FINALLY, THE CRUCIAL TEST

The three years of reeducation and grooming ended. Next  came the crucial test-a personal interview with the king.  "At the end of the days that the king had said to bring them in, the principal court official also proceeded to bring them in before Nebuchadnezzar."  (Daniel 1:18) It was time for the four youths to render an account of themselves. Would sticking to Jehovah's laws rather then giving in to Babylonian ways prove beneficial for them?

"The king began to speak with them, and out of them all no one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; and they continued to stand before  the king." (Daniel 1:19)  What a complete vindication of their course of action for the preceding three years!  It had been no madness on their part to stick to a regimen dictated by their faith and conscience.  By being faithful in what might have seemed to be  least, Daniel and his friends were blessed  with greater things.  The privilege "to stand before the king" was the objective sought by all the young people in the training program.  Whether the four Hebrew youths were the only ones selected, the Bible does not say.  In any case, their faithful course did indeed bring them "a large reward." -Psalm 19:11.

Have you beheld a man skillful in his work?  Before kings is where he will station himself," says the Scriptures.  (Proverbs 22:29) Thus, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were chosen by Nebuchadnezzar to stand before the king, that is, to be a part of the royal court.  In all of this, we can see Jehovah's hand maneuvering matters so that through these young men-especially through Daniel-important aspects of the divine purpose would be made known.  Though being selected to be a part of Nebuchadnezzar's royal court was an honor, it was far greater honor to be used in such a marvelous way by the Universal King, Jehovah. 

Nebuchadnezzar soon found out that the wisdom and insight Jehovah has granted the four Hebrew youths was far superior to that possessed by all the counselors and wise men in his court.  "As regards every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king inquired about from them, he even got to find them ten times better than all the magic-practicing priests and the conjurers that were in all his royal realm." (Daniel 1:20)  How could it be otherwise? The "magic-practicing priests" and "conjurers" relied on the mundane and superstitious learning of Babylon, whereas Daniel and his friends put their trust in wisdom from above. There simply could be no comparison-no contest! 

Things really have not changed much down through the ages, in the first century C.E., when Greek philosophy and Roman law were in vogue, the apostle Paul was inspired to write: "The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written: 'He catches the wise in their own cunning.' And again: 'Jehovah knows that the reasonings of the wise men are futile.'  Hence let no one be boasting in men."  (1 Corinthians 3:19-21)  Today, we need to hold firmly to what Jehovah has taught us and not be easily swayed by the glamour and glitter of the world. -1 John 2:15-17. (note: because the glamour and glitter of the world is Satan pulling you into his trap) 

Next time: FAITHFUL TO THE END 

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999