Contemplative Bible Reading

Daniel 1:18-20 (New Living Translation)

¹⁸ When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. ¹⁹ The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. ²⁰ Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

Daniel and his three friends (more commonly known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) were hand picked to serve the King. They were found to be better than all the … uh, er, is this a misprint? Better than the magicians and enchanters. Some translators use the words diviners and mediums.

These are occupations strictly forbidden by God of His people. Yet, here we are, they are chosen because they are better at this type of thing than those who profess it as a profession.

Daniel was later honored for “divining” the King’s dreams and visions.

We can certainly go too far with this point as we can claim that we do such-and-such for the glory of God where such-and-such is, uh, er, frankly ridiculous. Still, Daniel and his friends went on to proclaim the glory of God through unusual skills and occupations.