Installment I
IN THESE OMINOUS DAYS when there is much saber rattling, one is very much perplexed. Almost anything can develop out of the present tense situation. Those who know the Lord personally and are familiar with the messages of Moses and the Prophets and of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles can understand the days in which we live. On the other hand, the unsaved, and the leaders of the nations--statesmen, scientists, educators, and philosophers--are hopelessly perplexed.
The prophetic messages of the Scriptures were given that the people of God might understand their times and adjust their lives and programs to fit into God's plan and purpose.
Though one gathers much information from the study of all the prophets regarding our day and time, the Book of Daniel especially throws much light on the events of these days in which we are living. Therefore I have been led to write a series of articles on this marvelous Book, the present discussion being the first one.
I. God's Overruling Providence of the Nations
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god: and he brought the vessels into the treasure-house of his god. (Dan. 1:1,2).
The Lord God, the Creator of the Universe, governs all things, even overruling the free acts of His creatures and making all events contribute to the advancement of His plan of the ages.
In Psalm 135:5-12 is a sublime statement which sets forth God's relation to the material universe:
5 For I know that Jehovah is great, And that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, that hath he done, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;
7 Who causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who maketh lightnings for the rain; Who bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries;
8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt, Both of man and beast;
9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants;
10 Who smote many nations, And slew mighty kings,
11 Sihon king of the Amorites, And Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan,
12 And gave their land for a heritage, A heritage unto Israel his people.
Note the fact (v. 6) that "whatsoever Jehovah pleased, that hath he done" in four realms: "in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps." According to verse 7, He controls the weather. In verses 8-11 we see Him dealing with certain nations according to His will. In verse 12 we learn that God gave the Holy Land to His people Israel for their inheritance. On the point of God's overruling providence, see especially I Chronicles 29:10-19.
God's dealing with the rulers and kings of the nations is set forth very forcefully in Jeremiah 25:15-29. In this passage all rulers of the world are represented as being seated at a banquet table. Jeremiah serves as cupbearer on this occasion and is ordered by the Lord to "take this cup of the wine of wrath at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. 15 For thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, unto me: take this cup of the wine of wrath at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. 16 And they shall drink, and reel to and fro, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them. (Jer 25:15-16)
The absolute sovereignty of God and the freedom of man are set forth most graphically in the following Scripture:
"Ho Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, the staff in whose hand is mine indignation! 6 I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few. 12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that, when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. (Isa. 10:5-7,12).
According to these verses, Sennacherib the Assyrian addressed, is figuratively speaking, the rod of God's wrath with which He punished His disobedient Chosen People Israel. Though God announced and carried out His threat of punishing His people, this boastful monarch thought that he was doing his own will and was absolutely unconscious of being used by the Lord. Just as the Lord used Sennacherib in this case, He uses other monarchs and empires to accomplish His purposes. Thus we may believe that God still uses men and governments to carry out His program. As we learn from Daniel 1:1, God also used Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in punishing His disobedient people Israel in the third year* of the reign of, Jehoiakim, king of Judah. According to Daniel 1:2, God gave Jehoiakim and part of the vessels of the Temple of God into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, who deposited these vessels in the treasury of the house of his god.
II. Hebrew Youths Given Special Training for Government Service
"And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in certain of the children of Israel, even of the seed royal and of the nobles; 4 youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skilful in all wisdom, and endued with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's dainties, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at the end thereof they should stand before the king. 6 Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 And the prince of the eunuchs gave names unto them: unto Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego." (Dan 1:3-7)
Verse 3 assumes that Nebuchadnezzar deported captives from Judah to Babylon. He appointed Ashpenaz, one of the high officers of the government, to select certain Jewish youths from among the captives, for special training--post graduate scientific research. He was to choose only those from "the seed royal and of the nobles, youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and, skilful in all wisdom, and endued with knowledge, and understanding science," and of imposing and pleasing personality. It is quite evident that Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan ruler, had very high standards of physical manhood, native ability, intellectual attainments, studious habits, and academic achievements. These young men were to be taught in "learning and the tongue the Chaldeans." It is quite probable that Nebuchadnezzar was preparing some of these young men for diplomatic service and for other high positions in the government.
According to verse 7, the prince of the eunuchs gave Daniel and his three friends Babylonian names.
III. Daniel's Purpose Not to Defile Himself
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths that are of your own age? so would ye endanger my head with the king. 11 Then said Daniel to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king's dainties; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants." (Dan. 1:8-13).
From verse 8 one sees that Daniel, whose Hebrew name means "God is my judge," purposed in his very soul not to defile himself by eating the king's dainties, nor by drinking the king's wine. It is quite probable that the defilement which Daniel purposed to avoid involved heathen practices and immorality. It is indeed refreshing to see young men and young women who have high standards of morals and ethics.
Daniel requested the prince of eunuchs that he might not be forced to defile himself in eating or drinking at the king's table. Daniel and his friends evidently were consistent in their life and conduct. They had the respect of their superior officer, who was impressed with the genuineness of their characters. It always pays to be consistent, knowing one's place, and to stand for one's conviction. For such a one, God will providentially work in his favor.
IV. Examination Day
"So he hearkened unto them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths that did eat of the king's dainties. 16 So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse." (Dan 1:14-16)
Daniel's request was that the Hebrew young men not be forced to eat the royal dainties, but to have a simple diet of pulse (vegetables). He asked that they be allowed to eat this simple diet for ten days. Then they were to be examined physically. When they were examined, they were found to be in better physical condition than the youths who had eaten of the King's dainties.
V. Graduation Day
"Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 And at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus." (Dan. 1:17-21).
Graduation day came "at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in. ..." We may be sure that these young men, were honor students, and that faithfully and capably they had acquitted themselves on all occasions. On graduation day these Hebrew youths were found to be in ten times better condition than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all the king's realm.
"As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams" (v. 17). It is quite likely that God in a miraculous manner gave them knowledge, learning, and wisdom in the same way that He did Solomon (I Kings 3:4-15).
God has some special work for those to whom He gives superior advantages and opportunities. Talents and gifts are conferred upon people in order to prepare them for special work that God has for them to do. Most assuredly, "the eyes of Jehovah run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (II Chron. 16:9)--and He found His man Daniel, humble, courageous, fearless, and "greatly beloved," who continued in the government service until the first year of Cyrus the Persian, performing the duties of his high office faithfully and capable in the sight of God and man.
Footnote:
* "Some critics see in this passage a discrepancy between the statement of this verse and related statements. Since the average reader would not be edified by a critical discussion of chronological data, the interested student can learn the facts from such volumes as Studies in the Book of Daniel, by R. D. Wilson.
