Living for God in a Dysfunctional World (Continued)

We continue the study - 'Lessons from the Life of Joseph'

Joseph’s Elevation

The fullness of Joseph’s blessedness was accomplished by him fulfilling the responsibility to which he was called, as second in command to Pharaoh. We can only stand back in amazement when we realise the magnitude of all that God can do through an individual who is given is over to His will. In order to bring about (1) the elevation of Joseph; (2) the security of Jacob and his family; (3) the protection of His purpose, (4) while saving nations from a natural calamity, God gave the Egyptian ruler two dreams. This was done, in the sure understanding that only one man in the kingdom could interpret them; and knowing also that information could be supplied so that Pharaoh would meet God’s servant.

At the suggestion of the chief butler, Joseph was taken from the prison to the palace to interpret the king’s dreams. Joseph was already aware of God’s hand upon him and confident of the will of God when he stood before the ruler of all Egypt. So when Pharaoh said to Joseph: “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” (Gen. 41:15) Joseph was ready with his answer: “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace” (Gen.41:16). Joseph’s experiences had been training him for that moment. Like David, who was able to say that because God was with him when he fought the lion and the bear, God would be with him when he fought Goliath; Joseph could stand before the ruler of a great civilisation with the same confidence. In the same way that God had protected and blessed him in life, that is, in his family, in Potiphar’s household and in the state prison; he was able to have every confidence that, in the will of God, he would continue to have access to divine wisdom in Pharaoh’s presence.

Pharaoh’s first dream entailed two sets of seven cows that emerged from the Nile. The grassy banks of the Nile provided a habitat for animals and birds. The first set of well-fed cattle was seen feeding on the plant life that flourished there - clearly representing a peaceful and thriving time. The second group that emerged was opposite in appearance, “ugly and gaunt”, in strong contrast to the healthy cows. Unlike the fat specimens, these bony cows were not feeding on the grass, and in the dream the emaciated cattle consumed the fair cattle – surely a bad omen. At this Pharaoh woke up.

The second dream concerned a staple in Egyptian agricultural life, grain production. The narrative describes the dream as vividly present to the mind’s eye. The first set of seven “heads of grain” paralleled the fat cattle in their appealing heartiness. That they were sprouting from a “one stalk” testified to their potency. The second set of grain was scrawny due to the searing heat of the desert’s blasting “east wind”. The scorched heads of grain correspond to the unsightly cows in the first dream. As the ugly cows “ate up” the fat ones so the thin heads of grain “devoured” the plump grain.

The two dreams were another prophecy – this time of a natural calamity – a seven year famine, a famine so severe that it could be called catastrophic – the grain fields of Egypt would be devastated. However, this advance warning also contained intelligence of seven years of good harvests. Joseph was able to advise the Egyptian ruler to store grain during the good years to overcome the lean years. Pharaoh was well pleased with Joseph’s wisdom in interpreting his dreams, and with his counsel, so he elevated him to be Lord over all Egypt (Gen. 41:40 ff). The only one to be excluded from his authority was Pharaoh himself. These events propelled Joseph from the prison cell to the royal court, from a humble prison uniform to the rich dress of rulers, from the lowly position of slave and prisoner to ruler over all Egypt. Thus the first part of Joseph’s personal prophetic dreams had come to fulfilment. But the purposes of God ripen slowly, and it would be several years yet before the sons of Jacob take their first journey into Joseph’s domain.

In the meantime Joseph put into place a programme for harvesting and storing grain during the seven years of abundance. He commissioned purpose-built granaries which he filled to overflowing. These years were followed by seven years of famine “over all the face of the earth” (Gen.41:56) when “all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain” (Gen. 41:57). Thus “Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house” (Gen. 47:14). Afterwards all the cattle and all the land, and at last the Egyptians themselves, became the property of Pharaoh. Joseph was now the highest dignity in the land, apart from Pharaoh, and his increased stature was accompanied by marriage and the birth of two sons, Manasseh, whose name means ‘God has made me forget’ and Ephraim which means ‘double fruitfulness’. These are the sons that will evidence that Joseph, under the hand of God, received the double portion normally reserved for the first-born son. The double portion was normally given to the first born because he had extra responsibilities in the family. Joseph carried those responsibilities and got the double portion. The lists of the twelve tribes of Israel usually include both Ephraim and Manasseh but exclude Joseph. In other words Joseph’s family became two tribes not one, that is, a double portion. But Ephraim means ‘double fruitfulness’ and this truth is captured by Jacob when he blessed his sons. He described Joseph as a fruitful bough whose branches hung over the wall.

Joseph’s Reconciliation

During this period of famine, Joseph’s brothers also came down to Egypt to buy corn. The history of his dealings with them, and of the manner in which he at length made himself known to them, is one of the most interesting narratives that can be read (Gen. 42–45). While space does not allow for a detailed examination of the encounters, the main points can be summarised.

When the famine bit in Canaan, Jacob sent ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain; only Benjamin, his youngest and the only remaining son (as he thought) of his beloved wife Rachel, was kept back. Benjamin was brother to Joseph as none of the others were, having the same mother. Joseph, fully assimilated into Egyptian life and speaking Egyptian, was present when the sons of Jacob arrived among the many to buy corn. Dressed as Semites they were quickly recognised by Joseph and he was overjoyed to see them. However, with the wisdom that comes from communion with the Lord, he decided to ensure that there was a measure of repentance in these men before he took them into his care. Remaining incognito he devised a plan, in which he first ascertained that his father and Benjamin were alive and well. By a series of actions he subjected the brothers to mental anguish similar to that which he suffered some decades previously. While holding Simeon as hostage, Joseph directed his brethren to return to Canaan and bring Benjamin back to Egypt. When they finally returned with Benjamin, and he was convinced that they had shown enough remorse, he revealed himself to them saying “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen. 45:4-5). He then pleaded with them to bring his father Jacob and the rest of the family to Egypt, saying, “Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph: “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine’” (Gen. 45:9–11).

