Daniel and modern dilemmas

We enter the ancient world as we open the book of Daniel. Jehoiakim is king of Judah and Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (on the banks of the Euphrates - modern day Iraq). 

Jerusalem was besieged (dictionary.com: attack, blockade, encircle, come at from all sides) and taken by the Babylonians. People and treasures were hauled by to Babylon. Australians in 2016 can only imagine what this might have been like. We see images of Syrian and Iraqi towns being taken today...this might give us some idea of the devastation and despair that would undoubtedly have occurred in Jerusalem in those days. 

Readers might spare a thought for the plight of modern Christians in the Middle East. A gripping story from Kristen Chick appeared in this week's Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2016/1128/Their-town-now-liberated-Iraqi-Christians-talk-of-life-under-ISIS?cmpid=gigya-fb *

But back in ancient Babylon, King Neb. wanted perfect specimens in his court, and the head of the palace staff (Ashpenaz) chose four of the "foreign" (i.e. Jewish) young men who were "healthy and handsome, intelligent and well-educated, good prospects for leadership positions in the government" (The Message). They were given Babylonian names - Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, just as modern-day newcomers might adopt local names so they blend in easily, and were ordered to adopt the specialized food regimen of the palace. Would these young men (their Jewish names were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) convert to the ways of the Babylonians? Would they be caught in the net of a certain diet that was assumed would give them strength and health? 

Are we today influenced in our choice of food, clothing, exercise?

Julie Swannell

*Thank you to the ever-alert Bible digger and friend Madelon Maupin for sharing this Monitor article on her Facebook page!