Sheep Among Wolves

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.” –Matthew 10:16-18, ESV

In the first chapter of the book of Daniel, four youth from Jerusalem enter exile in Babylon (along with many others) to serve in the king’s palace.

“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 king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.” –Daniel 1:3-7, NET

God is Creator, and has distributed different gifts to all. Some are given good appearance, some greater intelligence, some unique skills. All of these come from “the Father of lights” (Jam 1:17), and are purposed to glorify Him each in a unique way (Gen 1:26; Isa 43:7).

Yet the empires of the world seek to assimilate those who appear most attractive, smart, and skilled, in order to build a kingdom in opposition to God (Psa 2:1-3) and bring glory to themselves (Gen 11:4). We must not be ignorant of Satan’s strategies so as not to be outwitted by him (2Co 2:11). So let us examine the ways through which the Babylonians attempted to turn the best and brightest, using language and literature, diet, education, and the giving of new names.

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

“…and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.” –Daniel 1:4b, NET

I heard it said years ago (I don’t know where), “Whoever teaches your kid to talk teaches them how to think.” Language—in all its subjective complexity—is the framework from which we express our thoughts. Let us not take lightly the origins of this barrier between us (Gen 11:7-9). Our native tongue ties us to a nation, a culture, a way of life, and it limits our understanding to all those outside it (even between subdivisions). We so desperately need the Spirit to bring clarity (Acts 2:1-11)—to every conversation, ever sentence we read.

“For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” –2 Corinthians 3:6b, NET

Understand the limitations and worldliness of the language and literature that have taught us to speak and think. Let us humble ourselves before the source of all wisdom (Col 2:3; Pro 2:6) and have ears that listen to what the Spirit says (ex: Rev 2:7,11,17, etc.). Let us be a people who spend considerable time with Jesus (Acts 4:13), letting the Spirit be our teacher (1Co 2:13). Then, as our mind is renewed (Eph 4:20-24), whether we are reading Shakespeare or Shirer, whether we are listening to Ben or Ari Shapiro, we have our ear tuned to what God is saying (Job 33:14). Then we can begin to understand things more clearly.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

–Romans 12:2, NET

DIET

“The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank.” –Daniel 1:5a, NET

The king would naturally have the most indulgent and succulent foods, which he thus instructs these future rulers to eat. Yet we are not called to eat and drink like kings in this life, but to constrain our portion and our selections to those things that best honor God and subdue the fleshly body where we reside (Dan 1:8; 1Co 9:27).

We should see food altogether differently than the rest of the world. We all need food to survive, but we are not to worry about its provision (Luke 12:29). And while the LORD gave the nation of Israel dietary laws as a teaching tool to be holy as God is holy (Lev 10:10-11; 11:45; ex: 11:2-8), Jesus later declared that all foods are clean (Mark 7:19). For His kingdom is not about food and drink but “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17). It is not what we put IN the mouth that defiles us, but what comes OUT of the mouth (an exposure of the heart) that makes us unclean (Mat 15:17-19).

BUT, just because it is lawful does not mean it is beneficial (1Co 10:23). “Everything is clean,” but food is NOT to be a source of stumbling. We should forsake anything that would cause another to break conscience (Rom 14:20-23). And if any food or drink leads to bondage and excess (1Co 6:12), then we must severe it from our diet (Mat 18:9). We were not meant to stuff our bellies as if in service to them as idols (Phi 3:19). We need not ever get drunk on wine in self-absorption, but be filled only with the Spirit (Eph 5:18).

Our relationship with food should come forth from worship and thanksgiving (1Co 10:30; 1Ti 4:4). So let us “lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus...” (Heb 12:1-2a). Let us think like an Olympic athlete and “exercise self-control in all things… [disciplining our] body and [keeping] it under control” in order that we “run to win” (1Co 9:24-27) Let us make even our eating for the LORD’s pleasure.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

–1 Corinthians 10:31, NET

EDUCATION

“They were to be educated for three years…” –Daniel 1:5b, NET

There are ways of the world that dismiss the value of childhood, to hinder their learning and growth (Mark 10:13-14), or denigrate their lives on the altar of self (Eze 16:20-21). But we do not have to abort our children to twist God’s gift into idolatrous worship. It is the same end when we plot to leverage the next generation of leaders by manipulating them in their formidable years to think and act contrary to God’s purposes.

Just like Nebuchadnezzar, there are those throughout history like Hitler, Stalin, and Mao who have used planned propaganda to deceive the youth into building beastly empires. But we need not reserve this conspiracy to ruthless dictators, for it has been the purpose of every nation—even today. Whether its normalizing gender confusion and homosexuality, or demeaning the Gospel into a cheap American Dream, or the clever lies of twisting the observable “adaptation of the species” (micro evolution) into a godless theory of origins—our children are being deceived. O, what judgment we must bring on ourselves when we cause them to stumble (Mat 18:6), even in our passive inaction (ex: Adam, see Gen 3:6).

