DANIEL ONE: COMPETING PLANS

During King Jehoiakim's reign, two opposing plans unfolded. Satan, through powers like Babylon, aimed to "re-program" Israel—stripping their identity, culture, and faith by changing their language, diet, and even their God-honoring names (Daniel 1:4-7).

Simultaneously, God's mercy was active. He had Jeremiah record His prophecies (Jeremiah 36:1-3). Though King Jehoiakim defiantly burned this scroll (Jeremiah 36:21-23), God, in His persistent grace, commanded Jeremiah to rewrite it, much like He had Moses prepare new stone tablets after the first were broken (Jeremiah 36:27-32; cf. Exodus 34:1).

While Ezekiel 36 points to a deeper, future restoration, these events show God's immediate, active mercy.

Remember: Even when the enemy plots against us, our merciful God's restorative power is greater. His Word endures (Isaiah 40:8).