DANIEL 1 (PART 4): INDOCTRINATION

Have you heard the story
of the four young men
who were plucked from Judah
and planted in Babylon?

They were healthy and strong,
and good-looking too;
yet they were pulled right out
of the Judean soil.

The powerful army of Babylon
marched right in and captured them.

King Nebuchadnezzar demanded
that the royal family
and the noblest young men
be picked from Judah
and brought to serve him.

He took the youth
who were highly educated
and indoctrinated them
into the Babylonian culture.

***Sounds a lot like today*** 

His first objective
was to change their identity. 
If they didn't know who they were
then they would be easy to lead.

He had them educated
in Babylonian literature
and Babylonian history too,
then he changed their language
and their birth names.

Daniel became Belteshazzar,
and his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azaraih
became Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago.

And even though
they were offered pleasantries,
there was one thing
this king could not take -
the fear of the Lord
that was hidden in their hearts.  

Daniel was determined
not to defile himself
by eating the food and the wine
given to him by the king.

He asked for permission
not to eat the unacceptable foods,
and was given favor 
by the staff who was attending to him.

Daniel and his friends,
drank only water
and ate only vegetables, 
and yet over ten days,
they grew even more
healthy and strong. 

When the attendant saw this,
he agreed to continue on -

he no longer feared the consequence
of being beheaded.

God’s grace was extended,
by their faithful God,
who gifted them abundantly
with an unusual aptitude.

These young men 
must have been like Solomon,
because scripture says,
"they could understand
every aspect of literature and wisdom."

They exhibited excellent judgment,
and after only three years -
they were entered into 
the king's royal service.  

But there was something different
about Daniel.

God gave Daniel the special ability
to interpret the meanings
of visions and dreams.

Tomorrow I will look at
Daniel Chapter 2
which has and interesting title,
"Nebuchadnezzar's Dream."