PREFERENCE - PART 5

MONDAY 03 JUNE 2024

Reference: Daniel 1:20  Amplified Bible (AMP)

"In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the [learned] magicians and enchanters (Magi) in his whole realm."

Beloved, the above versified reference was not an inner witness, it was a monumental testimony given concerning the four Hebrew boys, which was publicly and significantly acknowledged in the whole Babylonian kingdom or empire.

"To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom" (Daniel 1:17-20 NIV).

Verse 17 specifically mentioned that God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom, which was their shared interest and identity that fostered their companionship and cordination (Associates of divine wisdom and literature). And God even gave Daniel an extra gift, which was the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.

Interestingly, if you read the entire chapter one, there is nothing that shows that God gave the sorcerers, wise men, learned magicians, enchanters or magus their own wisdom, meaning that their perceptions, discernment and capacity of impactful influence were not based on the originality of divine wisdom.

Although the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers were at their best in the palace, Daniel's wisdom dwarfed the acme of their negative supernatural cognizance and interests ten times, and made it look like a nail-cutter. In other words, Daniel's presence made them seem reduced and insignificant in comparison, especially in the area of percipience and in terms of smoothness of perscapicious operation and divine style.

So before Daniel emerged, the entire palace was functioning 10 times lower than his imminent transpiring and unfolding influence. Personally, I like to think that king Nebuchadnezzar might have put on a sack cloth and mourned their profound abasement, having considered the low-level counsels he had been receiving. Conclusively validated, Daniel's acumen, high level shrewdness and quick-wittedness, plus that of his friends - Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah - were of divine origin, which later made them the center of attention in the palace, regardless of their lowly position!

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (The God of Daniel). Indeed, the King measured the gap between God's ways and thoughts and the existing counsels of those who surrounded him. Having carefully assessed both parties by weighing them up, he was highly amazed and overwhelmed with the impressive qualities of the Hebrew boys.

To complete this thought, please allow me to add at the middle of this expository knowledge that: "All the magicians and enchanters probably kept quiet from the very moment Daniel and his compatriots were discovered, unless their testimony was necessary, in terms of observing other things in the palace, apart from true wisdom and understanding. And this verity was proven in the subsequent chapters."

 

Another point is that the Devil doesn't have to appear in physical form; He is the master of enchanters, diviners, magicians, and soothsayers. He performs his will through them, bearing in mind that he functions more often like an angel of light, utterly deceiving, augustly persuasive, extremely charismatic and absolutely needed and entertained by the crowd. If I've omitted any of his seemingly influential labels, please kindly indicate it wherever you are.

So it is really a matter of choice to acknowledge the true wisdom of God and go for it. If you choose to yield to godly wisdom, you'll always receive the revelatory guidance given by the Spirit of God which is preeminent. To that effect, Solomonic inspiration reads, "Wisdom is supreme—so acquire wisdom, and whatever you acquire, acquire understanding! (Proverbs 4:7 NET). Stay tuned for part 6. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Isaiah 11:2-3; 1 King 3:9; Psalm 119:66; 1 King 4:29; James 1:5.

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I'm divinely inspired by the eternality of your infinite pattern of discernment and depth of the riches of your wisdom and knowledge. How unsearchable are your judgments, and unfathomable your ways! I always find true fulfilment in experiencing the advantageous benefits of your Word and its heightened level of awareness and understanding. Your divine insights have the precise blueprint for my life, and I am truly thankful, in Jesus' Name, Amen!