The third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah puts the start of this story at 605 BC. Nebuchadnezzar is referred to as the king of Babylon who besieged Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar left the battle when he heard of his father Nabopolassar’s death to accede to the throne. Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem took place during the reign of Jehoiakim, the 17th king of Judah. Jeremiah had warned Johoiakim of the impending invasion of Babylon and instructed God’s people to submit without resistance. When Nebuchadnezzar attacked, little resistance was offered and Jehoiakim was captured, taken to Babylon, and Judah fell under Nebuchadnezzar’s rule. When God made the covenant with Israel in Moab before they entered the promised land, He told them that obedience would bring blessing but disobedience would lead to discipline. The ultimate discipline God would use was the invasion of Gentile nations to subjugate Israel and disperse them from the land (Deut 28:49-68). This discipline began with the Northern Kingdom who were taken into captivity to Assyria in 722 BC. The Southern Kingdom of Judah had been more repentant and heeded the various prophets’ admonitions and returned to God. Because of their repentance, obedience, and godly kings, Judah continued for just over a century longer. Eventually, Judah ignored God’s covenant and God chose Nebuchadnezzar as His instrument to discipline Judah. When Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon, he took with him the spoils of war. He carried valuable articles from the temple in Jerusalem and placed them in the temple of his god, probably Bel, also known as Marduk, the chief god of the Babylonians. He also took Jews from the royal family and nobility as captives. He commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to take young men who were physically and mentally strong and prepare them for service in the king’s palace. They were to be schooled in the literature and language of the Chaldeans, most likely in an attempt to assimilate them into Babylonian culture. They were to be given choice food and wine the same as the king ate and educated for three years. When their preparation and training were complete, they would enter the king’s service. Here we are introduced to four main characters, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They were all given Babylonian names, Daniel was named Belteshazzar, Hananiah was named Shadrach, Mishael was named Meshach, and Azariah was named Abednego.

God will not let sin and disobedience remain indefinitely. Israel had been given many opportunities to repent and obey but their repeated failure left them facing the ultimate discipline of captivity and exile. If we don’t walk in righteousness, we too will face God’s discipline. But Hebrews reminds us that this is a good thing. God disciplines us because He loves us as His father (Heb 12:5-7). Is God disciplining you or are you on the path that leads to discipline? What do you need to change today?