The Seduction of Babylon
- Daniel’s conviction to please God outweighed the temptation to fear and please men.
- Daniel lived in Babylon, but he didn’t let Babylon live in him.
- Physical Isolation
Daniel 1:1-4, 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 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.
Hebrews 10:25, Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
2. Mental Indoctrination
Daniel 1:3-4 (NKJV), 3 The king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans
“All propaganda must be so popular and on such an intellectual level, that even the most stupid of those toward whom it is directed will understand it. Through clever and constant application of propaganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell, and also the other way around, to consider the most wretched sort of life as paradise.” – Adolf Hitler
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.” – Adolf Hitler
3. Identity Alteration
Daniel 1:6-7, 6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
Their Babylonian Names:
Belteshazzar – may Bel protect the life.
Shadrach – illuminated by the Sun God Ra.
Meshach – who is like Aku.
Abend-nego – a servant of Nebo.
Daniel 1:8, But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.