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Daniel 1:1–21 (Daniel in Babylon)

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called Daniel: Stories and Visions, and today we come to our first story in the book. It’s an important story because it introduces us to Daniel and his friends and sets the context for the whole book to follow.

As we learned last week, the book of Daniel was written by Daniel between the years 605 and 530 B.C. There were three deportations that took place during this time.

Three Babylonian Deportations:
• 605 B.C. – Daniel and others
• 597 B.C. – Ezekiel and others
• 586 B.C. – destruction of Jerusalem and temple

First, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Judah in 605 B.C. and deported a number of the people to Babylon. This is when Daniel and his friends were taken. There would be two other deportations: the next in 597 B.C. (Ezekiel was part of that one), and then a final deportation in 586 B.C., when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.

And so, we are immediately introduced to the biblical theme of Babylon versus Jerusalem. This is the age-old conflict between God’s people and the world. We live in a world that is opposed to God and continually tempts us to compromise.

The people of Judah were exiled because they broke covenant with God. They disobeyed God’s commands, they engaged in idol worship, and they disregarded the sabbath years. God’s covenant with Israel included blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, and one of those curses was exile from the land.

Daniel and his friends were part of that first deportation in 605 B.C. They were young men at the time, probably no older than their late teens or early twenties. It was a long and difficult journey, marching 500 miles to Babylon on foot.

And so, Daniel and his friends suddenly found themselves exiled to Babylon. They were separated from their families, far from the temple and the holy city. They were held captive in a new country with new laws and a foreign language.

The question that Daniel and all those exiled from Judah faced was this: How do you continue to be God’s people in a foreign land? How do you live for God in a world that doesn’t care about God? How do you stand firm in your faith when you are surrounded by temptations? Those are the same questions that today’s passage addresses for us. (Read Daniel 1:1–2 and pray.)

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Has someone ever made you an offer that seemed too good to refuse? Perhaps it was a job offer or a great deal on a car. Maybe you received a hot investment tip from someone who claimed to have an inside scoop. Perhaps it was the offer of a relationship at a time when you felt so lonely that you just knew this had to be right. Or maybe you got one of those emails telling you how you can make $100,000 a year from the comfort of your own home, working only two hours an evening in your spare time. Hey, when the offer seems too good to refuse, why refuse it.

Well, those of us who have jumped too quickly on a number of those offers have learned the hard way that things are not always what they seem. So how do you go about making good decisions at times like these? How do you know whether such a sparkling offer will eventually deliver on its promises? How do you know whether the offer is too good to refuse or not?

Let’s see what we can learn from Daniel and his friends as they received an offer that seemed too good to refuse.

I. The temptation to compromise (3–7)

Their story begins with the temptation to compromise.

   A. The benefits of the offer (3–5)

Let’s look first at the benefits offered to Daniel and his friends. We read in verses 3–5:

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. (Dan. 1:3–5)

Notice first that only the best were chosen for this offer. These young men were considered the cream of the crop. They came from royal family or noble birth. As for physical features, they were healthy and handsome. As for educational background, they showed an aptitude for learning. As to general character, they were qualified to serve in the palace, which means they were trustworthy in every respect.

Secondly, they were groomed for leadership. They were taught the language and literature of the Babylonians. This would have included Aramaic, which was the common language of the empire. They also would have learned learned Sumerian and Akkadian cuneiform, a highly complex syllabic writing system. Babylonian classical literature was written in these languages. They received three years of specialized training in these areas.

Thirdly, they were given special privileges. They were assigned a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. This was not barracks living. Their quarters were top-notch and the eating was good.

These young men had everything going for them. It was like going off to college and suddenly being chosen as student of the year, or starting fresh with a company and being promoted within weeks ahead of everyone else. They had been set apart as the best of the best. They ate the king’s food. They were being trained for service to the king within the very walls of the palace. They were granted special privileges that others could only dream about.

Talk about making it in a new land. They had it made! These young men had the world by the tail. It was an offer too good to refuse … or was it?

   B. The problems with the offer (6–7)

As we look closer at this offer, we see that it had some serious flaws. There were basically two problems: it dishonored God’s people, and it disregarded God’s laws.

      1) dishonored God’s people

First, it dishonored God’s people. God had freed his people from Egypt, and this freedom was part of their identity. But now they had been taken captive and removed from their land, the promised land going all the way back to Abraham. The holy articles from the temple in Jerusalem had been placed in the Babylonian temple and dedicated to one of the Babylonian gods.

