Honor What is Holy

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. (Daniel 1:1-2)

The opening lines of Daniel don’t start with a miracle, but rather with a loss. Judah had been overthrown, the king had been defeated, and the sacred vessels had been stolen. Many people’s first question is, 'Why did God allow this?' The answer isn’t about Nebuchadnezzar's strategy, but about the slow spiritual decline of God's people. Judah repeatedly broke the covenant, ignored the land’s Sabbath rest for 70 years, and turned away from God, worshiping idols like everyone else. Notice that the book of Daniel states that the enemy didn’t just take people; he also seized the vessels of God's house. These items were set apart as holy, used for worship, and dedicated to God for priestly service. When we refuse to follow God, what is sacred gets profaned, and what was meant to glorify God—our gifts, influence, peace, and joy—ends up in the enemy’s hands. This isn't just history; it’s a warning for us today. When we disobey God’s commands, neglect His gifts, and ignore His rhythms like rest, we leave what is holy vulnerable to attack. That’s when families fall apart, churches fail, and businesses collapse. But the good news is that exile isn’t the end of the story. Even in Babylon, God began raising a remnant that would stand firm and strong.

Practical Application

Ask yourself, “Are there areas in my life where I’ve treated sacred things as common?” Have you stepped away from honoring God’s Word, church service, and men of God that the Lord has placed in your life? Decide to honor and protect holy things.

Leviticus 25:4; 2 Chronicles 36:21