The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”1 Who you are when no one is watching reveals your identity. Daniel was a man who knew he belonged to God and demonstrated it by his sanctity. Whether as a young teen or an old man, in the face of pressure, Daniel’s life displayed his faith in the God who took him from his family, city and country, and placed him in the home of idolatry – Babylon. Daniel’s identity was found in the God of Israel.
Identity and sanctity are a couplet joined in the New Testament. For example, in Romans 6 Paul links our identity with Christ as the basis for our need to live a set-apart life. When we were saved, we died with Christ. We identified with Christ, as baptism symbolizes. Further, the expectation with our link with Christ is that we know it and believe it to be true, and then give ourselves to be used by God; baptism additionally symbolizes our sanctification as we come out of the water to walk in newness of life. Daniel 1 is a highly applicable picture for us of the practical outworking of identity and sanctity.
Deportation (vv1-2)
The main idea running through the book of Daniel is that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men,” or “the heavens do rule” (Dan 4:17,25-26).2 This message lived in Daniel’s heart, allowing him to maintain his identity and sanctity. He believed God was in control of kingdoms and uncontrollable aspects of his individual life. Daniel 1:2 expresses God’s control when Daniel identifies “the Lord” as the One who gave Jehoiakim and some of the vessels of the house of God to Nebuchadnezzar.
Judah was deported to Babylon because they lost their identity, revealed in their lack of sanctity. Hosea, a picture of Judah, was told about his firstborn, “Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God” (Hos 1:9). Once Judah didn’t view their identity as being in God, it became visible through their idolatry. Idolatry even became open practice in the temple.3 Did they suddenly agree one day that sacrificing to idols was a good idea? Of course not. The behavior infiltrating the house of God began in the heart, moved into the private home, and then to public locations. It was a slow creep beginning in the hearts of individuals.
Assimilation (vv3-7)
Daniel and three friends were deported and enrolled in the University of Babylon: King’s Court for a three-year degree with full room and board. The course load was Babylonian knowledge, such as astronomy and algebra, and Akkadian language. The goal of the university, however, was a hidden curriculum of assimilation. They didn’t get a student number but a new name. They didn’t get choices at a student cafeteria but food offered to idols.
Names are identity. The suffixes of the names of the four young men, “El” and “Iah/Jah,” all identified them with the Most High God. The new names had intentional meanings linked with the gods of Babylon. Daniel, “God is my Judge,” was Belteshazzar, “Bel’s prince” or “whom Bel protects.” Hananiah, “Jehovah is gracious,” was Shadrach, “servant of Sin,” the moon god. Mishael, “Who is like God?” was Meshach, “Who is like Sheik/Venus?” Azariah, “whom Jehovah helps,” was Abed-nego, “servant of Nego/Ishtar.” The names were an attempt to change their identity and mar their sanctity. Paul reminds us that the world attempts the same with us: “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:2).
A sanctified lifestyle shows identity. These Hebrews rejected the portion of the king’s food and wine; it was a choice. The text says, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Dan 1:8). The foundation of this choice would have occurred, not in Babylon, but back in Jerusalem, perhaps via faithful parents, but the Word of God was hidden in Daniel’s heart so that he would not sin against the Lord (Psa 119:11). He continued mind-renewing spiritual habits in Babylon; Daniel 6 displays his prayer habits, and Daniel 9 his Bible reading.
Proposal (vv8-17)
Daniel brings a suggestion to the steward so that he and his roommates could maintain their sanctity and identity. Daniel’s demeanor is not argumentative or protesting but makes a suggestion and accepts a negotiated trial period. The Babylonians wanted them to eat the food offered to idols and drink the wine for toasts to the gods so that at the end of three years they could all worship their gods as the ones who gave the physical and intellectual strength to succeed. Daniel was happy to learn but would not even acquiesce to this association. Would you suggest vegetables as a weight gain plan? Would a suitable trial period be only 10 days to prove a noticeable difference? “The heavens do rule” even in the small things. They were “fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat” (v15). They are an example to us of the words of the prophet to Eli, “Them that honour me I will honour” (1Sa 2:30). An initial compromise would jeopardize God’s plan to position them prominently for optimal use now and later.
Exaltation (vv18-21)
At the end of the three-year program, the four young men, with identity and sanctity intact, completed their final exams and were found to be the best of the best. The chapter closes using their Hebrew names because they maintained their identity, despite the fact that as officials they would be called by their Babylonian names in the king’s court, like in chapter 3. They not only survived, but they clearly thrived because of their sanctity. Writing from Babylon, Peter encourages believers to embrace their identity and sanctity as sojourners in a foreign land. In identity, he reminds us that we are “the people of God” (1 Pe 2:10); in sanctity, he quotes from Leviticus, “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1Pe 1:16). Just like the four young men, we must remember who we are and live out our sanctification for His name throughout our lives.
1 A saying attributed to John Wooden.
2 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV.
3 Jer 7:30; 32:34; Eze 8.
