Nebuchadnezzar conquered the nation Israel. Next he wanted to conquer the mind/will of Daniel and his three friends. He did not bring them to Babylon to use their knowledge. He planned to convert them to the ways of Babylon. See how this applies to Satan (the god of this world) and his plan to make us his captives. See Isaiah 14:12-17; II Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:1-3 cp. Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 2:6-8; John 17:15-19.
Nebuchadnezzar’s plan to convert Daniel & his three friends:
| 1. |
Re-location – Daniel 1:1-2
Take away all godly influence of their home (family & society).
Deuteronomy 19:14; Proverbs 22:28 (protect & preserve ancient landmarks / earthly inheritance).
Psalm 61:5; Jude 3 (protect & preserve our spiritual inheritance). See Deuteronomy 4:1-9; 6:4-9,
20-25; Ephesians 6:1-4; II Timothy 3:12-15.
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| 2. |
Re-indoctrination – Daniel 1:3-4
Competing systems of knowledge & logic (overwhelming peer pressure).
See II Timothy 3:15 – 4:5 cp. Jeremiah 10:1-25. See also I Timothy 4:1-7, 12-16; Galatians 1:6-8 cp.
I John 2:18-27; Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 10:3-5; Philippians 3:1-9, 15-19; II Peter 1:12-2:3; Jude 3.
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| 3. |
Replacing Old Lifestyles – Daniel 1:5
Disorientation: traditions & living patterns.
Proverbs 23:1-3 (“ruler” cp. Nebuchadnezer & Satan)
Convictions about Culture: eating & social life. See Jeremiah 10:2-3a cp. I Corinthians 10:31-33; Romans 14:1 – 15:7; I Corinthians 8:1-13; 10:14-33; cp. Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:1-15; Psalm 1:1-2; 101:1-7; I Peter 4:1-4.
What are the effects of eating/partying with people who don’t pray/acknowledge God?
See I Corinthians 15:33; 5:6; Galatians 5:9 cp. II Timothy 2:22.
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| 4. |
Re-Identification – Daniel. 1:6-7
| Title & categorize people with terms that associate them with the things of this world. |
| God-honoring Name | Worldly Name |
| Daniel = “God is my judge” | Belteshazzar = “Bel protect his life” (Bel = a pagan god) |
| Hananiah = “Jehovah is gracious” | Shadrach =”the command of the moon god” |
| Mishael = “Who is like God?” | Meshach = “Who is like Aku?” (a pagan god) |
| Azariah = “Jehovah is my helper” | Abednego = “the servant of Nego” (a pagan god) |
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See Romans 12:2. How many ways in this world do we get labeled or do we seek to identify ourselves? Examples: Democrat/Republican, Conservative/Liberal, Catholic/Protestant. There are so many ways to identify ourselves by organizations, philosophies and religious beliefs, loyalties to sports, preferences in music and entertainment. When people meet us/get to know us, how much do we make them think of God and His Son Jesus Christ and the Word of God? Let us identify with Christ and accept the reproach that may go with it! See Matthew 10:32-39; II Timothy 1:6-12; 2:8-13, 19; 3:10-12; I Peter 4:10-16; I John 3:1.
A Word on the World’s effect on Christians.
Psalm 137 is a commentary about Israel’s captivity in Babylon.
The Jewish captives were released in 536 B.C. Twenty years later Babylon was destroyed. In this Psalm the Jews are remembering back to events in their former captivity. The words “remember” or “forget” appear five times in 9 verses. Though captives of pagan Babylon, they were determined not to forget their godly heritage.
Is the world making us forget that we belong to God?
See I Corinthians 6:19-20; James 4:1-10; I John 2:15-17.
Outlines of Daniel
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