The Doorpost: Understand what our neighbors believe
By Ray King · May 20, 2022
Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel … to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. … 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. … As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. … And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.
Daniel 1:3-4,6-7,17,19-20
We are familiar with the story of the faith and courage of Daniel in the lion’s den and of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace. The verses above give us further insight into the character and strength of these men.
The knew what they believed. They knew Him in whom they believed. But they also understood what the people around them believed.
They didn’t have just a vague knowledge of the learning of the Chaldeans. They knew enough about it to be able to show that they were 10 times wiser than the magicians and astrologers.
We can learn a lesson from them. We need to first of all be firmly grounded in our understanding of Scripture so we will be able to stand firm. But if we want to be able to obey Jesus Christ’s command to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), we also need to understand what the people around us believe. We need to understand it better than they do themselves.
This will not be natural for most of us. Obedience to Jesus Christ seldom is. But we do serve the same God that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah served. If we ask Him, He will give us “knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom,” just as He did for them (James 1:5).
As we begin this New Year, let’s ask God to work in us so we will grow in the knowledge of Him and also in discerning the beliefs of those around us so we can help them come to know Him, too.