2 Kings 24:14 King Nebuchadnezzar took all of Jerusalem captive, including all the commanders and the best of the soldiers, craftsmen, and artisans—10,000 in all. Only the poorest people were left in the land.
Injustice, prejudice and malpractice leave us wounded, resentful and offended. The Babylonian conquest strategy was to deport the captives to their country and brainwash them to forget their culture. Among the captives was a smart young lad by the name of Daniel (about 15 years of age) who was treacherously snatched away from his home, hometown and heritage. Daniel had a wealthy, royal heritage and the historian Josephus believed that he was emasculated into an eunuch to serve the Babylonian King. There is no concrete evidence to this however there is no mention of Daniel’s wife or children in the Bible. He was forced to serve a king who ruined his family, fortune and future.
Daniel witnessed Jerusalem burnt down, the temple of God looted, families dismembered and the elite incarcerated to a pagan land filled with idolatry and perversion. Yet he was not embittered, resentful or offended with God. The disgrace did not damage his dedication as Daniel was spiritually enlightened and awakened by the Word. Humility brings clarity but offence clouds us with confusion. I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet (Daniel 9:2). Daniel had every right to be offended but he remained surrendered, succulent and synchronized with the Word of God which promoted him as the chief consulting officer for four heathen kings.
Three ways to combat offence:
- Remember: The forced migration to an idolatrous land did not adulterate Daniel from the truth. It is believed that after Daniel became the governor of Babylon, he must have gathered the scrolls of Jeremiah from Jerusalem and meditated on them. We must read the Word when we are confused, confounded or offended. Psalms 19:7 The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. We might not have answers for all the mishaps but the Scriptures will repair, revive and restore the soul. Recollecting the promise of God is the sword to fight offensive stigma and shame.
- Routine: The disappointment did not make Daniel indifferent. He did not get upset with God or miss his prayer time. The ethos was not an excuse to break his prayer routine. Your success depends on your daily routine – John C Maxwell. Daniel 6:10 Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God. The tyranny of being teased, tortured or tested for his faith did not affect his routine. The armory to combat offence is found in our daily routine of prayer and praise.
- Reconcile: The honest, holy and humble lad Daniel was taken captive into Babylon along with his expatriates who dabbled in with idolatry, witchcraft and incantations. Daniel was not offended with God for permitting him to be carried into the pagan world but rather became a missionary pleading and reconciling for his country and countrymen.Daniel 9:5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled. The weapon to fight offence is fasting, humbling and praying.
The artillery to overcome offence is in the daily routine in our prayer closet and in declaring the promises and prophecies of God.
Daniel 9:9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.
Prayer: Dear Jesus when the tyranny of offence swells against me, be my shelter, security and guide. Amen.
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