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SHEEP IN THE WORD MINISTRIES Rev. Robert C. Lewis • Glendale Baptist Church • Houston, Texas quicknotes.org • 2002. ROAD TO GLORY. Daniel’s Two Tests. THE LITTLE TEST. The King’s Food. NATIONAL CRISIS. • the first deportation in 606 B.C.:
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SHEEP IN THE WORD MINISTRIES Rev. Robert C. Lewis • Glendale Baptist Church • Houston, Texas quicknotes.org • 2002
ROAD TO GLORY Daniel’s Two Tests
THE LITTLE TEST The King’s Food
NATIONAL CRISIS • the first deportation in 606 B.C.: 50 to 70 teenagers from the nobility and the royal family of David were taken as hostages to Babylon to prevent King Jehoiakim from revolting against Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:1–4; cf. Isaiah 39:5–7)
• following the example of the Chaldeans, the Persians began training royal hostages at age 14 (Plato) and continued training them up to age 17 (Xenophon)
PERSONAL CRISIS • at an early age Daniel was uprooted from his home and from the source of his spiritual training
TEMPTATION • Daniel was given the same food eaten by King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:5)
• since he was a healthy, hungry teenager, this gourmet food must have been tempting• this choice food shows the importance the king placed on these teenagers
TEST OF OBEDIENCE • tough decision: he decided not to eat the king's food because he would be required to eat things prohibited in the Law of Moses (Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14:3–21)
• the risk: he may forfeit a lucrative government job and perhaps be imprisoned or even executed for non-compliance
APPLICATION OF SCRIPTURE • in captivity he decided to obey the dietary laws of the Sinaitic Covenant (Daniel 1:8)
TRAININGIN THE HOME • Daniel knew these dietary laws before he was taken captive to Babylon
• apparently he received this instruction in his home at an early age from his parents (cf. Deuteronomy 6:6–9)• it seems that his family kept the dietary laws of the Old Testament
WAY OF ESCAPE PROVIDED BY GOD • God worked behind the scenes to make Daniel well-liked (Daniel 1:9)
• but a fearful Ashpenaz, chief of the court officials, denied his request (1:10)• Daniel persisted and the Melzar (steward, overseer, warden) risked his life because he liked Daniel (1:11–14)
MIRACLE • there was a noticeable difference in health after only ten days
• no doubt this difference was due to divine intervention in order to honor and sustain their obedience (Daniel 1:15–16)
PASS OR FAIL? • only four young hostages passed the test—Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego • the rest became "good Chaldeans"
REWARDS FOR PASSING THE TEST • they were healthier (Daniel 1:15–16)
• they were given ten times more knowledge, understanding, and wisdom than anyone else (1:17–20)
• Daniel received the gift of interpreting visions and dreams (1:17)• they were eventually given the best government jobs King Nebuchadnezzar had to offer (2:46–49)
SUCCESS IN LIFE • passing this one test brought Daniel success for most of his life (Daniel 1:17–20; 2:46–49; 5:11–12, 16–17, 29–31; 6:1–3)
THE BIG TEST The Lion's Den
PRAYER LIFE • in captivity Daniel prayed three times a day facing Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10) as instructed by King Solomon (1 Kings 8:46–51)
• he has been praying this way for 68 years—since he was taken captive• the temple still lay in ruins
TEMPTATION • he knew he was the target of the decree • and he knew the punishment for disobeying the king's decree—the lion's den
• he had a lot to lose• yet he refused to quit praying and he refused to pray silently for thirty days (Daniel 6:10–11)
OLD AGE • he was not a young man (as artists portray in paintings of Daniel in the lion's den) but 82 years old when he faced his biggest test (in 538 B.C.) • he was born about 620 B.C.
PASSEDTHE TEST • he trusted God to deliver him if He wished (Daniel 6:10–23, especially 6:23)
• he didn't know if God would save him or let him die;he just did the right thing and left the consequences up to God
WAY OF ESCAPE • he was not hurt in the fall (about 12 to 15 feet), and • God sent an angel or the angel of the LORD to deliver him (Daniel 6:21–23)
RESULTSOF THE TEST • Daniel was avenged (6:24) • King Darius was saved (6:25–27), and • God was glorified all over the Persian Empire (6:25–27)
REWARD FOR PASSING THE TEST • he was blessed with success for the rest of his life (Daniel 6:28)
LONG LIFE • he lived to be at least 87 years old (to 534 B.C.)
• he saw the answer to his prayer (Daniel 9:1–19)—the return of the Jews to Jerusalem (compare 10:1 with Ezra 1:1–4)
SHEEP IN THE WORD MINISTRIES Rev. Robert C. Lewis • Glendale Baptist Church • Houston, Texas quicknotes.org • 2002