BIG IDEA:
THE SOVEREIGN GOD RAISES UP LOYAL LEADERS AND EQUIPS THEM TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSES
Background (1:1-2) The moral and spiritual decline of Israel led to the coming of Nebuchad. against Jerusalem and the Babylonian Captivity. This was a desperate time for the preservation of God’s people. God uses evil men and nations to chastise His own people. God took away:
– Israel’s power (her king and capital city)
– her pride (desecrating the temple and carrying off the vessels)
– her people
Daniel and his friends were being groomed to serve the king as wise men. They stood on their convictions, submitted to the authorities over them, and trusted the Sovereign God to prosper them. The name of the Lord and His honor before these pagan rulers are clearly at stake in this historical context.
I. YOUNG MEN OF POTENTIAL (:3)
A. Their Nature — young men of the royal family
We have been born into the King’s family and make partakers of the divine nature; given all that pertains to life and godliness; a high calling
B. Their Advantages
the best environment and training; such men would have a certain bearing (dignity, poise, etc.)
C. Their Age — the timing was right to develop these men for long term positions of leadership
II. YOUNG MEN OF PROVEN WORTH (:4)
These were young men, but not untested. They had demonstrated excellence according to their appropriate level of maturity:
A. Physical Excellence (in the case of spiritual leadership the emphasis would be on spiritual character)
1. Negative Perspective — no apparent defects (Do we have any apparent weaknesses we should be correcting?)
2. Positive Perspective — attractive; much to commend themselves
(Does our character adorn the gospel and attract others to Christ?)
B. Intellectual Excellence
1. Aptitude for learning (general statement)
teachable spirit; keen mind; diversified aptitude
2. Retention and recall of previous learning
3. Ability to assimilate new teaching
good discernment, disciplined mind, ability to correlate the unknown to the known
4. Summary — “who had ability for serving in the king’s court”
Whatever it took they had the aptitude for serving in this most demanding position
III. YOUNG MEN OF PREPARATION (:4B-5)
proper training for service
A. The Proper Teacher — Ashpenaz, chief of the king’s court officials
(many people today get their training from the wrong men)
B. The Appropriate Course of Study
C. The Provision of Material needs
Caution: don’t be defiled in this area
D. The Prescribed Period of Training (goal-oriented training)
E. The Transformation of the Students (:6-7)
they were assigned new names as part of the total program to Babylonionize them
IV. YOUNG MEN OF PURITY (:8-16)
refusal to compromise convictions
(This section provides a good example of what Bill Gothard talks about regarding the proper procedure for proposing a creative alternative to still fulfill the intention of your authority figure without compromising your purity)
A. Daniel’s Determination (acting as a spokesman for the others)
B. Daniel’s Petition to the chief official
(Note: Daniel had already established a good relationship with this official)
C. Daniel’s Specific Proposal to the guard (:11-14)
D. Successful Results of the test (:15-16)
V. YOUNG MEN OF PROSPERITY (:17-21)
A. God blessed them with special wisdom and insight
B. The king recognized their abilities and gave them responsible opportunities for service
C. Daniel enjoyed security