Studies in the Book of Daniel: Chapter 1: “What’s on the Menu?” Forest Hills Bible Chapel 8 January 2006

The Prophet of Social Justice 610 600 590 580 570 560 550 540 530 Amos Return from Exile Babylonian Captivity Kings of Judah Jerusalem & Temple Destroyed Joel? Zephaniah The Prophet of Social Justice Daniel Jeremiah Habakkuk Obadiah? Ezekiel

Daniel 1:1-2 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along 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 he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god.

The Prophet of Social Justice 610 600 590 580 570 560 550 540 530 Amos Return from Exile Babylonian Captivity Kings of Judah Jerusalem & Temple Destroyed Joel? Zephaniah The Prophet of Social Justice Daniel Jeremiah Habakkuk Obadiah? Ezekiel

 Carchemish  Babylon Nebuchadnezzar  Jerusalem Pharaoh Neco

Because of its brevity and literary nature, the book of Daniel can be described as: “A Handbook for Life in Captivity.” Daniel 1-6: “Court Tales” Daniel 7-12: “Daniel’s Visions”

Some Principles from Daniel 1 The Babylonian Exile of the people of Judah was inevitable, and it was necessary for Daniel and his three friends to accept that – Daniel 1:1-2; cf. also Jeremiah 25:1-14; 29:1-9. Daniel and his friends could participate in Babylonian culture – provided they did not violate the law of God – Daniel 1:3-8.

Some Principles from Daniel 1 God was not averse to providing “protection” within the culture for Daniel and his three friends – Daniel 1:9-14. God was faithful to Daniel and his three friends for their obedience – Daniel 1:15-21.

Applications This period from the history of Judah (Daniel; Ezra-Nehemiah; Esther) best mirrors the situation of the church today. Our loyalties are first and foremost to the kingdom of God; second, our loyalties are to the nation in which God has placed us. Simply put, we are Americans (or Romanians, or Mexicans, etc.) second; we are first and foremost citizens of God’s kingdom. We must never uncritically equate any political or cultural entity with the kingdom of God.