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

I. Judah, A Wicked Nation

State of the union(Daniel 1)

KingKing: Jehoiakim, 1. Jer.36 ReligionReligion: house, 2. Jer.7 CitizensCitizens: most children of Israel had

no use for God, 3

Badleaders

Corruptreligion

Selfishchoices

I. Judah, A Wicked Nation

II. Daniel, A Righteous Servant

Daniel

1.1. LivedLived it, 6:5, 16, 20

2.2. PrayedPrayed it, 6:10f.

3.3. StudiedStudied it, 9:2How is this possible in this environment?

Someone must have taught him

Who influenced Daniel?

Josiah?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

Josiah?

Jeremiah?Jeremiah?

Jeremiah aided Josiah, Jer.1:2 Daniel knew his writings (Dn.9:2) Did Jeremiah ever learn of his influence

on Daniel?

Bible classteachers

SermonsGood

example

Josiah?Jeremiah?

Judgment?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)

I. Judah, A Wicked Nation

III. Daniel, DeterminedTo Be Different (8-21)

II. Daniel, A Righteous Servant

1. Purpose1. 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

2. Purity2. 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

3. Portions3. 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

KosherLv.11

BloodLv.17

IdolsNu.25:2

Do old friends notice the difference?Nonparticipation condemns them

4. Polite4. 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

5. Proof5. 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)

6. Progress6. 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.7:13-14 Ga.6:7-8

Appearances can deceive, Dn.1:2

The rest of the storyThe rest of the story1. Dn.1:5,15,19, surpassed compromisers

2. Dn.2, can do what no one else can do

3. Dn.3, embarrassed Nebuchadnezzar