So it was that Jacob and his family, totalling seventy souls, together with all that they had, went down to Egypt. They settled in the land of Goshen, where Joseph met his father, and “and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while” (Gen. 46:29). So Jacob, at 130 years of age, lived in Goshen. He was granted an audience with Pharaoh, and while there blessed the Egyptian leader! As Joseph spent his first 17 years in Jacob’s care, so Jacob spent his last 17 years in Joseph’s care.

The great lesson that is visible in the rejection and elevation of Joseph is seen in the providential dealings of God in bringing blessing to a wider public through one young man, even though he was born into a dysfunctional family. While Jacob said, 'all these things are against me”, Joseph understood that “all things were working together for good”. Joseph said, “God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance” (Gen. 45:7). God’s providence is still the same, and for we who live in a dysfunctional world, we must remain confident in the belief that for us too “all things work together for good”.

The historical record of Joseph in Genesis ends with an expression of his faith. He gave instructions regarding his bones, that when they return to Canaan as God promised, they would bury him in the Promised Land (Gen.50:25).

More next time

Living for God in a Dysfunctional World (Continued)

We continue our study in the life of Joseph

Joseph’s Exile

The conspirators, for that is what they had become, planned to kill him, but Reuben interposed. As the elder brother, and responsible to his father for the safety of the youngest in the group, he persuaded them to imprison him in a pit, expecting to rescue him later. Joseph, realising the gravity of the situation had anguish of soul. He was distressed and called out for mercy – pleas that fell on deaf ears (Gen.42.21). To be rejected by his own brothers must have been very hard to handle. It is so difficult to hold on to the truth that “... all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28), when circumstances are contrary to what we would wish for ourselves. But in this dysfunctional family Reuben’s leadership is already weakening, so when he was absent, Judah persuaded the rest of his brothers to sell Joseph as a slave. They sold him to a company of Ishmaelite merchants for twenty pieces of silver, for they cared little what they had for him just so they could be rid of him. No doubt each received two pieces of silver, although it could be that Reuben refused his share. Whatever the division of the spoils, all were culpable (except Benjamin, who knew nothing of this event). When Reuben returned to the pit Joseph had already been sold and Reuben was as one who had been bereaved. He was aware of the principle – what a man sows that will he also reap – for he repeats it years later in Egypt, when they are mystified by the interest of Pharoah’s chief officer. At that time Reuben repeats what he must have charged his brothers with many times before - “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us” (Gen. 42:22). He will also feel it keenly when later in the narrative he feels compelled to offer his own sons as security for Benjamin.

But how were they to explain the absence of Joseph to Jacob? Those that leave the straight path always seem to be resourceful. They daubed Joseph’s coat in the blood of a young goat, newly slain. The manufactured evidence was enough to convince Jacob that Joseph was dead. How he must have rued the decision to send his favourite son on that mission. This family is in such a mess – but at least Joseph is now out of the contamination of their dysfunctional home life. Although some would say, ‘out of the frying pan into the fire!’

Joseph in Egypt

The Ishmaelite merchants were going down to Egypt. There they sold him on as a slave to Potiphar, an “officer of Pharaoh, and captain of the guard” (Gen. 37:36). Traumatic for Joseph but in God’s purposes, this is another step to the right hand of the throne of Pharaoh. The Lord was with Joseph: “So it was, from the time that he (Potiphar) had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field ” (Gen. 39:5). Because Potiphar treated Joseph well, God treated Potiphar well, as is established in the Abrahamic covenant – “I will bless those who bless you” (Gen. 12:3).

But the devil is always on the lookout for an opportunity to ruin God’s chosen, and uses a ploy that has been successful on countless occasions. Joseph who was young, able bodied and handsome, came to the attention of Potiphar’s wife, and she tried to seduce him. But Joseph resisted the adulterous proposal, referring to the unlimited confidence which his master had placed in him. Potiphar had given everything over to him except her, because she was his wife. How could he so abuse this confidence, do this great wickedness and sin against God? This test of Joseph’s fidelity was repeated time and again, until on one occasion when they were alone together, she caught him by his coat – but he, realizing the gravity of the situation left in great haste, leaving his coat behind. In a dysfunctional world, those that remain true to God will have many temptations to resist. Perhaps this episode was in the mind of Paul when he advised Timothy to flee youthful lusts and follow righteousness (2 Tim.2:22). When this daring assault on Joseph’s integrity failed, Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of physically forcing himself on her, a total distortion of the facts. She produced the coat and once again, a garment was used as evidence for a lie. The devil’s strategy seemed to have succeeded, that is, deception with a view to destruction, for Joseph was cast into the state prison where he remained for several years.

This time, Joseph is cast down further, into a new house—a prison house, a dungeon. Each time, the pit gets deeper (Gen. 37:22, Gen. 40:15); yet always the LORD is with him (Gen. 39:21). The blessing begins afresh! The warden of the prison notices that God is with Joseph to prosper him, and he elevates him to head the prison household (Gen. 39:22–23); for God has said, they that honour me I will honour, so even in prison he enjoyed the blessing of the Lord. All this was training for Joseph. First – in charge of a Potiphar’s household – then in charge of the prison household – soon in charge of the nation, each stage confirming that God was with him and each stage increasing his confidence in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Soon he is going to realise, just as Daniel will many centuries later, that God raises up whom he will. At what stage he is aware that all things are working together for good we are not sure, but certainly he will come to that conclusion long before he sees his brothers again.

