Daniel begins the book by explaining his exile (remember from the outline that chapters 10-12 our Daniel's corresponding visions of the end of the exile) to Babylon which happens (according to verse 1-7) in the third year of Jehoiakim. Throughout the first few verses Daniel puts in some 'nugget' words, or words to draw the readers attention back to other parts of the Old Testament Scriptures. For instance in verse 2 the words vessels and Shinar should immediately recall to the original readers (and to us) back to Genesis 10-11 and to Isaiah 39:7 and 2 Kings 20:16-19.
The vessels are described here in Daniel because Nebuchadnezzar would take these vessels and place them as trophies in the temple of his gods to show that his deities were superior to Israel's. However noting the passages from 2 Kings and Isaiah we know that this happens as a negative fulfillment that was promised to King Hezekiah by the Lord. Thus, Daniel makes it clear to his readers that Nebuchadnezzar is not superior (verse 2) to Yahweh. Daniel is very God centered in his book as a whole, and especially in chapter 1 (see verse 9 and 17). The vessels come up again in chapter 5 where Belshazzar drinks from them, mocking Yahweh, and praises his gods. You can read chapter 5 to see what happens to him, it does not end well.
Shinar is also mentioned in 1:2 and should draw our attention to the importance of where Daniel has been exiled to. Shinar is first mentioned in Genesis 10-11 in which the stories of the towel of Babel and the descendants of Noah are given. Ham's (one of Noah's sons who was cursed in chapter 9) descendants are described in chapter 10 and Moses includes this information in Genesis 10:7-10
"The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. Cush fathered Nimrod; he was the first on earth to be a mighty man. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord. Therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.” The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar."
What does Shinar represent then? Opposition to Yahweh, rebellion, the City of Man. That is what Babel is all about. Man trying to make his name great, opposing the Lord. This is spiritual warfare that Daniel and Israel will be going through, but Daniel wants his readers to know (now and throughout the book) that even in exile, God cannot be shaken, nor His purposes thwarted. Even though they are in enemy territory God will be with them and protect them, even while He is judging them (see chapters 3-furnance and 6-lion's den).
I will look more into chapter one in future posts but it is worth notating now that Daniel ends chapter 1 by reminding his audience that he is in Babylon until the first year of Cyrus. In other words, Yahweh is greater than Babylon. Don't be tempted to succumb to their idols. Trust in the Lord, be faithful to Him. A great message then, and now.
