Broadening Your Witness III

Daniel 1-2

When Moses had his first son in the land of Midian, he named him Gershom, which meant "alien" (Exodus 2:22). Throughout most of their history, the Jewish people have understood themselves in that way. In I Peter 2:11-17, Peter exhorts the Jewish Christians to live similarly, "as aliens and strangers." It's another angle on what it means to be in but not of this world. One of the astonishing insights for me in my World Religions Class was just how few Jews there are in the world - just about 14 million, with about 40% of that faith residing in the USA. Yet, there influence per adherent is much greater. Part of this is due to the Jewish connection to the Christian faith, but the greater part is Judaism's ability to be self-defined, no matter the location. Observance of the feasts and kosher foods, the learning of Hebrew in the synagogue, and the continual passing on of the faith through strong extended families have kept their identity strong. They know who and whose they are.

The book of Daniel is written from the days of the exile for the Southern Kingdom of Judah, first in Babylon and then by the Medes and Persians. The theme is clearly how God has honors His people for their faithfulness to God through keeping the Jewish identity, even if it means civil disobedience.

Daniel 1

The Jewish food laws have always had a double message. First, they established that the children of Israel were separate from their Gentile neighbors. Second, the Jewish diet is generally healthier than many others. One of the classic books on that is None of These Diseases by S. I. McMillen. Here we are introduced to Daniel and his three friends who are serving in the Babylonian court as slaves. They are given new Babylonian names, much like slaves were given in our own country. It has long been done as a way of acculturating them (at best) and reminding them that they are owned as property (at worst). The name Daniel (meaning "God is my judge") was changed to Belteshazzar (meaning "Bel’s prince"). The name Hannaniah (meaning "Beloved by the Lord") was changed to Shadrach (meaning "illumined by Sun-god"). The name Mishael (meaning "Who is like God?") was changed to Meshach (meaning "Who is like Venus?"). And the name Azariah (meaning "The Lord is my help")was changed to Abed-Nego(meaning "Servant of Nego").

Daniel in chapter 1, verse 8, asks permission to observe a diet of vegetables and water only. The Bible is clear to say that while the vegetable diet was healthy, the greater part of their health was due to their faithfulness to God. This opening story invites us to ponder a couple of questions. Are we defined more by our relationship with God or by the surrounding culture? Honesty requires that we at least admit this to be a struggle. Second, what about our food diet promotes health? If our bodies are a temple of God's Spirit, then how should we treat it? Third, what about the rest of our lifestyle - our mental, emotional, and relational nutrition demonstrates our God-connectedness?

Daniel 2

The book of Daniel describes much about his dreams and his role as an interpreter. By the end of the book, his dreams will turn wildly apocalyptic, with some of the passages being quoted in the book of Revelation in the New Testament (another book written from exile). Here he interprets the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar (the Babylonian king who invaded Jerusalem in 586 BCE). Nebuchadnezzar's dreams are not able to be interpreted by the Babylonians. Daniel after praying and worshipping the LORD is given the interpretation. Before the king, Daniel is asked to tell Nebuchadnezzar his own dream and then interpret it, but he does so saying that no man could interpret it except through God. What Daniel does is reveal to the king the dynasties that would follow the Babylonians - the Medes, the Persians and finally, the Greeks. While, these stories originate from the Babylonian exile, the language in which they are told is later. Those who would have read these stories would have already have known about these kingdoms to yet take stage.

Daniel continues in the Babylonian court, but arranges with Nebuchadnezzar for his three friends to become government officials. Just as in the story of Joseph (a slave becomes third most powerful as an interpreter of dreams), Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are promoted to places of power. Daniel and his friends are given wisdom because of their faithfulness to God and it brings them to places of influence. So again, I offer a couple of questions: How are you seeking God for wisdom in your daily life? And how is God using you in the places of influence where you work and live?

Romans 9:30-10:17

The use of Romans at this point is important as we consider life as ministry. It really wasn't about the food they ate or even the maneuverings of Daniel to get his friends into places of power. It was their faith in God that made the difference. In exile, the Jews learned they could have faith without a temple and be Jewish no matter where they were. Their growing relationship with God is what made the difference. It is no different for us. Our religion itself can become a barrier between us and a true living faith.