top of page
Writer's pictureOlusegun Emosu

Daniel's Fellowship in Babylon: A Coordinated Foursome (Dan.2:17-18).

Updated: Oct 8

"Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might seek mercies from the God of heavens concerning the secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men in Babylon." (Dan.2 :17-18).




Introduction:


Daniel was one of the leading victims of the Babylonian exile, orchestrated by king Nebuchadnezzar, in 605 BC. Right there and then in his domain, the king wished to make Daniel and his contemporaries, palace hands. With this came free training (that would last three years), in the language and literature of the Chaldeans (Dan.1:4). It was an offer packaged with daily provisions of the king's delicacies and royal drinks. And for them to qualify for these benefits, they would have been certified fit physically, with no blemish, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick understanding. To enhance a fuller integration into the Babylonian culture, Daniel and his three colleagues had their Jewish names swapped with Babylonian indigenous names: Daniel-Belteshazzar, Hananiah-Shadrach, Mishael-Meshach, and Azariah- Abed-Nego, respectively.


From the onset, Daniel did not hide his repugnance for the juicy royal meal treatment. He refused to defile himself, "but Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank..." (Dan.1:8). His three other colleagues followed suit. Their stand against the royal ensnarement paid off with God giving them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom. And by extension, Daniel was gifted in visions and dreams, "and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams " (Dan.1:17). And as a team, in matters of wisdom and understanding, the quartet was rated ten times better than all the native magicians and astrologers, "and in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in his realm" (Dan.1:20).


The King's Dream:


By the second year of his reign, king Nebucahdnezzar had a troubling dream that made him sleepless. An attempt at unravelling this mystery occasioned his summoning all the native magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, with a death threat if they failed to solve the riddle. Honor awaited them if they proffered a solution. The Chaldeans admitted no mortal would be able to decode the dream. The interpretation of the dream meant so much for the king that, out of frustration, he ordered the immediate killing of the native prophets. In a short while, he was going to come after Daniel and his companions, except they came up with a solution to his nightmare. Would these "innocent" foreigners fall victims of the king's venom as did their indigeneous counterfeit seers? Time will tell!


Fellowship:


The term fellowship is from the Greek word "KOINONIA", meaning the unity of the Spirit that stems from our shared beliefs, convictions, and behaviors, as believers. In a broader sense, it means the gathering together of believers for the common purpose of seeking the face of the LORD on various issues as relating to individual, families, and nations, as the case might be. The scriptures uphold the need of our fellowshiping together, "not forsaking the the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some" (Heb.10:25).


In fellowships, intercessory prayers are the hallmarks. And in a fellowship void of rancor and bitterness, the move of God is heavy and highly impactful. The testimonies are mind-blowing, to the glory of God. Spiritual intelligence is key. We bond together in fellowships, strenghten, pray for and encourage one another. Fellowships are purpose-driven and result oriented, we bear one another's burden."...but constant prayer was offered for him by the church" (Acts 12:5). The intercessions of the church availed for Peter. In a way beyond human explanation, an angel of the LORD saved him from the hand of Herod, and the expectations of the Jewish people.


The dicey situation in Babylon occasioned Daniel, a renowned prayer person, to convene an emergecncy fellowship among his colleagues of like-mind, to attend to the king's demand. (Lack of like-minded and trustworthy believers is a bane to the success of believers' gatherings). How much trust do we bring to our fellowships?


The Revelation:


Daniel in his wisdom, requested the king gave him enough time so he would come out with the interpretation of the dream. He was not going to do this in isolation. Consultation with God was first and uppermost! He reckoned with his three co-exiled friends next, and shared the vision with them, "then Daniel went to his house and made the decision known to Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions" (Dan.2:17). In a true and sincere fellowship, openess is important. Trust is necessary among prayer partners. He had confidence that his three friends will accord him utmost cooperation and unity. No room for division. No breaking of ranks, either. Comradery is encouraged. They all operated with one mind. Hence, victory was achievable.


