Daniel 1:4b Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon. As an English teacher, this is fascinating to me… My students always want to know why they have to read this stuff (and sometimes I wonder, too). But here, the King of Babylon, arguably the most powerful man in the known world at the time, tells his most trusted man to train these elite Hebrew young men in language and literature. Why not language and finances or strategy or food tasting or something like that? Obviously the writings of a civilization are important. They reflect the social customs and beliefs of the people of that day. Perhaps these writings were also commentary on the political climate and history of Babylon. I doubt that fiction had really become a genre at this point, so most writing was probably historical in nature or laws. Therefore, perhaps the goal of them learning literature was to learn about their new homeland. And my students think it’s such a waste of time! Another interesting note: When Daniel starts out he says that God allowed the King of Babylon to overthrow the king in Judah (vs 2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God.). There’s no malice or anger at the situation. He simply acknowledges that God allowed it, not caused it. Was he one of the few who believed the prophets, like Ezekiel? Or did he simply trust God so much that he believed that whatever God did was best? I think it’s pretty amazing that after he’s been carted away as a captive of war he has such a calm perspective. Or maybe he’s looking back and age and wisdom see the blessing in it. I don’t know, but I think it’s pretty cool.