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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 gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.

Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”

So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.

Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.

—From Daniel 1 (NKJV)

Meditation

We likely all know the story of Daniel, the royal prophet tossed into the lion’s den. Many also know of his friends’ walk through the fiery furnace. But much earlier in his life, he had his first test of faith and devotion.

Daniel was of the line of David. Handsome, young, royal, and when Judah was overtaken by Babylon, he was one of the few chosen to receive intensive education, albeit as a captive, in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. The reason has been debated—some say the Babylonians controlled conquered peoples by taking their leaders as prisoners; others think Daniel and the other young men may have been royal “pets” to show off to visiting dignitaries. Whatever the reason, Daniel was torn from home and family for years of intense study and service in Babylon.

While we may ponder why Daniel was taken, the larger question is: why, in his early days of captivity, did he refuse to eat the king’s food? What teenage boy would refuse meat and sweets in favor of vegetables, especially when the punishment for disobedience was death at the hands of a king known for his brutality and ruthlessness. 

Daniel had resolved not to defile himself. 

While it was true that Babylonian cuisine was rich in foods forbidden as unclean by Jewish law, surely Daniel could have found something to eat among the king’s varied fare. And while Daniel was also forbidden by Jewish law from eating food sacrificed to idols, there is no evidence that the king’s table would have had any such foods. 

The true defilement Daniel resolved to avoid was a defilement of the heart. He was a Jew of the house of Judah, and to share in the enemy’s food, to eat at their table, was to accept their hospitality. And to accept their hospitality was to accept them as friend. 

Daniel wanted to remain set apart, to retain his heritage, and he certainly did not want to curry favor with his captor as Hezekiah had with the Babylonian prince generations before, or like his own king, Jehoiachin, did, welcoming the hospitality of Babylon. 

We should remember that Daniel was a teen and had no prophet, priest or parent to instruct him. He made this decision alone and against threat of immediate (and likely grisly) execution if he displeased Nebuchadnezzar. 

Daniel passed this first test of faith, and soon earned a reputation for great wisdom. So great was his wisdom, in fact, that he was made chief prefect over the wise men who lived their lives studying the Babylonian gods. 

Interestingly, the wisdom of Babylon agreed that while their gods did not dwell among humans, they said of Daniel, “I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you” (Dan. 4:9 NIV).

Here they spoke of spirit, breath, the same ru’ah that was used by Ezekiel. 

Daniel’s life presents us with yet another example of the amazing work of God, of the glimmer of His scarlet cord of promise woven throughout Scripture. Daniel’s life, like so many others, points forward to a young couple, a manger, and a promise fulfilled.

Inspiration

Music

As you enjoy God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen consider the placement of punctuation in the title: the song is promising joyful rest, not rest for those who’ve been too merry! Think as well how Daniel and his friends might have longed for such “tidings of comfort and joy.”

Christmas Hallelujah shows us the reason for our hope.

Visit our Joy of Advent YouTube playlist for featured videos, our Ultimate Christmas playlist for all our favorite carols, or our sing-along carols to enjoy karaoke style.

Reflection

Emmanuel means God With Us. Daniel’s life was one full of God’s miraculous presence. As a young teen he had the strength to defy a king’s orders, then that same king saw a fourth figure in the fiery furnace, which he described as son of the gods (Dan. 3:25)—many theologians think that the fourth figure was Christ Himself. Daniel had wisdom that astounded even Babylon’s wisest, and he was visited by the Angel Gabriel about 600 years before Gabriel visited Mary. What if the presence of God is with you? Perhaps His presence is not as vivid for you as it was for Daniel, but reflect today on your sense of God’s presence—in joy as well as in suffering.

Prayer

O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.

My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy
Even as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.

Family Celebration 

In your child’s favorite Children’s Bible, read the story of Daniel’s Captivity.

Say: Would you ever want to travel to another country? What if you had to go alone? Daniel was no more than a teenager when he was taken from his family and brought to a foreign land. Some think he was as young as ten years old! The king wanted him to eat fancy food, but Daniel wanted to please God. It was dangerous to say no to a king, but Daniel knew God would be with him. We use a bowl of fruit and vegetables to remember Daniel’s trust and God’s provision. He and his friends were healthier after ten days than those who ate the king’s food. Can you trust God like Daniel did? You can start by eating your vegetables!

Especially for Toddlers and PreK

Resources

• A film from 2013 beautifully dramatizing the life of Daniel.

• See how God moves in, around and through difficult circumstances in a recent sermon. We are challenged to trust God when things are hard and also be polite when drawing a line as citizens in two kingdoms.

• Enjoy a printable coloring page of Daniel in his youth.

• Would you like to make Jesse Tree ornaments to accompany your readings? Find tutorials and ideas from simple to advanced at our Jesse Tree Ornaments Pinterest board.

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