1. Daniel 1:1-2, rash judgment? Before judgment, God warned, Ezk.18:23 Assyrians captured north, Is.10:5 Assyrians attacked Judah, Is.37:36-37 So would Babylon, Is.39 Even judgment did not frustrate God’s purposes

2. I. Judah, A Wicked Nation

3. State of the union (Daniel 1) King King: Jehoiakim, 1. Jer.36 Religion Religion: house, 2. Jer.7 Citizens Citizens: most children of Israel had no use for God, 3 Bad leaders Corrupt religion Selfish choices

4. I. Judah, A Wicked Nation II. Daniel, A Righteous Servant

5. Daniel 1. Lived 1. Lived it, 6:5, 16, 20 2. Prayed 2. Prayed it, 6:10f. 3. Studied 3. Studied it, 9:2 How is this possible in this environment? Someone must have taught him

6. Who influenced Daniel? Josiah? Set a revival in motion, 2 Chr.34 1. Repaired temple 2. Turned people to the Book  Could not save his sons  Probably never knew his influence on Daniel. Mt.5:14

7. Jeremiah? Josiah? Jeremiah? Jeremiah aided Josiah, Jer.1:2 Daniel knew his writings (Dn.9:2) Did Jeremiah ever learn of his influence on Daniel? Bible class teachers Sermons Good example

8. Judgment? Josiah? Jeremiah? Judgment? Exiled, separated from family, friends… Foreign kingdom would determine his career, education… (4-5) Servant of king, not a ruler himself (5) Heady position in high governments (ch.2-6)

9. I. Judah, A Wicked Nation III. Daniel, Determined To Be Different (8-21) II. Daniel, A Righteous Servant

10. 1. Purpose, 1. Purpose, 8 Set, directed (mind) toward (BDB, 7760). He made up his mind; resolved to do what was right regardless of cost The heart Intellect: knew truth Emotions: Ac.2:37 Will: Pro.4:23

11. 2. Purity, 2. Purity, 8 Would not defile himself (period) Surrounded by immoral idolaters in foreign land, yet stayed pure Satan cannot conquer one who says no and means it

12. 3. Portions, 3. Portions, 8 “We have to eat.” “When in Rome…” Willing to learn king’s language and to serve, but would not live like him. 1 Pt.4:4 Kosher Lv.11 Blood Lv.17 Idols Nu.25:2 Do old friends notice the difference? Nonparticipation condemns them

13. 4. Polite, 4. Polite, 8 There are many ways to say something Be tactful. Philemon “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” – Col.4:6

14. 5. Proof, 5. Proof, 9-13 Take a stand... expect to be tested Conviction, Mt.7:24-25  Away from home  Everyone else would eat and drink  King selected the menu Courage (opposition) Sacrifice (veggies)

15. 6. Progress, 6. Progress, 14-21 First small test prepared him for later, larger tests. (Gn.12…22.) Dn.2, 3 Where you are today is based on the road you took yesterday Most churches Mt.7:13-14Ga.6:7-8

16. Appearances can deceive, Dn.1:2 The rest of the story 1. Dn.1:5,15,19, surpassed compromisers 2. Dn.2, can do what no one else can do 3. Dn.3, embarrassed Nebuchadnezzar