Following our excursion into the book of Ezekiel, we find Daniel's book on his experiences in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzer. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (all from the tribe of Judah) were among those taken. Here's why they were among those selected:
Daniel 1:3-4a: " One day the king ordered Ashpenaz, his highest palace official, to choose some young men from the royal family of Judah and from other leading Jewish families. 4 The king said, “They must be healthy, handsome, smart, wise, educated, and fit to serve in the royal palace."
And here's how the selected were trained by Ashpenaz and his staff:
Daniel 1:4b-5: "Teach them how to speak and write our language 5 and give them the same food and wine that I am served. Train them for three years, and then they can become court officials.”
So, under the Babylonian ruler, Nebuchadnezzer, to serve as court officials one would be required to train for 3 years in the protocols, culture and rituals of the court, learn to speak and write a different language, and be lavished with good food and drink."
I wonder how I would react - to being taken captive, forced to serve the enemy, knowing that the training alone was 3 years of my life. We know how the four did. How would you?