“This is a time of humanism, instability, war, false prophets and Christs. The rejection of God’s rule which started for man in the Garden of Eden seems to be reaching a frenzied pitch. Man is determined to prove that he can rule the world in an orderly, meaningful way without God. He asserts that the ultimate purpose of everything is the glory and exaltation of man. His man-centered mania not only makes him refuse to submit to the rule of God but also renders him incapable of submitting (Rom. 8:7).
Because man rejects the rule of God, his pride drives him to do things opposite to what God has ordained. God ordained capital punish-ment for murderers, but man tries to abolish it. God regards human life as being valuable because He created it in His image, but man destroys it by the millions through abortion. God instituted marriage and ordained that it be permanent, but man divorces and suggests that marriage be abolished. God demands justice in society with the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the criminal, but man pampers the criminal at the expense of the innocent. God ordained the family as the nurturing place of future generations, but man purposes that government replace the family. God declares that the fear of the Lord is the starting point of wisdom, but man forbids any reference to God in the classroom. God instituted moral absolutes to govern man, but man says that Utopia can come only through the rejection of those absolutes. God ordained distinctive appearances and roles for the sexes, but man tries to obliterate those distinctions. God instituted sex to be used within the bonds of male-female marriage, but man perverts sex through pornography, fornication, adultery and homosexuality. God made man to have true meaning and purpose of life only in Him, but man tries to find true meaning in drugs, alcohol, the occult, materialism, philosophy, astrology, cults, transcendental meditation, fame and power.
In light of the worsening world situation and man’s growing susceptibility to the slavery of an ultimate man, there is an urgency about the present time. Man desperately needs to change his course by recognizing the root of his predicament – his rejection of the rule of God in favor of self-rule. If there were ever a time when man needed to be confronted with the sovereign rule of God and the serious consequences of rejecting that rule, the time is now.” *
The above quote makes the case for our study of Daniel. This book presents to us God’s sovereignty in history, in nations, and in the personal lives of individuals as well as in the things to come. Daniel directs us to a God who is at work in human history!
Key Verse: Daniel 4:17
Read Daniel 1. If you have time read the entire book in one setting.
I. God gave Nebuchadnezzar victory – Dan. 1:1 – 2
1. When did Nebuchadnezzar go to Jerusalem? See also 2 Kings 24:1.
2. What happened when Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem? (v.2, 3) Why did this happen? (v.2) See 2 Kings 24:1 – 4.
II. God gave favor to Daniel and his friends – Dan. 1:3 – 16
3. What were the characteristics of the captives? (v. 3 – 4)
4. What specific tactics were used to give Daniel and his friends a new Babylonian orientation? (v. 3 – 7)
5. How do these tactics parallel the pressures Christians face today in a secular society?
6. What does Proverbs 4:23 tell us to do? Why did Daniel have a problem with the king’s diet?
7. Do you think Daniel was making a big issue out a minor problem? Explain. How did Daniel seek to solve the problem? (v. 8)
8. How did the chief official respond to Daniel’s request? (1:9,10)
9. What appeal does Daniel make to the official? (v. 11 – 13)
10. What did the official do with Daniel’s appeal? (v. 14) Who was ultimately at work in this response? (v. 9) What principle might you derive from this example and Proverbs 16:7?
11. What was the result of the test? (v.15,16)
III. God gave ability and success to Daniel and his friends – Dan. 1:17 – 20
12. What combination of factors produced the exceptional ability of Daniel and his friends? (v. 17 – 20)
13. What can you learn from Daniel’s attitude and actions about how to respond when your biblical values are challenged?
IV. God gave Daniel a long life and ministry – Dan. 1:21 **
14. How long did Daniel remain in the king’s court? (v.21) Who was king Cyrus? What does that tell you about Daniel and the Babylonian captivity? See 2 Chronicles 36:22 – 23.
Concluding Thought: Daniel is able to resist compromise because of his relationship to the sovereign God. His obedience was simply an expression of God’s kingship in his life. Daniel’s courage to proclaim God’s message came from his allegiance to the sovereign Lord who reigned as King, even above the kings of Babylon. Be prepared in this study to see God in a new way! It will be stretching and convicting, but a life-changing adventure.
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* Quote from Dr. Renald E. Showers, The Most High God, The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc. copy right 1982 pp XI – XIII.
** Main points of outline from Warren Wiersbe commentary on Daniel. Victor Books.
