Daniel’s Captivity

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen people. 00:00:03 Speaker 2: We can't keep babbling to go, We can't keep bowing bowing to apt to Babylon, Babylon. What's left of our people are restless. We we must act. We must act, my Lord. Rebellion means death. Nebukanezza does not know mercy. 00:00:21 Speaker 1: Nebukudnezza unceremoniously drove his dagger into the throat of Zedekiah's oldest son. 00:00:29 Speaker 3: The glory of your ancestors dies with you, you cowardly, pathetic, sniveling, double minded dog. 00:00:39 Speaker 1: It took eleven days to unmake a city that took centuries to build, eleven days for King Nebukadnezza to turn the Covenant people into a valley of dry bones. 00:00:53 Speaker 4: He did not. 00:00:54 Speaker 1: Rage, He did not roar. He moved through Zion like a surgeon through cancer, laid steady, expression blank, dissecting every sacred thing Judah thought untouchable. 00:01:11 Speaker 3: Load them on. Babylon will melt down. 00:01:13 Speaker 2: With worships, bloods of the currency. 00:01:18 Speaker 1: Mercy hides in margins. The god who once thundered from Sinai knows how to set a table. Even in Babylon. Ash still covered Zion like a burial cloth. Bones still littered the valley. The temple was still gone, The king was blind, the art was missing, the songs were faint. But hope, Hope was eating dinner in Babylon, and the Lord was not done, not even Plus. 00:01:57 Speaker 5: Shallo my friends from here in the Holy Land of is that's real. I'm ya l estein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning of life. Through israel story, we will find this truth that we are all chosen for something great. So take a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling extra grateful for these stories, we would love it if you left us a review. I read every single one of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can visit IFCJ dot Org. Let's begin. 00:02:46 Speaker 1: Jerusalem had fallen, a city once radiant, now reduced to smoldering ruin. Babylon had descended swiftly, mercilessly, and precisely, armies as fast as a storm, sweeping relentlessly across the land. The city of David had fallen, silent, covered in darkness. Hope flickering feebly beneath the ruins. Rough ropes bound the children of Israel as they stumbled forward, each step a grim reminder of their stolen freedom. Daniel moved among them, a slender silhouette of quiet resilience amid the despair. His posture spoke of strength, but beneath the surface churned turmoil. Wisdom had aged Daniel prematurely, but in this moment his eyes were wide with terror. Still, Daniel felt the burden of concealing the doubt. Hannan, Aiah, Michel, and as Ariah walked closely behind Daniel, ropes cutting rawly into wrists. Daniel felt their gazes on his back, even though he was chained with them. He felt the painful burden of leadership over them. He turned back, looking at his friends, then gazing once more upon Jerusalem's smoking ruins behind them, Be. 00:04:18 Speaker 6: Strong and courageous, brothers. No one can say what awaits us behind the walls of Babylon. 00:04:25 Speaker 1: Ann and Ayah's voice quivered behind him, I know what awaits us. 00:04:30 Speaker 6: Beatings starvation the death. 00:04:33 Speaker 1: Michel rolled his eyes. Michel was the gruffest of the four companions. Rough charm cleep down. 00:04:43 Speaker 3: Daniel, I don't want another strike, of which oft these soldiers get ahold. 00:04:46 Speaker 1: Of yourself, as Ariah twitched, counting some invisible numbers no one else could see. 00:04:53 Speaker 7: You know, it's highly unlikely they'll harm us any further. If the Babylonians and Kingnemic and Nazzara isn't intelligence as people say, they would know that harming us is not in their best interest. 00:05:07 Speaker 2: What do you mean? 00:05:08 Speaker 7: All these large kingdoms need more people to work their economy. They need people to work and earn and spend to sustain their growing empire. For captives, yes, but the Babylonians would be much better off if we're healthy and assimilated. 00:05:25 Speaker 2: Yeah. 00:05:25 Speaker 3: Still captives, though. 00:05:27 Speaker 7: Indeed, but useful captives. The Babylonians don't want useless mouse to fear. They want us to fuel their economy. We don't speak their language, we don't know their customs. 00:05:41 Speaker 1: Be wise, Daniel interrupted, his gaze, intense but reassuring to his friends. For a heartbeat, he hesitated, feeling acutely the temptation to offer empty comfort but Daniel's integrity forbade it. 00:05:59 Speaker 6: Remember who you are and who you smooth. Much would change for us in Dablon. We'll do what they want with our bodies, but only we can surrender our soulds. 