Daniel 1:3-4 | Overcoming Secular Reprogramming
Daniel 1:3-4 - Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.
The Strategy of Reprogramming
The tactic of Nebuchadnezzar, in taking dominion over the ancient world, was to reprogram the finest young men in the places he took dominion. At the forefront of this strategy was "Ashpenaz", the "chief eunuch" of the king (Daniel 1:3a), or, better translated, "he who is of the king's head". He was the ideological moulder of minds whose principal task was to "direct the education of foreigners in Babylonian language, literature, and customs." [1] He instructed his targets in the liberal arts of the Chaldeans, consisting of studies in language, magic, sorcery, charms, and astrology (Daniel 1:4b). Ashpenaz was the leader of the mystical formation seeking to turn Israelite teenagers into seers of Babylon.
The Expected Targets of Reprogramming
The particular target of this reprogramming strategy were "the royal family and of the nobility" (Daniel 1:3b), in fulfilment of Isaiah 39:7. In a former generation, Hezekiah was warned that his seed would be "carried off to Babylon" to take on the role of court officials in "the palace of the king". Why this strategy? Joyce Baldwin makes this helpful observation:
"A few choice hostages from the Judean court would weaken resources there, prove useful to the conqueror and reinforce Judah's vassal status." [2]
It is also probable that the Judean nobility "served initially as high-ranking political hostages" who, after "three years of intense enculturation", would return to "Judah as propaganda tools". [3] Whatever the initial purpose, Ashpenaz hand-selected Israelites who surpassed others in socio-political rank to expand the influence and dominion of Babylon.
The Attributes of the Targets
But no mere nobles were accepted into the courts of Nebuchadnezzar. Ashpenaz was tasked with recruiting a particular person (Daniel 1:4a). (1) They were "youths", likely fourteen years of age [4], malleable and teachable—the perfect targets for reprogramming. (2) They were also "without defect", like holy priests, dedicated to God without physical blemish (Lev. 21:18-21). (3) They were to be nobles of "good appearance", like Joseph, whom is like Daniel (Genesis 38:6). (4) Most of all, they were to be gifted intellects and quick learners, "skilful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, [and] understanding learning". (5) Finally, knowledge acquisition had to be accompanied with the power to communicate with confidence before the king.
The True Target of Reprogramming
From the world's perspective, Nebuchadnezzar's dominion will expand from sea to sea with such talented, wholesome targets of reprogramming. But as we will see like the golden vessels that contributed to the downfall of Belshazzar, these archetypal priests, kings, prophets, and sages will not be reprogrammed but will, in fact, rise to become deprogrammers of arrogant Babylon. In man's eyes, it appears God is defeated, but by sending his precious vessels, both metal and men, the true Lord of the world will display his ultimate wisdom and power in Babylon. "The gifts that God gave Nebuchadnezzar are like leaven hidden in meal, that will work to transform and change him and his kingdom." [5]
Overcoming Secular Reprogramming
The grace of God was indeed on full display in the time of Nebuchadnezzar's reign. Even though Daniel and his friends learnt the deepest elements of pagan superstition, they were proved "ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in all the kingdom" (Daniel 1:20). The young nobles did not study the Babylonian religion to "follow it themselves, but in order to pass judgement upon it and refute it". [6] Likewise, in instructing our families to remain steadfast weapons of Christ in a culture steeped in secular ideologies, it is wise to learn superstitions and bad ideas in order to refute them. If our children are steeped in the wisdom of the cross and can communicate why it is ”ten times better” than alternative philosophies, I am optimistic that they will become influential weapons in the hands of God. They will become wise gospel apologists who shrewdly build his kingdom on the front lines of this world.
[1] Joe M. Sprinkle, Daniel (Evangelical Bible Theology Commentary; Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020), 51.
[2] Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (vol. 23; Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1978), 87.
[3] Wendy L. Widder, Daniel (ed. Tremper Longman III and Scot McKnight; The Story of God Bible Commentary; Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2016), 26.
[4] Stephen R. Miller, Daniel (vol. 18; The New American Commentary; Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 60.
[5] James B. Jordan, The Handwriting on the Wall: A Commentary on the Book of Daniel (Powder Springs, GA: American Vision, 2007), 135.
[6] St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, 21.