July 12, 2010 Obedient Unto The Death Kathleen Maples

Dan 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of
Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
Dan 1:2 And 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.

This nation had been in rebellion against God for a long time. They had a long history of
not listening to God and despising His Word. The more God blessed them, the more
arrogant and independent they tried to become. What God had made holy, they polluted.
When God offered mercy and forgiveness if they would repent, they scoffed and rejected
His Word. They began to out sin the nations around them with their wickedness, in their
pride. Finally, God had to judge them. What most people do not understand is God IS the
Judge of the Universe, Creator of all. Heaven is His court, and His WORD is law. When
Adam sinned and acted independently of God's Word, it brought a separation between
man and God. He is always working to draw man back to Himself, He always has a
people. Some turn from Him, and prefer their own dark nature to His light.

The sin of the people brought tragedy down on this nation of Judah, just as it had
happened in Samaria to Israel. God did not want to do this, but He cannot change His laws
for us. He had it written by the hand of Moses what would happen if His people walked
this path of rebellion. Not only did they have His written warnings, He sent prophets,
messengers, for decades warning this people to turn from their evil ways. Finally, God
sent the army of Babylon to invade the land, and tear down their idols, and destroy His
own House. They were taken into captivity and forced to march many miles across a hot
desert, in harsh conditions, as prisoners of a foreign army, taken to a foreign land.
(2Ch_36:14-20) They were a defeated, captivated people.

Jehoiakim was the son of the godly Josiah, but he was an arrogant and evil man. His name
means "whom God has set up". He heavily taxed the people to pay tribute to Pharaoh
Necho of Egypt and to build himself an extravagant house. (Jer_22:13-23) When Jeremiah
had come to him with the word of the Lord, warning him, he cut the scroll in pieces and
threw them in the fire. (Jer_36:22-23) When he heard the prophet Urijah's word, which
mirrored the word of God given to Jeremiah, he got so angry he ordered him killed. Urijah
fled to Egypt and king Jehoiakim sent men after him to bring him back and when they
captured and returned the prophet to Jerusalem, the king killed him with a sword.
(Jer_26:20-23). This man and the people of Judah had been warned for years about their
wickedness. Now, the judgment of God had come. Jehoiakim had been under the thumb of
Nebuchadnezzar for three years and rebelled against him. (2Ki_24:1) This made
Nebuchadnezzar angry and he came and besieged Jerusalem and defeated it. He carried
many of the people away into captivity to Babylon, which means a confused mixture. He
was the greatest and most powerful of the Babylonian kings. He defeated the Pharaoh
Necho, king of Egypt in 605 BC. He took Jerusalem as well during this same period of time.
His father, king Nabopolassar died and Nebuchadnezzar had to take off from leading his
nation's army, accompanied by a few of his men, and took the throne left vacant by his
father's death without incident in 604 BC.

The part of the vessels of the house of God which Nebuchadnezzar carried away to Shinar,
he took these things dedicated to God and put them in the treasury of the house of his own
god, Nebo, or Nabu as some translate it. This was the idol of Babylon and Assyria. The
word is related to the Hebrew word nabi, and means "inspired prophet". This idol was
relative to the Greek idol of "Hermes" or "Mercury", and was considered the inspired
interpreter of the gods relating to literature and science. They believed he protected them
as a guardian, and took some form of his name to mix with their own: Nabopolassar,
Nebuchadnezzar, etc.

Dan 1:3 And 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;
Dan 1:4 Children 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.
Dan 1:5 And 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.

Eunuch literally means bed keeper or chamberlain. It was common in places like Egypt,
Assyria, and Babylon that such men were employed to be keepers of the women, through
whom the king gives commands to the women. Because they are mutilated, or castrated,
they are no threat to the king's ego, or harem. This word also implies the high office of
chamberlain, without such emasculation. Even the kings of Israel and Judah had eunuchs.
In the time of Joseph, the Pharaoh's cup bearer, and chief baker as well as Potiphar were
all eunuchs. This does not always include emasculation, though. This was mainly reserved
for those who were keepers of the women.

It is important to remember that the eunuchs were set to care for the children of Israel, of
the noble family that were taken in this captivity. It's also important to consider who was
targeted in this. It is very possible, even likely that these children were also emasculated
and this includes Daniel, and the three Hebrew children among his group mentioned later
in his writing. In 2Ki_20:17-18 and in Isa_39:7 Isaiah told a foolish Hezekiah because he had
proudly shown off the treasures of the House of God, and his house to ambassadors from
Babylon that came calling, that everything he had shown them would be carried away.
His sons or lineage would be made eunuchs in the palace of the kings of Babylon. Because
these children that were taken captive would be trained to stand in the king's court and
serve as his advisers, and were put under the care of eunuchs, the possibility they were
castrated must be seriously considered for this was the normal practice of kings for those
chosen to serve in their court. The king would have none near him who could in any way
compete with him in power, authority or masculinity.

