Review:
1. Our God is Sovereign over the universe (Daniel 4:34-35, 37)
2. Our God is Sovereign over the rulers (Daniel 1:1-2)
3. Our God is Sovereign over our lives (Daniel 1)
Preview:
1. Our Sovereign God Blesses Godly Character (chapter 1)
2. Our Sovereign God Controls the Nations (chapters 2-7).
3. Our Sovereign God Reveals the Future (chapters 8-12)
1. Our Sovereign God Blesses Godly Character (Daniel 1)
A. Godly Character Has A Biblical World View (1:1-2)
B. Godly Character Is Dedicated to God (1:3-4)
1) Daniel was dedicated physically (he had no “blemish” and “good ones in appearance”)
2) Daniel was dedicated mentally (“skillful in all wisdom....”)
3) Daniel was dedicated personally (“had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace”)
4) Daniel was dedicated spiritually (sufficiently to overcome the brain washing attempts: “whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans” or of the religious) in 2:2. The magicians ((Heb. hartummim) were evidently scholars who could divine the future by using various means, Leupold, p. 75). The astrologers (The conjurers or enchanters (assapim) could evidently communicate with the dead, Leupold, p. 76). The sorcerers (The sorcerers (mekassepim) practiced sorcery and cast spells according to Thomas Constable). The Chaldeans (The astrologers (kasdim) here refer to the priestly caste that studied the heavens to determine the future in 2:2 according to Thomas Constable).
C. Godly Character Determines NOT to Yield to Sin (1:5-21)
1) Pressure to sin was subtle (1:5-7). In changing their names from God honoring names to names that honor the Babylonian gods. The reason only these four are mentioned is because most likely the rest caved into temptation and were no longer useful to God. Their godly parents gave them godly names and a godly upbringing which helped these young believers to stay true to God.
2) Pressure to sin was strong (1:8-10). The pressure was to eat food not kosher and food that had been offered to idols (1:8; Exodus 34:15). Daniel’s work ethic put him in good stead with his superiors (1:8-10) like Joseph in Gen 39:1-4 and Nehemiah in 2:1-8.
3) Pressure to sin was avoided with an alternative plan (1:11-14). Daniel did not rebel but offered an alternative plan. Nehemiah also provided an alternative plan. Again, this alternative plan is accepted because these young men were exemplary workers.
4) Pressure to sin was avoided by the blessings of God (1:15-21). God sovereignly blessed their desire and diet (1:15-16). God sovereignly blessed their work hard (1:17-21). Daniel and his three friends stayed true to God through their secular training as Moses in Acts 6:22. Daniel and three Hebrew children complete their training at the top of the class (1:17-20) and stand before Nebuchadnezzar for their final exams. God’s sovereignty is displayed in blessing Daniel and his friends to far surpass the unsaved Babylonian students who were in the same classes. God sovereignly blessed Daniel for 70 years (1:21). Daniel was loyal to his leaders. He never left them. They left him.