These young men were immersed in Babylonian culture, and they were even given new names. Look at verses 6–7:

Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. (Dan. 1:6–7)

What was the problem with these new names? Whereas their original Jewish names all reflected their Jewish faith, these new names all had to do with the Babylonian gods.

Daniel’s name means “God is my judge.” His new name, Belteshazzar, means “Bel protect his life.” Bel was the Akkadian word for “lord” and referred to Marduk, the chief god of the Babylonians. Hananiah’s name means “The Lord shows grace.” His new name, Shadrach, meant “command of Aku.” Aku was the Sumerian moon god. Mishael’s name means “Who is what God is?” His new name, Meshach, meant “Who is what Aku is?” (Ouch!) Finally, Azariah’s name means “The Lord helps.” His new name, Abednego, meant “servant of Nebo,” or Nabu, the Babylonian god of wisdom and writing.

Daniel = “God is my Judge”
Hananiah = “The Lord shows grace”
Mishael = “Who is what God is?”
Azariah = “The Lord helps”

Belteshazzar = “Bel (Marduk) protect his life”
Shadrach = “command of Aku” (Sumerian moon-god)
Meshach = “Who is what Aku is?”
Abednego = “servant of Nego/Nebo (i.e. Nabu)”

In giving them these new names, the Babylonians were in effect seeking to change their very identity as the people of God. This was the first problem with the offer. It dishonored God’s people.

      2) disregarded God’s laws

But it also disregarded God’s laws. Eating the king’s food sounds great until you realize that the first portion of the food was offered to idols, the first portion of the wine was poured out on pagan altars, that ceremonially unclean animals were used, and on top of all that, the food was not prepared according to Jewish laws.

Now, granted, the people of Babylon didn’t know God’s laws. But that doesn’t matter, because Daniel and his friends did. Many times, the world around us is sadly ignorant of God’s word and his ways, but that does not excuse us for disobeying.

And so, upon closer examination Daniel and his friends saw that this incredibly good offer was not so good after all. From the world’s point of view, it was great. They had nothing to lose and everything to gain. But accepting the offer as it stood would involve compromising God’s standards.

We come across a lot of offers like that in life. There’s a word for an offer that looks good but goes against God, and that word is “temptation.” And guess what? The more attractive the offer, the stronger the temptation.

That’s exactly what Daniel and his friends were facing in this situation: the temptation to compromise. And for four young men in a foreign land far away from family and home, this offer looked pretty good.

So, what do you do when you come across an offer that looks good but goes against God? An offer that seems too good to refuse? Let’s see what Daniel did.

II. Daniel’s refusal to compromise (8–16)

Basically, Daniel refused. He refused to compromise. Verse 8 begins with the word “but.” “But Daniel”—this is the turning point in the story. Despite the temptation to compromise, Daniel stood firm. How did he do that, and what can we learn from his example?

   A. Daniel determined in his heart (8)

First, Daniel determined in his heart. Look at verse 8:

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. (Dan. 1:8)

The word “resolved” in this verse is four words in the Hebrew, meaning “determined in his heart.” Standing up to temptation begins with resolution in your heart, a heart commitment to God.

Daniel refused to defile himself with the king’s food. Notice Daniel could not control the other aspects of his situation. He could not undo the exile; he could not halt the training; he could not force his captors to call him by his Hebrew name.

He could not stop Babylon from dishonoring God, but he could honor God himself. He could take a stand for righteousness, even if it turned out to be a costly stand. He could refuse to compromise God’s standards. And so, he resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food.

There’s a lesson we can learn from this. We cannot make the world honor God, but we can choose to honor God ourselves. Sometimes we expend a lot of energy criticizing and judging the world around us for all its evils. There’s a time and place for that, and many times the world needs to be confronted, but where should our focus be? We should make sure first of all that we are honoring God with our lives.

We should pray for God’s name to be honored in the world, and we should grieve when God’s name is dishonored. But we should not be surprised when the world chooses not to honor God. We need to focus on what we can do. Daniel refused to defile himself with the king’s food.

   B. Daniel drew up a plan of action (8–14)

Next, Daniel drew up a plan of action. He not only determined in his heart not to compromise, but he also took action.