It is the chief duty of all human beings to fear and obey the LORD (Ecc 12:13). But the curse of sin is upon all of creation (Gen 3:17-18; Rom 8:20). We are conceived in iniquity (Psa 51:5), and our tendency is to turn aside from God (Deu 11:16). So because “folly is bound up in the heart of a child,” it is the duty of those in authority over them to “[drive] it far from him,” (Pro 22:15), and to diligently train and teach them with the entirety of our lives (Deu 11:18-21) to follow the Way in which they should go (Pro 22:5-6 in light of John 14:6).

Whether our children attend public, private, or are officially schooled in the home, parents are the primary instructors of their children. We need to take this responsibility seriously and recognize that we must totally depend upon God’s word as completely sufficient to teach, reproof, correct, and train them up in righteousness (2Ti 3:16-17). And as we go along, depend upon the Spirit to awaken their minds and hearts to the truth (John 3:5-6; Rom 8:9).

And just as Daniel and his friends were no longer little children still in the home, it is up to us all to counter the seduction and lies of Babylon. For in actuality, it is imperative that the Spirit does not just become the primary teacher for our children—He should be ours.

“And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” –1 Corinthians 2:13, ESV

NAMES

“And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.” –Daniel 1:7, NET

 “Daniel” means “God (El) is my judge.” His Babylonian name “Belteshazzar” means “Bel (god) protects his life.”

“Hananiah” means “Yahweh (Jehovah) is gracious” or “God has favored.” His Babylonian name “Shadrach” means “command of Aku (god of moon).”

“Mishael” means “Who is like God (El).” His Babylonian name “Meshach” means “who is what Aku is?”

“Azariah” means “Helped by Yahweh (Jehovah).” His Babylonian name “Abednego” means “servant of Nebo (or Nego).”

(Considering this, which name do you think they would want to be remembered by? And yet which names were taught us in Sunday School?)

Name changes signify a change of identity, not just to another culture, but to a completely different paradigm with different gods at the helm (see Gen 17:5; Dan 4:8). The world does its best to shift our allegiance, and will seek to have us identify with anything other than Christ. We must decide to either adopt the labels of the world (career, skin color, nationality, economic status, etc) and draw purpose and meaning there, or draw them from the LORD alone?

But notice that these men do not resist the new names like they did the food. Perhaps this is a lesson for us: that while we must refuse to ingest and absorb the things of this world, to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2Co 10:5), we let the world have their way with us externally.

Let them teach us their language and literature—we will use it to better communicate the truth to them. Let them teach us their history, science, and art—the Spirit is our teacher and will sort out the truth from lies. Let them call us whatever they will, we care only for the name Christ calls us by. Let them place us in physical restraints (Eph 6:20), they do not hinder God’s work through us (2Ti 2:9).

So consider our revolt against outward labels. To insist “You can’t define me,” or quibble over “Christian” or “Christ follower” as a designation—is this not a declaration of pride concerned with the opinions of men? For external titles mean nothing. Neither is enough to firmly ground ourselves and keep us from bowing the knee to other gods. It has to be a heart connection that says “I am not who I think I am. I am not what you say that I am, nor what I think you think I am. I do not choose my identity, nor what I will become. I wholly submit myself to my Creator. I am who HE says I am.”

Let us be unconcerned with the names the world calls us, but spiritually refuse to be marked by anything other than His name (Rev 14:1; 22:4). Let us value a “good name” (Pro 22:1), and seek after that which God has in store for those that conquer the world by trusting in His great name (Rev 2:17; 1Jo 5:4).

IN CONCLUSION

People will always improperly judge the measure of a person on his outward appearance (1Sa 16:7). This may seem unfair, but God’s is not hindered by rebellious men and angels. Satan’s strategies are considered even in the gifts He gives (consider Est 2:17). 

Evil men have their plans, but God has His good purposes (Gen 50:20). The Babylonians thought they were assimilating these four men for the success of an earthly kingdom. However, in reality God is using these four young men to infiltrate the culture of Babylon, living and speaking the truth of God to a lost people. 

So even though we may appear easy for slaughter and integration, as sheep among wolves (Mat 10:16), the favor and protection of Christ go with us everywhere (Mat 28:20)—even into the furnace (Dan 3:25) and the lion’s den (Dan 6:22). Through Christ, we can withstand all trouble and endure faithfully through all things (Phi 4:13).

So whatever gifts God has given you that are noticed by the world, wherever men grant honor and position for influence, it will only prove to be a blessing if leveraged for the glory of God and the love of others. For lasting value can only be extracted from such circumstances if it is filled with faithful followers who refuse to bow the knee to the beast (Dan 7:17; Rev 13:4) and continue to fight through submissive prayer for the culture they lead (Dan 6:10). But woe to those who use their blessed appearance in rebellion. Their ending will not go well (see Absalom, 2Sa 14:25, 18:14).

Let this thinking permeate our activity. Let us be “wise as serpents and innocent at doves,” (Mat 10:16), so that we do not fall prey to the lies of our culture that wage war on our souls (2Co 10:3-6). And let us stand tall as a city on a hill, as a beacon of light in a dark world (Mat 5:14-16). For our Light WILL overcome the darkness (Joh 1:4-5). Our rock (1Sa 2:2) WILL shatter all empires (Dan 2:34-35). We may be sheep, but we follow THE good Shepherd (John 10:11). We may appear vulnerable, but an unstoppable Lion stands with us (Rev 5:5; 14:1; 19:11-16).