Daniel_1

Scripture   Daniel 1:1&6   

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it...Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. Observation-What does it say?   The beginning of Daniel places us at the time of the siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezer of Babylon.  In 2 Kings 23 & 24, the story of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, kings of Jerusalem, is given to us, explaining the siege was a result of both these men doing evil in the sight of the Lord.  When Nebuchadnezer took the land, he also ordered some young men be taken to Babylon to be trained in their ways.  Most likely this was done to implant the men back into Jerusalem and change the Jewish culture from within.  Among the men taken were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, whose Hebrew names mean “God is my judge,” “Jehovah is Gracious,” “Who Belongs to God,” and “Jehovah Helps.”  They are given the new Babylonian names, which carried importance to the Babylonian gods of the moon and sun.  The names were given to them to encourage them to forget their heritage, who they are in God’s eyes. Understanding-What does it mean?   Naming our three boys was very important to my wife and I.  The meaning in their names, to us, is a reminder of their God given identity.  We named them Jedidiah, “loved by God,” Ezekiel, “God’s strength,” and Matthias, “gift of God.”  Matthias, with the twinkle in his eye, great smile, and his ability to win over anyone is quite the charmer.  So, we decided it probably is best not to tell him his name means “God’s gift” until he is mature enough to understand it.  He’s too likely to try and use that information to his advantage. As Christians, we become adopted sons and daughters of God.  We now assume a life of sojourners in a foreign land.  Much like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, we are living in a place that is not our home, and the world is trying to distract us from our identity in Christ.  All around us are messages of slavery to this world.  It’s in advertisements, in music and movies, Satan is waging a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12) on our new identity in Christ.  Just like these four young men, we also need to cling to our identity in Jesus during our sojourning on this earth. To the Romans, Paul wrote, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  This transformation is done through the continual dependence on God’s word, through worship, and through fellowship with the body of Christ.
Life Application  

 

Jesus, help me to remember my new identity in you (2 Corinthians 5:17).  As I make my way in this life, help me to encourage and remind those around me of their new identity in you.  Help me to sharpen others, as others help to sharpen me.      

 

-Tyler Galloway