The Making of A Character
Daniel 1 : 3 – 21
By ThePaw Liang
Coming from a noble family, handsome and no physical defect, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well-informed, and quick to understand. These are the characteristics that can be found in Daniel’s Curriculum Vitae. But, Daniel did not have much time to enjoy all these privileges. Together with all the young and healthy Jews, he was deported in a foreign land, living as prisoners of war. He was estimated to be at his late teens when he was recruited a candidate to serve the Emperor. He then progressed from a captive became the Second Person in the Babylon Empire and a legend in the Bible. This not happen just because of his noble birth but it took certain process. Here I try to identify some of the elements that determine Daniel’s life.
1. Identity – knowing who you are
The Emperor tried his best to alter Daniel’s sense of identity. Together with other young Jews, he was immersed in Babylonian society to challenge their beliefs, values, and loyalties. They tried to make him forget the God of their fathers – the guide of their youth and gave him a new name - Belteshazzar signifies the keeper of the hidden treasures of Bel. But, the change of name could not change his nature. He remained as a faithful young Jew.
2. Responsibility ~ knowing what to do
Coming from a chosen nation, from a noble family who could have had all the best education, but now he was asked to study in a foreign university. He had to learn new language, new philosophy, new religion, etc. Further, he also had to sit in the same class with the young Babylonians nobles.
Jews were proud with their identity as a chosen nation and despise other cultures. But, instead of lamenting his loss, Daniel took the opportunity and did his best. This was proved when Nebuchadnezzar interviewed him and his friends, the King found out "In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom" (Daniel 1:29). It is his performance not his faith that impressed Nebuchadnezzar. If he and his friends only performed in a mediocre manner – it’s doubtful we would know him today, no matter how godly he might have been. Daniel and his friends would have been rejected if they had been lazy and unmotivated. They were noticed because they excelled where others were only average.
3. Conformity ~ knowing where to stan
Eating from the King’s table was symbol of honor and privilege. Nebuchadnezzar wanted these boys to believe that serving in the court of Babylon was the quickest path to the "good life." He also wanted them to be healthy so they could serve him well. But Daniel believed that eating the king’s meat and drinking the king’s wine would compromise his relationship with God. It wasn’t a question of what was convenient, popular or expected, but what God permitted or forbid.
Conformity is also the matter of personal conviction. When everyone else was sitting at the table eating the king’s meat and drinking the king’s wine, Daniel had the courage to say no. Without personal convictions based upon the Word of God, it is harder to stand firm when the world is pressing him to conform. With personal conviction, he had the liberty to stand on his own without pressures from his parents or priests or other significant people in his life.
Lastly, in order to stand firm on his conviction, certain diplomacy was required. He didn’t confront nor offend the Palace staff. Instead he explained to them his stand and requested to have a try to have his own diet for 10 days. Such approach enabled Daniel to win the officer’s favor and sympathy.
4. Authority ~ knowing whom to follow
The Babylonians try their best to trained and indoctrinated Daniel in pagan philosophy and Chaldean culture. But, despite all the training and exposures he had, Daniel determined to follow the Word of God and obey its laws. In return, God blessed him and enabling him to excel in knowledge and skill in all learning. God also gave Daniel the wisdom to discern between truth and error.
And time proved! Daniel stood firm in his faith and remained faithful to God not only when he was trying to acquire certain position in the palace. But after seventy year, the next King, Darius, also discovered the same extraordinary competence: "Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom" (Daniel 6:3).
This kind of wisdom is available to every Christian who makes up their minds to be led by the counsels of God’s Word. So let’s be a 21st Century Daniel!
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