Daniel-Having Everything isn't So Great

By Mary Vee
Daniel 2

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

Not that long ago, I lived in my parents' home, had my own bedroom, hung out with my friends, and basically enjoyed my life.

In a flash, I went from having a normal life to becoming a slave. King Nebuchadnezzar's army conquered Judah, my homeland. His army didn't want all the people from Judah for slaves at first. They only took young men who did well in school. 

My best friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and I along with other boys were put in chains and forced to march for days to Babylon.  

We ate well and studied the Babylon language then took a test to prove we learned the information. My friends and I did really well. 

Although we were slaves, we had a nice place to live. Guards watched over us, preventing us from escaping and making sure we did our work. 

This week the king had a horrible nightmare that he wanted interpreted. He ordered his Babylonian wise men to tell him the dream. Of course they didn't know what he dreamed. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered all wise men, including my friends and I, to be killed. Thanks be to God, He saved us by telling me the dream and the meaning.

The last time I wrote, I had told the king the meaning of the dream just as God had shown me. The king was impressed and chose not to kill the wise men. He gave me many gifts and let me ask for anything.

I asked the king to appoint my friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be administrators over the province of Babylon. The king agreed but wanted me to stay at the royal court.

I'm so happy for my friends to have a safe place where they could live well, but I will miss them. They are far away from me. And because all four of us are still considered slaves, we won't have the chance to talk or meet. 

We won't be able to joke around, play pranks, and have the fun that young men should have. 

I know I should be grateful that we aren't living in chains like other slaves who will be brought from my homeland. I am grateful God has given me a quick mind to learn the Babylonian language and other schooling. 

But I live mostly by myself. The other wise men are all Babylonians and look down on me. They whisper when they walk past me. My family isn't here, and when they are brought to Babylon, I won't be able to talk to them. Sometimes I just feel alone.

Do you feel alone, too? Even though people are around you?

I keep busy with my work. This helps a little. But what helps me the most is my window. I knel before the window and pray to God each day. He has became my best friend. I tell Him all my thoughts and questions knowing He listens and cares.

Slaves from Judah have started to arrive and are placed in different places all over the city. King Nebuchadnezzar loves the power that he has over my people. 

I wish I could go home. I'd give up all the gifts Nebuchadnezzar gave me if only all of Judah could go back home.


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1. Nebuchadnezzar liked Daniel because he interpreted the dream. What did Nebuchadnezzar give Daniel?
2. What didn't Nebuchadnezzar give Daniel?