THE CAPTIVES IN THE COURT OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR
Daniel 1:1-21
02-11-68

The book begins with these words, Daniel 1:1-2, these two opening sentences somewhat unimportant. Just the introduction of why Daniel was in Babylon. Look more closely at the wording, it is deeply significant. "And the Lord gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into his hand." Why this record? And why this phraseology? Because God prophesied this very thing, many, many years before. Does God's word fall to the ground? Compare Isaiah 20:2-3, God keeps His word. Again God said in 2Kings 20:17-18, the same record is in Isaiah 39:5-7; whether in blessing or judgment God's word never fails. Daniel's name means "God is judge"--"God will judge". Children suffer for sins of fathers (Romans 5:12). Law of federal headship works uninterruptedly--Adam's sin--to his offspring--to us.

The rise of Assyria. Isaiah commanded to walk naked and barefoot. Through Egypt, Ethiopia to be crushed by Assyria. Judah carried into captivity to Babylon. Some of royalty to be eunuchs there.

I. The Personal Anguish that attended their captivity

A. Grief of the youth, separation from home, never forgot their home. Can be poignantly seen in Daniel's way of praying. Daniel 6:10, an old man 90 years of age, his window open toward Jerusalem. Compare tears, cries of Joseph = Reuben, brothers never could forget (Genesis 42:21-22). Daniel's life parallels Joseph's .

1. Both captives.

2. Both rise in foreign kingdoms to the same rank of prime minister. Same qualities of personal character: sterling integrity, unselfish devotion to work, unfaltering faith in God.

4. Both able to confound all pretenders to mysterious knowledge--both Egypt and Babylon.

5. Both became under God, a partner and protector of God's people and their suffering.

B. Daniel one of the most wonderful characters the world has ever seen.

C. One of few men whom God writes only good. Compare Joseph and Jonathon.

D. Angel Gabriel addressed him as "greatly beloved".

II. Attempt to Assimilate Them Into Heathen Culture and Worship
Daniel 1:3-7

A. Training and wisdom of Chaldeans.
Educated to become the willing, useful servants of Nebechadnezzar. Compare to training in the world today, many institutions reject, if not destroy, faith in God--Law, medicine, theology. But note, his Judean learning did not interdict Chaldean learning. Compare Moses, in wisdom of Egyptians, Acts 7:22. Compare Paul, Greek at Tarsus, quoting Greek poets at Athens.

B. Changing their name--Daniel 1:6-7.
The four leads with their significant names. Full of hope, assurance, with pious parents. Daniel--God is judge. Hananiah--God is gracious (John). Mishael--who is equal to God. Azariah--God has helped. Their names were changed, removed all inference to Jehovah God and wipe out memory of Jerusalem. In each instance, Babylonian substitute name removed all reference to Jehovah God. New names exalt Nebechadnezzar's own idols. Daniel--Belteshazzar--Baal protected his life. Hananiah--Shadrach--Servant of sin, name of Babylonian moon god. Mishael--Meshach--Who knows what Meshach is? Azariah--Abednego--Servant of nego. God had written their names in His book before Nebechadnezzar had recorded them in his book. God chose them for a service--"He that keepth Israel shall neither slumber, nor sleep." God has purpose for these young men. Nebuchanezzar not realizing, placed them at his table, nourished them with his food, satisfied them with his glittering court--could not change their hearts--destroy their faith (Daniel 1:8-16).

C. Royal family of plenty and luxury.
Given every encouragement to forget the past. Altars of youthful worships, Judean devotion, to become guilded Babylonians. Babylonian viewpoint a gracious act. Lived far above living standards of the captor people (1:5-8). They would enjoy meals fit for kings, life of a court. Why? Did not forget their God, memories of Jerusalem, Judea (Ps. 137:5-6). Born in reign of good King Josiah. In childhood remembered finding of the law, the Bible. Youth passed in the great reformation under Josiah. Their hearts warmed hearing Jeremiah preach, his book of prophecy Daniel took with him to Babylon (9:2), precisely here that Daniel drew the line--1:8--he under God's law in worship, kings meat offered to idols (1 Cor.10:20-21).

III. Daniel's Purpose of heart (1:8)

A. Purpose to obey, honor, be faithful to God. Tells so much about him--not bitter, did not charge God foolishly (Job 1:22), did not lose faith. Compare Ezekiel 18:1-2, Daniel's fellow captives found fault with God. The father's have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge. God does not visit the sins of the fathers on children. He does not hold them responsible, only their sins. So Ezekiel 18:3-4, 30&32; "We die for our own sins."

B. Refused to we swayed or conform to world's program. Unmoved by church apostasy.

1. His heart: Proverbs 23:7, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 4:23, "Out of the heart are the issues of life."

2. His life--simplicity of living. Laid aside menu of king, ate vegetables from the table of God. Life a sensual indulgence vs. a disciplined life of restraint and temperance.
C. The Blessings of a Life of Restraint

1. Compare: The poor boy through college. "But an empty stomach makes for an active brain. Indulgence and wine, rich foods, luxurious living, clouds the mind."

2. Caesar to Cicero, "You are a plebian." Answer, "I am a plebian. The nobility of the family begins with me. That of yours will end with you."

IV. God Honors His Faithful Captives
God honors positions of separation and testimony. God rewards obedience.

A. Daniel 1:9, The kings command. What God brought... in the midst of judgment God remembers mercy. Lord Jehovah overshadows with His grace. Lonely captives mourn Babylon than before in Judea. Even Joseph when in prison forgotten by chief butler, but God. Even as Paul, Silas in Philippian jail--power in Roman Empire couldn't keep them in jail. Despite sovereign will of Nebuchadnezzar, God ordained that Daniel should get the food, according to God's will, which he should have. King's own prince of the eunuchs will assist him.

B. The examination

1. Chapter 1:13-15 "Let our countenance..." All impulses of life show in our faces.
Compare Jekel and Hyde; know 1,000 faces: face of drunkard gambling, libertine- woman of the world. Compare Cain, Genesis 4:6. Compare Isaiah 3:9. Compare Nehemiah trying to conceal the sorrow of a broken heart. No man in presence of a king with sad face. God shining through, body temple of Holy Spirit. Favor of king never satisfactory when made to replace the Word of God. After 3 years presented at court.

2. Chaldean learning--yes, but spiritual discernment--1:17. Compare James 1:5, When God gives He gives liberally. These before the king--compare Christ before Pilot. Who is the real king?

3. Daniel's last governmental deed. Marvelous career of Daniel. Nebechadnezzar's Prime Minister 44 years. Continued into the years of the Medo-Persian Empire. Date given elsewhere as the close of the captivity, 2 Chronicles 36:22,23. Cyrus in 1:21, intended to show Daniel's official career spanned entire 70 years of the Babylonian captivity. First year of Cyrus--exiles where released. Probably Daniel's last achievement at court was to negotiate with Cyrus--decree of liberation for Jews. Laid before Cyrus what God had said two centuries before, Isaiah 44:28, 45:6. Jeremiah fixed definite time for termination of Babylonian captivity. Time matured in 536bc, first year of Cyrus. Then decree of Cyrus, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23.