The Journey to Babylon
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah walk in a long procession of captives, their feet kicking up dust as they journey toward the mighty city of Babylon. The scorching sun beats down on them, and the vast desert stretches endlessly before their eyes. Behind them lies their beloved homeland, Jerusalem, now conquered and in ruins. Ahead, the towering walls of Babylon rise like a fortress, a reminder that their lives will never be the same again. Their hearts are heavy with sorrow, knowing they are being taken far from the land God had given them.
As they march, their thoughts turn to Zion, their sacred home, where they once worshiped freely. The words of the psalmist echo in their minds:
“By the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.” (Psalm 137:1)
They know that in Babylon, they will live as exiles, strangers in a foreign land. Yet, even in their grief, they hold onto hope, trusting that God has not forgotten them.