Tag: Daniel 1-3
Godly Character Shines!
Scripture reading for September 1st: Daniel 1-3
Have you ever moved into a strange neighborhood and different culture where you didn’t speak the language of the people around you? Have you gone on a mission trip and lived outside of your comfortable culture? These experiences would help us to understand what Daniel and his three young friends experienced in their 800 mile trip across deserts from Jerusalem to Babylon. They were the best and brightest of the Jewish people of God. They were re-trained to think “Babylonian” by being placed in the prestigious “University of Babylon” and given a rich diet from the king of Babylon’s personal chef. (Daniel 1:1-6)
These men had good training in their home and church community. As young men, they would have memorized the Pentateuch (Books of Moses) by the time they were thirteen. They would have read the prophets and would have begun an apprenticeship for a trade. Their character was shaped by the Law of God in the ten commandments and through Moses’ writings. They also had dietary laws that were given to keep them healthy and set them apart. Their godly character helped them to walk with integrity and reap God’s blessing and favor.
Daniel resolved not to defile himself with food that was not allowed by God’s law. He appealed to the one in authority over him for a different diet. (Daniel 1:6-14) Daniel listened and was respectful to the one in authority. These wise ways came from godly character through the Word of God. They looked better with the diet of vegetables and water than the rest who had the rich food and wine! (Daniel 1:15-16)
Honoring God brought these men lots of additional blessings. God gave them wisdom and understanding in all kinds of literature and learning in this ‘secular’ university. They excelled above all others and no equals were found! They were “10 times better” than all the others in the kingdom. (Daniel 1:18-20)
It pays to live a godly life and to purpose to honor God and not defile yourself with things God forbids! Godly character brings wisdom to live wisely in a wicked culture. Take time today and allow God to show you how to live separated lives in this culture. What things should you purpose not to defile yourselves with? You will shine for Him too!
The blessings of godly Character!
Scripture reading for August 30th: Daniel 1-3
Have you ever moved into a strange neighborhood or gone on a mission trip and lived for a short time out of your comfortable culture with people who spoke another language? These kinds of experiences would help us to understand what Daniel and his three young friends experienced in their 800 mile trip across deserts from Jerusalem to Babylon. They were probably teenagers and were the best and brightest of the Jewish people of God. They were taken into the culture to be re-programed in the prestigious “University of Babylon” and given a rich diet from the king’s personal chef. (Daniel 1:1-6)
As young men, they would have memorized the Pentateuch (Books of Moses) by the time they were thirteen. They would have read the prophets and would have begun an apprenticeship for a trade. They also had dietary laws that were given to keep them healthy and set them apart so they might be a testimony to the nations. As they were taken into captivity their godly character helped them to walk with integrity and reap God’s blessing.
Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the food that was not allowed by God’s law. He appealed to the one in authority over him to have a different diet. Notice that he didn’t demand his rights ! (Daniel 1:6-14) These wise ways came from godly character through the Word of God. The result was God’s blessing and favor. (Psalm 5:11-12) They looked better with the diet of vegetables and water than the rest who had the rich food and wine! (Daniel 1:15-16) God gave them wisdom and understanding in all kinds of literature and learning in this wicked university. They excelled above all others and no equals were found! They were “10 times better” than all the others in the kingdom. (Daniel 1:18-20)
It pays to live a godly life and not defile yourself with things God forbids! We see that those who enjoyed the temporary pleasures of the rich food and wine did not profit as did the Jews who ate according to God’s instructions. Take time today and allow God to show you how to live separated lives in this culture. Remember the blessings of godly character and living by faith! The righteous live by their faith!
Nebuchadnezzar’s Big Dream
Scripture reading for September 1st: Daniel 1-3
Daniel was a young and promising Israelite from Judah who was taken captive to Babylon. He and his friends resolved not to defile themselves and to live for the Lord in Babylon. God gave Daniel great wisdom and favor and the ability to interpret dreams and visions. Daniel’s life shines as an example for believers today who live in a wicked culture. Daniel’s insight into the dreams of the king of Babylon take us into prophesy and God’s plans for the world!
When King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him, he called all the royal advisers and asked them to tell him the dream along with it’s interpretation. (Daniel 2:1-6) He threatened them all with death if they could not do this, and promised reward if they could. The royal advisers all told the king that he was being unreasonable, that only the gods could reveal such a thing. The king ordered their execution.
Daniel discretely approached the commander of the king’s guard who was set to execute the wise men. Daniel appealed to the king for more time to seek an answer and interpret the dream. He and his friends sought the God of heaven for mercy for the wise men of Babylon and for themselves. God was gracious and gave Daniel a vision in the night that brought the answer. (Daniel 2:14-23)
Daniel shared the vision and answered the king’s request. The king had seen a large statue with a head of pure gold, a chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, and legs and feet of iron and baked clay. While he watched, a rock, not cut by human hands, struck the statue on the feet and it crumbled and blew away in the wind. The rock became a huge mountain that filled the earth. (Daniel 2:31-35)
Daniel went on to share the meaning. These parts of the statue were great kingdoms of the earth. The rock that struck the statue was God’s power setting up an eternal kingdom who would overthrow all the powerful kingdoms of the earth. This would take place in the future! Nebuchadnezzar fell down and worshiped! “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” (Daniel 2:47) God alone can reveal mysteries to his humble people!
Blessings of godly character!
Scripture reading for September 1st: Daniel 1-3
Have you ever moved into a strange neighborhood and different culture where you didn’t even speak the language of the people around you? Have you gone on a mission trip and lived for a short time out of your comfortable culture? These kinds of experiences would help us to understand what Daniel and his three young friends experienced in their 800 mile trip across deserts from Jerusalem to Babylon for a relocation and re-education. They were probably teenagers and were the best and brightest of the Jewish people of God. They were taken into the culture to be re-programed to think “Babylonian” by being placed in the prestigious “University of Babylon” and given a rich diet from the king of Babylon’s personal chef. (Daniel 1:1-6)
These young men had had good training in their home and church community. As young men, they would have memorized the Pentateuch (Books of Moses) by the time they were thirteen. They would have read the prophets and would have begun an apprenticeship for a trade at that time. Their character was shaped by the Law of God in the ten commandments and through Moses’ writings. They also had dietary laws that were given to keep them healthy and set them apart from the nations so that they might be a testimony to the nations. As they were taken into captivity and placed in a foreign culture, this godly character helped them to walk with integrity and reap God’s blessing and favor.
We see Daniel resolving not to defile himself with the food that was not allowed by God’s law. He appealed to the one in authority over him to have a different diet. Notice that he didn’t demand his rights! (Daniel 1:6-14) Daniel listened and was understanding and agreeable and respectful to the one in authority. These wise ways came from godly character through the Word of God. The result was God’s blessing and favor. (Psalm 5:11-12) They looked better with the diet of vegetables and water than the rest who had the rich food and wine! (Daniel 1:15-16)
Honoring God brought these men lots of additional blessings. God gave them wisdom and understanding in all kinds of literature and learning in this wicked university. They excelled above all others and no equals were found! They were “10 times better” than all the others in the kingdom. (Daniel 1:18-20)
It pays to live a godly life and to purpose to honor God and not defile yourself with things God forbids! Godly character brings wisdom to live wisely in a wicked culture. It gives us guidance so we might enjoy God’s favor and blessing. We see that those who enjoyed the temporary pleasures of the rich food and wine did not profit as did the obedient Jews who ate according to God’s instructions by faith in His Word. Take time today and allow God to show you how to live separated lives in this culture. What things should you purpose not to defile yourselves with? What should you be “eating”? Remember the blessings of godly character and living by faith!