Daniel-The Clue God had a Big Job For Us

By Mary Vee
Daniel 1

From Young Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

Three years have come and gone since the Babylonian officials took many boys from our Judean homes as prisoners. 

I still miss my house and family, but am getting use to living in this Babylonian city. I can understand their language now and am able to speak it rather well.

My friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and I have been honored by God. The four of us have learned the lessons taught by the Babylonian guards quicker than any of the other boys. 

God helped us understand all kinds of literature and higher learning in Babylonian education.

God also gave me a gift to understand visions and dreams of all kinds. Each time someone came to me with a dream they didn't understand, I prayed and asked God for the meaning. Once God gave me the answer, the dream seemed clear to not only me, but also the person who had the dream.

The day we all graduated, the chief official took the boys in my class to appear before king Nebuchadnezzar. We stood in a line. The official placed my friends and I at the front. I think he did it to show off how well he had taught us, when in fact, we were the ones God gave the greatest knowledge to. God deserves the credit, not us.

The king asked all the boys in the program one or two questions, but he spent much more time with my three friends and I. The four of us had such a long conversation, all of us adding our thoughts and perceptions on the topics. The king listened intently and seemed rather pleased. 

At the end of the time, King Nebuchadnezzar said, "These four boys, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshachm, and Abednego have gone beyond what their lessons taught. They display an unbelievable understanding. I have even questioned them in matters of wisdom and understanding which only my advisors can answer. I know of no one equal to their intelligence, not any of my magicians or enchanters in the whole kingdom. I want these four boys in my service. Give them everything they need to do their work."

When the powerful king of Babylon honored my friends and I in this way, I knew God had a big job for us. 

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1. How long have Daniel and his friends been away from their home?
2. Where do they live?
3. Why do they live there?
4. What have they been doing for these past three years?
5. On graduation day, Daniel and his friends were taken where for the last test?
6. How did they do on their test?
7. What reward or punishment did they receive?