Daniel 1:3-7
The best of the bestDaniel
Prophecies from the Lions’ Den
Lesson 1: Captives!
Daniel 1
Read Daniel 1
1:1-2 The Lord’s Word is true
The people of Jerusalem had faith but what did they believe according to Jeremiah 7:3-4?
3 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. 4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!”
They trusted in the temple of the Lord instead of in the Lord. They thought they were pleasing to God as long as the temple remained and they thought it would always remain. Jeremiah and the other prophets told the people to repent and turn their hearts to the Lord.
King Hezekiah about 100 years before the events of Daniel 1, showed off his royal treasury and the riches of the kingdom to the king of Babylon. Then the Lord said these words from Isaiah 39:6-7.
6 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. 7 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
How did the Lord keep his Word spoken to Hezekiah?
Nebuchadnezzar carried off the riches of Jerusalem and the articles of the temple.
You would think that the people of Israel would have figured out that the Lord means what he says and does what he means. But sometimes we don’t remember that either as we take our sins lightly or God’s forgiveness for granted.
Some of the kings of Judah followed the Lord, but many followed any god but the Lord. Manasseh and Josiah show the extreme differences between the kings of Judah. Manasseh (697-642 b.c.) set up an Asherah pole in the temple. Josiah (640-609 b.c.) repaired the temple and reformed the worship of the people to the true worship of the Lord and destroyed the idols and high places. Just four years after Josiah’s death, the events of Daniel 1 take place. The remaining kings of Judah were puppet kings, set up and removed by the Egyptians and Babylonians as they wished.
What was the Lord’s goal when he brought in foreign nations to plunder and capture the children of Israel? Consider Proverbs 3:11-12.
The Lord wanted the people to repent and turn to him. He took away everything so they would not depend on foreign nations, false gods, or a temple building, but instead trust the Lord alone to rescue them and take care of them. The most unloving thing a father could do is allow his children to go on a path towards destruction without even attempting to stop them.
Daniel 1:3-7
The best of the best
Nebuchadnezzar was a smart ruler. He would take the best of the best from the nations he conquered and include them in his government. What did this enable Nebuchadnezzar to do and what did it prevent the conquered people from doing?
Babylon gained the insights of other nations and the smartest and best people were given privilege and power so they had no reason to return to their home nation. The conquered nations could not mount a strong rebellion without their best people.
Daniel would be thrown in the lions’ den about 67 years after being captured so he was likely in his teens or early 20’s at this time. List some characteristics of young men at this age.
Daring, eager to learn, immature, impulsive, physically near their peak
These young men were to be given the best food and best training for three years. They would “graduate” from the prestigious University of Babylon. Higher learning was prized at that time and is today too. What were the dangers for Daniel and his friends at the University of Babylon? What are the dangers for Christians at universities in the world today?
Daniel and the other three would be taught “the language and literature of the Babylonians.” This would include their false ideas about God and their worship of many gods. The danger is similar today. University professors teach what they believe whether it is in line with the Bible or not.
Daniel means “God is my judge”
Hananiah means “The Lord shows grace”
Mishael means “Who is what God is?”
Azariah means “The Lord helps”
Belteshazzar probably means “Bel (Marduk) protect his life”
Shadrach probably means “Command of Aku”
Meshach probably means “Who is what Aku is?”
Abednego probably means “Servant of Nego”
Why would Nebuchadnezzar change their names?
To integrate them and erase their Jewish identities.
Is it wrong to have a name that honors a false god?
How did the person get the name? If it is self chosen then there is a problem. If it is given by someone else then maybe a person would change it when older if they could. The four Hebrew young men did not have a choice. The king said that he was going to call them these names and that is what he called them.
Daniel 1:8-16 The first test
The king had the best food and the best wine. Beef, pork, lamb, fish, and whatever one could want. Why would Daniel refuse the food from the king’s table?
