Daniel 1

Last week there was a common message running through the service of the Church and us as individuals being salt and light in our community. We heard from the Sermon on the Mount that the people God blesses are the ones who have a character the opposite of what the World thinks is a measure of success. We finished with a prayer asking the Lord to give us strength to be the true Church, salt and light here in little old Papatoetoe. Amen.

A pinch of salt is all that’s needed to change a meal from tasteless to tasty. The small light of your mobile screen can light your way in the night.

A word was brought for the day and is our memory verse for next week is;

Ephesians 1:3-6

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

As I prepared this week to link last weeks message on being salt and light, to our next series on Daniel and Revelation, I came across a message from Peter Krol, an author and collegiate missionary with DiscipleMakers, a Christian campus ministry based in Pennsylvania.

Elites like Jacinda Ardern and Emmanuel Macron have been trained by the WEF in Global Economics and Politics with common humanist objectives. But God often uses the least in the sight of the World to fulfil his agenda, laughing at the humanists. Remember it’s the Meek who will inherit the Earth. If young Daniel and his friends can revolutionise the kingdoms of the earth in God’s name while living in captivity, there is no reason that God cannot use us to transform our community here in Papatoetoe with the gospel. 

Consider the year 605 B.C. The 10 Northern tribes of Israel had already been scattered by the Assyrian invasion about 100 years before. With only two remaining governing tribes in Israel, the Southern tribes of Judah (which controlled Jerusalem) and Benjamin were losing power and significance. Judah is the tribe from which we get the name the Jews. Incidentally Jesus is known as the Lion of Judah and Paul was a Benjamite. Babylon now rules the world, with Nebuchadnezzar as king and general. Then the unthinkable happens and seemingly the Lord abandons Israel. 

Daniel 1:1-4

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god. Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.

What sorrow there would have been in Israel that day. As judgement on evil in Israel, the Lord purposes war and their deadly enemy to defeat Judah. Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem, and the city falls because the Lord hands it over to him.

Nebuchadnezzar took the cream of the Judah crop into captivity. It seemed to be the end of Israel as a nation. But the Lord is faithful to his promise to Abraham. From this great tree that has been cut down to the roots, new young shoots will one day emerge.

Thus begins the book of Daniel: clarifying the Lord is in control of the situation even in such a dark hour. I know I would have felt condemned in such a moment.  But Daniel had a strong faith in the Lord’s goodness which inspired him to three key world-changing behaviours. Since he understood God rules all earthly kingdoms, he would 

1. Settle Down

2. Start Small 

3. Win Big

Daniel had the humility that showed why the Meek will inherit the Earth.

Settle Down

Daniel 1:5-7

And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.

Daniel and his three friends are abducted, transported to Babylon, and indoctrinated in the Babylon arts, culture and religion. They learn the literature and language of a hostile nation. They’re groomed for civil service as cultural elites. They’re trained to embody new customs and proclaim the glories of false gods—like Bel and Nebo/Nego—by bearing their names. But they don’t stage a protest or instigate a riot. They don’t plot a rebellion. They don’t even refuse to participate. They take it right on the chin and keep moving.

You need the Holy Spirit within you to resist the World’s influence like that. How many children from Christian homes will emerge from the state schools and universities with their faith intact having been indoctrinated with evolution, gender ideology, tolerance, economics and so on.

Imagine one day New Zealand being overrun by the army of a Communist nation or overtaken from within by Islamic extremists who demand that all citizens must bow five times each day for mandatory prayer to Allah.  No cafés and restaurants are allowed to open during daylight hours for the month of Ramadan. They even change your name to Mohammed. Could you stand up to that? Daniel and his friends were able to do it partly because they were soaked in the Word of God and partly because the Lord gave Jeremiah a prophecy for them to hold on to. You need both the Word and the Spirit.

Jeremiah 29:1-11

Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive—to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. (This happened after Jeconiah the king, the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.) The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying, Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord. For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

The Lord knew they needed help, so he inspired the prophet Jeremiah to write them a letter. He told them to “build houses . . . plant gardens . . . take wives . . . multiply there. . . . Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare”. He told them it would be 70 years until God brought them back, so they should make the most of the time. Daniel obeyed. He settled down and served the neighborhood. He became a model student and a pillar of the community.

Jesus has given us a similar set of commands. Go to all nations to make disciples. Do not love the world, or the things in the world, but love your neighbor as yourself. Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. In other words, settle down and be good citizens.

But we know our employers today are forcing all kinds of compromise on their staff. Daniel was facing the same challenge. 

