April 6, 2008
Background Scripture: Daniel 1
Devotional Reading: Psalms 141:1-4

There are ballooning controversies in several European nations with growing populations of Islamic peoples. Some object vigorously to Muslims who insist on wearing distinctive Islamic clothing in schools and places of business, especially the mandating of veils for Islamic women. This could also easily become a conflict in our own country.

I understand, if not necessarily agree with, those wanting to preserve a visible religious identity. I also understand those who are offended by it in a nation where, with a few exceptions – Hasidic Jews, Amish and Mennonites – people of different religious persuasions are generally unidentifiable by their appearances.
Walk down any street in the United States and it is unlikely you will be able to distinguish between Christians and non-Christians, between Methodists and Presbyterians, or even between agnostics and atheists.

Recognizing Christians

An obituary in our newspaper lauded a woman who had spent many years in the outreach ministry of her church. When I mentioned this to her neighbor, he remarked, “I never knew that she was involved in any church.” In a sense, this is a tragic commentary on a society in which neighbors have no idea who shares with them a faith in Jesus Christ.

There were two critical times in Israel’s history. The first of these was during the seventh century B.C., when the Jews were captives in Babylon. The second time was the second century, when Israel was under the oppressive rule of the Greek king Antiochus Epiphanes.

He was possessed of two ambitions: to dominate Egypt and to Hellenize (or make Grecian) the culture of the entire Middle East. As one scholar put it, “The Jews stood astride his path to both goals.” He used stark methods to obliterate the Jewish culture: making it a capital offense to circumcise baby boys, to own a copy of the Jewish Law or to keep the Sabbath. On Dec. 25, 168 B.C., he desecrated the Jewish temple with the compulsory worship of the Greek god Zeus.

But, the more ruthless he was, the more the Jews resisted him and eventually revolted under the leadership of the Macabees. On Dec. 25, 165 B.C., the Temple was reconsecrated and for a time, Jews would rule themselves. It was during this cataclysmic period that Daniel was written.

For fear of Antiochus, the writer set the book four centuries earlier in the period of the Babylonian captivity, when Nebuchadnezzar was the all-powerful ruler. He says “Nebuchadnezzar,” but he expects the reader to think “Antiochus.” When speaking of the threat to Jewish identity under Babylonian rule, he is challenging his readers to remain faithful Jews in the days of the Geek tyrant.

A good deal?

When the Babylonians conquered a people, it was customary to enlist in their service the brightest and best of their foes. They were well treated and, in return, they were given new names and expected to become Babylonians in culture and language and worship the god Marduk.

It seemed a great deal, but Daniel knew it would alienate himself from the God of Israel. Therefore, he refused to eat the rich food that the king had ordered.

So, this is all about food? No, the food is simply symbolic of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

To eat food forbidden by Jewish law would stand as outright disloyalty to Israel’s God.

Certainly the Babylonians must have wondered why the Jews were standing firm over dietary laws. But the dietary laws were only outward symbols of a much deeper commitment.

Our purpose in studying Daniel 1, however, is not to view this ancient conflict for its own sake, but for our own times as well. Are we mostly defined by our American culture or our Christian faith? What distinguishes us from the rest of our society? And, who, besides the members of your church, recognize that you are a follower of Jesus Christ?

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.