This is astounding when you consider that with all the suffering and deprivation they
went through, they didn't turn on God. They didn't rebel in their pain against God.
Astonishing for children so young. It makes you wonder at the time their parents had
taken to instill the law of God in their hearts that made them able to stand in the worst of
situations. The king wanted children in whom was no blemish, those who had an
attractive appearance and physical form, intelligent, wise, quick to learn and understand
new things. They must be able to endure and continue to perform the duties that would be
required of them in the king's palace. These would be taught how to speak and write the
Chaldean language.

The word "Chaldea" means as demons or robbers, and comes from the root word which
means to lay waste and destroy. These children were taken from their home land, from
their families, from their religion, their nation, and they were given new, Babylonian
names, and immersed in this new culture which was very much against the law of God.
They were uprooted from everything they knew and put in a place that was very contrary
and against their faith. It was like a private school. They would be fed the king's food and
re-educated in the Babylonian culture and language for three years to prepare them to
stand before the king.

This king appointed them a daily portion of the kind of food he himself ate, as well as the
intoxicating wine he drank. The word for nourishing here is H1431 gadal in the Hebrew. It
means to twist, make large, increase or promote or magnify oneself. This is in direct
opposition to God who wants His people to be humble, and promoting Christ not self.

Dan 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Dan 1:7 Unto 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
Abednego.

The word 'name' in the Bible denotes position, character and authority in the place of the
one for whom you are named. For us to say in the name of Jesus, we, understand it or not,
are saying we do this on the authority of, in the place of, and in the same nature and
character of Jesus Christ. In His stead. That is a serious thing. No wonder He said do not
take His name in vain. Do not take His name and try to use it when you are not submitted
to Him and thus have not His authority. Do not take His name and try to use it with your
character, your authority and your position. People who are not walking in the Spirit of
God or moving under the leadership of the Spirit of God cannot accomplish the will of God.
Many take His name but are powerless to effect real change, making Christianity
something to be mocked and ridiculed in our world.

These children were given Babylonian names that reflected submission and praise to
Babylonian idols. Daniel's name means judge of God. He was given a new name,
Belteshazzar. Bel was the name of the Babylonian deity. Daniel's new name reflected Bel
worship-meaning "Bel, protect his life". Hananiah's name means grace and mercy, the
gift of the Lord. He was renamed Shadrach. His new name also reflects a Babylonian
deity, the moon god, called Sin. Shadrach means "servant of sin, command of the moon
god". Mishael's name means "who is like God?" His name was changed to Meshach, which
reflects the name of Sheik the Babylonian goddess which replaced the El at the end of
Mishael's name. El means God. This was replaced with a name that referred to a goddess
of love and mirth, during whose feast Cyrus took Babylon (Dan 5). Some sources say his
new name means "one who draws with force." Azariah's name which means helped by
God, was changed to Abednego-servant of Nebo-the Babylonian god of science and
education.

Dan 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the
king's food, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the
eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Dan 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favor and kindness with the prince of the eunuchs.
Dan 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has
appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the
young men who are of your age? then shall you make me endanger my head to the king.

On Daniel's determination here, John Wesley said this:

Because many of those meats provided for the king's table, were forbidden by the Jewish law.
Daniel knew these delicacies would too much gratify the flesh. He did not dare to eat and drink
things consecrated to idols. He was sensible, how unsuitable delicate fare would be to the afflicted
state of God's people. Therefore he was herein a rare pattern of avoiding all the occasions of evil.