While he was responsible for Pharaoh’s prisoners, the chief of Pharaoh’s cupbearers and the chief of Pharaoh’s bakers were cast into prison. After some time in prison, each of these new prisoners dreamed a dream in the same night. As Pharaoh will find out, and in another land and at another time in history, Nebuchadnezzar will find out, there is no-one who is immune from the voice of God. They had a presentiment that the dreams were important, and in the morning when Joseph enquired why they were troubled, they told their dreams. The chief butler spoke first – his dream indicated that he would again handle Pharaoh’s wine goblet. Joseph revealed that he would be restored to his former position in three days, a very favourable interpretation which was pleasing to the former court official. Joseph added a rider to his short explanation – a request - please remember me when you are again in Pharaoh’s favour; not simply because I have been kind to you, but because it will also be a righteous act, for I am innocent of any crime.

The chief baker, on hearing such good news for the butler, tells his own dream. Alas the interpretation is not in his favour – his head will be lifted also, but not in the same way as the chief butler – it will be lifted off his shoulders – he will lose his life. The events occur exactly as Joseph said. The butler was restored to his former position, while the baker was executed. That one should live and one should die is a repetition of the theme that these events are matters of life and death. At the time of Joseph’s first rejection it was God’s providential care that allowed him to live and not die. And God’s providential care was seen again when Joseph was Lord of Egypt, for the message then was ‘come to Joseph and live’. He was the Saviour and nourisher of his brothers and also of nations, prefiguring Jesus of Nazareth who is, on a much higher plane, the Saviour of the world. The message now is ‘come to Jesus and live’.

Joseph had asked Pharaoh’s chief butler to remember him, but he forgot him and another two years pass. God’s timetable cannot be hurried. Joseph was learning another lesson. These difficult experiences that we are called upon to pass through are so that we may learn patience. James wrote: “... the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:3), the purpose of which is “… that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4), that is fully stocked up for passers-by. Jesus said that God, the great husbandman, will use the pruning shears to produce fruit, then more fruit, then even more fruit – with the purpose that the fruit produced will be worthy of the husbandman who owns the vine (John 15). Joseph’s training was designed to bring him to a full maturity in the service of God, to be fruitful as indicated by Jacob’s last words, “Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall” (Gen. 49:22). The fruitful bough by a well, reminds us of Psalm. 1. “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper ” (Psalm 1:1–3). Joseph was that kind of godly man. He did not follow the counsel of the ungodly; He did not follow the path of sin: He did not scoff at God’s plan for his life; His relationship with God – his spirituality – his faith - his wisdom – his generosity - his diligence – his forgiving spirit - all made him a channel of blessing for many nations (“blessed is the man”).

Living for God in a Dysfunctional World

Lessons from the Life of Joseph

Introduction

The story of Joseph is a story of a life lived under the providential care of God, because of a whole-hearted co-operation in His higher purposes. It is an inspiring story in its own right, but has an added dimension since it prefigures the story of Jesus of Nazareth. While the life of Jesus is unique and cannot be mirrored exactly by any other person, nevertheless the elements of similarity enable us to see that there have been those individuals that have lived in the will of God, and this in turn, encourages us to seek to live lives more like the Saviour.

Joseph’s life was not easy, punctuated as it was with setbacks. He was rejected, sold as a slave, falsely accused and imprisoned before being elevated to high office. In the larger purposes of God, he was the instrument used to preserve the family, which carried the seed of the future Saviour of the world. This elect family had to be protected from losing its identity among the nations of Canaan. It would have been so easy for them to be assimilated as the example of Judah testifies, for he took a Canaanite wife. At the time of Joseph, the family of Jacob were only few in number, and although the land of Canaan had been promised to them under the Covenant that God ‘cut’ with Abraham, it could not yet be theirs, because the sin of the inhabitants had not, at that time, ripened. The tenancy of Canaan was only forfeited when its inhabitants descended into idolatry and wickedness. For the nations of Canaan at the time of Jacob, that was not yet fully the case (cf. Gen.15:16). But they would suffer judgement for gross iniquity some four centuries after Joseph’s elevation. In the meantime God was working out His purposes through the family of Jacob.

Jacob, from his earliest days, was something of a wheeler/dealer. He lived up to his name ‘supplanter’, and obtained both the birthright and the blessing of the firstborn by dubious means. He, in turn, was victim to the dubious practices of Laban, when he was working for a bride. Having laboured for seven years for Rachel he was duped into marrying Leah. So he worked for another seven years for Rachel. But the beautiful Rachel could have no children, while Leah was very fruitful – bearing six sons for Jacob. Leah took every opportunity to remind Rachel that it would be her sons who would be heirs to Jacob, and continue the blood-line. Her son Reuben, was the first born – He will have the double portion and the blessing. This blood-line, you will remember, is the one under the Abrahamic covenant that is destined to bring blessing to all nations. But God, using His telescope with a long lens, could see there was trouble on the horizon. When this dysfunctional family returned from Haran to Canaan, as they must, they would easily be absorbed into the nations that occupied the territory. God needed a plan - He had a plan – He always has a plan - the family of Jacob should journey to Egypt, there to grow into a great nation (Gen. 46:3); a nation that could be a channel of blessing to the world. In Egypt, there would be space for them to grow, and they would remain safe from being integrated because Egyptian culture did not look favourably on shepherds.  

The Birth of Joseph

But God’s plan needed a catalyst – it needed a man.

As a Noah was needed to preserve both humanity and the animal kingdom when the earth was flooded;

as a Moses was needed to lead Israel out of Egypt;

as a David was needed to establish the kingdom of Israel;

so a Joseph was needed to take them down to Egypt.

So God intervened in the affairs of this family: “Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. And she conceived and bore a son, and said, ‘God has taken away my reproach.’ So she called his name Joseph, and said, ‘The Lord shall add to me another son’” (Gen. 30:22–24). Miraculously, a son was born to a woman that was barren. In this dysfunctional family, God has ensured that there will be one who will not only take a stand for Him, but also be a willing instrument to fulfil His purposes.

