Identity

From Unshaken by Kiersten Telzerow on YouVersion

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Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Because you have not obeyed my words, behold, I will send for all the tribes of the north, declares the Lord, and for Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants, and against all these surrounding nations. I will devote them to destruction, and make them a horror, a hissing, and an everlasting desolation. Moreover, I will banish from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the grinding of the millstones and the light of the lamp. This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭25:8‭-‬11‬ ‭ESV

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, 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, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭1:1‭-‬7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We start this chapter, right out of the gate between a rock and a hard place. Daniel’s time was at the beginning of the 70-year captivity prophesied by Jeremiah. Babylon attacked Jerusalem and took noble Israelites captive, like Daniel and his friends. Due to sin and rebellion, the people are devastatingly placed in Babylonian captivity. And yet, a hope found within the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 for His chosen people states that the story is not over!

‬‬ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭ESV

Within the first few chapters, Daniel’s identity as a Jewish man was being challenged. He was chosen to serve the king and learn the language and culture of the Babylonians. It was different and something new for him, but he had to make a choice: What identity was going to continue to shape him? Yet, Daniel chose to anchor his identity in WHOSE he was, as someone chosen by God. 

We are all given the decision to root our identity in something or someone. The definition of identity is, “the distinguishing character or personality of an individual.” When faced with an identity dilemma, every decision we make either more firmly roots or masks our identity. That’s why you never see someone change their core values, beliefs, or character overnight. It’s a gradual stacking of daily decisions that adds up over time. 

Reflection Questions:

1. Where has God positioned you now? List out what you observe in the culture around you. 
2. How do you view yourself within this culture?