Brainwashing [Daniel Chapter 1 v 4-7]

Let us examine once again the background; many young people were taken captive by the evil king Nebuchadnezzar. He had plans for them. These children were from Judah the royal tribe. They had been taken about one thousand miles from home. Think about their situation, they would have new accommodation and a new environment. No longer would they have the advantage of all the love warmth and affection of there home. Gone was the influence that the parents could exert on them, and they were quite simply on their own humanly speaking.

Is this not common to many young people today? We know how many move off to university in other countries. That means new homes, new lifestyle, new friends and so many changes. No doubt many young Christians feel that no one really understands the pressures and the problems associated with moving away from home.

Perhaps parents feel that no one understands the stress that this brings on parents, who are constantly worried about the children who have moved out. In no way would we seek to condemn those who seek education elsewhere. Many have sought education abroad and have benefited greatly and we have much to praise God for in the education that is available.

Here in the pages of scripture several thousand years ago we read about Daniel and his friend’s experiences. What an amazing up to date book the Bible is. As we look at the aims and objectives of this king we will also notice that these are the aims and objectives of Satan.

Consider first of all.

A Clear Indication of who Nebuchadnezzar wanted.

Daniel 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

Nebuchadnezzar wanted the cream of the young people. He had his eyes on this fine group of young people. They were now away from home and they would be easy pickings for this evil king. Think about the description.

“Children in whom was no blemish,” in other words physically healthy.

“Well favoured,” they were handsome.

“Skilful in all wisdom, cunning in knowledge and understanding science.”

Clever, handsome, healthy and intelligent young people, it continues, “and such as had ability to stand in the kings palace.” They would be able to move in royal circles. What we have here is a premium group of young people. What great potential the King realised was in them.

Nebuchadnezzar could identify the potential in this group of young people. They could serve him and bring honour to his name. How indeed young believers need to be aware that Satan can see, that they have many years of service for the Lord and he knows that you have ability. He realises that in the hands of God they would be powerful weapons. Satan has a keen interest in hindering young Christians from really going on with the Lord. Lets look at verse five.

Daniel 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

This verse reveals that Nebuchadnezzar wanted them for three years. Incidentally the length of most university courses and at the end of this time you wouldn’t be able to recognise the young people. What a job Nebuchadnezzar could do on them. What a mess Satan could make of a young life. Soon these young men would have a decision to make similar to the decision all of us have to make, will we obey God’s word as found in Romans twelve?

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Their decision was similar they could be conformed to this old world, or they could be transformed.

Looking at the word “conformed” J B Phillips translates it as follows, “ Do not let the world around you squeeze you into its mould.”

Transformed is where our English word, “metamorphous ” comes from. The change from a caterpillar to a butterfly, what would you and I like to be?

What a beautiful testimony a young person can have for the Lord. Do you realise parent that Satan will try and make them conform to the world? Do you realise young people that Satan doesn’t want you to be transformed? He wants you to be an ugly caterpillar. A caterpillar will creep unnoticed as he blends into the environment whereas all will see a butterfly. Beautiful, gracious and attractive. What sort of life will speak to your peers? Satan will take the best that he can find in a young person and try and use it for his glory.

We are considering the Clear Indication here of Nebuchadnezzar and his plans for these young people. What is the most important thing for your children?

V4 “Such as had ability to stand in the king’s palace.”

Here are young people who could mix with royalty to some that would be a great achievement for their children. It may well be many parents dream, a young person, well educated, mixing with the top brass; sadly many Christian parents set this top of the agenda. I like to apply 3 John 1 v 4 to the situation.

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Would you rather have them saved and going on with the Lord or successful and deep in the world? Now of course we would all want both, successful and saved, but what is our main priority?

Let us consider secondly:

Clever Indoctrination.

Daniel 1:4b-5 “whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. [5] And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.”

This is Babylonish brain washing. This is something the Church of Rome, “Mystery Babylon,” has been practising for years. This is what communism was built upon, brain washing. Nebuchadnezzar knew that with the children away from home he could change their intellectual, social and religious outlook.

They would be completely brainwashed and after three years they wouldn’t be recognisable. How many parents have seen young people leave home and found that they have changed so much. How did it happen? Let’s see some of Satan’s tactics.

· We see from the end of verse four that he would attack their mind.

The learning of the Chaldeans would be imposed upon these young people who had been brought up in the Jewish culture and tradition. The Chaldeans were pagan idol worshipers, they looked to astronomy and astrology, Young Hebrew children would know that this was contrary to what they had been taught Today the minds of our young people are being challenged; evolution, marriage is outdated, homosexuality and a general permissiveness abound into the minds of the young. Sadly some young people have been educated out of their believe in God. Young people are bombarded with so much that is politically correct but biblically corrupt.