Because of the circumstances of his birth, he is named Joseph; a name which can carry two meanings –‘remover’ and ‘increaser’. ‘Remover’ because Rachel was initially thought to be barren but with the birth of Joseph she said, “God has taken away my reproach”: ‘Increaser’ because she expected more children, “The Lord shall add to me another son”. Both meanings are prophetic: ‘remover’ because the ministry of Joseph will mean the family of Jacob being removed from Canaan to live in Egypt; and ‘increaser’ because that same ministry will allow them to be fruitful, multiply and increase greatly.

So, in less than perfect circumstances, the birth of Joseph took place. He was born into a dysfunctional family with squabbling between the four wives of Jacob, and quarrelling amongst the children. This aggravation increased when Jacob showed favouritism towards Joseph, dressing him in a coat that implied nobility and authority. Jacob should have known better inasmuch as the favouritism his father Isaac, showed to his brother Esau, caused him many difficulties. Joseph’s brothers ‘could not speak peaceably to him’ (Gen.37:4), that is, offer him the accepted salutation, ‘Shalom’ or ‘Peace be with you’. That this family is dysfunctional is not unexpected – historically they come from a line of dysfunctional families - there was feuding between Ishmael and Isaac and then between Esau and Jacob; so this quarrelling between Joseph and his brothers should come as no surprise. The aggravation in the family was compounded when Joseph revealed that he had received dreams which indicated that he would have authority and be a ruler. The first dream suggested he would have supremacy over his brothers; and the second, while confirming the first, also implied authority over the house of Israel. For this his brothers hated him all the more. At that time he was just about 17 years of age.

Joseph’s Rejection

The key incident takes place far from home. There were occasions when the sons of Jacob were away from home for long periods of time because they had to travel further afield to pasture the family flocks. At these times Jacob kept Joseph near to him, partly because he was young and partly because he was his favourite. But needing to hear news of his sons, and Joseph now being more than 17, he sent him out to find them and return with tidings. Jacob did not see his own flesh and blood as being a threat to Joseph. Joseph, well aware of the animosity of his brothers, nevertheless was obedient to his father. His compliance to his father’s will is seen in the use of the word ‘Hineni’, which means ‘I am ready and willing to do what you ask’. This is the same word that Abraham used to respond to God, when his name was called (Gen.22:1), before he was asked to offer Isaac on the altar; and it was the word that Abraham used in response to the Lord when he was restrained from completing the sacrifice of his son (Gen. 22:11). Joseph said it to his father - ‘Hineni’. Like Abraham and Joseph we need to cultivate the use of the word ‘Hineni’.

Joseph started out on his journey. Little did he know that it would be many years before he would see his father or his younger brother Benjamin again. Joseph first travelled some sixty miles to Shechem, the last known location of the flocks of Jacob; but they had moved on, and Joseph was at a loss to know what next to do. Fortunately, a “man” rescued him from his bewilderment. The unidentified “man” who informed Joseph that his brothers had moved on to Dothan reminds us of the “man” with whom Jacob had wrestled (Gen. 32:24–32). Jewish tradition considers him an angel in the form of a man. Whoever this man was, his intervention was providential, for he directed him to Dothan, the exact location where he found his brothers. Whether the ‘man’ is an angel or a human, the unseen hand of the Lord is apparent here. He directed Joseph to discover his brothers so that the divine plan for the salvation of Jacob and many people (Gen.50:20) might be realized, although it will mean a troubling time for the house of Jacob. The question has been asked, ‘where are Joseph’s custodial angels who might have saved him from his brothers, as they did when his father Jacob was protected from Esau (32:1ff)?’ Luther has commented, “In such danger we see the deepest silence of God and the angels … But behold how much good God draws forth from this.”

That Joseph needed the protection of God is clear. The devil’s strategy is always ‘deception with a view to destruction’. ‘Deception’ because the Bible says he is the father of lies; and ‘destruction’ because he is also described as a murderer from the beginning. This is the witness of the One that really knows, Jesus the Son of God: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). Always on the lookout to do mischief, he is a ‘roaring lion seeking whom he may devour’. When they saw him coming a long way off, they began to plot against him. “Then they said to one another, “Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!” ” (Gen. 37:19–20) Thus the purpose of the plot is revealed – it was to make sure his dreams did not come true. Little did they know that they were fighting against the will of God, and although they mean it for harm, God meant it for good.

Discipleship Considered (Continued)

Lessons from the Life of Daniel

Belshazzar’s Feast

As was the custom with some of the great oriental rulers, Belshazzar hosted a great festival in his palace, and invited a vast number of dignitaries to the feast. This seemed very foolhardy since his kingdom was under threat at the time, for the Medo/Persian army was encamped a short distance from Babylon. But thinking his fortified capital city was invincible, he refused to recognise the warning signs. Instead, in an act of defiance against the God of Israel who had given his father, Nebuchadnezzar position and power, he commanded his servants to serve wine in the sacred vessels that had been brought from the Temple in Jerusalem to toast the gods of Babylon. During the festivities a most remarkable event took place. A man’s hand was seen writing on the wall of the banqueting suite. It was a message from God. Sent by the same One who had written on tablets of stone centuries before: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exod. 20:3), for Jehovah is the only true God; and “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain” (Exod. 20:7), where Jehovah demands total respect. The message on the wall was: “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN” (Dan. 5:25).

