Making a Stand

Introduction

A. I’m not sure at point it happens. It happens to all of us. Some of us struggle with it more than others, but all struggle with it to some extent. At some point what others think about us seems to matter. Psychologically we talk about the importance of being accepted by others; spiritually we speak of God’s design that he created us with a sense of community not isolation; physically we seek a complement to our gender. There are lots of reasons why being accepted by others makes sense. But some of us really struggle with this. So much that we may even compromise our values to be accepted.

B. Teens hear the words “peer pressure” and they roll their eyes. Lessons are given over and over again to avoid “peer pressure.” But teens are not the only ones who have struggles with pressure from peers. Adults clearly do as well. But it all has to do with this idea of trying to find a balance in our lives. What others think of us matters, but the extent that we will allow others to set the agenda for us…that is the balance that is difficult to find.

C. A teenager’s struggle with finding that balance may be more evident, but all of us struggle to find the balance of listening to people while holding on to our values. We struggle to find our place in a community without sticking out like a sore thumb. We want to be accepted for who we are, but we are willing to change for those that we really want their acceptance. I suppose the hardest part of all of this is to stay committed to your values no matter what the consequences. But those who are able to hold on to what is important to them typically find greater satisfaction in life. Those who sacrifice their values for acceptance typically find that they have paid too great a price for a lesser value. This is the struggle that Daniel finds in Daniel chapter 1.

The Text

A. Daniel is one of the scores of unnamed captives taken from Jerusalem back to Babylon. The text tells us that Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem. This is in 605 B.C. Along with captives, some of the temple wealth is taken to Babylon as well. This is the fulfillment of prophecy from Isaiah to Hezekiah in Isaiah 39:6 after Hezekiah had shown the temple treasure to envoys from Babylon. Daniel is a young teen at the time of his deportment. From 1:3, that he was part of the royal family. Daniel along with three others are named in chapter one. These four along with others were to go through a three year training session which would culminate in working for the king. The text is very clear about the qualifications necessary to be chosen for this service.

B. First, they had to be young. Historically, we know that such training began around age 14–15. So these young men were teenagers. They had to be healthy (no physical defects), good looking, intelligent, and quick learners. These men were to be taught the Babylonian language. This would have been Akkadian. And these young men were to eat the king’s food. They would have the best. It would be important for them to be well prepared for their work with the king. And part of that preparation would be to be well-fed and the best education.

C. We are given the names of four of these Jewish teens: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. All four are Jewish names with God’s name included. Daniel means God is my judge. Hananiah means God is gracious. Mishael means Who is what God is? (There is no god like God of Israel). Azariah means God has helped. Good Hebrew names. But all four are given new names: Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These new names as you may guess are Babylonian names and all four honor the gods of the Babylonians. Belteshazzar meaning “Bel, protect his life.” Shadrach means command of Aku, the moon god. Meshach meaning who is what Aku is? (This would have been the pagan equivalent of his Hebrew name.) Abednego means servant of Nebo, Babylon’s second greatest God behind Marduk or Bel.

D. Why all this confusing explanation? These guys are being indoctrinated to Babylonian culture and religion. The expectation is that they will be able to assist the king in his royal duties. They will become scribes and wise advisers. They may be foreigners, but their intellect will be used to further the Babylonian culture and vision. The expectation is that they will give up their Jewishness for the betterment of Babylon.

E. 1:8 tells us that Daniel and as we will find out later his three friends resolved not to defile himself. To eat the king’s food would violate God’s law. The king’s food violated laws about unclean food and quite possibly could have been offered in sacrifice to the gods of Babylon. Daniel asks for vegetables and water. This is not an endorsement of a vegetarian lifestyle. The word for vegetable means that which is grown from seed and would include fruits and grains. A ten day trial is taken and Daniel and his friends are healthier than those who eat the king’s food. I’m uncertain what the physical differences were in 10 days, but those differences were noticeable. Thus, Daniel and his companions receive favor from the Babylonian instructors. God, too, favors them.

F. Daniel and his companions passed their oral exams with the king in grand style. And they entered into the king’s service. Verse 21 tells us that Daniel served throughout the time of the Babylonian empire even to the first year of the Persian empire.

Lessons

A. Usually, Daniel one is used to demonstrate the importance of taking a stand for God. The proof given for such a lesson is found in verse 17 in which God rewards Daniel and his friends for their faithfulness. Thus, the point is to take a stand for God and God will reward you. But that is not always the case. Job took a stand for God and he lost all he had including all of his children. One cannot convince me that children given later could ever take the place of those who had previously died.

1. Daniel one is about taking a stand, but the reason for that is not for a possible reward. Frankly, if we allow our decisions to follow God be based on what God will do for us, then our relationship at best is based on what God can do for. Such a motivation lasts only as long as God rewards; thus, the relationship falls apart when something bad happens.

2. It seems to me that Daniel and his companions made their stand not knowing what God was going to do. There is nothing in the text which suggests that the promise was a reward for their faithfulness. You see the question I have is this: “What is there within a 15 year old boy that allows him to make a stand for right when making such a stand is no guarantee of a good outcome?”

3. Any ideas? Any thoughts? What makes a woman decide to make a stand for God even though it may lead to the breaking of a relationship? What makes a man take a stand for God even it means losing his job? What makes Jesus seek God’s will even though it will cost him his life?

4. Daniel and his friends make a stand for God not knowing the outcome; not knowing if the king will feel insulted; knowing that making this stand will make them stand out in the crowd; not knowing if loved ones back home will ever know what they did; knowing that the king’s food would be pleasing; not knowing how God would deal with their faithfulness.

5. Daniel one is about making a stand. But not for a reward but in spite of all the unknowns. Let me show you in the text what Daniel understood about what was happening. This is the second lesson.

B. Daniel knew God was in charge. Look at this. 1:2: The Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand…” The word for Lord is a Hebrew word which means “owner, ruler, or sovereign.” The word for delivered means “gave.” The owner gave Judah into his hand. The Sovereign gave Judah into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand. This had nothing to do with Babylon’s strength. This has everything to do with God’s will and objective. God is in charge. Daniel knows it. And when he is presented with the opportunity to take a stand, his faithfulness is bound up in that belief. God is in charge. God is in control. Whatever happens God’s will must be done in my life.

1. Cheat on the test. God is in charge.

2. Cheat on your spouse. God is in charge.

3. Cheat on your taxes. God is in charge.

4. Take the easy way. God is in charge.

5. That kind of faithfulness is what God is looking for and he is still looking for his Daniels today. He is looking for one like Daniel in our teens. Teens who have the courage to act faithfully when you want people to accept you. God is looking for a Daniel who will be faithful at his or her job when standing out in the crowd is the last thing you want to do.

C. May we be Daniels at home, work, school, and in our communities. May we be Daniels who are not looking for rewards but who are wanting to make a stand of faithfulness for the one who is in charge. And may we recognize that the owner is in charge. Prayer.

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