The Blessing of Dani’el
1: 17-21
The Blessing of Dani’el DIG: Why did Dani’el and his three friends end up passing their oral examination and deemed to be superior to all the other magi of the kingdom in “wisdom and understanding?” How did Dani’el end up showing his true loyalty to ADONAI, and to his three fellows Israelites?
REFLECT: How has God blessed you this year? When have you realized that God enabled you to achieve far more than you could have humanly expected? How has the Lord shown His faithfulness to you? How do you react when He does? Do you tend to give the credit to Him, or do you tend to take credit for it yourself?
The focus of this chapter is not simply the faithfulness of Dani’el and his friends to God,
it is also points to God’s faithfulness to them.
God’s special blessing (1:17): The unseen hand of ADONAI directed the whole course of events and not only gave physical health to Dani’el and his three friends (to see link click Al – Dani’el’s Devotion to God), but also intellectual strength to His faithful servants. As ADONAI blessed Dani’el and his friends’ obedience not to defile themselves with unkosher food, He also blessed the education they received in Babylon. To these four young men God gave (Hebrew: nathan, meaning to give) knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Dani’el could understand visions and dreams of all kinds (1:17). This verse summarizes the development of the four Jewish captives during their three-year training period. Dani’el’s particular gift of understanding visions and dreams was especially appropriate to his need in a land where such was expected of magi, and the God who would be the Source of all knowledge would also give discernment to distinguish the true from the false. Thus, there was no need to fear that the study of the Babylonian or any other culture would result their conversion to an alien religion.
But far more was at stake than their personal reputation or even their personal faith. As representatives of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they needed to prove, in Babylon’s highly competitive setting, that the fear of ADONAI is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). High intelligence and hard work alone did not account for their success, but their wisdom was a gift from ADONAI (Colossians 1:9, 2:9-10). The specific gift given to Dani’el was to make him not only a trusted advisor to king Nebuchadnezzar, but also a channel of revelation, as the next chapter begins to prove.33
The king’s examination (1:18-20): At the end of the three-year training period set by the king to bring them into his service, and Ashpenaz (1:3) presented them to Nebuchadnezzar (1:18). We don’t know how many students went through the entire course of study, but it’s interesting that Nebuchadnezzar himself took the time to examine them. Since the new graduates were to become his personal advisers, the king wanted to be sure he was getting the best. By adding exceptionally intelligent new men to his staff, the king would be assured of getting the best counsel available. He was familiar with the older advisers and possibly not too happy with all of them (2:5-13). Was he suspicious of a palace intrigue? As we shall see later, the addition and the promotion of these four Jewish young men created jealousy and resentment among the advisers and they tried to get rid of Dani’el (see Dk – The Plot of the Royal Administrators). As older men, they resented their youth; as Babylonians, they resented their race; and as experienced servants, they envied their great ability and knowledge.
The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Dani’el, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The king not only questioned the graduates, but he also compared one with another, and in this way ended up with the very best. So they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them. He found them ten times better than all the magi (Hebrew: chartom, refers to a magician or wise man, often associated with the practice of interpreting dreams, or performing magic), and enchanters (Hebrew: ashshaph, refers to a class or wise men who were often consulted for their ability to interpret dreams, signs, and omens, and as such, were key figures in the king’s advisory team) in his whole kingdom (1:19-20). Of course, both of these were forbidden by the Torah (Deuteronomy 18:9-13). Dani’el and his three friends had to work alongside those magi, enchanters, sorcerers (Hebrew: kashaph, refers to the use of drugs, potions, or spells and is associated with “sorcery” or “witchcraft”), and yet they remained pure and gave a powerful testimony for the LORD.34
The extent of Dani’el’s ministry (1:21): And Dani’el remained there until the first year of Cyrus king of Persia (see the commentary on Dani’el Ag – Cyrus and Darius). It is important to note that Dani’el did not die or end his career at that time, but continued on until the Medo-Persian Empire was established. The first year of Cyrus was the year in which the decree was issued that enabled the Jews to return home (see the commentary on Ezra-Nehamiah Ai – The Decree of Cyrus), some seventy years after the time when Dani’el and his friends were taken into exile (see the commentary on Jeremiah Gu – Seventy Years of Imperial Babylonian Rule). Thus, we are remined that the faithfulness of ADONAI proved sufficient for Dani’el throughout the entire time of the exile. Babylonian kings came and went. Indeed, the Babylonians themselves were replaced as the ruling world power by the Medo-Persians in the person of Cyrus (see Az – Second Empire: Chest and Arms of Silver), yet YHVH sustained His faithful servant the whole time. In the same way, He is able to preserve us throughout the trials and tribulations that we face, no matter how intense they may be or how long they may last. When the world does its worst, God does His best, and His faithfulness is enough to see us through.
