Daniel, Friendly Captivity

Daniel- A young Hebrew teen who lived in Jerusalem. King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and captured several young men, ripping them away from everything they knew. The men were to fit the following description:

Daniel 1:3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility- young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.

Taken into captivity took on a new meaning to these young men. Upon arrival they were dressed in fine clothing, taught literature and offered to share the same wine and food from the King's table. They were to remain in training for three years and then go into the Kings service.

Daniel declined.

As a young teen, he stood firm on the knowledge and understanding that God had already prepared him for more than serving an earthly king.

To share a meal was to commit himself to friendship, it was as significant as a covenant. Daniel chose to eat what he had become custom to. This did not make them happy as a young man who only eats grains and vegetables would never be bulky and fine looking.

Have you ever been able to decline something that you could do, even wanted to do, but didn't because of the implications, the lasting impact on your witness to others?

Dear Lord, help us today to get to know Daniel better. He lived in a time much like our own, where temptations were at each turn. Help us to see that Daniel, a young man, could turn from these same temptations and he prospered, despite all that was against him.

Think back to when you were a teen. Daniel was brought into Babylon which was considered a rebellious land. Offering everything a young man could lust for. Women, wealth, stature, godliness, it was a land of plenty- plenty of temptation. Even in captivity, it was there for him to enjoy, and he declined. What would you have done?