All of us live in ‘the land of Shinar’ (Daniel 1:2 and Genesis 11:2), the world in rebellion against God. Every day, we feel the pressure to conform to the world and its ways. How can we possibly remain faithful to God? Daniel 1:1–21 helps us by showing that even in Babel’s domain, the Lord reigns: in his apparent ‘defeat’ (1:2), in his people’s defence (1:9), and in direction of his purposes (1:17).
