(All scripture from ESV unless otherwise noted)
Israel is handed over to Babylon.
Defeat, Deportation, Degradation
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar. —Daniel 1:1-2
Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. —Daniel 1:3-4
They are given new identities.
The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. —Daniel 1:5-7
How does a believer in God live in the context of Babylon and not get taken out?
Conviction
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. —Daniel 1:8
We can be flexible with non-negotiables, but we need convictions.
Courage // We boldly and authentically step out as we pursue others.
Winsome
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, —1 Peter 3:15 NIV
Excellence
“Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” —Daniel 1:12-13
…it was seen that they were better in appearance. —Daniel 1:15
Excellence // We live and work in a way that inspires others and honors God.
As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. —Daniel 1:17
Community
And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. —Daniel 1:19-20
God’s Favor = God’s Grace
And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs. —Daniel 1:9
Big Idea: God gives us life-changing principles to survive a corrupt culture.
Study Guide
Our small groups are on their summer schedule. Each week this summer we will be supplying study guide questions for you and your family to process. After you have completed the study guide, decide what next step you plan to take as a result of what you heard and write it down.
The Babylonians took captives from the best of the Israelites (1:3-4). How did they plan to assimilate them into Babylonian culture?
In the midst of a foreign culture, it took great wisdom for Daniel and his friends to know what was, and what not, a compromise in their faithfulness to God. What can be learned from their actions that could help us to be wise and faithful in our culture today?
How can we know what is or is not a compromise in our faithfulness to God?
Do people (neighbors, co-workers, family, non-Christians) gravitate toward you? Are you winsome? Explain why or why not.
Is there a correlation between a person’s faith in God’s sovereignty and their desire to be faithful? Explain.
“Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself…” What are some things in your life that you need to have a similar resolve? Take time and pray specifically about these and then share with someone about your resolution.
What principle from the message is your strongest? Weakest? Explain. What needs to happen to better practice these biblical principles?