As we turn the page to the book of Daniel we see once again that the historical setting for this book is during the time of the Babylonian captivity (Dan. 1:1-3). Specifically, Daniel, like Ezekiel, was amongst the first wave of captives before the final destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Amongst this group was King Jehoiakim, members of the royal family, and also of the nobility (1:3). The Babylonians planned to take some of the youths who were from Judah and try and assimilate them into Babylonian culture. They sought out, “youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent” in order for them to be taught both the literature and language of the Chaldeans/Babylonians (1:4).
Amongst this group is Daniel who is renamed Belteshazzar, Hananiah who is renamed Shadrack, Mishael, who is named Meshack, and Azariah who is renamed Abednego (1:6-7). Their Hebrew names honoring the true God were exchanged for names that honored Babylonian gods.[1] Their identities were changed, their customs were expected to change, and they were to be forced into the mold of the Babylonians. The goal was to get these Hebrews to become Babylonians through and through. Yet, in response to this, Daniel purposes not to defile himself, specifically by denying the king’s supply of food (1:8).
Now, we aren’t entirely sure why he resists the king’s food and drink. Were they inherently unclean foods like pork? Was the food offered to idols? Or was it just to prove a point? We honestly aren’t entirely sure. Yet, Daniel purposes in his heart to fight this assimilation, and God honors him for it. God granted to Daniel and the three others wisdom, understanding, skill and He gave to Daniel knowledge in interpreting dreams (1:17). God blessed their faithfulness.
We live in a world today that will try to conform us into its mold. The people of God throughout history have had to fight off cultural pressures that have tried to eliminate their distinction from the rest of the world. I think the Apostle Paul said it best when he wrote under inspiration,
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”
Romans 12:2, ESV
Essentially, he says, “Don’t let the world form you into its mold.” They want to make you into a replica of them with their culture, beliefs, and values. Yet, as God’s people in the earth, we are in the world but not of it (see John 17:14-15).
Surely, we’ll stand out from the crowd if we aren’t molded like everyone else. People might think we’re stupid for believing in a supernatural God, the Creator of heaven and earth when the world pushes the theory of evolution. People might think we’re crazy when we live out Christian values and refuse any numbers of commonplace sins, especially for those who are in high school and college! People might think we’re bigots if we aren’t willing to adopt modern gender theory and the attempt to redefine marriage. They might think we’re wasting our time if we faithfully go to church when we could be doing other things. They might think we’re out of our minds when we say that we believe God’s inspired Word, even though it’s thousands of years old and in their view, it’s outdated.
I would rather be seen as crazy in the eyes of the world and faithful in the eyes of God than accepted by this world and be a foreigner to God. Much of what we believe has never been popular. The Christian has always had to swim against the current. This is what we see Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah doing in the midst of Babylonian pressures and may we as followers of Jesus Christ be faithful to fight the attempted assimilation that puts pressure on us today.
[1] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 1586.
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