A portion of that food and wine was offered to idols. The food was not prepared according to the law of God. Some of the food may have been unclean like pork. Daniel desired to please God instead of pleasing the king or his taste buds.
Why would the official say, “I am afraid of my lord the king”? What would likely happen to the official in charge of Daniel if the four young men started looking unhealthy?
The king had the authority and power to put anyone to death who disobeyed him. Think of the lions’ den and the fiery furnace. If the men looked weak the king would soon find out that the official was not feeding them the food the king ordered for them. That official would have likely lost his life.
We often remember the amazing ways the Lord acts in Scripture—the miracles. But the Lord often acts without revealing it to be him who is acting. How does he do that in this section? Give some examples of how God may have directly intervened in your life without announcing it with trumpets.
The Lord gave Daniel an ally in the government. One of the officials helped Daniel instead of treating him as a prisoner and captive that he was. God may give us the right doctor, send an angel to stop an accident, or send a friend to visit just when we need it. Therefore we give thanks to God for all the good in our lives.
What was the test Daniel proposed to the king’s official?
10 days on nothing but vegetables and water. If they are as healthy as the others, they do not have to eat the king’s food.
Does the success of their vegetarian diet (fruits, vegetables, grains, bread) show that we should also eat only vegetables and water? Why or why not?
Adam and Eve likely ate only fruits and vegetables (Genesis 1:30) but God did give Noah and those after him permission to eat meat (Genesis 9:3). The success of Daniel’s diet was because the Lord gave it success so Daniel and his friends would not have to eat the unclean food of the king’s table.
The four men did not object to learning the Babylonian language and culture. They did not object to having new names. They did take a stand against eating the defiling food. What was different about this?
It was directly against God’s law. They would be honoring a false god and despising the true God.
What are some things that we can accept and do in our culture and on what things do we take a stand on the Bible? Some ideas are listed to get us started.
Movies
Casinos
Abortion
Music
Business practices
Marriage
We always take a biblical stance. Some Christians may go to the movie with objectionable parts and use it to talk to someone about what God really says. Other Christians may choose to stay away from the movie and show others by not going that God does not approve of the message or actions in the movie. If we are asked to do something that will deny Jesus, then we refuse to do it just as Daniel refused to go against the clear law of God regarding clean and unclean food.
Daniel 1:17-21 Wisdom and understanding
What was the class rank for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah when they graduated from the University of Babylon?
They were at the top of the class.
What number is used in verses 12, 14 and 20?
10
That number could mean exactly what it says, but it is also used symbolically. Maybe we would say, “That deal is a million times better than the other.” We are not using “million” literally but figuratively. What might the number ten mean in verses 12, 14 and 20?
Verses 12 and 14—It could mean a complete time of testing.
Verse 20—They are completely better than the others.
Where did their wisdom and understanding come from?
It came from the Lord who enabled them to learn the Babylonian language and literature and other things.
According to Proverbs 9:10 below, what is true wisdom?
10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
True wisdom comes from faith. It comes from knowing and respecting and loving God who first loved us through Jesus Christ.
The Lord gave a special ability to Daniel. What was it?
Understand visions and dreams.
What is the difference between a dream and a vision?
A dream normally occurs while a person is sleeping. A vision usually occurs while a person is awake.
The Babylonian training probably taught them the way to interpret visions and the stars with astrology and divination. It will soon be apparent that these methods do not work. Only the Lord gives the interpretation of dreams and visions and reveals what will happen.
Verse 21 tells us the longevity of Daniel. He entered the king of Babylon’s service about 602 b.c. and the king of the Medes and Persians, Cyrus, kept him on as an advisor in 539 b.c. Daniel outlasted the Babylonian empire! What does this tell you about Daniel besides the fact that he served in a high position for about 63 years?
Daniel was good at what he did. He was trusted by friends and even by enemies. God was with him to protect him from enemies who saw Daniel as a threat. Daniel did not attempt to rise higher in the government than God had placed him.
Psalm 111 (NIV)
1 Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are steadf ast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.