Life as an Exile (1 of 8)
Series: Our God Reigns
Jonathan McLeod
Daniel 1:1-8
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank (Dan. 1:8).
GOD IS IN CONTROL
The book of Daniel was written by Daniel the prophet during the sixth century B.C. The first half of the book (chapters 1-6) contains stories about Daniel. The second half of the book (chapters 7-12) contains visions of Daniel. But the book of Daniel is not about Daniel. It's about God. The theme of the book is the sovereignty of God. ''In spite of present appearances, God is in con-trol.''
The book of Daniel begins during a terrible time for Daniel's people: ''Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it'' (1:1). But God was still in control: ''And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand'' (1:2). People are concerned about the U.S. Presidential Election. It's Trump versus Clinton--two extremely unpopular candidates. People are worried about the outcome. But God is in control! ''He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings'' (2:21).
[Read Daniel 1:1-8a.]
EXILES
The book of Daniel begins with Daniel and his three friends-Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego-removed from their homeland of Judah and taken to live in Babylon. They are exiles. They are part of a training program set up by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. The best of the best of the youth of Judah have been chosen for this program (vv. 3-4). They will be trained for three years by the Babylonians, and then at the end of their training, they will serve the king.
This training was to be a reprogramming of the beliefs of the Judean youths. Even their names were changed (v. 7). Nebuchadnezzar expects Daniel and his three friends to conform to the Babylonian culture-a culture that is hostile to the beliefs and convictions of Daniel and his three friends.
In many ways, our culture is hostile to Christian beliefs ...
Series: Our God Reigns
Jonathan McLeod
Daniel 1:1-8
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank (Dan. 1:8).
GOD IS IN CONTROL
The book of Daniel was written by Daniel the prophet during the sixth century B.C. The first half of the book (chapters 1-6) contains stories about Daniel. The second half of the book (chapters 7-12) contains visions of Daniel. But the book of Daniel is not about Daniel. It's about God. The theme of the book is the sovereignty of God. ''In spite of present appearances, God is in con-trol.''
The book of Daniel begins during a terrible time for Daniel's people: ''Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it'' (1:1). But God was still in control: ''And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand'' (1:2). People are concerned about the U.S. Presidential Election. It's Trump versus Clinton--two extremely unpopular candidates. People are worried about the outcome. But God is in control! ''He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings'' (2:21).
[Read Daniel 1:1-8a.]
EXILES
The book of Daniel begins with Daniel and his three friends-Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego-removed from their homeland of Judah and taken to live in Babylon. They are exiles. They are part of a training program set up by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. The best of the best of the youth of Judah have been chosen for this program (vv. 3-4). They will be trained for three years by the Babylonians, and then at the end of their training, they will serve the king.
This training was to be a reprogramming of the beliefs of the Judean youths. Even their names were changed (v. 7). Nebuchadnezzar expects Daniel and his three friends to conform to the Babylonian culture-a culture that is hostile to the beliefs and convictions of Daniel and his three friends.
In many ways, our culture is hostile to Christian beliefs ...
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