In our previous reading, we heard how God spoke to Ezekiel, taking him up in the Spirit and giving him a vision of dry bones that were brought back to life by God’s Word and His breath. It was a message to Israel that God would restore them to life and make one nation of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And ultimately it was a promise of the Messiah, Christ who would come to give life not just to Israel, but to all the world. Today we’ll hear a reading about another exile, a young man named Daniel. He, along with a few of his faithful Israelite captives is chosen to serve the Babylonian King. God is placing this young man, a righteous follower of the Lord, into a place where he can influence evil men for the glory of God.