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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).
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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
State of the union(Daniel 1) • King: Jehoiakim, 1. Jer.36 • Religion: house, 2. Jer.7 • Citizens: most children of Israel had no use for God, 3 Badleaders Corruptreligion Selfishchoices
I. Judah, A Wicked Nation II. Daniel, A Righteous Servant
Daniel • Lived it, 6:5, 16, 20 • Prayed it, 6:10f. • Studied it, 9:2 How is this possible in this environment? Someone must have taught him
Who influenced Daniel? Josiah? Set a revival in motion, 2 Chr.34 • Repaired temple • Turned people to the Book • Could not save his sons • Probably never knew his influence on Daniel. Mt.5:14
Josiah?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 Sermons Goodexample
Josiah?Jeremiah?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 II. Daniel, A Righteous Servant III. Daniel, DeterminedTo Be Different (8-21)
1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 story • Dn.1:5,15,19, surpassed compromisers • Dn.2, can do what no one else can do • Dn.3, embarrassed Nebuchadnezzar