It is no wonder that great fear gripped Belshazzar and his nobles. But as yet, they did not know what the writing said, or meant, or why it had appeared. Yet there was a man who knew – Daniel! They sent for him and he delivered a very solemn message. After reminding the king of the personal history of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel rebuked Belshazzar for not acknowledging the God of Israel. Events and circumstances had taught his father that there was only one true God, a fact that he had proclaimed to all his subjects. So Belshazzar was clearly familiar with the family history and should have known better. Daniel drew the conclusion that in spite of the knowledge of Jehovah’s reality and power, demonstrated through Nebuchadnezzar’s experience, Belshazzar had deliberately chosen to worship the idols of Babylon. Daniel made a double accusation against the monarch. The first, that Belshazzar had failed to respect the God of Israel: “... you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them” (Dan. 5:23). Then, he charged him with blatant idolatry: “... you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified” (Dan.5:23).

Daniel intimated that these were the crimes that brought judgment from above, and the meaning of the writing was: “MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians” (Dan. 5:26–28). That night the Medes and Persians entered the city through a water course under the fortifications and the Babylonian empire ended. Belshazzar was executed a few hours later. But Daniel continued and prospered! Our God reigns!

Daniel faces yet another test

After the fall of the Babylonian empire, the narrative records Daniel’s work and witness before another powerful ruler, Darius the Mede. He continued to hold high office because of his wisdom and fidelity. However, such godliness will always be a rebuke to those who despise truth and honour, and a plot was hatched against him. It appears the plot, Satanic in origin, was designed to disrupt his prayer life. It was about this time, in the first year of the reign of Darius, that he had calculated that the deported Israelites should return to their homeland. He based his conclusion on the prophecy of Jeremiah that said that their exile would last only seventy years. Now that the end of that period was approaching Daniel gave himself to prayer. The plan of his enemies was that he should be prevented from praying to Jehovah. Since, generally in Babylon prayers were offered through priestly mediators, they persuaded Darius to issue an edict that, for one month, all prayers should be directed through him – he was to be the only priestly mediator. Those that broke this restriction should be executed. It could be that Darius saw in this new law a mechanism by which he could test the loyalty of the latest citizens of the Median Empire; and perhaps he was also flattered by the suggestion that he should be the only conduit by which his people could petition their gods. Darius signed the new law. Daniel’s opponents were elated with their success. If Daniel ignored this restriction he would be executed.

However, realising the importance of the prayer, and also feeling the compulsion of the Spirit of God, Daniel continued to pray regularly for the restoration of Jerusalem. The spies of his enemies kept watch so when he knelt in prayer he was observed, arrested and brought before Darius, charged with lawbreaking and disrespect of the king. The success of the plot against Daniel caused great consternation to the emperor Darius, but there was no mechanism which allowed him to show clemency. Although Darius saw through the devilish plans of Daniel’s enemies he could do no other than find Daniel guilty. He sentenced him to be thrown to the lions, which would mean certain death. This event reveals that Babylon does not rest in its opposition of God’s people.

Daniel’s sentence was carried out. He was cast into a den of lions and a stone rolled over the mouth of the cave to prevent his escape. It seems, during this time he was the only calm person involved in these events. He spent a quiet night in the company of man-eating lions. Then, in the morning when orders were given for the stone to be taken away from the mouth of the den, with great sadness and fearing the worst, Darius called out, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” (Dan. 6:20) To his amazement a voice rose from the depths of the den: “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you” (Dan. 6:21–22). The Scriptures speak of Daniel as a man of faith and a man of prayer and this episode supports that assessment of him. Daniel has demonstrated once again that in a hostile world the Just must live by faith.

The lessons from the writings of Daniel seem to be clear – that Satan will use any and all resources to negate our Christian witness in the same way as Babylon sought to negate the witness of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. We live in a world that the Bible says “... lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). It is against God and will aim to make us conform to its culture, diet and practices, whereas the Bible encourages us to live lives that are godly, seeking to glorify the God who has called us. Paul advises, “... walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10).

A last post-script

But the story of Daniel in the lions’ den also reminds us of the death of the Saviour, the Lord Jesus. Like Daniel, he suffered from a plot hatched in high places: He was unjustly accused, condemned and sentenced to death: He was placed behind a stone: but like Daniel (and yet not like Daniel) He emerged in the morning triumphant. It is because Jesus died and rose for us that we must maintain a testimony that honours Him.

Our God Reigns

Discipleship Considered (Continued)

Lessons from the Book of Daniel

The Most High rules, even in Babylon

Now we come to the most remarkable incident when the sovereignty of God was demonstrated to an even greater degree. Nebuchadnezzar had a second dream in which there was a great tree. The tree provided sustenance, shelter and comfort to both beasts and birds. But in the dream the tree was cut down although the stump was retained and protected by a metal band. The interpretation provided by Daniel was that Nebuchadnezzar would lose his position as absolute monarch – his mind would be confused and he would live like an animal until he acknowledged that Jehovah ruled from heaven. The dream was again a prophecy which was fulfilled about a year later.

Nebuchadnezzar while walking in his garden was in a reflective mood. He mused, “Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Dan. 4:30) While the words were yet in his mouth, a voice from heaven sounded, “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes” (Dan. 4:31,32). The very same hour the judgement began. Nebuchadnezzar’s intellect deserted him, and as predicted he lost his place as absolute sovereign over the Babylonian empire. With his mind confused he lived as an animal until all was fulfilled.

Then when his sanity returned, he acknowledged the sovereignty of God. “And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honoured Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Dan. 4:34,35) Nebuchadnezzar was brought, through the work of God and the ministry of Daniel, to praise Jehovah. “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down” (Dan. 4:37).

But were there others who faced similar tests?

