King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 13 notes
1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
Even men are careful to record history and happenings of events.
It's worth noting that only a part of the vessels of the Lord's house was given to Nebuchadnezzar.
Then in heaven every minute detail of history is noted, including the very hairs 💇 on our head.
He brought the Lord's treasures into the house of his god because he had conquered Israel 🇮🇱, the people of God Almighty.
Little did he know it was a set up for him to later recognize and admit that there is only one God, that is the God of Daniel, Meshach and Abednego.
He thought he had captured the God of Israel 🇮🇱; he did not know it was an infiltration strategy.
And next thing, he began to use the most gifted of the children of Israel, but he did not know he was being used.
3And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;
This goes to show that Nebuchadnezzar was not all evil 😈.
He was also very smart 🧠 and very desirous of expanding his own coast and influence, and was willing to take the best gifts.
He was a king of nations and kings, and so all people were his people from all the respective peoples, states and tribes.
He was indeed a very wise king 👑.
4Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
This description is so much like our school system today — where the best academically have the best chance of excelling in the system of education.
5And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
Their training was to be for 3 years, but it appears they began to serve even in their first year...
Because in the very next chapter we see the king have a troubled dream in his second year.
6Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.
8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
Now from the macro point of view of God's wrath 😡 against Israel 🇮🇱, he showed favour towards Daniel and others when you zoom 🔎 in to the specifics.
Even in anger some were favoured.
10And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
So though the kings were wicked and disobedient to God, there were those of the seed royal 👑 who feared 😱 God and were ready to be thrown into the fire 🔥 alive for him.
Yet such ones were not in power, but rather idol and devil 👿 worshipers had taken the throne and the kingdom life.
13Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.
Is this medical or divine... Their fresher look?
16Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
Interesting, what's the science behind this? Divine help, I believe.
17As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
These are the kind of students that do well in all subject areas, and you wonder which area is their strength 💪 or weakness really.
18Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
These 4 young men, I thought they were very intelligent 🧠 students.
Now suddenly they are being compared to astrologers and sorcerers.
Hmm 🤔, what kind of wisdom did they demonstrate?
I really wonder, but that goes to show again the content of the educational system of Babylon. It was not just scientific knowledge one was expected to acquire, but to have spiritual knowledge as well.
21And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
What a wonderful record. Something so powerful yet defined in a single sentence.
How long did the others last, though? We are not told.