January 9, 2022

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the LORD gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand… Daniel 1:1-2a

The lessons of the past must either be learned or else they are repeated. It is God’s intention for His people to visit and revisit what many disrespectfully consider “the old waste places” in Scripture. After Israel had become a melting pot with pagan nations, the land of Judah, for a time at least, was somewhat intact. She stood in contrast with Israel, who was sometimes called by the name Ephraim, the largest of those ten tribes that broke away. Israel had given up her identity, having intermarried with pagans and accepting idolatry instead of being the wholesome, winsome influence for God that He had intended.

Ephraim has encircled Me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; But Judah still walks with God, Even with the Holy One who is faithful. Hosea 11:12

Judah did not learn the intended lessons of dissolved Israel, and the LORD also brought a charge against Judah (Hosea 12:2). As a result, the king and kingdom of Judah was handed—by God—to the most pagan king on the face of the earth. This kicked off the darkest days in Judah’s history. Lessons abound, but just now let’s take a look at the gospel message presented in the names of the four major players from Judah when Babylon was allowed to take over:

Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Daniel 1:6

Daniel means “God is my judge”

Hananiah means “Jah has favored”

Mishael means “who (is) what God (is)”

Azariah means “Jah has helped”

It is a surety that our God and Savior will judge everyone. In the ancient near-Eastern culture, it was understood that a judge was to favor and extend every possible benefit to the accused. Today people tend to tremble at the concept of judgement. This is likely because they are trying to cover up unconfessed sins. Beloved, lay it all before the merciful judge! He has favored us by sending His Son to take the penalty that each of us deserves. He is in the business of restoring His image and likeness in us. He has provided the help we need for this restoration, for we cannot do it on our own.

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Acts 3:19-21