In the previous study we saw how Daniel and his three brethren were faithful to God in matters that seemed little (cp. Luke 16:10). Nevertheless, the Lord rewarded them in that not only was great favor given them by the prince of the eunuchs, but the Lord blessed their devotion to him by causing their appearance to be much healthier looking than their colleagues who were also being prepared for the king’s service. Clearly, Daniel mourned over the sins of his people, because it was their rebellion that caused God to judge them by destroying Jerusalem and its Temple, and sending them to Babylon in captivity (cp. Daniel 9:2, 5-6, 17-19).
Nevertheless, the Lord is abundant in his faithfulness toward his people. He did not leave Daniel with a heavy heart, but blessed him, where he was. In other words, as the Teacher puts in the Book of Ecclesiastes:
“Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
Daniel had done his part by expressing his devotion to the Lord. Therefore, the Lord responded and gave Daniel knowledge and wisdom that was suitable for the service of the king, which gave him a place of prominence in his court (Daniel 1:17). There is nothing better for a man than to find enjoyment and fulfillment in the things he does to satisfy the longings of his heart (Ecclesiastes 2:24). Nevertheless, this isn’t something that a man can acquire through his own wisdom and planning. The Lord has the final say in these things. The inherent character of the things that the Lord created is that they would reflect or image him. All of creation, except for man, exalts the wisdom and glory of God. For man this is a choice (cp Genesis 1:26-27). The Lord saw in Daniel and his three brethren both repentance for wrongs committed and a new devotion and commitment to him as the Lord God of their fathers. Therefore, the Lord blessed them in the labors they performed and gave them personal enjoyment and fulfillment in their service of the king (cp. Ecclesiastes 2:25-26).
Daniel and his three friends were under the care and authority of the prince of the eunuchs for three years (Daniel 1:5), before they were called to appear before the king (Daniel 1:18). After they had spoken with King Nebuchadnezzar, the text says Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah exceeded all those young men, whom Ashpenaz had selected for trial and education to serve before the king. So, Daniel and his three brethren were chosen out of that group and taken by the king to serve him (Daniel 1:19). The text doesn’t reveal that any others from the group were selected, but an unbiased reading of Daniel 1:4-5 seems to indicate most, if not, all would be selected, provided their personal appearance and knowledge met the king’s standards. This may mean that Daniel and his three brethren were selected for a particular, high-ranking service, instead of the others within the group.
Therefore, Daniel entered the king’s service during the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign as king of Babylon (Daniel 2:1). This seems to contradict that scripture says Daniel prepared for service to the king for three years (Daniel 1:5, 18). However, this can be understood in that Jeremiah 25:1 speaks from a Jewish context. The Jews counted the ascension year as the first year of reign of their kings. The Babylonians did not. Therefore Jehoiakim’s 4th year was, in fact, Nebuchadnezzar’s ascension year from a Babylonian context, but the first year from a Jewish context. The same year was Daniel’s first year of captivity in Babylon (Daniel 1:3). Daniel’s second year of preparation was Nebuchadnezzar’s first year of reign, as reckoned from the Babylonian context. When Daniel was released after three years to serve the king (Daniel 1:5, 18), this was Nebuchadnezzar’s second year as king of Babylon (Daniel 2:1).[1]
So, Daniel lived in Babylon for the entire period of Jeremiah’s 70-Year Prophecy, which ended during the first year of the reign of Cyrus. It was he who proclaimed a release throughout his kingdom, which permitted Jews and the people of other nations to return to their homelands (Daniel 1:21).
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[1] Time reckoning in Daniel is from the Babylonian point of view. The books of the prophets and the kings are written from a Jewish context.
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