· We see that their mouths would be affected.

Daniel 1:4, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the chaldeans.

The tongue of the chaldeans would mean a new language. How the Devil would change our vocabulary if possible. It’s so easy to conform, but let us pray that our young people will be transformed and not conformed.

· We see that he would change their meals.

Daniel 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

We can see that they were going to have a new diet. There would be an abundance a daily provision was available. The scholarship at the University of Babylon was full board!

Now this appears harmless because when we think of diet, we think of the physical needs but remember for the Jew diet was much much more and still is today. There were foodstuffs they were not permitted to eat under Jewish law. There is the possibility that this fare could even have been offered to idols; Nebuchadnezzar was trying to give them a new appetite. Would Satan not like to change our appetites?

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Once perhaps there was an appetite for the word of God, for the meetings, for fellowship with God’s people there was a hunger and a thirsting after God.

Psalm 42:1-2 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. [2] My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

There was an appetite for doing the will and the work of God but what has happened?

· Was it gold and not God?

· Was it the material and not the Spiritual?

· Was it the earthly and not Heavenly?

Do you see what Satan wants to do?

The mind infiltrated, that we might question godly teaching.

The mouth changed with a new vocabulary.

The meat offered, giving us a new appetite.

Do we no longer sing sincerely?

Break thou the bread of life, dear Lord to me,

As thou didst break the loaves beside the sea.

Beyond the sacred page, I seek thee Lord

My spirit pants for thee, oh living Word.

· He also give them a new mission.

Daniel 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

The Jewish young people would also be given a new goal in life. “At the end thereof” what was their new aim?

“They might stand before the king,” they wanted to please the king, what an objective, what an ambition to be able to please the king sadly it was the wrong king.

Nebuchadnezzar, what a clever indoctrination, he would leave these young people that they wouldn’t be recognised. How we need to be reminded that we will one day stand before the King.

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Ø We will not give account to Nebuchadnezzar but to the king of kings and Lord of Lords.

Ø We are looking at the clever indoctrination, has Satan already been at work in our society, and among God’s children?

Ø Do you question that which you once believed?

Ø Is your language any different that it once was? Are there words you use now, which once you shuddered from?

Ø Are there places you now go, which once you though where no go areas for Christians?

Ø Have you still your eyes fixed on things that are above?

Let us see thirdly:

A challenge to the influence.

Let’s consider verse number six.

Daniel 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

Four young people are singled out, why only four? The majority caved in and became unrecognisable. What was different about these four? They all had godly names, we will see what they mean in a moment, perhaps this is an indication that their parents were godly people and that they had been nurtured in the fear and admonition of the Lord. It could be that their parents had taken time to teach them the word of God, the way of God and more importantly show them the way of God. Inconsistent behaviour from a parent could produce inconsistent offspring, see what Ezekiel 16 v 44 says.

Ezekiel 16:44 Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.

“As is the mother so is her daughter,” what example are you setting?

Someone has said, “Youth time is seed time, what ever is sown they will reap it.”

The godly influence from the home was helping these four young men. These young men were subjected to intellectual and social pressure, now it’s religious pressure.

Look at their names and what they mean.

Daniel 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

Daniel means “God is my judge,” he would always remember his responsibility to God first and foremost.

Hananiah means “Jehovah is gracious,” he would always remember the availability of God’s grace. “My grace is sufficient for thee.” No matter how deep the valley, how steep the hill, how rough the way and how difficult it may be his grace is available and able to help us.

Mishael means, “Who is he that is God? He would always remember the capability of God. There is no one like God; nothing is too hard for him.

Azariah means, “The Lord helps,” he would always remember that God is dependable. Satan would want you to believe that you need your own strength, your own power, your own ability, but God says, “Depend on me, I will help you.”

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Here we have an indication to how these young men had been taught and what they believed.

Ø Responsibility to God first.

Ø Availability, his grace is sufficient for every situation.

Ø Capability he is able to meet the need in every situation.

Ø Dependability, he will be there in every circumstance.

What wonderful teaching they brought in their names. Scripture reminds us.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Their parents made sure that the teaching wouldn’t leave them, it was written into their very names. We are looking at a challenge to the influence that was being forced upon them. Look at verse seven.

Daniel 1:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

The meaning of their new names is not certain, but one thing is certain they all are associated with Babylonian gods. We can see the aim and objective of Nebuchadnezzar. Change them intellectually, socially and religiously, then they will follow me.

Young people and parents can identify clearly with what was taking place here in Daniel chapter one. The prodigal son who went away from home was living it up. It didn’t last and he found himself at the swine’s trough. Then he remembered the diet in his father’s house, may we feed our children well spiritually speaking in our homes, so that it will never leave them.