Pathways through the Bible: Classic Selections from the Tanakh (Third Edition)

Daniel

Daniel Cc Are you sometimes called upon to make a sacrifice for your loyalty to Judaism? Have you always been willing to make this sacrifice? The Book of Daniel tells heroic tales of Jewish youths who were ready to make even the supreme sacrifice for what they as Jews believed in. During their exile in Babylonia, the Jews were loyal citizens of their country, but they refused to give up their religion. Typical of these Jews were Daniel and his three friends. They were God’s faithful who time and again had been put to severe tests, but each time proved their loyalty. Later, in times of terrible persecutions, Jews would read about Daniel and his friends, and they would gain courage to endure their trials and to remain faithful to their religion. Indeed, some scholars believe that the Book of Daniel was written down—on the basis of an earlier text— during the days of the Maccabees (about 165 B.C.E.), to fortify the Jews against the cruelties of the mad ruler, Antiochus IV. According to this view, the author had to write carefully, or else face being arrested and put to death. Therefore, the book uses dreams and symbolic visions to convey its message about the downfall of tyrants and the coming of a better age of justice. It is written about Babylonia and her king, but it really intended Antiochus and his Syrian kingdom. This book was read in secret gatherings among the persecuted Jews, and from Daniel’s loyalty they drew fortitude and devotion. To their courage the Book of Daniel added hope, for Daniel taught that God ruled all nations, brought about their rise and fall, and caused the wicked states to pass away. Daniel predicted that in due time God would become a direct Sovereign of all nations. Then the people of Israel and all the world would enjoy justice and peace. The author of the Book of Daniel wrote down thoughts about the future in the form of fantastic visions, in which not only strange beasts ■ 483 ■ played an important role, but also voices were heard speaking from heaven. Such visions and revelations are called “apocalypses.” In them, Daniel held out the hope that God would rescue Israel and bless those who remained steadfast in their faith. With this hope in their hearts, the Jews were helped to find strength and courage, and fortified their determination to live. 484 ■ Pathways Through the Bible 1. FOUR COURAGEOUS JEWISH YOUTHS Daniel and his three friends are offered personal promotion in the court of Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylonia. But this involves giving up the Jewish dietary laws. They refuse, preferring to remain true to their religion; they insist on keeping the ritual laws of food and drink. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon ordered Ashpenaz, his chief officer, to bring some Israelites of royal descent and of the nobility , and teach them the writings and the language of the Chaldeans [Babylonians]. They needed to be youths without blemish, handsome, proficient in all wisdom, knowledgeable and intelligent, and capable of serving in the royal palace. The king allotted daily rations to them from the king’s food and from the wine he drank. They were to be educated for three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s service. Among these young men were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The chief officer gave them new names; he named Daniel “Belteshazzar,” Hananiah “Shadrach,” Mishael “Meshach,” and Azariah “Abed-nego.” Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food or the wine he drank, so he sought permission of the chief officer not to defile himself , and God disposed the chief officer to be kind and compassionate toward Daniel. The chief officer said to Daniel, “I fear that my lord the king, who allotted food and drink to you, will notice that you look out of sorts, unlike the other youths of your age—and you will put my life in jeopardy with the king.” Daniel replied to the guard whom the chief officer had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, giving us legumes to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the youths who eat of the king’s food, and do with your servants as you see fit.” He agreed to this plan of...