May 15: IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY

Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. Then the king interviewed them, and among them all, none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. Daniel 1:18-19

Three years have passed since the young Hebrew captives began their studies in the Babylonian royal college for the training of courtiers. Thankful that they had been permitted to continue their simple diet, they may have wondered how the purposes of God could be fulfilled in such a setting. Yet their trust in Him never wavered. The educational privileges provided them were the very same that the young Babylonian nobility received. There were surely those among the native Babylonians who taunted them, saying boastfully that the articles from the temple at Jerusalem (v.2 – see also 2 Chronicles 36:7) that were still in the temple of Marduk (translated Bel) were proof that the religion and customs of the Babylonians were superior to the religion and customs of the followers of Yahweh. However, through the very humiliations that Israel’s apostasy had invited, God provided Babylon with strong evidence of His supremacy and the positive results of obedience to His holy requirements. But this powerful testimony could be imparted only through those who were wholeheartedly loyal to the God of Heaven.

To fear God, not in the sense of terror but with a spirit of deep reverence (see Deuteronomy 10:12) is to come into possession of a calm assurance devoid of pride. The end of the three-year period of study was marked by a summons from the king. Now, our four young men were part of a larger group of young Hebrews chosen by Ashpenaz for the college of royal service (Daniel 1:3-4). There were likely several dozen who had made it all the way through this challenging and intense program of study. Then the king interviewed them, and among them all, none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

The promise of remarkable ability among the bevy of young Hebrew captives had been recognized early on by Nebuchadnezzar and Ashpenaz. The training they had received would help them fill important positions. But the relationship with the LORD that was cherished and maintained by our special four would add a dimension of positive influence that would expand the importance of their positions into the realm of eternity. Therefore they served before the king. The positions given them were considerably higher than other positions in the king’s vast court.

Likewise, you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7

Humility is learned: Proverbs 3:34; 16:18; Daniel 4:34,37; Luke 14:11; Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:3; James 4:6