Daniel 1 - by Ted McDermott

What is this chapter is about?
Daniel's book is important in past and future history. First, it reveals and cements important historical events involving 4 nations: Israel, Assyria, Egypt, and Babylonia. This is what happens in the 1st 2 verses of Daniel 1. Historians place these events in 605 B.C. Jehoiakim's predecessor was Josiah. Josiah had fought against Egyptian pharaoh Neco II at Megiddo, when Neco was on his way north to assist the Assyrians in fighting off the Babylonian take-over of their territory. Josiah was killed at Megiddo, and Neco took his son, Jehoahaz captive in order to prevent him from becoming king. Neco appointed Jehoiakim king in his place. Jehoiakim paid heavy tribute to Neco. However, Babylonia was the most powerful nation at that time, and kept capturing Assyrian capitals, forcing them to retreat and declare another capital. First, Nineveh was captured, then Harran (where Terah had raised Abram), and finally and decisively, at Carchemish, the Assyrian empire was wiped off the face of the earth, never to appear again. Egypt lost its army at Carchemish as well, in 609 B.C. Next, Babylonia focused on the southern kingdom of Judah. Jehoiakim was stripped of what little power he had, and the Babylonians stole the best things and the best people of Judah, and brought them back to Babylon. Daniel calls Babylon the land of Shinar. This is where the tower of Babel was constructed, and the brazen and blasphemous attitude of the people had not changed since the tower-building days. They stole the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple and would drink from them at their drinking feasts (Dan. 5).
What does it mean?
Based on the threading of the different places and times involved in the Bible, my conclusion is that nothing happens by accident, with God. He knows all about peoples and nations and the past, present and future.
Just look at the places like Haran, Megiddo, Shinar/Babylon, and the things that had happened, are happening now, and will happen in the future.There is continuity across thousands of years in the behavior and consequences of the people there.
What difference does it make to me?
All events even in my little life have significance in God's plan, certainly for me, and potentially for God's present and future people. I can be used by God to bring others to glorify Him in His kingdom.