00:06:10 Speaker 1: He reached out, gripping Hannanaiah's shoulder. His friend nodded, his courage, flickering back to life. Behind weary eyes, the desert wind churned, and with it the sands covered what was left of Jerusalem. They all stole one final glance at the promised land. Certainly it was the last time they would see it. But while Israel remained in its place, buried under ash and sand, the God of Israel moved. He was before them, and beside them her head loomed. Babylon. It was ruled by a king whose shadow stretched like a great and ominous promise. Daniel had heard the tales whispered fearfully by captives and conquerors alike. Nebucudnezza was cold, measured, dangerously brilliant, capable of both monstrous violence and astonishing wisdom. This contradiction frightened Daniel more deeply than brutality ever could, for it meant resistance would demand subtlety rather than mere defiance. Lost in thought, Daniel was startled by a sudden movement. Dust swirled sharply as a rider emerged on a black stallion. Daniel tensed, instinctively, watching warily as the figure approached. The rider's face was obscured by indigo silk, eyes alone visible black, sharp, as pitiless and precise as the king, He served, Who's that do you think? The rider moved swiftly, inspecting captives with ruthless discernment, his gaze sliding indifferently over those coward beneath his presence. Occasionally he selected one, shoving them roughly toward waiting wagons. Daniel's heartbeat quickened, a sickening anxiety clawing at his throat as the rider drew nearer, inspecting face after face with cold detachment. Then abruptly their eyes met, A tense silence thickened between them. The rider cocked his head to the side and slowly approached. Daniels steadied himself, refusing to flinch, Knowing instinctively that this single moment could seal their fate. He turned to his companions and gave orders. 00:08:42 Speaker 6: Easy, gentlemen, don't flinch, Remain still easier said than done. 00:08:49 Speaker 1: Sh The rider approached the four young men, his gaze narrowed slightly, as if recognizing Daniel. With chilling decisiveness. The rider raised a gloved hand, pointing directly toward Daniel and the companions at his side, the Kulai a Nutti. The rider's voice was higher than Daniel expected, sharper. Daniel knew just enough Assyrian to understand they were being set apart from the rest of the captives. The soldiers seized them ropes, cutting deeper as they were torn from the larger group. Hann and Ayah, Michel and as Aria exchanged apprehensive glances with Daniel. They were lashed firmly to a cart already crowded with others. Daniel took measure of who else was in the cart with them, young men, handsome, well built, healthy. Daniel recognized many of them. They were sons of noblemen, educated, articulate. What were they planning to do with them? Daniel was terrified like the others. Yes, but with that terror came a burning curio. What awaited them behind the walls of Babylon and what would it cost them to survive? Babylon rose steadily before them, a city seemingly woven from equal parts wonder and dread. Its towers ascended defiantly, gilded domes catching the sun like flames, challenging the heavens themselves. Zigarats climbed toward clouds crowned with temples adorned in alabaster and gold. The streets teemed with a dizzying spectacle of humanity. Merchants shouting exotic tongues, peddling spices and silk, courtiers wrapped in bright fabrics, Priests murmuring mysterious chants. Perfume and incense wafted thickly sweet and cloying, mixed with roasting meat and pungent oils. Daniel watched his friend's reactions closely. Hannan Ayah's face was pale, his lips parted in uneasy awe. Michael's fists clenched and unclenched rhythmically, tensions simmering beneath his calm demeanor. As Earriah glanced around, calculating everything, the other young men were in awe, smiles widening as they beheld pillars of ivory, women leaning provocatively against temple walls, and noblemen. Lounging under the shade of decorated idols. 