Welcome to the penultimate episode of this series on the Divine Influencers in Babylon.
We’re still analysing Daniel 1: 4 “Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.”
In the previous episodes of this series we saw:
- A brief historical background of Judah in the days of Nebuchadnezzar/Daniel
- We defined Influence, explained our context and analysed some requirements necessary to become a divine influencer.
- We saw that these influencers must be people without blemish and well favoured.
- They must be skilful in Wisdom.
- They must be cunning in Knowledge.
In this penultimate episode, we shall look into a couple of other requirements that Nebuchadnezzar demanded. They are as follows:
6. Those that Understand science:
According to Dake science began in Egypt and Babylon with the birth of mathematics, metallurgy, anatomy and astronomy.
To the Babylonians, we owe the exact measurements of the lunar and solar cycles, the tracing of the paths of the planets, the division of the circle in 360 degrees, and the designation of the constellations, notably those of the zodiac.
According to the authors of ancienthistorylist, prominent inventions of ancient Babylon include:
the first map which was created by a Babylonian cartographer on a clay tablet in 2300 BC; the cuneiform written style of communication developed in 3400 BC; the plough used in agriculture; astrology and horoscope; the sailboat; the concept of time; the first wheel and chariot.
So, an empire that is leading such groundbreaking discoveries cannot afford to have future statesmen who do not possess the capability to invent nor the basic understanding of how those inventions work.
Lessons for an intending divine influencer
In this digital age, where inventions in science and technology occur daily, anyone who desires to become a divine influencer needs to activate his or her creative abilities. Also, I would desire that the Church lead this trend by making groundbreaking discoveries in all godly fields of endeavour.
It was prophesied that knowledge would be on the increase in these times and we can see it. What I don’t accept is that the world leads such a rise in knowledge and inventions while the Church simply makes use of them.
See how social media has deeply changed everything from communication to business, politics, social behaviours, within a very short time.
Furthermore, the mesh of the world system is so crisscrossed that even when you’re arts or science inclined, you’ll often need to handle things that go beyond your areas of training.
Certainly, there are things you can outsource, but some basic understanding won’t harm. Especially knowing that not every competence can or should be outsourced.
7. People that have the Ability to stand in the king’s palace:
The term translated as ability here is the Hebrew word Kowach, which means strength; power; force; ability. In the old testament, when one eats, he gains “strength” while when one fasts, he loses “strength” as seen in 1 Samuel 28:20-22. But the ability here refers to mental strength, not physical.
The Amplified Bible version reads thus “…competent to stand [in the presence of the king] and able to serve in the king’s palace.”
So, Nebuchadnezzar specifically requests competent young men. It wasn’t enough to be from the royal family; have no blemish; to be well-favoured; skilful in all wisdom; cunning in knowledge and understand science; you also needed to be competent to stand beside the king and preside over the affairs of Babylon.
Lessons for an intending divine influencer
Competence is not simply being knowledgeable. It is efficiency and capability; qualities you acquire by ‘doing’ not by ‘knowing’ alone. It’s a step further.
Although Daniel and the other kids will be trained to attain this height, king Nebuchadnezzar wanted to see some traits of competence displayed in the past.
This is an important point to note because the little experiences you garner at any level of service is important and helps to build your curriculum vitae.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s in the secular or the Church, every one of those opportunities to utilise your skills is an avenue to improve on your competence/efficiency. So that when you get called up for a higher role, your previous experiences will speak for you.
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