Josephus says of their decision to not eat the king's meat: they were more pure, fitter for learning
and had their bodies trim for hard labor." (Antiq. 10.10.1 v 194)

They hadn't weighed their bodies down with heavy meats, and rich food. They were more
alert and fit. Daniel was in a culture now that was trying to reshape who he was, and their
number one philosophy was the pleasing of the flesh. Worship many idols, eat anything,
no restrictions, no restraint. Because the food had been offered first to idols, to eat of it
would pollute Daniel. This took great courage on Daniel, and the three Hebrew children's
part. These 4 were not the only children taken and brought into captivity to Babylon to be
trained in the king's court. It would have been all too easy, after suffering the indignity
and pain of being made eunuchs, taken from everything they knew and cared for, for them
to indulge themselves and be mad at God. Because these 4 requested pulse to eat and water
to drink implies the other children in their group from Judah accepted what their enemy
wanted to feed them. In doing some research into the kind of food the Babylonians ate, I
was impressed by the variety. Quoting from this website, Ancienthistory.101.com: "This
inventory included cereals, various vegetables and fruits, bulbs and roots, truffles and
mushrooms, seasoning herbs, meat from large and small livestock, pork, game, sea and
freshwater fish, turtles, crustaceans, shellfish and locusts. It also included milk, butter
and other fats, both animal and vegetable oils, sugary substances from various trees as
well as honey and mineral products like salt to intensify flavor. A group of cuneiform
documents written in Akkadian and datable to about 1700 BC proved to be a collection of
cookery recipes that revealed "a cuisine of such richness, refinement, consummate
technical know-how and art that we would certainly never have dared to imagine so
advanced nearly 4,000 years ago." 1

Because God saw Daniel's heart, he caused the man in charge to have compassion and care
for Daniel and honored his request on a temporary basis. Pulse is like vegetables, seeds or
grain, beans. Imagine sitting at a table with steak, ham, pork chops, lamb chops, fish, and
rich desserts, and refusing to eat this, instead choosing edible seeds, beans and vegetables,
and water instead of beer. What discipline and dedication! The Babylonians didn't drink
wine they drank beer made from barley which was their number one crop. 2

Nothing that would intoxicate or make the flesh lazy and dull could be eaten. Consider also
that under hard circumstances, stress, times of loss and pain, people tend to gravitate
toward that which will numb their pain, or comfort themselves. Daniel refused to rely on
anything or anyone but God for help, and for comfort. Amazing. With all Daniel and his 3
friends had went through, and they still refused to gratify their flesh by eating what their
enemy offered. Because they refused what their enemy offered, God gave them knowledge,
skill in learning and wisdom. He gifted Daniel with understanding in visions and dreams.
So, in refusing to pacify or gratify self, they were granted spiritual blessings and wisdom
from God. He's still the same God, people. This study will require much prayer and help
from God. We cannot compromise and cater to our natural human appetites at the expense
of spiritual things. This was the error of Esau and look what it cost him.

We feed our minds on worldly television programs that blaspheme His holy name, and
violate His Word. Everything they advertise is contrary to His will for our lives. The media
is always trying to sell us something to better self, improve self, beautify self. Movies and
television are to entertain self and provoke a hunger for things of this life, be it material

1 Read more at Suite101: Food in Ancient Babylonia: The Cuisine of Old Mesopotamia
http://ancienthistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/food_in_ancient_babylonia#ixzz0tTVEMh9C

2 http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wikijunior:Ancient_Civilizations/Babylonians#What_did_they_eat.3F
things, physical beauty, or reputation, wealth and personal glory. The chief programmer,
the one who influences the minds of the people who produce these programs is Satan
himself. So when we are entertained by the things of the world, seek the fashions of the
world, watch the programs of the world, listen to the music of the world, operate in
dependence on other people, we are communing with and sacrificing ourselves to devils,
just like the Hebrews did of old.

1Co 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not
to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of
the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

The word for fellowship here in verse 20 means to partner, associate with, be a comrade or
companion with, to share with. I was reading something called the Formula for a Burning
Heart, by AW Tozer recently, and here is what he said on this:

“You can well afford to see fewer comedy shows on TV. Unless you break away from the funny boys, every spiritual
impression will continue to be lost to your heart, and that right in your own living room. The people of the world used
to go to the movies to escape serious thinking about God and religion. You would not join them there, but you now
enjoy spiritual communion with them in your own home.

The devils ideals, moral standards, and mental attitudes are being accepted by you without you knowing it. You
wonder why you can make no progress in your Christian life. Your interior climate is not favorable to the growth of
spiritual graces. There must be a radical change in your habits or there will not be any permanent improvement in
your interior life.”

Now consider carefully again that word 'fellowship'. The Bible says we can't drink of the
cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. We can't eat at the Lord's table and then the devil's
table. God is a jealous God. He will not play second to the one who seeks to kill us. Do we
really understand then the very real depravity of our own nature, that would be content to
give lip service to our Creator who loves us, but prefer the pig sty of the devil, because it
appeals to the depraved nature we were born with? It prefers darkness to light, it prefers
self to God, it prefers pleasure to sacrifice, it prefers comfort to giving of one's self, it
prefers power over servant hood. Self prefers beauty and attention, not humility and
meekness, not decreasing so Someone Else can be seen instead. Self wants to run things,
even our religious life. Self will decide when we pray, read our Bibles, and how long. Self
determines the order of the church service, who sings, who preaches, how long the service
will last. Self will make excuses for itself, why it should have what it wants, and never
mind while we sit feeding self on the things of the world, the world around us is going to
an eternal hell. So how, if we provide for flesh this way, can we expect to end up
elsewhere?

