Memory Verse
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
OBSERVATION
Daniel chapter 1
Daniel and His Friends Obey God
(cf. 2 Kin. 24:10–17 )
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god. He brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who could serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 6 Among those of Judah’s sons were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. Why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter and tested them for ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink and gave them vegetables.
17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them, all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore, they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in his realm. 21 Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.
What Does God’s Word Say
Dan 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Purposed- The KJV translates Strong's H7760 in the following manner: put (155x), make (123x), set (119x), lay (64x), appoint (19x), give (11x), set up (10x), consider (8x), turn (5x), brought (4x), ordain (3x), place (3x), take (3x), shew (2x), regard (2x), mark (2x), disposed (2x), care (2x).
Heart- The KJV translates Strong's H3820 in the following manner: heart (508x), mind (12x), midst (11x), understanding (10x), hearted (7x), wisdom (6x), comfortably (4x), well (4x), considered (2x), friendly (2x), kindly (2x), stouthearted (with H47) (2x), care (with H7760) (2x).
Defile- The KJV translates Strong's H1351 in the following manner: pollute (7x), defile (3x), stain (1x). (Webster) spoil, sully, mar, impair, Sin.
Portion- The KJV translates Strong's H6598 in the following manner: portion of meat (4x), meat (2x) (Webster= part, piece, bit, section, chunk, segment, slice.)
Delicacies- The KJV translates Strong's H6598 in the following manner: portion of meat (4x), meat (2x). (Webster= fineness, exquisiteness, delicateness, intricacy, daintiness.) portion of food for the king.
Requested- The KJV translates Strong's H1245 in the following manner: seek (189x), require (14x), request (4x), seek out (4x), enquired (3x), besought (2x), ask (2x), sought for (2x), begging (1x), desire (1x), get (1x), inquisition (1x), procureth (1x).
Chief - The KJV translates Strong's H8269 in the following manner: prince (208x), captain (130x), chief (33x), ruler (33x), governor (6x), keeper (3x), principal (2x), general (1x), lords (1x), miscellaneous (4x). The head person.
Eunuchs- The KJV translates Strong's H5631 in the following manner: eunuch (17x), chamberlain (13x), officer (12x).
A man who has been castrated, especially (in the past) one employed to guard the women's living areas.
Bible Dictionaries - Easton's Bible Dictionary – Chamberlain-
a confidential servant of the king (Genesis 37:36; 39:1). In Romans 16:23 mention is made of "Erastus the chamberlain." Here the word denotes the city's treasurer, or the quaestor, as the Romans styled him. He is almost the only convert from the higher ranks of whom mention is made (Compare Acts 17:34). Blastus, Herod's "chamberlain" (Acts 12:20), was his personal attendant or valet-de-chambre. The Hebrew word saris, thus translated in Esther 1:10 Esther 1:15; Esther 2:3 Esther 2:14 Esther 2:21, etc., properly means a eunuch (as in the marg.), as it is rendered in Isaiah 39:7; 56:3.
WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD MEAN-
Dan 1:8 But Daniel Decided in his heart that he would not sin with the part of the king’s fine food, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he asked (begged) of the head of the eunuchs that he might not sin against himself and God.
Eunuchs- A man who has been castrated, especially (in the past) one employed to guard the women's living areas.
WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD MEAN TO ME-
Daniel Decided not to sin against God with anything so he begged the Eunuch who was in Charge so, he might not sin.
WHAT WILL I DO TO LIVE IT OUT-
Never allow food or drink cause me or anyone else to sin.
Paul made this clear: in 1 Corinthians 8:4-13 and then in Tit 1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, but even their mind and conscience are defiled. He went on to say
Romans 14:13 - Let us not, therefore, judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
1 Corinthians 8:13 - Wherefore, if meat makes my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh during the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
As believers, we need to be sacrificial in everything to keep a brother or sister from sin.
Making Others Sin
Matthew 18:6 ESV / But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Romans 14:20 ESV / Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.
Romans 14:1-23 ESV: As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord can make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
Reflection:
With the word of God or just be quiet!
The word defends itself but a lot can happen from going our separate ways to not being friends.
Exploration:
young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who could serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
2. daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them
3. When they were taken captive, the Babylonians changed their names so that they would forget their former identity. Here are the details: The name “Daniel” means “Elohim is my Judge.” Elohim is the common name for the Hebrew God. To him was given the name “Belteshazzar,” which means “Bel’s Prince.” Bel was the principal god of Babylon.
The Babylonians expected that the Hebrews would forget their God. They even gave the young men of Israel new names that referenced pagan gods. But Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah never forgot their true identity in the God of Israel.
4. So, they would not sin.
5. “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants. at the end of ten days, their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.
6. They are Hebrews and believe in Elohim, The God of all judgment.
REACTION 7-12
7. Whenever He calls us to do something we don’t want to do or we are not sure of.
IE: Faith Markers.
8. WOW! BOOM SHAKALA… Let’s Go! Reflect on how after Davide killed Goliath the children of Israel were.
9. Faith
10. Many
11. He never lets me down, even when my prayer is not according to his will
12. Any time we are obedient or step out in faith people are watching. Some gain their faith while others ask the why question. American culture is trying to change our language so that it can control our thinking. Certain things have become forbidden to say or think. Secularists have eradicated the Bible from the public square. The hope is that Christianity will soon be extinguished. In this context, it is easy for Christians to lose heart. But the stories of Daniel and his friends will help us to see that God is always present and will reward those who remain faithful. Don’t believe the lie.
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