Daniel Takes a Stand

Daniel chapter 1Daniel chapter 1

Daniel: the Key to Biblical Prophecy

Background:

Israel Carried off toExile 733 BC

Daniel startsout here 605 BC.

Background: Dan.1:1-2

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.in the treasure house of his god.

Background: Battle of Carcamesh

Background: the Sack of the Temple

Background: the “First Exile”

Mourning Jews in Babylon Eduard Bendemann 1811-1889 German

“Divine Protection”

“Where’s God?”

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Daniel’s Point:“God is Still In Control”

The Great “American Empire”

God is in Control

Isaiah 40:22-24 He sits enthroned above the circle of the Isaiah 40:22-24 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers.earth, and its people are like grasshoppers.

He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. out like a tent to live in.

He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. world to nothing.

No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.like chaff.

Daniel’s Experience 1:3-4

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, [4] youths in whom was no defect, who were good-[4] youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding, and discerning wisdom, endowed with understanding, and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king's court; and he ordered him to teach them the king's court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.literature and language of the Chaldeans.

Daniel’s Indoctrination 1:5-6

And the king appointed for them a daily ration And the king appointed for them a daily ration from the king's choice food and from the from the king's choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king's end of which they were to enter the king's personal service.personal service.

Now among them from the sons of Judah were Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

The Believer’s Position

Hebrews 11:13 All these died in faith, Hebrews 11:13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Daniel’s Stand 1:8-9

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. himself this way.

Now God granted Daniel favor and Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, of the officials,

Daniel’s Stand 1:11-14

Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, [12] "Please test your servants for ten days: Azariah, [12] "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. [13] Then compare our appearance with that of drink. [13] Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." [14] So he servants in accordance with what you see." [14] So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

Daniel’s Stand 1:15

At the end of the ten days they looked At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.the young men who ate the royal food.

A Refutation of Babylonian ‘Theology’

1.1. A Decision to be A Decision to be Different.Different.

2.2. A Decision to A Decision to SacrificeSacrifice..

3.3. A Decision A Decision Despite His Despite His FeelingsFeelings..

Spiritually Fruitful, Spiritually Fruitful, God’s Support and God’s Support and Blessings.Blessings.

Full of Sacrificial, Full of Sacrificial, Loving Relationships.Loving Relationships.

Stability, Standing on Stability, Standing on Principles.Principles.