Daniel 1:1-21
Introduction: This Fall we are turning to the book of Daniel to give us encouragement and wisdom amid the Covid-19 Pandemic and the ensuing political unrest of an election year. The book of Daniel was written at a similar crossroad in the history of Israel. Daniel was one of the first among the Jews to be exiled during a time when Israel was at its lowest point, a time of crisis, as King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered and ransacked Jerusalem. Like Daniel and his friends, we are exiles, and we should look to none other than God, who is in control. He will give us the strength to be faithful in this time of crisis. The central theme of Daniel is God’s sovereignty over history and that all kingdoms will culminate in a final kingdom in which God’s faithful ones, through trials, will be raised to glory, honor, and everlasting life.
The Relevance of Daniel
As we consider our own exile as Christians, we would do well to consider what Daniel’s exile meant for him. First, it meant the loss of normal worship. The normal structure of Israel’s worship was completely upended. There was no more Temple worship, no more sacrifices, no more festivals. It was an entirely different world that was spiritually disorienting. As a result, it induced a crisis of faith. While every believer at this time could have imagined a crisis of faith at some point in their lives, none could imagine one such as this. God’s people were conquered, subjugated, and colonized. Why would God allow this to happen? How could He possibly come through? Finally, this new environment was one of immersion in political idolatry. The temptation for God’s people would be either to look at the newly introduced political system and its leaders as a savior, or to despise them as a great enemy to destroy. This was Daniel’s world, and he was thrust into it, as many of us feel today
1. The Temptations We Face In Exile
Before we can grasp how to be to be faithful in exile, we must understand the temptations presented to us in exile. As we look to Daniel, there are two main temptations:
1.) The temptation to assimilate - The pressure for Daniel to assimilate was no small matter. Part of the King’s strategy was to fully assimilate Daniel and his companions into Babylonian culture. The idea was simple but powerful. If leaders or influencers of the Jews could be compromised, then the people would soon follow suit. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself when he resisted the King’s food and wine that was freely offered to him (1:8). This may not seem significant, but it becomes apparent later that Daniel’s greatest contribution to Babylon was his ability to remain distinct from Babylon. Likewise, one of our great temptations today is that of political assimilation. If we do not follow Daniel’s resolve, we are likely to get swept right up into divisive political identities. Though difficult, exile proffers an opportunity for us to extract ourselves from political assimilation and rediscover faithfulness to our one true God and his kingdom.
2.) The temptation to withdraw - If the temptation to assimilate is so strong, then why not withdraw from it all? Many Christians have chosen this path, especially considering the difficulty of integrating faith with culture and politics. But this response is to overlook some important considerations. In fact, Daniel and his friends were some of the best political leaders in Babylon, and this as a result of their diligence as students of Babylonian culture. Could it be possible that being in Babylon was actually the impetus for Daniel’s faith? Sometimes we forget that comfort can prompt us to take things for granted. For Daniel, the solution to the crisis of exile was the opposite of withdrawal. Exile was actually an opportunity to renew and redefine his faith. Christians today can follow this example and better equip themselves to be witnesses to a world that needs the gospel.
2. The Truth We Need In Exile
In the face of such temptation what are we to do? Daniel and his friends give us a simple and subtle truth: God is in control. Even when we can’t see it, feel it, or conceive it, God is at work. Think about it. If there was ever a time where it would seem like God was no longer in control, it was at this moment in Israel’s history. How could God be working while His temple was looted and a pagan king had taken His people from their home and forced them into physical and spiritual bondage? Well three little words show up several times in Daniel chapter 1: “The Lord gave…” It may have seemed that they were solely in the hands of Babylon, but they were not. They were still in the hands of a sovereign God, and He was at work among them like He is today. I know this might be hard to believe, but among everything from a global pandemic to political tension to your own unique situation, God is in control.
3. The Triumph We Can Have (Even) In Exile
The mighty King of Babylon took away generations of hope and faith from the people of God. For him, the loot of Jerusalem was just another set of trophies for his trophy room. But the question remains: Who won? The only reason we know anything at all about King Nebuchadnezzar today is because of we’ve dug up traces of his kingdom from the sand! But verse 21 tells us Daniel outlasted King Nebuchadnezzar and the great Babylonian kingdom! Daniel, the kid who was kidnapped and subjugated, outlived an entire empire by remaining faithful. His faith can be counted a triumph. This triumph is certainly legendary, but it points to one even greater. Jesus Christ of Nazareth held no political office, commanded no army, and conquered no earthly oppressors. Still, he is remembered, cherished, and worshiped by billions throughout history. In his darkest hour he faced a similar exile - one of despair, loneliness, and shame. Yet he cancelled our debt, nailed it to a cross, and he triumphed over rulers and authorities (Col 2:14-15). Jesus won, and this is a victory we can celebrate today. Out of what seemed like the greatest loss (his exile on the cross) came his greatest victory (His triumph over sin, death and evil). As we see in the examples of Jesus and Daniel, may we emulate them in holding firm convictions with soft edges and have faith that triumphs in the face of exile.
REFLECT OR DISCUSS
What about the message is most relevant to you today? Do you feel impacted by the loss of normal worship, a personal crisis related to the Covid-19 pandemic, and/or the weight of political tension in our culture?
Which one of the two temptations do you resonate most with in your own life? Do you give into the pressure to assimilate, or rush to withdraw? Have you ever fluctuated between the two as a result of an experience?
Have you ever resolved to “not defile” yourself, like Daniel, in an effort to remain faithful to God? Do you think that Christians can practically apply this principle today?
Daniel and his friends found a way to learn Babylonian culture and politics without being indoctrinated by it. Do you think this is an important component of their leadership? Why or why not? What challenges can you think of that would hinder you if you tried to apply this today?
Have you ever struggled to understand the sovereignty of God in a tough situation whether recently or in the past? How did that experience shape your faith into what it is today?
What is the role of truth in a crisis of faith? Can you think of any other biblical examples of God’s people that remained faithful to the truth while in the face of dire circumstances?
Be honest, do you feel more overwhelmed today by circumstances, or by the triumph that we have in Christ? In what ways does this message remind you of Jesus and His gospel message for us?