God had promised the people of Israel they would prosper as they entered the promised land if they did what He said. But He also said I’d they did not obey Him and serve Him as their Lord and God, He would allow them to be taken captive and to suffer. That, in fact, happened.
God kept sending prophets telling them to repent and they continued to rebel. At the time of Daniel, the Babylonians had taken control and some of the captives are the four young men we read about in Daniel 1. Their world was turned completely upside down.
So what was it like to live in Babylon?
Daniel and his friends were…
1. Constantly influenced by their new culture. There was pride that came from being the dominant world power. These four young men were chosen out due to their physical attributes and were taught how to serve in the king’s court, served special food, given special privileges. The goal of Nebuchadnezzar was to show them it wasn’t that bad living in Babylon. Sometimes people leave college, land their dream job, dream salary and forget who they are, forget where they came from. Daniel is given a new name which means a servant of Baal. His friends were also given new names designed change their allegiance.
2. Constantly being attacked for their faith at every turn. They were constantly being persecuted for their faith. They refused to bow down even when thrown into the fiery furnace.
3. Often the target of jealousy and envy, as was the case when the edict was given that no praying was allowed other than to the gods of Babylon. They knew Daniel and friends would not comply.
We are living in Babylon, in an evil and wicked, corrupt and upside down world. 1 John 2:15-17: do not love the world or the things of the world…lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life…. are passing away but the one who does the will of God will live forever.
This world is not our home. We do not belong here. There is a much better place awaiting us. In James 4 he calls out the brethren for being like the world. He calls them adulteresses. When we fall in love this world we become intimate with this world and we are cheating on God, committing spiritual adultery. This imagery is used throughout the prophets. Wicked people are going to do wicked things.
In 1 Pet 2:12, God warns us to keep our behavior excellent to the world. 4:12, do not be surprised when wicked people do wicked things.
Proverbs 17:15- he who justifies the wicked and he who condemn the righteous are an abomination to the Lord. Prov. 18:5 and 24:23-24 have similar sentiments. Also Isa. 5:20-23.
Why would anyone fall in love with this world? Yes, there are blessings, our spouses, our children. But why would anyone want to cheat on God with the gods of this world? We do that when we have one foot in the world and one in the church, we straddle the line. We do not belong here. We live in the best country in the world but it’s not our home. If we fit here, we won’t fit in heaven.
How can we overcome living in Babylon?
Be consistent in our faith.
In Daniel 6:5, notice what was said. These men said we will not find any flaw in Daniel unless we find it in their service to their God.
Do we always put God first? Is He our #1 priority? Where do we turn when we have struggles in our marriage or with our children? To the Bible, or to our favorite blogger?
There is a vital need for consistency in our faith.
Sermon by Wiley Deason
