In the book of Daniel, Daniel said King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the master of the eunuchs, Ashpenaz, to bring children from the people of Judah who were good looking, well-skilled, intelligent and able to learn, and, “the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah”, and in chapter one and verse seven of Daniel said, “the prince of the eunuchs gave names” where we read,
Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
The verse reads, “Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; ...” Daniel began with the words, “unto whom” which means “to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah” “the prince of eunuchs” or “the leader, ruler, chief, chieftain and official pertaining to the castrated valets, chamberlains or officers” “gave names” which means “set, appointed and determined designations, titles and monikers”: “for he gave unto Daniel”or “because, since and on account that he, the prince of the eunuchs, set appointed and determined the designation for Daniel whose name means God is my judge” “the name of Belteshazzar” which means “the moniker of Belteshazzar which means lord of the straitened's treasure”. Daniel shared how the “prince of the eunuchs” renamed him “Belteshazzar” which related to Nebuchadnezzar's god “Bel” and labeled him as the “lord of the straitened's treasure”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.” Daniel continued with the words, “and to Hananiah” whose name means “God has favored”, “of Shadrach” or “royal or the great scribe”; “and to Mishael” whose name means “who is what God is”, “of Meshach” or “guest of a king”, “and to Azariah” which means “Jehovah has helped”, “of Abednego” or “servant of Nebo”. Daniel shared how all of the Hebrew children's names, “Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah” that related to Jehovah God were changed to names that related to “Bel” who was the god of Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel that of the one of the first acts that was carried out upon the chosen children of Judah was to change their names. Rather than having their Hebrew names, they were to become known by Babylonian names after the god “Bel”. God knew their real names, and He knows our as well. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of everyone, and He raised Him from the dead so that all who put their faith and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and used in His Kingdom both in this world and throughout all eternity. God knows our names, and He will bring us in alignment with His purposes when we surrender our lives to Him.
Next time Daniel says, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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