Before long, God proved Himself in this situation, as the Only true God, "then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision." (Dan.2:19). The ease with which the secrect was revealed was not unconnected with the pious atmosphere and singleness of heart among the four alien gentlemen, as it happened on the day of pentecost, "...they were all with one accord in one place" (Acts 2:1). And in a fellowship where God is prioritised, there is always, at least, a word, to the effect that the gathering was summoned. The results are usually NOT as a result of selfishness or self-centerdness, rather to simply know God's mind in the situation. Daniel's fellowship was not an exception in this instance; he told king Nebuchadnezzer, "but as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because i have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretaion to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart." (Dan.2:30).


By and large, the success of Daniel's fellowship, in a land that loathed prayers and worship of God with passion, was hinged on specific rudiments necessary to hold the gathering of believers together. Such rudiments are applicable wherever believers gather. It is not location-specific. Among such rudiments are :


  • Daniel trusted his three friends as those he could rely on, in times of challenges like this. (Who do we trust as believers in our challenging time? Who is the Pr.18:24 fellow-christian to trust in a fellowship? )


  • Daniel held nothing back from his contemporaries in the matter, "then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions" (Dan.2:17).


  • In agreement, they sought the face of God about the dicey situation, "that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret" (Dan.2:18), and


  • God was gracious on them not only to respond promptly, but favorably too. He gave them the solution in a night vision, "then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision" (Dan.2:19). By this, they were spared the destruction that came upon the rest of the wise men of Babylon.


In a genuine fellowship, God is the center, the rallying point and the unifying factor, with love as the theme. This was the pattern of the fellowship between Daniel and his friends. This is succinctly captured by William J Dunkerly, popularly known by his pen name, John Oxenham, (1852-1941), in a hymn he composed;


"In Christ there is no East or West,

In Him no South or North,

But one great FELLOWSHIP of love,

Throughout the whole wide earth."


Sidebar:

By and large, the success of Daniel's fellowship, in a land that loathed prayers and worship of God with passion, was hinged on specific rudiments necessary to hold the gathering of believers together. Such rudiments are applicable wherever believers gather. It is not location-specific..


Lack of like-minded and trustworthy believers is a bane to the success of believers' gatherings.


Conclusion:


It is noteworthy that much as Daniel and his colleagues faced challenges in a foreign land, and under multiple rulers, and in quick succession, too, they remained resolute in their decision against all uncomplimentary governmental decisions. In addition, their major strength was prayer which bonded them together and which was the spiritual lens through which they accessed the mystery, thereby gaining victory over all oppositions. And in the process of time, they came to limelight. They kept the brotherhood as well. They did not give space to betrayal, mistrust, distrust, or any vices like that. The synergy was simply impregnable. The grace of excellence was upon them all, Daniel in particular. He fulfiled scriptures- "do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men." (Pr.22:29).


God was their ultimate fortress to a level that they became a force to be reckoned with in a godless foreign land, "then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm" (Dan.6:3). Do our contemporary fellowships have these unique features? Are there enemies within, exposing the strength of the our gatherings to oppositions? Let's borrow a leaf from Daniel and his team. May God help us! Amen.


Prayers:

  1. LORD, give us the grace to be united in our fellowships and places of worship.

  2. Bind us together with love and one mind in our various gatherings as believers.

  3. Let Your presence always be in our fellowships and prayer meetings, and please reveal to us the much needed secrets and solutions to our individual, local, and national challenges.

  4. Let there be resounding testimonies afte the order of the early church, in all our gatherings. Amen!



© September 2024



Being A Monthly Scripture Bulletin

From The Desk Of

Olusegun A Emosu (The Blessed, The Chosen & The Preferred)

The Redeemed Christian Church Of God,

Rehoboth Parish,

2244, Panola Rd, Suite 2, ( 3D Complex)

Lithonia GA 30058 404 644 4127



You may please subscribe @


NB: It's my 57th birthday on September 13th. I covet your prayers.



235 views0 comments

Comments


Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page