Start Small

Daniel 1:8-10

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

The manager at your workplace is usually answerable to someone up the chain. The chief of the eunuchs liked Daniel and didn’t want to enforce the rules on him but felt had no option as his head was on the block

Daniel 1:11-13

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

Although seeking to be a good citizen, Daniel resolves not to defile himself. The problem, however, is that he doesn’t have much control over his life. He appeals to the chief eunuch, but his request is denied. So Daniel wisely goes down the chain of command to the steward but this time he proposes a 10-day test. We tend to escalate problems, but Daniel went in the opposite direction. If the husband won’t do it, ask the wife to make the husband think it’s his idea. If that doesn’t work there’s always the kids 😂

Note these things about the test:

1. The test is small. Daniel does not protest, petition, refuse, or revolt. He simply proposes a new menu with a trial period.

2. The test is tentative. The fact that Daniel proposes a time period implies that he’s willing to go back to the defiling food (and try a different plan) if it doesn’t work.

3. The test is out of Daniel’s control. Picture this New Year’s resolution: “I’ll eat healthy food for 10 days. If I come out fatter, prettier, and smarter than the rest of my generation, then I’ll know it was a good idea, and I’ll persevere.” Yeah, right. He’s obviously expecting God to do something supernatural.

Daniel doesn’t get anxious about stuff he can’t control. He focuses on what he can control (not his menu or his health, but his ability to request a slight change), and he begins there. After all, if God is really in control, it just might work! And of course, it does.

Daniel 1:14-16

So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

How do you and I handle big problems? Not many stay calm and rationale like Daniel. The economy tanks. The election doesn’t go your way. You lose your job or business. Your name is mud. The world is full of evil, envy, abuse, and pain. What can you do about it?

Start small. God knows when you are faithful in small things. Like when you picked up that piece of rubbish and put it in the bin. Submitting your report before the deadline. Donating some clothes or something to the food bank. You can talk to one person about your hope in Christ. You can offer to pray with someone. You can do the next small thing, whatever it may be.

Win Big

Daniel settles down and starts small, but his influence has reverberated through the ages. Notice how much he wins. As Daniel takes his small steps of resistance, the Holy Spirit blows in to transform the situation completely.

Daniel 1:17-21

As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.

First, he won Nebuchadnezzar’s respect. It’s as though the Prime Minister came to Papatoetoe, interviewed a few teenagers at Pap. High, and concluded they were 10 times more useful to him than his Cabinet. Only God can give such wisdom. But that’s not all.

Second, he wins Babylon’s empire. Interestingly, the chapter concludes with a throwaway detail—that Daniel’s tenure continued until the first year of King Cyrus? That detail is important because  Cyrus was king of Persia, not king of Babylon. Cyrus was the guy who destroyed Babylon and set up a new empire. So God’s man Daniel not only outlasted Nebuchadnezzar, he also survived the Persian takeover and maintained his influence. Nebuchadnezzar thought he was building his empire by capturing Daniel, but God was really building his. Why does chapter 1 end with Cyrus’s first year? Because that year was 539 B.C., roughly 70 years after the initial exile. It was the year Cyrus permitted the Jews to return and rebuild.

Ezra 1:1-4

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.

And Daniel was there, advising King Cyrus to issue the proclamation.

But that’s not all. Daniel won the world’s attention. More than 500 years later, his influence is still being felt when advisers from Babylon (remember that “magi” is a Persian word) trek across the world to see the one who was born King of the Jews. He told them the signs of the King’s advent (see Daniel 8 - 12, especially chapter 11), so they watched and waited until they finally saw his star in the east and went to worship him. Daniel rested in God’s sovereignty and paved the way for the Messiah to take over the world. What phenomenal influence!

“Winning big” is not about getting your best life now. It’s not even primarily about changing the world or making it a better place. It’s about trusting Jesus to change the world.

Extra 

A City Isn’t a City Without the Church | Peter J. Leithart | First Things

Made me think of how God deals with criminals - they are put outside the city. Imagine if our cities were like that. The citizens have a right to be there but if they become criminals, they are put outside the city rather than in a prison within a city. Furthermore, any dangerous criminals would be put in a prison outside the city. Of course, we would all end up outside the city without grace. But I’m talking about repeat offenders. For the most serious cases, no more than 3 strikes and you’re out.

It also made me think of Vannes, where the Cathedral is central to the city and at a high point. The centrality and health of the Church is important to the city’s health. Even the bells ringing and a call to worship bring an order to the city. Therefore a government should always give a high place to the Church unless of course it becomes corrupted. At that point it should be able to appeal to the highest Church authority to replace corrupt ministers. Smaller churches in the area should be reporting to the Central church. 

What then would be the God ordained central church in say Papatoetoe ?

Antichrist call to remove bishops from the House of Lords

The purity of the Church should be a concern for the government. Calls such as in this article have arrived because the Church has been corrupt. Why has it not dealt severely with pedophile priests. Here the government has the authority to step in and should.