Yes! There were many Israelites in Babylon at that time that had to face these issues in different ways and at different levels - among them a man named Asaph, who was a musician and a Psalmist. The Bible provides us with his testimony. He said he found it extremely difficult to live for God and had almost given up. “My feet had well nigh slipped”, he said. “For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish” (Ps. 73:2-7). Asaph had witnessed the Babylonians destroying Jerusalem – those that had taken axes to the Temple of the Lord were prospering, and it looked as if they would never be brought to account. But when he went into the presence of God, he was told to take a long-term view. In the short term it might look as if the wicked prosper, but in time they will also have to face judgement. Asaph said, “Then I understood their end” (Ps. 73:17).

We live in Babylon (a hostile world). Babylon will try to stop us going into the presence of God. It will say – not your God but my gods. In our current culture that could be idolising possessions, that is, getting caught up in a material culture and seeking to acquire more and more trinkets; or it could be the pursuit of pleasure to the detriment of health and relationships and ethical living. But we must stay faithful to the Father and the Saviour. Read and study His Word, pray, maintain fellowship with other Christians and speak often about Him to others. We must lay up treasure in heaven (Matt.6:20) and acknowledge that godliness is profitable for all things (1 Tim.4:8).

In God’s presence Asaph was strengthened and encouraged. He wrote: “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. … it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God” (Ps. 73:25-28). He had learnt the lesson God taught Habakkuk: “the just shall live by faith”. Daniel’s three companions grasped it when faced with execution by fire. Daniel will yet have to embrace it when faced with execution (thrown to the lions). Asaph embraced it as well, during his captivity. In our lives, which might or might not, be as difficult as those recorded in the book of Daniel, we must seek to live by the same principle.

Remember - our God reigns!

Discipleship Considered (Continued)

Studies in Daniel (Continued)

Nebuchadnezzar has a dream

Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a dream – a dream of some importance – a dream from the Lord. The most powerful man in the world is not protected from the voice of God. Realising he has dreamed a dream of undoubted significance Nebuchadnezzar devised a test. Since Babylon was full of idols and deities, and he was supporting a whole host of officials and servants allied to these gods, he decided to ask them to supply the dream, and then interpret it. Failure to supply and interpret the dream carried the death sentence. Many complained that Nebuchadnezzar was being unreasonable, but they could not prevail. Execution orders were issued. Then Daniel stepped forward. He committed himself, in the name of Jehovah, to tell the dream and the interpretation. Nebuchadnezzar and all Babylon were going to be confronted with unanswerable proof that only Israel’s God was real, sovereign and limitless in His wisdom and power.

But first Daniel called a prayer meeting – for himself and his three Hebrew friends. We are not told the content of Daniel’s prayer, but we do see his confidence that the information received was accurate when we read of his prayer of thanksgiving: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king’s demand.” ” (Dan. 2:20–23)

Armed with munitions from above, Daniel spoke to the king. Daniel asserted that since Jehovah gave the dream, only Jehovah could provide the interpretation. The dream was of a statue (perhaps an idol) which was mostly made of metal. It had a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, stomach and thighs of bronze, legs of iron and feet of iron and clay. In the dream a stone quarried out of a mountain struck the image on its feet, and the image disintegrated and turned to dust. The dust was then carried away by the wind. The dream was a prophecy, and demonstrated (i) God’s wisdom (it laid out God’s programme for the nations), and (ii) His power (He will bring it to pass). It was another example of the clear message of the book - the sovereignty of God: ‘… the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses’ (5:21).

The dream told of the deterioration of future dynasties until earth’s wisdom and power would have lost all worth. Only at that time would Messiah come. The ability of Daniel to receive and relay from heaven future world events to the Babylonian monarch produced a remarkable confession. Nebuchadnezzar admitted: “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret” (2:47). Daniel and his friends were promoted, and began a ministry that was designed to establish one main truth to Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Cyrus, and Darius – the truth that Jehovah is on the throne of world affairs - ‘our God reigns’.

Babylon will try to intimidate you

Chapter three of Daniel records the tightening of the tension between Babylon and the faithful Israelites. Mainly it was a clash of cultures – a conflict between the idolatry of Babylon and Israel’s monotheistic culture that forbade idolatry. Perhaps with memory of his significant dream, Nebuchadnezzar erected a huge statue overlaid with gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide. The image, the height of a seven or eight story building, was clearly designed to impress. But it also had a second purpose; it was also designed to unify the multinational peoples of the empire, both politically and religiously. The opening ceremony in the capital city of the empire was given a musical setting by the Babylonian state orchestra. Nebuchadnezzar demanded a public demonstration of complete loyalty to himself and his patron god, Nabu. This would be evidenced by a public ceremony when all people were commanded to fall down before the idol and worship. The pledge of allegiance to Nabu would amount to a pledge of allegiance to his viceroy, Nabu-kudurriusur, that is, Nebuchadnezzar himself. The population was expected to give complete obedience. Failure to worship the idol carried the death sentence.

But when the music sounded and heads touched the ground there were three men still standing. The three who refused to acknowledge the golden image and offer obeisance were Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Israel was in captivity because of its tendency to worship idols, but here were three of its young men prepared to stand alone, even to die, before bowing down before the Babylonian image. The three Israelites were brought before Nebuchadnezzar and given a further opportunity to obey the edict and worship the image. But they loved Jehovah more than life itself, and refused. They defied Nebuchadnezzar with courtesy. On the other hand Nebuchadnezzar derided Jehovah with the words, “who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” (Dan. 3:15)

Now in this serious, life threatening experience, the benefit of their previous training came to their aid. The discipline of body, mind and spirit would now be of supreme importance in their survival. They responded, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Dan. 3:16–18). Such a refusal, including as it does the implication that the God of the Hebrews could protect them from the flames, incensed Nebuchadnezzar and the execution order was issued. The furnace was fed with fuel and the heat increased until the Chaldean officials were satisfied that the death of the Hebrew rebels was certain. But then something happened that no-one had anticipated. Although they were cast into the fire they survived with the help of a mysterious fourth person. When commanded, they climbed out of the furnace, but not the fourth who disappeared. They had suffered no harm and the fire had had no effect. Jehovah had indeed been able to deliver them from the furnace.

