The Wise Royalty

When Judah went into captivity, the King of Babylon instructed his men, "to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace." Daniel 1:3b-4a

Among the royals of Israel, Daniel was found.

Here Daniel was, a noble, who despite being taken into captivity, was receiving favor. He was even being fed like a king! (Daniel 1:5)

I think it would have been really easy for him to become puffed up with pride.

But this young noble did not fall for the grass-is-greener-as-king lie. He didn't fall for the deceits of royalty, not even in this new land (Daniel 1:8-16). He became a wise man. "And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magician and enchanters that were in all his kingdom." Daniel 1:19-20

As sons and daughter of the Most High, it could be very easy for us to become puffed up. To have an attitude like Simba, singing, "Oh, I just can't wait to be king!" We can't allow ourselves to fall into that trap. Daniel had favor in Babylon because he put God first, and sought after wisdom.

Is it better to be a wise man or a prince? Why not take after Daniel? Let's be both. Be princes and princesses who put God first, and seek wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

---Joy