God’s faithfulness in our own salvation: As Ian Duguid relates in his commentary on Dani’el, there is one final note that we must not miss in all of this. The reality for most of us is that when we look at our lives, we find we are not like Dani’el and his three friends. We are far more like the nameless multitude who were deported along with Dani’el, who adopted foreign names, ate the king’s food, and became thoroughly Babylonian. In many respects, we have been assimilated into the world system in which we live, and our futures are mortgaged to it. Therefore, if the message of this book is simply, “Be like Dani’el and all will turn out OK,” then we might as well stop reading right now. The more we get to know Dani’el, the more we come to realize that we are not like him at all.
The good news of the Gospel, however, is not simply that ADONAI is faithful to those who are faithful to Him. It is that a Savior has come to deliver faithless and compromised people like us. Our salvation rests not on our ability to remain undefiled by the world, but rather on the pure and undefiled offering that Yeshua has provided in our place. Messiah came voluntarily into this world, with all of its pains and trials. He endured far greater temptations and sufferings than Dani’el did, or more than we ever will (Hebrews 4:15). Yet He remained entirely faithful and pure until the very end, without spot or blemish, and has transferred all of His righteousness to the spiritual bank account of those who trust in Him by faith (First Peter 1:19). What is more, Yeshua has already returned from His time in “exile” and now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven (Psalm 110:1). He has prepared a home for us there, and has given us the Ruach Ha’Kodesh as a downpayment, guaranteeing that one day we will be with Him there as His people (see the commentary on Second Corinthians An – God’s Seal of Approval). The cross is the means by which Ha’Shem’s faithfulness redeems the unfaithful; the resurrection and ascension are the guarantee of our inheritance in heaven.
Remind yourself often of this Gospel. Fix your eyes on Yeshua Messiah crucified, raised, and exalted. He has not only prepared the route home; He is the route home. Trust in Him and ask Him to work in you a true faithfulness. Ask Him to put you in places where you can be a blessing to your community. Be a breath of heavenly wisdom in your home, your school, your workplace. Be constantly dependent upon His sanctifying work, looking to Him to keep you faithful, not to your best efforts to “Be a Dani’el.” Finally, long for the day when His heavenly Kingdom will invade this earth and bring the fullness of your inheritance.35
Dear heavenly Father, praise You that You are always faithful and Your steadfast love is always watching over me. You are with me, wherever I go (Hebrews 13:5c). It is so comforting that You are never too busy to listen to me, for You abide within those who trust in You (John 14:23). Though sometimes close friends are busy, or sleeping and cannot talk, You are always right there to hear, listen and to guide me. Behold, the Keeper of Isra’el neither slumbers nor sleeps. (Psalms 121:4). What a joy that you are always faithful to your promises! You have promised to live with those who love you. Yeshua answered and said to him: If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him (John 14:23).
To those who receive You as their Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-11), You promise to give them eternal life. The Father always opens the door wide, and You promise to make those who trust you to be your child. But whoever did receive Him, those trusting in His Name, to these He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12). What a secure and trustworthy hope it is, for me to look forward to living with You forever and ever in complete joy and peace in Your heavenly kingdom. Though there are many trials and problems here on this earth, someday soon the problems and tears will all be gone. For I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18).
Replacing earth’s trials will be a life so perfect that I cannot really comprehend it. He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Nor shall there be mourning or crying or pain any longer, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4). Thank You so much for being such a wonderful Father, who promises an eternal life. When trials come, I can follow the example of Dani’el and his three friends and keep my eyes on the eternal and secure future of life in heaven with You. I love You, and You have blessed me so much. In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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