The king of Babylon, ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff to, “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in the language and literature of Babylon.” They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four young men chosen…” (Dan. 1:4-6) These 4 young men AMY, were selected, at God’s direction, to be put in place to do a work for the Lord!!! They were selected by orders from king Nebuchadnezzar. By the way, Babylon, was the largest archaeological site in the Middle East, it was a massive city.
When a people are captured to work for the concurring king the attempt is made to CHANGE THEM to be like their conquerors. God calls us to “Come out from them and BE SEPARATE…” (2 Corin. 6:17) So, the officials did this, “The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel (meaning, God is my Judge), to the name Belteshazzar (Bel, protect his life), from Hananiah (God has favored), to Shadrach (inspired of Aku), from Mishael (who is what God is), to Meshach (a reference to the pagan god Marduk); and from Azariah (Jehovah has helped), to Abednego (servant of Nebo).” (Dan. 1:7) Bel, Marduk, Nebo and Aku, were the gods of Babylon. These young men were forced to not be separate but one thing they would not do! Was eat the king’s food, “The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table…Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way…(Daniel said,) Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.” (Dan. 1:5, 8, 12) They were allowed to eat “godly foods” and were wiser, healthier looking and very used of God, so AMY, we need to be SEPERATE for Jesus….
-Bill Stockham