The Grooming of God

Daniel 1:5-7

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.

The king appointed these four men to be taught the Babylonian ways to raise up the next generation of leaders. Here, we see that God had chosen his own. I can hear some of you saying, 'but I do not see God anywhere in this situation.' That is okay if you do not see him in your situation either. This is something that requires faith to see as in Psalm 27:13. God needs time to complete his purposes. Often you will not see the good end promised at the beginning of the book. A lot of other people of faith recorded of in Hebrews 11 have had trouble seeing him in theirs. This is why Hebrews 11:6 says, "without faith it is impossible to please God." The Babylonians had a master plan to train the next generation. Look at what God is doing here. Israel had been carried off captive in a strange land causing massive situational depression among the people in Psalm 137:1-2. Yet, God arranged for the education of these young men using the orders of a pagan ruler. God still showed favor to the few. He showed favor by providing the best education and food the country had to offer for his future leaders.

Daniel rejected the grooming of man in favor of God's presence. This is one of those times when loneliness is not about being alone. It is about the presence of God on your life. This is one of those times when you would rather go against the culture and against everyone around you even if you were by yourself just so you could have God's presence and future blessing. See the preparation for a greater presence. These young men thought they were being trained for man's when in reality they were being trained for God's. Contrast the food and drink from the king's table with food from God's. See the grooming of man versus the grooming of God. Eating from the king's food signifies equality with him. A human king was training four young men to take their place under him as rulers like himself. Note the trust placed in these young men of another descent. Whatever appeared on the king's plate, they also ate. So if the king was attacked through his food they would be also. Not only his food, but his knowledge also became theirs. The food was a symbol of the young men sharing the entirety of the training the king had received to qualify him; his kingly tests they also shared. Their overseer saw to it that they looked as well as their own next-of-kin rulers to be. It is important to understand the set up to comprehend the breakthrough. Choosing these four was an act of God for most conquering nations would rather their own lineage be trained for the ruling class. However, God showed them favor and not only did they obey him but they also showed his compassion without being asked. Their ruler is God and not man. This is why it is important to obey as unto God even though there is a difference according to Romans 13:1-7.

Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

Let us look at this for a minute. There is a saying in Eastern culture that the names given to the children reflect who they will become. Thus, the name Daniel meant, 'God is my judge.' The name Hananiah means, 'grace or mercy.' Does not this name sound like the story of Hannah and Elkanah when they begged God for a son in 1 Samuel 1:1-3. How many of you know that God knows what you need. Perhaps Hananiah along with a few of the other Jewish children being trained also begged God for parents. He provides for those too in the form of their trainer, the prince of the eunuchs. The name Mishael means 'who is like God.' It sounds just like where we get our name Michael from, does it not. You thought you were going into this captivity and bondage situation all by yourself. But God has appointed someone just like himself to go with you. The name Azariah means 'helped by God.' There is another man just like him talked about in 2 Chronicles 26:1 by the name of King Uzziah. However, unlike Uzziah, his namesake does not make a similar mistake. There are four Hebrew children chosen to remain true to the name of God. Remember this now, because this fact will be important to see later when we have a missing person situation.

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.

Shadrach means in Babylonian, 'command of Aku.' Meshach means 'who is what Aku is.' Is it not interesting that no matter which language Mishael is translated, it still sounds like Michael and retains the origins of God. Abednego means 'servant of Nebo.' The first place Nebo is mentioned is during the desert wanderings of Numbers 27:12-14. I am trying not to make this a tedious discussion. God promised to Moses his death in view of the promised land without being allowed to enter by the command of God. Aku is the Babylonian name for the moon god while Nebo refers to the god of wisdom. Each language has many different names for God. Each culture knows him a little differently because he speaks their language. See, every time the Babylonians needed a different god for something, they called upon someone else. How many of you know that when you need God for different things and situations, he is all you need.

Abendego sounds just like where we get our word for a native American spirit, wendigo. You may be called after your spirit. Your spiritual gifts and anointing make room for you no matter where God has called you. How many of you know that eating the king's food has translated into new gods, new names, and new purposes. Here we see children who purposed not to eat of such. In doing so, they kept their original identity. You might be sitting on the back seat of the church pew. By the time God is done, you will occupy a place like no other. Can it be he has you seated on the back row of the church because your ministry is not found inside but beyond the building's four walls. Can it be that when man silences you, puts you down, and calls you nothing, God is raising you up. God wants a generation of leaders unto himself. He wants to train you and teach you his ways. However, he cannot have access to you unless you allow him.

If I had the perspective of man over all that had gone on in this section, I would be tempted to do like some do and make Nebuchadnezzar a larger-than-life legend. However, God wants me to tell you to take the focus off yourself. It is not about you, but about God. God may have seated you next to himself in Heavenly places. However, he did not intend for you to TikTok it, Instagram it, or even livestream the experience. He means for you to worship him and serve others with the gifts, talents, and abilities he has given you. God is in the house, and he is preparing you to do great things.