Daniel purposed (set,
direct, intend) to please God rather than please men. A believer’s strong
faith can withstand the tests. Believers should decide before they are faced
with temptation how they will respond.DARE TO BE A DANIEL
DANIEL 1:1-21
Introduction to the Book of Daniel
1. Authentic (Ezek. 14:14-20, 28:3; Mt. 24:15; Heb. 11:33; Dan. 7:13 quoted in Mt. 24:30, 26:64; Mk. 13:26, 14:62; Lk. 21:27)
2. Apocalyptic (Revelation)
3. Historic (1st half of the book; Jer. 25:12–seventy year captivity in Babylon)
4. Prophetic (2nd half of the book; Alexander the Great in Josephus, Ant. 11. 8. 5; birth of Christ–Mt. 2:1; time of the Gentiles–Lk. 21:24)
5. Non-scientific (miracles)
6. Autobiographic (Dan. 10:11; as a youth to a man of more than eighty years; author–Dan. 12:4; like Joseph, a man of purity)
7. Aramaic (language–Dan. 2:4-7:28)
8. Theocratic (Dan. 4:17; sovereignty–Hab. 1:6)
I. Providence of God (1:1-2)
Daniel stated that the Lord rather than a military collapse gave Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar (Nebo protects), the son of Nabopolassar (founded Babylon, 625 B.C.), king of Babylon (2 Kg. 24:1; Dan. 2:37, 4:37, 5:18; Hab. 1:6). The children of Judah suffered captivity because of the sins of the parents.
A. Disobedience
1. Rebellion of Manasseh (2 Kg. 23:26, 24:3-4)
2. Rejection of the prophets (2 Chr. 36:15-17; Jer. 25:4-11; God used the heathen to discipline His own)
3. Refusal of the sabbatical years (Lev. 25:4; 2 Chr. 36:21; God collected the tithe)
B. Deportation
1. 605 B.C. (3d year)
Babylon sieged (shut in--2 Kg. 24:10; Jer. 21:4, 32:2) Jerusalem and took a few choice hostages to weaken Israel’s resources and to develop future diplomats among the royalty.
2. 597 B.C.
Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim (Jer. 36), surrendered to Babylon who deported him with the best of the population (2 Kg. 24:11-16).
3. 587 B.C.
The Babylonians destroyed the city of Jerusalem and completed the deportation (2 Kg. 25:8-12).
C. Details
1. In 609 B.C. Pharaohneco of Egypt slew Josiah (2 Kg. 23:29).
2. After three months, Pharaohneco dethroned Jehoahaz, son of Josiah, and taxed Judah (2 Kg. 23:31-33).
3. Pharaohneco made Eliakim king and changed his name to Jehoiakim (2 Kg. 23:34-37).
4. Babylon took the territory of Egypt (including Judah) in the battle of Carchemish (2 Kg. 24:7; 2 Chr. 35:20 [605 B.C.]).
5. Nebuchadnezzar took Daniel and other youths to Babylon–the land of Shinar.
The land of Shinar in the Bible became synonymous with the world in opposition to God (Gen. 10:10, 11:2-9, 14:1-9; Jos. 7:21; Is. 11:11; Zech. 5:11; 1 Jn. 2:15). Shinar represented a war on values and kingdoms in conflict. Nebuchadnezzar took some of (end of–Dan. 1:2-5-15-18) the vessels (utensils, articles–Ex. 40:9; 1 Kg. 7:48, 8:4; 2 Chr. 36:7; Ezra 1:7, 6:5; Jer. 27:16; Dan. 5:2) of the House of God (Jos. 6:24) for the house and treasury of his god.
II. Pressures on Daniel (1:3-7)
A. New country (1:3-4a)
Daniel entered the country as a youth of only fourteen or fifteen years of age. Babylon wanted the sons of Israel, the seed of kings, and the select (princes, nobles– Est. 1:3) of families to embrace the culture of Babylon.
1. Polished (no handicap [defect, physical or moral stain] Lev. 21:17; 2 Sam. 14:25; Job 31:7; S. S. 4:7)
2. Pleasant (athletic [good appearance] Gen. 12:11, 39:6; 1 Sam. 16:7, 17:42; Dan. 1:13-15)
3. Perceptive (intelligent [attention, insight, comprehension] Gen. 3:6; 1 Sam. 18:14; Prov. 19:14; Is. 52:13; Dan. 1:17, 9:25, 12:3; wisdom, skill, shrewdness–Ex. 36:2; 1 Kg. 10:24; Job 12:12, 38:36; Prov. 15:33; Is. 11:2; Jer. 9:23; Dan. 1:4-17-20)
4. Prudent (know [discriminate knowledge] Ps. 139:6; Dan. 12:4)
5. Philosophical (discern [distinguish] Gen. 41:33-39; 1 Kg. 3:9; Neh. 8:8; Is. 40:14; Dan. 1:4-17, 9:2; science, thought–Dan. 1:4-17)
6. Pacesetter (ability--royal service [efficiency, power] Jud. 16:19; Prov. 20:29; Is. 40:29-31; Zech. 4:6)
B. New curriculum (1:4b)
Nebuchadnezzar arranged the youths to be taught (learn–Ps. 34:11; Is. 29:13) magic, charms, astrology, and sorcery (Chaldean literature, documents, books–Neh. 8:3; Dan. 9:2, 12:4)–a mystical world of thought (wisdom of the Chaldean priesthood; Dt. 18:10-12; 1 Sam. 28:3). The name Chaldean implied this alien thought system.
C. New language (1:4c, 17; Chaldean tongue–Gen. 10:5)
D. New diet (1:5; Dan. 11:26)
The king commanded (assigned) to feed the youths from the rich food (portion of the king, delicacies–Dan. 1:5-8-13-15-16) and wine (banquet–Est. 5:6) of the Babylonian world (Rom. 12:1-2). He designed to make them great (Dan. 11:36) in his world.