00:11:36 Speaker 6: How easily this beauty could consume me. 00:11:40 Speaker 1: Daniel could sense the seductive pull behind Babylon's dazzling facade. He set his jaw firmly, aware that survival here would require more tact than will power. As they neared the city gates, towering statues of nebukud Nezza loomed into view, their impassive eyes fixed eternally upon all who entered at the palace gates. Their veiled rider suddenly drew away, with the great black stallion snorting impatiently. With practiced elegance, he unwrapped the indigo scarf from his face, revealing sharp features etched with ritual scars, intricate marks of devotion and sacrifice. Daniel immediately recognized what they signified. The rider was a eunuch. Something tightened painfully in Daniel's chest. Welcome to Bamlah, the eunuch, spoke perfect Hebrew. Now he dismounted, fluidly, approaching with purposeful strides, his gaze assessing them with detached intensity. 00:12:50 Speaker 8: I am Ashmonat's king Nebkibazar, in his wisdom, as summoned a select men, young of body and sharp of mind. His course, you will learn our ways, master our language, unravel our mysteries, and if you survive, you will stand among his greatest advisors and govern your people. 00:13:13 Speaker 1: On his behalf, Daniel felt a jolt of dread and anticipation ripple through him simultaneously. He understood immediately the subtle test hidden within ashpan As' words. This offer for power and knowledge came at a price, like the fruit offered in the garden of Eden. 00:13:34 Speaker 8: Follow me. 00:13:36 Speaker 1: There was a hesitation among the young men, a pause brief enough to feel heavy. Then instinctively, Daniel stepped forward. He met ashpn As his cool gaze directly, then bowed his head. Hannan, Aiah, Michel, and Asarriah quickly stepped forward as well, following Daniel's example. Though their eyes were wary, their steps mirrored Daniel's strength, drawing courage from the steady resolve he emanated. Standing beneath Nebuchadnezza's statues, Daniel felt the familiar weight of temptation pressing upon him, the urge to simply blend in, to surrender just enough to avoid pain, But another impulse, stronger, yet less certain stirred within him, the conviction that he was not here by chance, that Babylon's grandeur might yet bow subtly beneath a quieter strength, a deeper wisdom. Ashparnaz guided Daniel and his companions deeper into the palace, leading them through hallways that twisted as intricately as the mines that design them. The corridors dripped with wealth. The walls were adorned in gold and lapis lazuli. Tapestries woven with the proud, bloody conquests of King's opulence saturated every inch. Yet Daniel sensed something else beneath this lavish display. Her carefully cultivated intimidation, beauty designed to crush the spirit grandeur, wielded as both seduction and weapon. Daniel had yet to stand before King Nebulgudnezzar, but he could feel his presence in every inch of these halls. Daniel glanced uneasily at his companion's hanna and Ayah's lips pressed tight, as Eriah's eyes were wary and Michel's jaw tensed. Finally, Ashbannaz stopped before grand doors of polished cedar. He turned to Daniel, eyes probing silently measuring the young man's resolve yet again, before he pushed the doors open. Entered, Daniel stepped forward, breath catching in his throat as the doors swung wide. Beyond lay a vast chamber filled with countless scrolls and tablets, a treasury of knowledge gathered from across the known world. Daniel's heart quickened at the sight of it all. Yet as he moved cautiously among the shells, Daniel's awe darkened. Babylon's wisdom, he saw clearly now, was not neutral. It held the dangerous allure of power, twisted subtly into knowledge. Beneath each scroll, each etched tablet, lurked the empire's insatiable hunger for dominance, a cold, hidden cruelty masked by golden elegance. He paused, fingers hovering above an ancient text inscribed with astronomical secrets, realizing the temptation was not merely in pleasure or excess, but in the seductive notion of power itself. 00:17:07 Speaker 6: This place, it's more than a library. It's a storehouse of secrets, of the secrets to power. 00:17:15 Speaker 1: A pang of uncertainty grip Daniel. How far could he safely venture into Babylon's mysteries without losing himself. Ashpernaz raised his arms toward the towering statue of nebukad Nezza. 00:17:33 Speaker 8: From this day forward, you belong to King Nebuka Nezar, the mighty and eternal. Your old lives in here to bind you fully to Babylon. You shall receive new names. 00:17:47 Speaker 1: Daniel's chest tightened painfully. Names were anchors, threads woven back through generations, binding identity to purpose, to strip away. His name felt as though Babe Alon were clawing into his soul, attempting to claim what no empire had a right to touch. Hajpanaz approached Hannanaiah. 00:18:09 Speaker 8: First, you shall be Shtadraq, commanded by Aku himself, God of the Moon. 00:18:17 Speaker 1: Hannaniah cringed. His true name had meant the Lord is gracious, but his new name honored another eerie Babylonian god. Hashpanaz turned to Michael. 