Daniel 1 Faith of the Oppressed
Daniel.
Daniel was a young man when his country Judah was invaded and taken over by Babylonia who was under a King named Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel must wondered where is God? After all. God's own nation has been defeated and taken over. In fact articles from God's Holy temple has also been taken and placed in the temples of the Babylonian gods. Just like everytime when a disaster strike appears in the newspaper. Everything seems wrong.
We question where is God?
But from the book of Daniel, we can see God's sovereign plan at work through the faithful lives of Daniel and his friends.
We'll look in to chapter one for now.
From Daniel Chapter 1 : 4, we see that the King has specially requested Israelites with special attributes to be taken and trained to take up the King's services? Sounds fishy right? Who in the right mind would want to put their opposition within their governing Committee?
The chosen Israelites (including Daniel) was given special treatment. They were taught Babylonian Language and literatue.They were also given Royal Food. Their names were ever changed to sound more Babylonian . Now's that's good life. We see here King Nabu( Nabuchadnezzar I'll use short form for his extra long name.) trying to Babylonianlize the Chosen Israelites.
Why would he wanna do that? Not enough talented people in Babylonia?
Or perhaps he knew that Israel had a powerful God that bless them plentifully? After all Israel did have a fearful reputation as a nation guided and protected by a powerful God. Maybe Nebu wanted the same God to bless him? Maybe he believes that by putting seemingly Blessed Israelites into his personal service, he will be able to siphon some of Israel's God's Blessing?
Anyway, from verse 8, we knew Daniel decline to eat the Royal Food.
We see here Daniel had two choices. He can firstly take this oppounity to enjoy good live.A jump immediately to civil service! Good food on your table everyday!Just follow and you are in for a good life. Or Daniel can choose to remain faithful to God. Not throwing away his identity as an Israelite.God's Child.
You must understand that this decision was made difficult by the fact that his country, supposely protected by a God was Invaded and Taken Over.God just doesn't seems to be so real at that time and also , good life seems so much better .In fact, maybe their gods are more powerful?
Daniel however chose the difficult path. He chose in faith to remain as God Children. In faith , he chose to hold on to God in difficult times whereby God seems so far away.
Then we think...what does this have to do with the food. Right?
There are two possiblities. Firstly we know that Babylonian's food are different from Israelites's food. So the royal food might contain unclean animals. ( Leviticus 11 list of unclean animals) Secondly , we should also know that Israelites have a different way of preparing their food. (Check it out at Leviticus 17:13 , 19:26).
Now Daniel do not want to defile himself by breaking God's Law. Therefore he decline to eat the food.
However, Daniel faced another Delimma. If he were to reject the food, he will be disobeying Authority right? Also , he will caused the Death of an innocent man(Danial 1 : 10). His Officer who was just doing his job BUT if he accept the food, he would defiled himself? So what should he do? What can he do?
Then in Verse 11-14, we see Daniel giving a creative alternative.
Here are some points of a creative alternative.
1)It fulfils the need to respect Athority. It did not go against the Athority.
2)It is reasonable. Now the opposite of Reasonable here will be arrogance. Here's an example: " I'm a Christian. I will no eat as my God tells me so." we see that Daniel sympathise with the officer's position. He could easily get the officer killed by not eating and the officer can do nothing about it. Daniel being reasonable showed Love and Mercy .
3) Initiative. Daniel took the initiative. The difference between a believer and a non-believer is that a believer has God. We have God in our life and we can do alot of things through God. ( Philippians 3:14)
4) Lastly this is an act of Faith. Note that Daniel gave ten days. It is like a risk but Daniel had faith that God will intervene and do his work within this ten days.
We know that God is faithful in the end and Daniel and his friends looked healthier than those who took the royal food. Also God blessed him with wisdom that Nabu found him 10 times better that his magicians( Highly renowned in those days) and and wise men.
In verse 2,9 and 17 we see God directly intervening. God has a plan .
Daniel chose to live right with God. He chose to be Holy and undefiled.He Coooperate without compromising, propose a creative alternative ,was being tested by God on his faithfulness and loyatly and in the end, blessed by God.
So have you chose to live holy or have you blend into the world and it's ways?
Can your faith in God hold even when everything is falling apart around you?