Dan1

Daniel's story starts about 606 BC when Nebuchadnezzar, one of the greatest and most powerful kings in history, first invaded Judah and took captives from Jerusalem, including Daniel. In the centuries before, God had warned the nation again and again to repent and turn from their wicked ways. Again and again they refused until eventually the Lord brought judgement on them through this king. Daniel spans the period from before the destruction of Jerusalem to the reconstruction of Jerusalem. He is God's representative in the Babylonian court throughout this time, a key figure in Israel's history.

What we will see :

In these studies we will see Daniel :

- being taken to the court in Babylon to be trained

- using God's wisdom to resist & prosper

- being required to interpret the king's dream

- refusing to bow down to an idol & being saved by God

- interpreting the king's dream about his future

- interpreting writing on a wall for the next king

- refusing to worship the next king & being saved by God

- receiving revelation from God

What we should notice :

Daniel is a remarkable example of a man who survives and triumphs in an alien environment with God's help. His story is not of learning about God (like Abraham) or of great changes taking place (like Jacob) or of delivering his nation (like Moses). Instead Daniel's is a unique story of how a man remained true to God through the most difficult of circumstances. We should observe therefore, the complete trust of this man in his God, while in the court of ungodly kings. He shows us what IS possible with the grace and wisdom of God - when we put God first in all things and at all times.

PART 1 : "Daniel comes to Babylon"

As you read this first Part, sense something of the alien lifestyle that was being forced upon these young men and their determination to remain true to God.

Chapter: Daniel 1

Passage: Daniel 1:1-7

A. Find Out :

1. Who besieged Jerusalem? v.1

2. Who is seen to be behind this? v.2

3. What were to be the characteristics of the young men taken from Jerusalem? v.3,4

4. What was the chief official to do with them? v.4c

5. How were they to be treated? v.5a

6. For how long were they to be trained? v.5b

7. What first happened to these 4 young men? v.6,7

B. Think :

1. What sort of young men did the king want?

2. What did he want to do with them?

3. How do you think Daniel & friends felt about it when they were first

taken from their homes and taken to a foreign land?

C. Comment :

First we note in this amazing story that the captivity of these young men is stated to be the work of God! Sometimes God is behind what appear to be bad circumstances as He works out His purposes, and even when it involves judgement of a nation, it can be for our eventual blessing. Second, we see the intention of the king of Babylon. He wanted to take the best young men he can find and train them into his service. He wanted to get them to conform completely to his way of thinking - just like Satan does!

To achieve this he wanted to them to become fully acquainted with Babylonian life and history and for them to fully participate in the ways of the Babylonian court. He goes as far as to give them new Babylonian names so that they will forget their heritage - and their God! One of the main strategies of Satan is to get us to conform our thinking to his ways; that is why our thinking needs to be reformed (Romans 12:2)

D. Application :

1. Are we aware, as Christians, of the pressures upon us to conform to the

ways of the world in which we live, which is hostile to God?

2. Ask the Lord to help you be conformed to HIS truth

Chapter: Daniel 1

Passage: Daniel 1:8-14

A. Find Out:

1. What did Daniel think about the royal food? v.8

2. Why was the official sympathetic to him? v.9

3. Why was he afraid though to grant the request? v.10

4. So who did Daniel approach next? v.11

5. How long did he ask him to test them? v.12

6. What did he want him to do at the end of it? v.13

B. Think :

1. Why do you think Daniel didn't want to eat the royal food?

2. How could the official have responded to Daniel's request? Why didn't

he?

3. Look up James 1:5 How did Daniel show wisdom?

C. Comment :

First Daniel has a problem - he fears the royal food will defile him (make him unclean), so he doesn't want to eat it, but it's all he's been given. Perhaps he recognised that too much rich food dulls the mind! Perhaps he is also aware that it is just the first part of a wedge to separate him from his godly background.

Second, we see Daniel exercising wisdom and perseverance, as he gently asks the official in charge about the food. The man listens sympathetically; he could have responded harshly and had Daniel punished, but the Lord is there working for him so that doesn't happen. The trouble is the official is also fearful about being seen to be disobedient to the king, so he won't budge! Daniel perseveres and next approaches his guard with a very reasonable idea, and because it is so reasonable the guard goes along with it!

There is a lesson here for us. Perseverance and gentle wisdom are better than strong words, especially when it's in line with God's will! How often do we ask the Lord for gentle words of wisdom to help change the minds of those around us?

D. Application :

1. Do we persevere with what is right, or do we allow ourselves to be easily

put off?

2. Do we seek God for wisdom to overcome opposition or do we use the

world's methods of loud and strong words?

Chapter: Daniel 1

Passage: Daniel 1:15-21

A. Find Out:

1. How were they at the end of the test? v.15

2. How was this confirmed? v.16

3. How did God bless the four friends? v.17a

4. How did God bless Daniel in particular? v.17b

5. How did the king find them at the end of their three years of training? v.19

6. How did they compare with the kings men? v.20

B. Think :

1. What does the passage teach us about eating?

2. How has God blessed these self-disciplined young men?

3. God's blessing is almost tangible; it can almost be seen. How?

4. Look up Psa 1:1-3 / 2 Kings 18:5-7a What does God promise those who

fully trust Him?

C. Comment :

First we have seen how Daniel has been fully vindicated in his test. He and the other three are physically healthier than all the other young men and they also appear mentally brighter as well. Second, we see that this is all tied to God's blessing of them; the Lord enables them to learn, to have understanding and even more, He gives Daniel in particular, the ability to understand visions and dreams. Third, we see as a result of this, their abilities are recognised as way ahead of the rest. The Lord's blessing is clearly visible. These young men have sought to honour the Lord and the Lord has clearly honoured them.

We should not be afraid to say that the Lord DOES bless us in the material world (which He has given us to enjoy and to work in) when we seek to put Him first. It is clear throughout Scripture that, although we are not to go putting material well-being first before the Lord, we may expect the Lord to bless the righteous in every area of their lives, including the material.

D. Application :

1. Do we put the Lord first in all things?

2. Thank the Lord that He is with you and desires to bless you. Read Psa

37:5,6

RECAP - "Daniel comes to Babylon" - Daniel 1

SUMMARY :

In these first 3 studies we have seen:

- Daniel & his friends coming to Babylon

- The king ordering them to be trained

- Daniel resolving not to conform

- Ashpenaz being approached but refusing help

- The guard being willing to allow a test

- The test proving successful

- The 4 Jewish boys prospering greatly

COMMENT :

This first chapter has shown us the first test that Daniel and his friends had to pass, of being able to live in an alien Court and remain different, God's young men in the midst of a godless Court. This they achieved by the use of wisdom, tact and perseverance and the end result is that God blesses them so much that they do better than any of their peers in the king's Court.

LESSONS :

1. The world tries to pressurise us to conform to their ways and practices, contrary to

God's ways.

2. God's wisdom is available to us to help us overcome.

3. If we put the Lord first in all things, He will honour us in return.

4. His desire is to bless and prosper us in all our activities that are submitted to Him.

PRAY :

1. Ask the Lord to help you assess your life to see where you are conforming to the

ways of the world that are contrary to God's ways.

2. Ask Him to help you be wise in the way you act in the world so that you may become

an example of God's grace and blessing to the world about you.

PART 2 : "The Impossible Task"

Watch for the way Nebuchadnezzar is upset and only supernatural help can do anything for him. Also watch to see Daniel's response in an impossible situation!