Bible Study Notes for Lord’s Day,
July 26, 2009
Daniel 1
Take a Stand
Introduction In the 7th century BC, God had to judge His people
Israel by allowing them to be defeated and go into the Babylonian
exile. One young man, being swept along on the tides of huge historical
events, not only remained true to God, but also saw firsthand the
huge conflict of good vs evil, the kingdoms of this world vs the
Kingdom of God, even unto the time of the end, the time we are living
in today.
1 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, with some of the articles
of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to
the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure
house of his god.
3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs,
to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s
descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was
no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge
and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s
palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of
the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision
of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and
three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time
they might serve before the king. 6 Now from among those of the
sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To
them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name
Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to
Azariah, Abed-Nego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself
with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine
which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs
that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into
the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief
of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who
has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces
looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would
endanger my head before the king.”
11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs
had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please
test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables
to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined
before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion
of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with
your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter,
and tested them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and
fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the
king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion
of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them
vegetables.
17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill
in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all
visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they
should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before
Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them
all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah;
therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of
wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he
found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers
who were in all his realm. 21 Thus Daniel continued until the first
year of King Cyrus.
Introduction
1. Sometimes God allows His people to experience hardship in order
to help them repent and/or learn
1 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, with some of the articles
of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to
the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure
house of his god.
This is almost unbelievable, that God would allow the captivity
of His people, and the destruction of the temple and worship. Notice
how committed God is to our repentance, and that we learn from our
mistakes.
Sometimes God allows His people to experience hardship in order
to help them repent and/or learn.
2. Even in hardship, God has a plan for His people to be used, to
be blessed and be a blessing, in the right place, with the right
abilities, at the right time.
3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs,
to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s
descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was
no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge
and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s
palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of
the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision
of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and
three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time
they might serve before the king. 6 Now from among those of the
sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To
them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name
Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to
Azariah, Abed-Nego.
These were the guys who had everything going for them back in Israel
- privileged, smart, handsome. Now, they had the opportunity to
serve the most powerful king on Earth at the time, but, they would
be expected to change.
Language and literature. Get used to really good food, fit for a
king. The fact that all the food had been dedicated to pagan idols
was supposed to make it all the better. Also the change of names
or identity:
Daniel - God is my judge. Belteshazzar - treasure of Bel, the Babylonian
god
Hananiah - The Lord has been gracious. Shadrach - inspiration of
the sun
Mishael - One who comes from God. Meshach - belonging to goddess
Sheshach
Azariah - The Lord is my helper. Abednego - servant of the star,
Nego
It was difficult and strange for these four young men to be placed
in this overwhelming situation, but they knew they were there for
a reason, and that God had a plan, a big plan that would shape world
history.
Even in hardship, God has a plan for His people to be used, to be
blessed and be a blessing, in the right place, with the right abilities,
at the right time.
3. Even in hardship, in a strange and foreign situation, God’s
people are required to take a stand and be loyal to God first.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself
with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine
which he drank
Not just for health reasons. We’d all be better off on veggies
and water. To eat this food was to agree with the worship of pagan
deities, and Daniel didn’t want to do that. He even wanted
to make a point so that the Babylonians would also come to know
the One True Living God.
Even in hardship, in a strange and foreign situation, God’s
people are required to take a stand and be loyal to God first.
4. Even though God’s people take a stand, we do it respectfully
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself
with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine
which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs
that he might not defile himself..
Some “Christians” are petty, prideful, demanding, they
don’t represent Christ well. Then, if you’re trying to
have a good impact on your culture, what’s the point? Jesus
understood authority, we should too. At a point, “We must obey
God rather than man” but be kind and respectful.
Even though God’s people take a stand, we do it respectfully
5. God watches His people and gives us favor to accomplish His purposes
9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the
chief of the eunuchs.
When it’s too easy - you have favor. When it seems impossible,
you don’t have favor. If you feel that something is God’s
will, ask for favor. See doors wide open, instead of slammed shut
in your face.
God watches His people and gives us favor to accomplish His purposes
v9
6. God’s people trust Him absolutely, even though faith goes
against the world system
10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my
lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should
he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your
age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs
had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please
test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables
to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined
before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion
of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with
your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter,
and tested them ten days.
The chief of the eunuchs was afraid for Daniel to obey Yahweh God.
Daniel wasn’t worried at all. He trusted God, and knew that
if he did the right thing, God would bless him, even in this strange
environment which seemed to have it’s own rules.
Sometimes, the world tries to overwhelm us with it’s system,
power, influence, even fear. We wonder if the principles of God
will work in certain situations. People all around us say, “You
can’t do that. You can’t do it that way.” They try
to intimidate us and bring us under the authority of the world system.
Yet, who is the higher authority? Daniel wasn’t worried at
all, “Test us.”
God’s people trust Him absolutely, even though faith goes against
the world system.
7. God vindicates and blesses His people when they stand for Him
15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and
fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the
king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion
of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them
vegetables.
17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill
in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all
visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they
should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before
Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them
all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah;
therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of
wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he
found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers
who were in all his realm. 21 Thus Daniel continued until the first
year of King Cyrus.
Notice what God did for these guys:
1. They were proven right, established a beachhead for God, against
false gods.
2. They were stronger and better looking
3. They were allowed to continue with this diet
4. v17-20 Now, they were off and running on their mission to Babylon.
God vindicates and blesses His people when they stand for Him
Conclusions Daniel’s location and situation changed, but it
didn’t change who he was, it just made him better, stronger,
more clearly defined. Fit in, or stand out?
Pastor Steve Boggan
Living Waters Christian Fellowship
Heritage Ranch by Lake Nacimiento, CA
Website - livingwaters.cc
