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| Babylonian Empire |
1 At that time Merodach–baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. 2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. 3 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon. 4 Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. 5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: 6 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. 7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. 8 Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.
The passage of Isaiah was announced in regard to Hezekiah's actions concerning the Babylonian envoys approximately 150 years prior to the temple being fully plundered and destroyed.
Jeremiah 25:4-14
4 And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear. 5 They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever: 6 And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt. 7 Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt. 8 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words, 9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. 10 Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. 11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations. 13 And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations. 14 For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.
In Jeremiah's case he was called by God in 626bc which was 40 years prior to the temple being destroyed. This was also approximately 20 years prior to Daniel's exile. Daniel being of sound mind and knowledge was able to determine what times he was living in because of knowing and believing the prophets as we will discover.
Daniel 1:1-7
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 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. 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; 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. 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. 6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 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 Abed–nego.
In this passage we discover a portion of Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled. The Babylonians or Chaldeans prided themselves on their intellect and natural philosophy. This would explain Nebuchadnezzar's criteria for the nobilty and knowledge he required of this wave of exiles. The philosophy of the Babylonians is another study in itself but it held in place through the time of the Roman empire. In the future we will explore the effects of this and how it found itself influencing even to this day. There apparently were many other captives but the faith of these 4 was apparently magnified above all others. We covered the name changes in the introduction for those who have not read it.
Daniel 1:8-16
8 But 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. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And 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. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then 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. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 And 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. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse <02235> .
There could be many spiritual reasons why Daniel and his friends chose not to partake of the king's delicacies. The food of the king was probably unclean according to Jewish law for starters. Daniel probably looked upon this as an unneeded fleshly temptation. Also another reason was that the food offered by the king was considered consecrated to idols and other gods. This would have brought spiritual contamination upon themselves. The ten day time frame holds spiritual significance in itself as this scenario is in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 2:10
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
These are the exact circumstances faced by Daniel and his friends. The ten days chosen by Daniel are perhaps an enigma we may never know specifically. It is possible there are some patterns associated with the tithes in this. The customary offerings associated with the temple are based on the number ten. If you want to check these out they are found in Numbers 7. Perhaps being unable to give tithes to the Lord Daniel decided to go without the king's food for ten days. Whatever the reasons behind this it's a sure bet there was some kind of spiritual connection just as there was with the food itself. Perhaps the very set of circumstances that we find here may help fuel the circumstances of Revelation 2 above.
Instead the Hebrews having gained favor with their captors ask for a diet suited to their religious requirements. The term used in the KJV(King James Version) is pulse.
02235:
2235 zeroa` zay-ro'-ah or zeraSon zay-raw-ohn'; from 2232; something sown (only in the plural), i.e. a vegetable (as food):--pulse. see HEBREW for 02232
02232:
2232 zara` zaw-rah' a primitive root; to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify:--bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er), yield.
In the introduction we explored a few extremes in faith the book of Daniel includes. This in itself was an important act of faith by the 4 Hebrews. Could you imagine after watching the holy city falling to the enemy, temple being partially ransacked and then being carried off to a foreign nation and imprisoned how easy it would be to feast upon the king's food. Perhaps this was an intentional temptation by Nebuchadnezzar to draw away from the captives' faith. It must have worked with the greater majority of captives as God seems to have favored these 4 above all the others. This in the fact the 4 had not lost their faith in addition to the fact they had not forgotten what they were supposed to cherish. This being the word passed down through the generations. After all there had been some patterns through the history of Israel to forget about God.
Exodus 14:12
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
Exodus 23:25
25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
Deuteronomy 11:16-21
16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; 17 And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you. 18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. 19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: 21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
Deuteronomy 28:36
36 The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone
Daniel 1:17-21
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now 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. 19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians <02748> and astrologers <0825> that were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
As we can see the ten days the 4 young men held to God and His ways paid off ten fold. Not only were the 4 held in highest esteem among the captives but above all of the magicians and astrologers in Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom. They were better because they were followers of God. The words magician and astrologers may hold a slightly different meaning than some might associate with them.
02748:
2748 chartom khar-tome' from the same as 2747; a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles):--magician. see HEBREW for 02747
02747:
2747 cheret kheh'-ret from a primitive root meaning to engrave; a chisel or graver; also a style for writing:--graving tool, pen.
Chartom may refer to a form of divination known as chartomancy. This is not being said as a certainty but in name and meaning it seems closely associated. We'll get out the Webster's Dictionary and check it out.
Chartomancy
Divination by written paper or by cards.
Cartomancy
The art of telling fortunes with cards
It appears we have the closest association to chartomancy
00825:
825 'ashshaph ash-shawf' from an unused root (probably meaning to lisp, i.e. practice enchantment); a conjurer:--astrologer.
Enchantment
The act of enchanting; the production of certain wonderful effects by the aid of demons, or the agency of supposed spirits; the use of magic arts, spells, or charms; incantation.
Syn. -- Incantation; necromancy; magic; sorcery; witchcraft; spell; charm; fascination; witchery.
Conjuror
One bound by a common oath with others
Astrology
the art of judging of the influences of the stars upon human affairs, and of foretelling events by their position and aspects.
All of these are of course forbidden by God in Deuteronomy 18.