First, he asked permission of the chief official. Look at verses 8–10:

He asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” (Dan.1:8-10)

Although God had caused this official to show Daniel favor, the official still refused Daniel out of fear for the king. That’s typical. Our first efforts do not always succeed. But Daniel was persistent. You know the old saying: if at first you don’t succeed, try out for second base!

So, Daniel moved on to second base. If the chief official wouldn’t work with him, Daniel would try the royal guard next. Look at verses 11–14:

Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. (Dan. 1:11–14)

This time Daniel modified his approach. He spoke with the royal guard and made him an offer: “Test us. Let us try this for ten days, and then after that you decide.” I guess you could say Daniel made him an offer too good to refuse, because the royal guard accepted the offer and agreed to test them for ten days.

It is a good thing when we determine in our hearts not to compromise. It is better when we also draw up a plan of action. We must turn our resolutions into action, or they will soon fall by the wayside.

What offers to compromise God’s standards have come your way lately? Have you made a resolution in your heart not to defile yourself, not to compromise, not to give in? Good! Now you are ready for the next step. What plan of action will you take to safeguard your resolve? What specific things can you do this week or even today to guard against compromise in this area of your life?

Perhaps the most effective thing you can do is simply share your situation with a trusted friend so that you can pray for each other and hold each other accountable. Remember, Daniel determined in his heart not to compromise, but his action plan involved his friends. Together they would take a stand. Together they would keep each other accountable to honor God with their lives.

   C. Daniel trusted God with the results (15–16)

Daniel determined in his heart. He drew up an action plan. And then, he trusted God with the results. Look at verses 15-16 next:

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. (Dan. 1:15-16)

Daniel trusted God with the results, and at the end of ten days, he and his friends looked even better than the rest of the men. It was a miracle worked by God’s power. God blessed Daniel’s determination and faith, and the plan was successful.

III. God’s blessing on Daniel and his friends (17–21)

What was the ultimate result of Daniel and his friends taking a stand for God and refusing to compromise? God brought them even further blessings.

   A. God gave them knowledge and understanding (17)

First, he gave them knowledge and understanding. Look at verse 17:

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. (Dan. 1:17)

God not only blessed their physical health, but he also blessed their understanding. He also gave additional supernatural knowledge to Daniel.

   B. God exalted them above all the others (18–20)

Secondly, God exalted them above all the others. Look at verses 18–20:

At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; 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 magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. (Dan. 1:18–20)

The time of reckoning finally came. What would happen after three years of vegetables and water? When the king examined them, he found them better than any of the other trainees. And not only that, once they entered his service, he found them ten times better than all of his own magicians and enchanters.

   C. God blessed Daniel with longevity (21)

And then thirdly, God blessed Daniel with longevity. Look at verse 21:

And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. (Daniel 1:21)

God blessed Daniel with such longevity that he outlasted Nebuchadnezzar. In fact, he outlasted the whole Babylonian Empire! (God always gets the last laugh.)

We are not always guaranteed a long life here on earth, but when your faith is in Christ, God blesses you with the most important longevity of all—you will live forever with God and Christ in his kingdom. God’s rewards are far more lasting and satisfying than the brief rewards the world offers us in this life.

CONCLUSION: So, what can we learn from this chapter?

First of all, we can learn wisdom. When it comes to temptation, be wise. Not all offers are as good as they seem. Remember, the bait must be attractive in order to work, so Satan will usually not waste his time making us offers that we would refuse outright. Scrutinize every offer you receive in life carefully, running it through the filter of God’s will and God’s word before you accept.

Secondly, we learn the importance of resolve. We must not only determine in our hearts not to compromise, but we must also take concrete steps of action to ensure that we will stand firm. This often involves going to our Christian brothers and sisters for encouragement and support. Accountability puts muscle to our resolve and provides a good return for our work (Eccl. 4:9–10). We are far more likely to succeed with the help of others than by ourselves.

Thirdly, and I believe this is really the main point of the whole chapter: we learn that God honors those who honor him. If you will put God first in your life, if you will choose to honor him above all else, if you will refuse any offer that involves compromising God’s standards, then God will honor you. You too will know God’s blessing and exaltation in your life. Whether that comes in this life or the next matters little, for you are in it for the long-term, and your main goal is simply to put God first.

God honors those who honor him. God promises to honor you, if you will honor him. If you ask me, that sounds like an offer that’s too good to refuse!

© Ray Fowler

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