00:18:30 Speaker 8: You shall be Mishak, the one who searches for the mysteries of Aku. 00:18:37 Speaker 1: Michael's jaw tensed. Mishak was a cruel bastardization of his name. Who is God? Ashpanaz smirked, seemingly content to see Mishak squirm. He turned to Azariah. 00:18:52 Speaker 8: Abed Nago, shall be your name, servant of Nabu, God of wisdom. 00:18:58 Speaker 1: Daniel's brow perked at that servant of wisdom was a fitting name for Azariah. He wondered if Ashparnaz knew more about them than he had let on. Finally, Ashpanaz's gaze turned to Daniel, his brow slanted ever so slightly. Daniel almost felt as though Ashparnaz was undressing him with his eyes. 00:19:21 Speaker 8: We shall see what the great King have from you. 00:19:25 Speaker 1: Ashparnaz turned away and gestured them toward a vast corridor. Daniel's stomach twisted anxiously as the door swung open. A wave of overwhelming scents pouring outward, heavy with spices, incense, roasting meats, and wine. Inside lay a banquet designed to dazzle yet repulse. Pork glistened thickly, monkeys roasted whole, grinned grotesquely from silver platters, pigeons coated in honey, gleamed in firelight, and meats openly sacrificed to Babylon's guards dripped oil. There aroma both inviting and nauseating around the tables sprawled, young nobles from conquered lands, their eyes glazed from endless feasting, mines, dulled spirits broken, chained willingly by luxury rather than force. 00:20:25 Speaker 6: This is a nourishment, it's poison. 00:20:27 Speaker 1: He glanced at Hannah and Aya, sensing his friend's discomfort, and leaned toward him, whispering firmly, this. 00:20:35 Speaker 6: Is a trap. Don't eat it. I'm starving, Daniel. This won't satisfy us, It will only dull our senses. 00:20:44 Speaker 2: What do we do? 00:20:45 Speaker 1: Then? 00:20:46 Speaker 6: Follow my lead? 00:20:48 Speaker 1: The four companions remained unmoving in their seats, refusing to touch the food. Ashpannh has noticed their refusal immediately, irritation flickering behind his carefully composed mask. 00:21:01 Speaker 8: Do you reject the King's generosity? 00:21:04 Speaker 1: Daniel straightened respectfully. 00:21:07 Speaker 6: Fun Eating this way is forbidden by our customs. 00:21:10 Speaker 8: Your customs burned beneath the rubble of Jerusalem, our city burned. 00:21:16 Speaker 6: Our lord endures the flame. 00:21:19 Speaker 1: Ashpurnh as his expression hardened, then softened just slightly, frustration blending with genuine concern. 00:21:27 Speaker 8: Your stubbornness endangers us both. The King himself entrusted your health to me. Do not tempt his anger. Eat, or we both suffer. 00:21:39 Speaker 6: I know your risk, Lord Ashburnhaspan, look around you carefully. 00:21:44 Speaker 4: Do you see strength here? 00:21:47 Speaker 6: Do you allow your soldiers to eat this way? 00:21:50 Speaker 5: No? 00:21:50 Speaker 6: You want them strong. You feed these young men delicacies because you want them to feel like princes. But at what cost? Allow us ten days to eat only vegetables, lentils, barley, fruit, and water. Then judge for yourself. If we appear weaker, then we will submit. 00:22:12 Speaker 4: You have my word. 00:22:13 Speaker 1: Ashburnaz hesitated, clearly, torn between duty and doubt, finally sighing reluctantly. 00:22:21 Speaker 8: Very well, ten days no more. 00:22:25 Speaker 1: Daniel nodded quietly, feeling both relief and a deeper dread. This was a test of wills, identities, and kingdoms, one of fire and stone, the other of word and wisdom. For ten days, Daniel and his friends ate only what grew naturally from the earth, vegetables, fruits, lentils, barley. They drank only clear water, and withheld wine and strong drinks from their lips. Over ten days time, the contrast between the four companions and the other youths was stark, especially as they all sat at the decadent table. Ashburnaz entered the hall, and the clamor of the dining room ceased. He strode purposefully to Daniel and the faithful. Three ten days. 00:23:20 Speaker 8: It seems you've done quite well. You don't seem pleased, pleasure, pain, purples. These aren't sentiments on the chase. I seek to serve the king, and he requested your presence. 