The lesson is obvious – in Babylon the Just must live by faith. Coming face to face with an undoubted miracle, Nebuchadnezzar declared: “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this” (Dan 3:28,29).

So the wisdom of God had been validated when Daniel had previously interpreted the king’s dream, and the power of God had been validated when the hottest fire that man could generate could not affect His servants – our God reigns!

New Book from the pen of Bryan W Sheldon

The Messiah and the Covenants of Israel

One of the great foundation blocks of the healthy relationship between God and humankind is His righteousness. It can be guaranteed that in all His speech and actions He is righteous. By this, it is suggested, that because He is righteous you can trust what He says, you can trust His word. Invariably, He says what He means, and He means what He says.

Every word that comes from the LORD is carefully chosen and perfectly weighted. And because of His foreknowledge, He never, at any time, has to reverse or cancel His promises. In these days when there are subtle attempts to undermine the Word of God, we declare we can trust it, all of it, with no exceptions, and this includes those utterances that have covenant status. We have confidence in the righteousness of God, and confidence in the Word of God, and confidence in the covenant promises of God.

This book is an examination of the Abrahamic Covenant; the Mosaic Covenant; the Land Covenant; the Davidic Covenant and especially the New Covenant. And since the New Covenant is the rock on which the blessing of the Church is built, we will ask and answer the question, ‘how can the Church enjoy the blessing of the New Covenant, when it was declared to be for the nation of Israel?’

The last chapter asks the question, 'Has the Church replaced Israel in the purposes of God?' and gives the answer 'No' supplying a number of reasons why we should reject the replacement view.

The book is published by Gospel Folio Press (Port Colborne): A5 size: 180 pages:
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Walking with God - an example of discipleship

Living for God in a Hostile World

Daniel in Babylon

The book of Daniel contains both history and prophecy. Its twelve chapters divide comfortably into two halves, six and six. The first six chapters are mainly the personal history of Daniel and his three contemporaries, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; while the second group of six record those visions that God gave Daniel setting out events that were, at that time, yet in the future. Daniel’s name means ‘God is my judge’ and succinctly identifies Daniel as a person who wished to live under the eye of the God of his fathers. It was also at the heart of the testimony of the three Hebrews who were his colleagues and friends. Because of their obedience and willingness to honour God in all places and under all circumstances, these four were used to bring the knowledge of the one and only true God to idolatrous and cruel monarchs.

Israel, as part of the Fertile Crescent, was always under threat of invasion by larger nations who wished to control that area of the Middle East. Their security rested in Jehovah. However, in 605 BC, the Babylonians successfully invaded Israel and began a series of deportations in which many inhabitants were banished from the land of their birth and forced into slavery. So we must begin by asking a question. How did Israel get into such a mess so that the bulk of its population were removed from their homes and exiled to a foreign land? The answer is to be found in the Bible. The Chronicler, who records the history of Israel, gives the cause of the captivity in his writings: “But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy ” (2 Chron. 36:16). So despite decades of solemn warnings by Isaiah, Micah, and Jeremiah, Israel’s flagrant apostasy and immorality brought about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.

From a human viewpoint, it seemed that the religion of the Hebrews had been completely discredited. Jehovah, the Lord God, was apparently inferior to the gods of Assyria and Babylon. When the Babylonians destroyed the Temple, they claimed that their gods were mightier than the God of Israel. Therefore, it was essential at that time for Jehovah to display His power in such a way as to prove He was the One true God and the Sovereign Lord of history. He had to demonstrate that He had allowed His ancient people to go into captivity, not through weakness, but rather to maintain His integrity as a holy God. But if Israel had failed, what instrument could He find to demonstrate His wisdom and power?

He looked for a man - and found Daniel

Let us examine how God took one young Hebrew lad, trained him and used him to witness to the then most powerful monarch in the world. We will also meet his three young friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

Babylon and the Babylonians

In Old Testament doctrine Babylon represents the world against God. For example, the king of Babylon is used to typify God’s implacable enemy, Satan. Isaiah’s prophecy names the Babylonian monarch but uses language that can as easily be applied to Lucifer, the fallen angel, whose other names are the Devil and Satan. “For you (the king of Babylon) have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ ” (Isaiah 14:13–14)

The father of the Babylonians was Nimrod. His name comes from a root which means, ‘he rebelled’. The Targums (the ancient Aramaic writings of the Hebrew people) comment, “Nimrod began to be a mighty man in sin, a murderer of innocent men, and a rebel before the Lord” and “from the foundation of the world none was ever found like Nimrod, powerful in hunting and in rebellions against the Lord”. The beginning of his kingdom was Babel. It was a kingdom founded on apostasy from God and supported by tyranny and oppression. The marks of his kingdom were (i) pride (ii) unity (in rebellion against God) and (iii) the use of a false religion to oppose the true worship of God. At the time of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and arrogance were evident for he was repairing and restoring Nimrod’s tower of Babel! So if Daniel was to stand for God, he is going to have to stand in a hostile environment. He will have to stand in a world that will make it as difficult as possible for him; a world that will try to make him conform to its customs, habits and views.

A little background information

Let us begin about 609 BC. At that time Egypt was in control of the land of Israel, and Pharaoh Necho put Jehoiakim on the throne as a vassal king. Jehoiakim was a consistently a wicked king. He cut up a scroll of Jeremiah’s sermons and burnt it. He tried to capture and kill Jeremiah but was thwarted through the intervention of God and his friends. In the summer of 605 BC, the son of Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, led his troops against the Egyptians; his name was Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah had already prophesied that Nebuchadnezzar would prevail, and Judah would serve Babylon for 70 years (Jer.25:1-11; cf. Hab.1:1-17). So the Egyptian army, led like sacrificial lambs to the slaughter (Jer.46.10), received wounds that all the balm in Gilead could not heal (Jer.46.2,11). Jerusalem was besieged and surrendered to the Babylonians.

