Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- An extremely encouraging book
- Chapter 1 is a great encouragement
- God preserves these four men in exile
- We should remember these four men when the world is encroaching in increasing measure
- God can still use individuals when there is no revival
- Look at first 6 chapter, then a break, then return to the final 6 chapters
- We should not be ruled by numbers - consider these four young men
- Do you wish that you were somewhere else?
- The young men were in a terrible place
- Are we in a bad situation?
- Do we wish things could be different for us?
- Overview:
- Understand the Background
- Where they drew the line
- Graciously making a stand
Understand the Background
- The promise given to Abraham
- One man, made into a nation, dwelling in the land
- What happened - explanation
- Blessings and curses proclaimed by God
- God was very patient with the Israelites
- 722BC - Israel was captured by Assyria
- Over 100 years later Judah was captured by Babylon
- What did it mean for these four young men?
- Examples
- It was extremely difficult to go into the court - huge implications
- They were going to a pagan King who worshiped false Gods (v2)
- They were in a court of magicians and astrologers
- They were likely young adolescents (and impressionable)
- The King had a strategy
- He was seeking to extend his kingdom
- He took the brightest of the conquered people and took them into his court
- He trained them for 3 years
- They were to learn Babylonian and absorb their culture
- He wanted them to forget their Jewishness and become Babylonian
- He sent them on an intensive course (v4)
- Worldliness
- Biblical definition
- Owen Batstone and Stephen Clark - definition
Where they drew the line
- Opening comments
- Did they draw the line at:
- Being given new names?
- Studying different types of Babylonian literature?
- The drew the line at the Kings' food and his delicacies
- Daniel knew the food laws from the Old Testament
- Was it that the food was offered to idols?
- They didn't want to eat sumptuously as the King's table - they didn't want to be 'softened up'
- Perhaps all three, but more likely the latter
- Daniel takes charge and leads the other three people
- Sometimes we need people like this
- There are many battles
- Example of university, work parties, entertainment
- What is involved?
- We are to keep ourselves unspotted from the world
- Do we know where to draw the line?
- Are we as courageous as these men?
- Have we purposed not to go against God?
Graciously making a stand
- Daniel was very gracious
- Jeremiah 29:7
- Daniel has already won over the favour of the Chief of the Eunuchs
- Example of Joseph
- He did not want to put the Chief in a bad position
- v9-13
- Daniel has faith in God
- He asks the Chief to test them
- We need to learn to be gracious in conflict
- Daniel does not capitulate but quietly persists
- It is the way we make our stand
- Daniel passes this test
- The steward complied with their request
- Daniel is found to be ten times more wise that all of Nebuchadnezzar's court
- May we grown in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus
- Part of our growth is making a stand
- No blemish in his stand - it stands them in good stead for more difficult tests
- Stand now and God will build character and strength in you
- We need to ask God for help and grace to stand
- God will honour those who honour Him