00:23:38 Speaker 1: Ashburnaz turned on his heel and bid them follow. They did, uncertain of what awaited them in the King's hall. The King's palace was like a temple. Statues of King Nebuchadnezza held up the roof as pillars, torches turned purple from rare oils the halls with an unearthly glow. Daniel tried to hide his fear. For their sake. Michael, Azarayah and Hanna and Aya looked to him for strength. He took that role seriously. Ashpannaz strode forward with soft feet, reverently, approaching the grand cedar doors the height of five men. The guards lowered their spears. Ashpannaz hissed in Assyrian. 00:24:28 Speaker 8: Shul Murabu Shari, Nabukusur, Khatuli Bukal. 00:24:32 Speaker 1: The guards lifted their spears, gripped the iron handles. And pressed their shoulders against the cedar. The great doors opened wide, like the mouth of a dragon. The walls were hewn from pure black onyx. When the doors closed behind them, the room darkened to a near pitch blackness. Then abruptly, a flame erupted from the iron hearth, illuminating the great hor And there, sitting atop his throne was the beast himself, the conqueror, the captor of nations, King Nebuchadnezza. His eyes glowed red from the reflection of the flame. His thick arms rested on the sides of the throne, tort like coiled oak branches. He spoke deep, slow, deliberate. 00:25:29 Speaker 3: A strong arm. 00:25:31 Speaker 1: His eyes glared under the red flame from the cauldron, a sharp mind. The king rose from his throne, stepped down beside the hearth, and raised his hand over the flame. The fire licked his fingers like the tongues of serpents, but didn't burn him. 00:25:51 Speaker 3: I could have destroyed your people. 00:25:55 Speaker 1: I didn't, do you know why, each man and looked to Daniel, who did his best to hide his terror. Daniel's tongue rolled in his mouth, but he said nothing. 00:26:08 Speaker 3: The kingdoms to the east devour without thought to the future. They have strong arms, that their minds are dull. I have no use for them. They burn in the white hot furnace of my greatness. 00:26:27 Speaker 1: King Nebuchadnezza circled the four young men. They could feel each of his steps in their chest. 00:26:35 Speaker 3: But you Israelites aren't completely worthless. Despite the sniveling cowards, you crowned as kings. Despite the complete waste of resources to your temper, you survival. You always survive. There's a secret. The I contend to mind those. 00:27:01 Speaker 1: Tips beginning with you, For the king paused when standing over Daniel, the two locked eyes exchanging something akin to respect. If Nebucdnezza could feel such a thing. 00:27:17 Speaker 3: You are the one they call Daniel. 00:27:20 Speaker 4: Yes, yes, great King. So it was you who refused my generosity. 00:27:31 Speaker 6: Yes, great King, strong eyes. 00:27:36 Speaker 1: Sharp minds. 00:27:38 Speaker 3: These are the felers by which I shall build this kingdom to outlast the others. Your incident challenge to our ways, turned out to be a revelation. 00:27:50 Speaker 6: It is in the law of Moses, great King. Our people have endured because of our great God. 00:27:58 Speaker 7: I see. 00:28:00 Speaker 3: I shall inquire more about this, nor that God equate. 00:28:07 Speaker 6: It would be my honor, great King, but be warned you have subjugated his people. Many kings have tried to do the same, and the Lord has sought them out. 00:28:20 Speaker 2: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. 00:28:25 Speaker 3: Yes, well there I have decided on your new India, for it is you who shall perceect me from the wrath. 00:28:42 Speaker 1: Of the young men were dismissed, and in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the King inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and in chant that were in all his kingdom. 00:29:08 Speaker 5: If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and it has affected your life, we'd love it if you left her review. We read them, and me personally I cherish them as you venture forth boldly and faithfully. I leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six Iva Hashem Vishmerechra Yeah Heir hashempanave ele y sa hashempanavelera Shaloon. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you. May he be gracious to you. Made the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace. 00:29:49 Speaker 1: Amen. You can listen to The Chosen People with You Isle Exstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the pray dot Com app today. The this Prey dog Com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yaiel Eckstein, edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotten, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky, and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, Rabbi Edward Abramson, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. 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