At that time, while Nebuchadnezzar was in Jerusalem, his father Nabopolassar died. Realising the throne was in jeopardy Nebuchadnezzar took his troops the short route across the Arabian Desert, and was crowned king on 6th September 605 BC, only 23 days after his father had died. When he left Jerusalem in haste, he deported some prisoners to Babylon, sending them the long way round. Among them were Daniel and his friends. He also took some sacred vessels and treasures from the Temple, and he made Jehoiakim swear allegiance to him.

Jehoiakim, uneasy paying tribute to Babylon, rebelled, and although he was killed by other enemies within the land, Nebuchadnezzar marched against Judah once more. In 597 BC he again conquered Jerusalem, and took more sacred vessels and treasures, deporting more of the population. Among those deported this time was a young priest named Ezekiel.

Five years later, in 592 BC, Ezekiel, at the age of 30, began to prophesy to the exiles in Babylon, explaining why God had not only decided that Babylon should control Judah but had also designated Jerusalem to be destroyed: and why the Shekinah glory had departed from the Temple. The third military campaign against Israel which was designed to quell any further opportunity at rebellion against Babylon rule, took place in 586 BC when Jerusalem was completely destroyed along with its Temple. It was at that time that the massive deportations, involving the bulk of the population of Judah, took place.

Nebuchadnezzar’s successes were not down to his prowess alone but were the work of the Lord of Hosts. The theme of God’s absolute sovereignty is both implied and demonstrated through these events. Because it was God who gave the nation into Babylon’s power, it would be God’s hand that would snatch them away again, when they were ready to renew their covenant with Him and play their part in His programme of redemption. God’s purposes for Israel were to restore them to blessing and in accordance with His will laid out in the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. The defeat and subsequent humiliation of Judah were part of God’s dealings with them as wayward children. During this black period in the history of Israel, those of the godly remnant needed to have faith in God and His purposes. Habakkuk, who had himself questioned God over His use of the Chaldeans (another name for the Babylonians) as a rod of discipline, advised the faithful to trust the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying: “... the just shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4).

Babylon is out to change you!

As we said, the first captivity included Daniel and his three friends. Nebuchadnezzar followed a policy of conscripting the most intelligent people to public service, even those of a different ethnic or cultural background. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were incorporated into the government training programme, the Royal Academy of which Nebuchadnezzar was the Principal. Babylon, as an instrument of Satan, had a purpose - to negate the witness of the people of God. Babylon was out to change them.

First a change of name

Daniel (God is my judge) was renamed Belteshazzar (a prince of Bel): Hananiah (Jehovah has favoured) to Shadrach (Royal Scribe): Mishael (who is what God is) to Meshach (Guest of a king): and Azariah (Jehovah has helped) to Abednego (Servant of Nebo).

Secondly a change of diet

Added to a change of name was a change in their food. This change was not just what they ate; it was also a matter of culture and religion. They were required to eat those foods that were forbidden under the Law of Moses being either unclean or previously offered to Babylonian deities. Similarly, they were required to drink wine which may well have been dedicated as drink libations to idols such as Marduk, Nebo or Ishtar. Babylon wanted to replace the diet recommended by Jehovah with a diet honouring Babylonian deities.

Among the Hebrew exiles at that time, it was widely understood that the two main reasons for the Babylonian captivity were disobedience and idolatry. Obedience of God’s Word as laid out in the Torah (the Law of Moses) had been neglected, and worship of the deities introduced by the wives of King Solomon had increased. Therefore God had activated that part of His Word (namely the Land Covenant) that dictated that such disobedience and apostasy would lose Israel the tenancy of Canaan.

For Daniel and his companions, eating the Babylonian food constituted disobeying Torah dietary laws, and becoming unclean by eating foods offered to idols, thus repeating those sins that had brought the nation under the judgement of God and triggered the captivity. Daniel wanted to continue to live under the scrutiny of God, as his name indicates (‘God is my judge’), but how could he refuse the direct commandment of the king? With great wisdom, and putting into operation the principle, ‘the just shall live by faith’, Daniel offered an alternative. Put us on a more simple diet of vegetables and water and observe the results. Their trust in God was rewarded by better health than those who ate the Babylonian diet.

Moreover, Daniel and his three colleagues continued in their studies and received from God special intellectual ability, not because of their diet, but because of His approval of their faith and commitment to His Word.

Here are four young men who were prepared to: (i) discipline their bodies: (ii) discipline their minds and (iii) discipline their spirits. Because they disciplined their bodies, God gave them better health than their diet warranted. Because they disciplined their minds, God gave them wisdom beyond their years. Because they disciplined their spirits, God gave them knowledge of His purposes, His will and His ways.

At the end of three years training in the royal academy, they were examined in respect of their abilities. Nebuchadnezzar, himself very well educated, was personally responsible for their oral exams (their finals), and found them “ten times better” than all the wise men of Babylon.

We too live in Babylon, that is a world against God, and Babylon will try to change us. Try to change our name – make us embarrassed to be called Christians. Try to change our diet – that is - change our Christian lifestyle, thus leaving us little time to read the Bible, little time to study the Word, little time to pray and also make it difficult for us to have fellowship with other likeminded Christians; even our honesty might be compromised. But for those who hold fast to good Christian behaviour and habits, and pursue a life under the banner, ‘the Just shall live by faith’, then the God of Daniel will do His part and bless. There is no guarantee that our health will be improved and our mind quickened but certainly our time will be more productive.