Deeper Reflection
Daniel knew from the Book of Jeremiah (cf. Dan 9:1-2) that the Babylonian exile was the will of God: Nebuchadnezzar was God’s servant, to whom He had given the nations and “all the nations shall serve him”, and God will “punish” any nation that “will not serve him” (Jer 27:6-8). And Daniel understood that it was God’s will for His people in exile to live normal lives: “build houses”, “plant gardens”, get married and raise families, “seek the welfare of the city” and “pray” for the city (Jer 29:4-7). Followers of Jesus continue to live as “sojourners and exiles” (1 Pet 2:11), and our “Babylon” is the world.Daniel was a captive of Babylon, but he viewed it as God’s call for him: “to enter the king’s personal service” (v.5). God’s call for our lives is more than just our vocation. God’s call encompasses everything in our personal lives. Daniel discovered God’s call for him in difficult circumstances. He was totally passive in the God-directed process in this discovery.God’s call for our lives does include what the world looks for. Nebuchadnezzar was looking for youths who were “qualified to serve in the king’s court” (v.4, NIV). What mattered to him were social status – “of the royal family and nobles” (v.3), good looks (v.4a) and intellectual acumen – “showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well-informed and quick to understand” (v.4b, NIV). For Daniel, these “worldly” elements were given by God for answering His call. We can possess these “worldly” elements without conforming to the world. The key is living a God-centred life.