Daniel 1:1-21
Introduction:
1. Daniel is one of the Bible’s greatest characters, and the book bearing his name is one of the Bible’s greatest books.
2. What makes Daniel and his book so great is the recognition of and submission to God’s sovereignty.
Discussion:
I. Daniel’s World Turned Upside Down
A. 845-612 BC: the Assyrian Empire ruled with an iron fist
B. 722-721 BC: the northern kingdom of Israel taken captive
C. 701 BC: Assyria assaulted Judah, but God defeated them (2 Kings 18:13-19:37; Isaiah 8:5-8).
D. 612 BC: Nebuchadnezzar conquered Nineveh
E. 609 BC: Josiah killed in battle with Egypt led by Pharaoh Neco (2 Kings 23:28ff).
F. 605 BC: Babylonian supremacy established at battle of Carchemish; first group of Jewish captives (mostly royals and nobles) are led to Babylon, including Daniel
G. 597 BC: second wave of captives taken to Babylon
H. 587 BC: Jerusalem fell, the temple was destroyed, and the final captives were taken
I. 536 BC: Babylon fell to Cyrus of Persia; first Jews allowed to return home (2 Chronicles 36:20-23; Ezra 1:1-4)
II. Four Faithful Youths
A. These four Hebrew boys were deported to a foreign land to be indoctrinated in Babylonian ways (Daniel 1:1-7).
B. The name change was a direct attack on the God of heaven.
1. Daniel= God is my judge; Belteshazzar=Bel guards his life
2. Hananiah= Yahweh is gracious; Shadrach=command of Aku
3. Mishael= Who is like God?; Meshach=who is like Aku
4. Azariah= Yahweh has helped; Abednego=servant of Nabu
C. Imagine the pressure these young boys were under.
1. Witnessing their homeland’s fall could crush their faith.
2. Sadly, many Christians today relinquish their morals while gone on vacation.
D. Daniel refused to defile himself with the king’s food.
1. The biblical text makes it clear that all four of them did the same (cf. 1:8-17).
2. To eat the king’s food (i.e. table fellowship) would have indebted them to the king.
III. Application for Today
A. How may we be faithful in the face of opposition and danger?
B. Remember, God is the judge; Daniel means “God is my judge” (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10).
C. Remember He rules in the kingdoms of men, even when it appears otherwise (Daniel 1:2; 4:25, 32; cf. Isaiah 13:17-22; Jeremiah 51:37-43).
D. Determine not to defile ourselves at any cost Daniel 1:8).
E. Remember this life is such a small part of our total existence (Daniel 7:23-27).
F. Learn to fear only Him who has power to kill the soul (Matthew 10:28).
G. Learn to trust in His power to save despite earthly circumstances (1 Corinthians 15:50-58).
H. Accept God’s deliverance from our pagan rulers when He answers (Habakkuk 1:1-17).
I. Ultimately, trust in God’s sovereign will.
Conclusion:
1. Through the reign of four kings in two separate empires, Daniel remained faithful despite being a foreign captive.
2. If we trust God’s sovereignty, we too can be faithful all our lives.