E. New names (1:6-7)
1. Daniel (“God is my judge”) became Belteshazzar (“Bel protects his life”).
2. Hananiah (“Yahweh is gracious”) became Shadrach (“command of the moon god”).
3. Mishael (“who is like God”) became Meshach (“who is like Aku” [Babylonian goddess Sheshach]).
4. Azariah (“Yahweh is my helper”) became Abednego (“the servant of Nebo” [second god of the Babylonians–Is. 46:1]).
F. New ruler (1:5, 10)
Others youths gave in to Nebuchadnezzar in fear of their lives. Daniel and the three friends withstood the pressure. Like Joseph, Daniel saw the sovereign hand of God in the circumstances.
1. The decisions made in youth determine the rest of life.
2. When temptations come, the world expects you to conform to a certain way.
3. Inner conviction can overcome outer pressure.
4. Every day your life is on trial.
5. The pleasures of sin are for a season (Heb. 11:25).
H. A. Ironside’s mother told him,”Son, remember that your friends can laugh you into hell, but they cannot laugh you out of hell.”
III. Purpose of Daniel (1:8)
Warren
Wiersbe said, “The Babylonians could change Daniel’s home, text-books, menu, and
name, but they could not change his heart.”
Daniel purposed (set,
direct, intend) to please God rather than please men. A believer’s strong
faith can withstand the tests. Believers should decide before they are faced
with temptation how they will respond.
A. Daniel’s choice (pollute–Lev. 11:44; Ezra 2:62; Mal. 1:7; participate in the worship of idols–1 Cor. 10:20)
To eat from the royal table meant a “covenant friendship” of loyalty to Babylon and its idols. Daniel would not risk the subtle temptation to moral defilement. Small matters in your life are important. Compromise in any area of the Christian life opens a believer to Satanic destruction (Rom. 6:16).
B. Daniel’s courage (1 Tim. 4:12)
Because of Daniel’s courage, he served other kings. Daniel survived when other youth fell. Lost people will respect the firm convictions and strong faith of a believer (Prov. 16:7).
C. Daniel’s courtesy
Daniel did not act rudely (1 Cor. 13:5). Believers can gently refuse to participate in the world’s sin (Gen. 39:9; Est. 4:16).
IV. Promotion of Daniel (1:9-21)
God brought Daniel to a place of grace (kindness– Gen. 39:21) and favor (compassion, brotherly feeling–Dan. 9:9) in the eyes of the prince of the eunuchs (chief officer– Gen. 37:36; Est. 1:10), his servant (lesser official), and later before the king. The servant agreed to the request of Daniel for a ten day trial of vegetables and water rather than the king’s provision, though he feared their appearance (faces out of humor; Gen. 40:6; Prov. 19:3; for their age) would cost his head.
A. Ten day test (try, prove–Gen. 22:1; Jud. 3:4; 1 Kg. 10:1; Ps. 26:2)
1. Superiority of Daniel (1:15)
Daniel’s inner spiritual life appeared through his countenance (fat, healthy–Prov. 15:13). The Spirit of God honored visibly the discipline of diet by Daniel and his friends.
2. Standards of Daniel (1:16)
Daniel transformed the environment for himself and the three youths. The servants changed the rules.
3. Spirituality of Daniel (1:17; 1 Cor. 2:9-3:4)
God gave Daniel the spiritual discernment (Dan. 1:4-17) to reject the false teachings of the Chaldeans. He understood spiritual truth (visions–1 Sam. 3:1; Jer. 14:14; Dan. 8:1-15, 9:21, 10:14; Hab. 2:3; prophetic dreams–Gen. 37:5, 40:5, 41:15; Dt. 13:1; Jud. 7:15; 1 Sam. 28:15; 1 Kg. 3:5; Jer. 23:32; Dan. 2:1) in an atmosphere of the demonic.
B. Three year test
1. Learning of Daniel (1:19-20; faculties–Prov. 3:5; Is. 11:2; Dan. 9:22, 10:1)
The
truth of God triumphed over the occult magicians (Ex. 7:11; occult knowledge–Gen. 41:8; Ex. 8:19; Dan. 2:2) and astrologers
(conjurers–Dan. 2:2) of the
Chaldeans. Keil wrote, “Daniel and his friends learned only the Chaldean wisdom
without adapting the heathen element which was mingled with it. . . .” He added,
“[Daniel] needed to be deeply versed in the Chaldean wisdom, as formerly Moses
was in the wisdom of Egypt (Acts 7:22), so as to be able to put to shame the
wisdom of this world by the hidden wisdom of God.”
2. Longevity of Daniel (1:21; Prov. 14:12; 1 Jn. 2:17)
Each victory over a trial prepared Daniel for the next battle. During this captivity, Daniel served five rulers (Nebuchadnezzar, Merocach, Neriglizzar Nabonidus, Belshazzar, and Darius the Mede until the time [539 B.C.] of Cyrus the Persian; Dan. 10:1; 2 Chr. 36:22; Ezra 1:1, 6:3) and survived the seventy years. Through all the tests, Daniel possessed “an excellent spirit” (Dan. 6:3) and became “greatly beloved” by God (Dan. 10:11-19). Daniel’s faith demonstrated that the work of the prophets before the captivity (Jeremiah, Zephaniah, and Habakkuk) had not been in vain. Because revival touched Daniel early in life, the prophet influenced two generations for God. He served as a prophetic voice of worldwide scope about the return of Jesus Christ. P. P. Bliss wrote,
“Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone.
Dare to have a purpose firm,
Dare to make it known.”