“During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia and placed them in the treasure-house of his god. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego.”
Daniel 1:1-7 NLT
As we look upon the event of the Babylonian captivity, it is easy to forget its context. Harkening all the way back to Joshua, but apexing after Solomon, God’s chosen people had been in constant violation of their covenant relationship with God. They didn’t respect himself, his blessings or each other. The book of judges ends in travesty stating that “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” This is the reason why Israel needed a constant slew of prophets. These men were thusly murdererd and driven away. Israel became idolatrous and worse than the original pagan nations it drove out. At one point, it was publicly sacrificing its children. It is for this reason that the previous nations had been driven out of the land. These nations did not know God as the Jews did. How much more should the Jews have been prepared for their removal from the land. Indeed, many prophets warned them such a fate was coming. As we read Daniel, it is important to note that it is a story of hope because God has not abandoned his people. Yet, we must always remember that the story takes place as a consequence of God’s people repeatedly abandoning him. Such a fate is deserved for any people who reject God. I shudder to think what waits for us.
JOSH McGARY.COM 