20100905

The book Daniel, much like other books written by Old Testament prophets, is a test of our capacity to trust Sovereign God for our future as we see God’s program for the future of the world.  God is seen as sovereign in the lives of individuals like the prophet Daniel and his friends in as much as He can been seen as sovereign in the lives of Kings and Nations.  The sovereignty of God was manifestly made visible in the lives of some young men taken captive by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.  Around 605 BC, Daniel and some young men, selected from families of nobility were taken to the courts of Nebuchadnezzar to be trained as overseers to the deported Jews.

These young men, aged 12 to 14, were being tested in the crucible of a pagan world with its practices, values and norms markedly different from what they have been taught and brought up in Judah.  Yet in something as simple as dietary restrictions, Daniel was firmly resolved in his heart to obey and adhere to Jewish laws even though he was far removed from Judah.  There was no one to check on his obedience.  The young Daniel exhibited a life of spiritual integrity.  He dared to be different.  He boldly spoke his convictions.  He wisely negotiated a compromise, not on his part but on the part of the chief official in charge of nurturing these young Jewish captives.  He succeeded because “God caused the official to show favour and sympathy to Daniel” (Dan. 1:9).  Sovereign God was in full control in the life of obedient Daniel.

Nebuchadnezzar had come to Jerusalem to besieged it because the “LORD delivered Jehoiakim, king of Judah into his hand” (Dan. 1:2).  The sovereign control of God was over an unbelieving pagan King.  God’s sovereign purpose was fulfilled through these individuals who were rigid in their adherence to traditions and their refusal to fraternize with the enemies.  What can we say about the traditionalists and the non-conformists, the Zealots or the Pharisees in Jewish history, who were unyielding and severe?  In this instance, Daniel simply and firmly stood his ground.  For him, it was a “crisis of conscience”.  To the enemies, he must present his vital faith.  Any measure of compromise was an enticement to evil.  For him there was no bending backwards.  “Dare to be a Daniel” and take your stand as a Christian witness in pagan Singapore.