swift change of allegiance.  They wanted to make these young men into Babylonians, and one way was to turn them from anything Hebrew about them, including the worship of their God Yahweh.  To help with this was to give them Babylonian names that honored the Babylonian gods, rather than their Hebrew names (vs. 6-7).  Daniel, which means “God is my judge” was given the name Belteshazzar which means “Bel protects the king”.  Bel was the chief god of Babylon.  Hananiah, meaning “The Lord is Gracious” was given the name Shadrach, meaning “Command of Aku”.  Aku was a moon god.  Mishael, meaning “Who is like the Lord” was given the name Meshach, meaning “Who is what Aku is”.  And Azariah, meaning “The Lord is my Helper”, was named Abednego, meaning “Servant of Nabu”.  Nabu was a god of learning.  The Babylonian authorities did not realize with these four young men, however, was that although they changed their names to make them Babylonian, they could not change their character.  Daniel and his friends were fully committed to Yahweh.

The first major test that they faced was that of their diet.  The young men in training were given their food from the king’s court.  This pagan food and drink was devoted to their idols.  Eating implied honoring these deities. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not compromise or be untrue to Yahweh (vs. 8).  He took a stand and was faithful to God.  This could have been very dangerous for Daniel to do, but God honored his trust and allegiance (vs. 9-16). Because of Daniel’s faithfulness, God moved to change the heart of the Babylonian officials.  God honors those who honor Him.

Although Daniel was in a culture that did not honor God, he still obeyed God’s laws.  Society today says there are no absolute moral truths, and that the Bible is irrelevant.  Society says each person can decide for themselves what is right.  Daniel was committed to stand for the Lord, even if it cost him his life.

Like Daniel, we must resolve to obey God, and be committed to following and living for Him.  It is possible to be obedient to God, even when surrounded by people who are disobedient to His Word.  Make up your mind to put God first, and hold an absolute commitment to honor Him above all else.  Do what is right and not give in to the pressures around us.  Never compromise your standards.  As the old-time hymn says, “Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to stand alone!  Dare to have a purpose firm!  Dare to make it known!”