When Culture Shifts: Daniel’s Dilemma

The Book of Daniel is a story of living without compromise in a corrupt culture

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The Lord gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God. He brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god (Daniel 1:1-2).

Babylon – oppressor of God’s people, the world’s system, and the counterfeit of God’s Kingdom.

Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance, skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank (Daniel 1:3–5).

Babylon’s Rules:

• Compromise means commendation.

• Defiance means destruction.

Nebuchadnezzar brought the very best of Israel to Babylon and extended an invitation to dine at his table.

Three Things That Babylon Will Always Seek to Do:

1. Claim You

“Give me just one generation of youth, and I’ll transform the whole world.” — Vladimir Lenin

2. Tame You

The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time, they were to stand before the king (vs 5).

3. Name You

The chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego (vs 7).

What is in a name?

• Daniel – “God is My Judge” => Belteshazzar – “Bel’s Prince”

• Hananiah – “God has been Gracious” => Shadrach – “Follower of the way of Aku”

• Mishael – “Who is What God Is?” => Meshach – “Who Art Thou?”

• Azariah – “God is My Helper” => Abednego – “Servant of Nebo”

Daniel had a decision to make

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1–2, ESV).

When Culture Shifts…

1. Find Conviction, Not Compromise

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine that he drank (Daniel 1:8).

RESOLUTE – admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

Where is your red line?

God’s Word Is ABSOLUTE TRUTH
Jesus is the ONLY WAY
HOLINESS matters
HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM is necessary
CHURCH is essential

What makes your list?

Alexander Hamilton: “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”

2. Fear God, Not Man

“Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see” (Daniel 1:12–13, ESV).

Why ten days?

• Ten is symbolic of testing.

• Daniel appealed to God’s judgment rather than man’s.

3. Burn Bright Or Blend In

“And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom” (Daniel 1:20, ESV).

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”