DANIEL CHAPTER 1

DANIEL 1 OUTLINE Sovereignty in Babylon 1:1-2 Brainwashing in Babylon 1:3-7 Commitment in Babylon 1:8-16 Success in Babylon 1:17-21

THE HISTORICAL SETTING The United Kingdom – Saul B.C. – David B.C. – Solomon B.C. Northern Kingdom/Israel/10 Tribes – Assyria 722 B.C. Southern Kingdom/Judah/2 Tribes – Babylon 605(Daniel), 597(Ezekiel), 586(Jeremiah) B.C. – Persia B.C. – Greece B.C. (Antiochus IV B.C.) – Rome 146 B.C.-476 A.D. – Christ’s Millennial rule

LAST KINGS OF JUDAH Manasseh: B.C.; died Amon: B.C.; murdered Josiah: B.C.; died in battle Johoahaz: 609 B.C. (3 months); Egypt Johoiakim: B.C.; Babylon Johoiachin: 598 (3 months); Babylon Zedekiah: ; Babylon

GOD IS SOVEREIGN In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.

2 Kings 20:12-18 (ESV) 12 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13 And Hezekiah welcomed them, and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. 14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, from Babylon.” 15 He said, “What have they seen in your house?” And Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.” 16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD: 17 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD. 18 And some of your own sons, who shall be born to you, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

BRAINWASHING IN BABYLON Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.

THE ENEMY’S METHOD TO MAKE BABYLONIANS Isolation Indoctrination Indulge in lifestyle Identity changed “Two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self” Augustine

IDENTITY CHANGE El - God Daniel: God is my judge – Belteshazzar – bel Mishael: Who is like God – Meshach – Who is like Aku Jehovah Hananiah: Jehovah is gracious – Shadrach – The command of Aku Azariah: Jehovah is my helper – Abednego – Servant of Nebo

COMMITMENT IN BABYLON But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.” Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

SUCCESS IN BABYLON As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.

PRINCIPLES “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. Luke 16:10 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Luke 16:13 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

PRINCIPLES I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11

APPLICATIONS Who do you let influence you? What would it take to change your priorities? How are you in danger today? What kind of influence are you? What is your worldview? Where is your citizenship? Do you just believe or are you committed? How do you prepare for the enemy?