God’s Purposes Daniel 1

Introduction The book of Daniel centers around the life of Daniel the prophet This book is set in the land of Babylon after the captivity of the southern kingdom of Judah

This book spans the period of Babylonian and Persian rule Daniel was most likely very young (14-19) when taken captive and is an old man at the end of the book

From the book we learn that God is in control and that the righteous will overcome all things

I. Captivity of Judah-1:1-7

Jerusalem besieged - 1:1-2 [1] In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. [2] And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god

Israel and Judah had been disobedient to God - Jer. 6:16 [16] Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Jer. 23:19 [19] The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.

2 Kings 24:1 [1] In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.

1 Ch. 6:15 [15] And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

Captives taken – 1:3-7 2 Kings 20:17-18 [17] Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house,and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. [18] And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

Captives taken – 1:3-7 Children = young men No blemish = physically perfect; no handicap Well favoured = good looking Skilful in all wisdom = capable of learning

Cunning in knowledge = knowers of knowledge – many facts already committed to memory Understanding science = understanding the facts learned, able to supply knowledge to problem solving

Ability … to stand in the king’s palace = being of royal decent, they would be accustomed to living in a palace They were fed with the same food the king ate

Daniel Hananiah Mishael Azariah

Daniel - Belteshazzar Hananiah - Shadrach Mishael - Meshach Azariah – Abed-nego

II. “Daniel purposed in his heart” & God provided - 1:8-16

“Daniel purposed” - Dan. 1:8 [8] But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Purposed = to settle – to resolve The kings food may have contained unclean animals or could have been offered to false gods

God provided – Dan. 1:9 [9] Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

The 10 day test – Dan. 1:10-16 Chain of command: King – Aspenaz (prince of eunuchs) – Melzar (steward) Pulse = vegetables; grain (no meat)

“…it is evident that God had a part in bringing about such a rapid change in the young men’s appearance.”

III. “God gave them knowledge” 1:17-21

Dan. 1:17 [17] As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Daniel received a special miraculous ability to understand and interpret visions and dreams

Dan. 2:26-29 [26] The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof? [27] Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;

[28] But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; [29] As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.

“Ten times better” – Dan. 1:19-20 [19] And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. [20] And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Daniel lived to see the end of the 70 years of captivity He lived to hear the decree of Cyrus allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem

IV. Great lessons for us

1. REMEMBER – God is in control of all things 2. Let us purpose in our hearts to follow God in every situation of life 3. God’s ways are not our ways

4. We must trust in God’s providential care 5. We, like these 4 young men, must do what we can do and we know God will help us

Conclusion Divine providence fills chapter 1 of Daniel and it is evident throughout the book

Note that God’s providence does not shut out mans free choice We, like Daniel, have a choice whether or not to obey God Let us all wisely follow the example of Daniel and his companions

Rom. 6:16-17 [16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? [17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin [a]resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, (NASV)

References – (1) Stephen E. Powell References – (1) Stephen E. Powell. The Book of Daniel, 13th Annual Southwest Lectures. Pulaksi,Tn.: Sain Publications, 1994 (page 57-67). (2) Kevin Cauley, Studies in Daniel – God’s Purposes http://preachersfiles.com/studies-in-daniel-gods-purposes/