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Imagine the Pressure!

Pastor Bill Farrow

Daniel 1:4-6

[4] young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. [5] And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king's delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. [6] Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

(Verse 4) - One can only imagine the trauma and terrible stress that accompanied the captives experience as they were torn from their homes, transported a huge distance away, and replanted in a very different and very pagan culture. It is practically unthinkable. It must have been a terrible, wrenching experience. One can only imagine being stripped of everything familiar, denied any comforting family or national traditions, and being forced to adopt new, strange and wicked customs on pain of death for self and family.

That is a part of what makes the stand taken by Daniel and his three friends so very amazing. Think about all that conspired against them to cause them to disregard their upbringing and accomodate the culture and religion of Babylon.

A New Home (1-2)

As we mentioned, they had been uprooted and replanted in a new place, with no prospect of ever returning. They had no reason to think there was any way they would ever get back to their homes again. Babylon was now their home. Besides, they were young, not yet at the age where strong sentimental attatchments are made. They would have memories for sure, but they would fade and be replaced with new ones.

New Freedom

Along with this new home came a new freedom, the bane of any young man away from home for the first time. Youth, in the flower of manhood, is all too subject to passion and indulgence. This is true in the best of times, under the most ideal of conditions, with loving and attentive supervision from caring people who wish them to succeed and not fail. One can only imagine the terrible temptation present when such is not the case. Conditions were far from ideal; the times did more to discourage than to encourage faith; their supervision cared little for them, and only then because it was in their own interests. In such a context, the freedom to sin would be a tremendous thing!

New Knowledge (3-4)

Additionally, these young men were exposed to all sorts of new ideas and customs, all presented as truth. They were pressured to learn these things well and quickly and could betray no doubt or question. In such a context, it is easy be confused and to begin to doubt what, formerly, would never have been doubted. The authority and influence wielded over the young ought not to be underestimated. A teacher has enormous capacity to shape the beliefs of the young, even if they are firmly held. Make no mistake, the new knowlege these young men were fed was a tremendous force in their lives.

New Influence

In addition to all of this, there was the heady truth that they had been selected as one of the best! They were the creme de la creme and had been chosen from among many. They had skills and abilities above and beyond the norm. They were good looking and in superior physical condition. They got special food, privileges and had some special influence. They were learning things that most people, even of the Babylonians, never got to learn. They livid, walked, and fellowshipped with the great and powerful. They were destined to stand in the court of the most powerful man in world! How could such wonderful and dizzying things not tend to intoxicate these young people!

We'll look a bit further next time...

It is certainly true that you ought not judge a man untel you've walked a mile in his shoes. I don't think we can really appreciate what kind of pressure Daniel was under. You and I, thankfully, will never likely face anything remotely like what he faced. We can and should thank God for that truth! We live in a time and a place of great favor and privilege. That is God's blessing to us. If Daniel could flower and be used of God under the conditions he lived in - how much can we?

I need to thank God for the great blessing of living here and now. I need to be sure that I am using this privileged position to benefit God's Kingdom.