Deuteronomy 18:9-15
9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination<07081>, , or an observer of times<06049>, or an enchanter<05172>, or a witch<03784>, 11 Or a charmer<02267> <02266>, or a consulter <07592> with familiar spirits<0178>, or a wizard<03049>, or a necromancer<04191> <01875>. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. 14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. 15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
We can go ahead and study out these forms of false practices. As we push forward into Daniel we will discover all of these are part of Babylonian society. It is important to know these in order to keep Satan from gaining influence in our lives with doors people open.
2ND Corinthians 2:11
11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Divination
07081:
7081 qecem keh'-sem from 7080; a lot: also divination (including its fee), oracle:--(reward of) divination, divine sentence, witchcraft. see HEBREW for 07080
07080:
7080 qacam kaw-sam' a primitive root; properly, to distribute, i.e. determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine:--divine(-r, -ation), prudent, soothsayer, use (divination).
Webster's Dictionary
Divination
The act of divining; a foreseeing or foretelling of future events; the pretended art discovering secret or future by preternatural means.
An indication of what is future or secret; augury omen; conjectural presage; prediction.
Divination in itself is a very broad term which is very fitting to scripture.
Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Observer of Times
06049:
6049 `anan aw-nan' a primitive root; to cover; used only as a denominative from 6051, to cloud over; figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. practise magic:--X bring, enchanter, Meonemin, observe(-r of) times, soothsayer, sorcerer. see HEBREW for 06051
06051:
6051 `anan aw-nawn' from 6049; a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud:--cloud(-y). see HEBREW for 06049
Enchanter
05172:
5172 nachash naw-khash' a primitive root; properly, to hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell; generally, to prognosticate:--X certainly, divine, enchanter, (use) X enchantment, learn by experience, X indeed, diligently observe.
Webster's Dictionary
Enchanter
One who enchants; a sorcerer or magician; also, one who delights as by an enchantment
Witch
03784:
3784 kashaph kaw-shaf' a primitive root; properly, to whisper a spell, i.e. to inchant or practise magic:--sorcerer, (use) witch(-craft).
Webster's Dictionary
One who practices the black art, or magic; one regarded as possessing supernatural or magical power by compact with an evil spirit, esp. with the Devil; a sorcerer or sorceress; -- now applied chiefly or only to women, but formerly used of men as well.
Charmer
02267:
2267 cheber kheh'-ber from 2266; a society; also a spell:--+ charmer(- ing), company, enchantment, X wide. see HEBREW for 02266
02266:
2266 chabar khaw-bar' a primitive root; to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate:--charm(- er), be compact, couple (together), have fellowship with, heap up, join (self, together), league.
Webster's Dictionary
One who charms, or has power to charm; one who uses the power of enchantment; a magician
Consulter
07592:a demon or evil spirit supposed to attend at call
7592 sha'al shaw-al' or shael shaw-ale'; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand:--ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, X earnestly, enquire, + greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, + salute, X straitly, X surely, wish.
Webster's Dictionary
Consulter
One who consults, or asks counsel or information.
Familiar Spirits
00178:
178 'owb obe from the same as 1 (apparently through the idea of prattling a father's name); properly, a mumble, i.e. a water skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar):--bottle, familiar spirit. see HEBREW for 01
Familiar spirit,
Wizard
03049:
3049 yidd`oniy yid-deh-o-nee' from 3045; properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost:--wizard. see HEBREW for 03045
Webster's Dictionary
One devoted to the black art; a magician; a conjurer; a sorcerer; an enchanter
Necromancer
04191:
4191 muwth mooth a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs, slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.
01875:
1875 darash daw-rash' a primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship:--ask, X at all, care for, X diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-)mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), X surely.
Webster's Dictionary
The art of revealing future events by means of a pretended communication with the dead; the black art; hence, magic in general; conjuration; enchantment.
There are many patterns associated with this first chapter of Daniel. They are not limited to what we find in the time frame we are studying. We will explore many of these in greater detail in future studies. However we can list a few. The type of faith displayed by Daniel and his friends is what God would like to see in all of us as believers in our day and age. The different forms of occultism and witchcraft are more prevalent in today's society than ever. The kingdom of Babylon had swallowed up many societies and nationalities which made the different forms of false worship practices possible. The United States is made up of many different nationalities and cultures consisting of many so called forms of religion. Just like ancient Babylon these are all allowed to be practiced here in America. If you follow current events one of the major problems we find in America is regarding a mosque near the area where the world trade center was destroyed. Due to political and prophetic incorrectness we as a society have presented a spiritual snare as the Bible would say. We can only pray about the situation but remember whatever comes about God is at the steering wheel. However a Christian believer cannot wear a cross and walk into Mecca or Medina destroy some portion of the so called holy sites and build a church on top of them. As a matter of fact our troops who fight overseas in these countries cannot publically display a cross or a Bible. Just another pattern in prophecy as food for prophetic thought. In the ancient territory of Babel built by Nimrod a tower was brought down by God. A tower that was intended to be a rallying call to the world of that time under false religious pretense. Here in the United States we fell victim to an attack that destroyed 2 towers which united the world financially. Now we are about to let the same religious concept that brought about this incident place a mark on that spot much like animals and beasts mark the territory they claim. If one is familiar with some of the hidden concepts of "radical" Islam the placing of this mosque would be understood as being an object of conquest. We must keep in mind that God is in control but in the world of the OT especially in Israel God would and did consider it a slap in the face.
Revelation 3:10-12
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
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