But then there is another point of view: “That sure sounds like a fanatic. Too extreme.
Surely God wants you to enjoy your life, why else would He give it to you? Don't listen to
that legalistic bunch of junk. That's just what they believe-that's their conviction. You
don't have to live like that to make it to heaven. God loves you. He understands. He wants
you to prosper and be happy.” (At whose expense?) Remember, Paul warned us that the
preaching of the cross if foolishness to those who perish, but to us who believe it's the
power of God unto salvation.

So what did the Word say about this attitude?

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to deceitful spirits, and doctrines of demons;
Instead, let us be sober, alert, on guard, with our minds shielded with the truth of God,
commune instead with the Holy Spirit and eat His Word, not the garbage the enemy wants
to feed us.

Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Heb 12:16 Lest there be any immoral, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of food
sold his birthright.
Heb 12:17 For you know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was
rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

So here we are faced with a hard decision.

Rom 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the
lusts thereof.

Be endued, covered, clothed with the Lord Jesus Christ (see Act_1:8, Luk_24:49) and do not
provide, give or prepare for the indulging of your self, to give self what it wants when that
conflicts with the will of the Lord. That which makes you slow, lazy, fat, spiritually dull,
that which diverts your attention from the Holy things of God to the unclean things of the
world. How does what Daniel did apply to us today? Oh, it will take great grace to hear
and receive this. The human self longs for comfort, ease, luxury, softness, attention, praise
of men, wealth, material things, prosperity, fame, reputation, beauty, success and
personal fortune. ALL of this is contrary to the will of God. It is contrary to the example
Christ left for us to follow.

He left everything to become a dead sacrifice. To become nothing in the eyes of the world.
He left a throne of ultimate power, unimaginable riches, a clean and pure environment, to
come to a filthy, dark, wretched world. He wasn't born in a palace but in a manger-a place
where animals fed. He was wrapped in the same flesh we are. He faced the same
temptations and struggles and tests of life. He grew up under a cloud of suspicion for he
was born to Mary before she was able to consummate her marriage to Joseph. What talk
that must have generated. He was born to a poor family who had to work hard for a living.
He was taught to build things with his hands, to be a carpenter, for that was Joseph's
profession.

Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

We aren't to contend or strive in competition with others. We aren't to be conceited or

think more highly of ourselves than we should. We aren't to be focused on ourselves, our
needs, our prayers for ourselves, and our own, but on the needs of others. Let this mind be
in you, the mind of Christ-He who poured Himself out, emptied Himself of His very life and
blood to serve others, to make a way for us to have life. He never sought the praise of men,
but rather to please God. He didn't come to make some renowned ministry, to sell that
which God gave Him, He didn't come to accumulate the things of this world. He didn't
come to serve Himself but others.

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not a thing to be grasped to be equal with
God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was
made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.

He came into this world, God in the flesh, considered it not wrong to be in agreement with
and like God, but made also in the form of men-clothed with flesh and blood. He stepped
into the condition of mankind, humbling Himself, submitting to death, to a cruel cross. The
cross is only cruel to the flesh, to that which is against God. He despised the shame of the
cross, but He endured it because God set a joy before Him. What was that? I believe it was
the joy of returning to the Father, with redemption done, and His Holy Spirit gathering
out a bride for Him, and a special people who would be rescued from darkness and death,
from the grip of Satan, to be turned from darkness to light.

Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of
Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them who are
sanctified by faith that is in me.

So for a Christian to endure the cross in their life, they must have a joy set before them.
Something they want more than what the cross demands they give up. What joy to be
presented before the glory of His Presence, without fault, blameless, and not empty
handed. Here, Lord, are those who you put in my life so they could see You in me and be
drawn by Your Spirit to You. Lord, You empowered me to decrease so Your life in me could
increase, Your Holy Spirit lived in me, a living witness of You, and Your love, Your life that
was their light, their way out of darkness. We must have the power of the Holy Spirit in
our lives, we must tarry in His Presence until we are clothed with power from on High,
enabling us to lay our lives down.

Joh 15:13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.