Dan 1:1-2 NAS77 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, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god.

• Josia had died, Joahaz was replaced as appointed king in Jerusalem with Eliakim by Egypt who also changed his name to Jehoiakim.

• How old was Jehoiakim when he was king ( 2Ch_36:1-7)?

• How old was he when he surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar?

• How long did Jehoiakim reign? Was he a good king or a bad king?

• Can you imagine what it was like for Judah's citizens and faithful Jews to live during these times?

• This is the world that Daniel lived in. How do you think Daniel was able to remain faithful to God? (Jer 25:1-13)

• When we are experiencing suffering, how can we remain faithful to God; despite those around us?

Dan 1:3-7 NAS77 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, (4) youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding, and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king's court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. (5) And the king appointed for them a daily ration from the king's choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king's personal service. (6) Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. (7) Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach, and to Azariah Abed-nego.

• Who did the king place in charge of the task of select and groom these youths? What does this tell you about the importance he placed on this task?

• What were the criteria set down by the king?

• How does this process compare to the passage in 1Sam 16:6-13? What differences and similarities are there in the selection? What does this show you about the character of God?

• What does the king do with these select ones? How does this compare with our identity as Christians?

  • Nourishment (Mat 26:26-28)

  • Teaching Mat_4:23; Mat_7:28; Mat_9:35; Mat_11:1; Mat_26:55; Luk_7:40; Joh_1:38; Joh_3:10; Joh_7:14; Joh_7:16; Joh_7:28; Joh_18:19; Joh_20:16)

  • New Name (Genesis 17:4-8, Mat 16:17-18, Isa_62:2; Rev_2:17; Rev_3:12)

Dan 1:8-16 NIV But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. (9) Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, (10) but the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you." (11) Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, (12) "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. (13) Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." (14) So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. (15) At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. (16) So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

• Daniel decided to honor God. Was this before or after God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel? Did Daniel know that he would be shown favor before he made the decision? How would you describe Daniel's character shown through his decision? How would you describe God's character?

• What does Ashpenaz's response reveal about his situation and his character?

• Which character do you choose to model and why?

• Even though God went before Daniel to give him favor, what was the response to his request (see the first word in verse 10)? Why did Ashpenaz resist? How did Daniel handle Ashpenaz's fear? What does this teach about our own relationships at work, home and with our friends.

• Does this mean that God's people are to be vegetarians? (Gen 1:29-30, Gen 9:3, Lev 11:45-47, Psalm 141:4, Hos 9:3)

• What does the health of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah teach about God's plans and laws?

Dan 1:17-21 NIV To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. (18) At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. (19) The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. (20) In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. (21) And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

• Where did they get the understanding, knowledge and learning? What did Daniel receive as a unique gift?

• How did the king test the candidates? What criteria did Nebuchadnezzar use to select those entering his service? Did he test them for their faith and religion? What does this reveal about God's character and plan?

• What happened during the first year of King Cyrus? (2 Ch 36:22-23)

REFERENCES

2Ch 36:1-8 NAS77 Then the people of the land took Joahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in place of his father in Jerusalem. (2) Joahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. (3) Then the king of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem, and imposed on the land a fine of one hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold. (4) And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Joahaz his brother and brought him to Egypt. (5) Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem; and he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God. (6) Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon. (7) Nebuchadnezzar also brought some of the articles of the house of the LORD to Babylon and put them in his temple at Babylon. (8) Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim and the abominations which he did, and what was found against him, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. And Jehoiachin his son became king in his place.

Jer 25:1-13 NAS77 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah (that was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), (2) which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, (3) "From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even to this day, these twenty-three years the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened. (4) "And the LORD has sent to you all His servants the prophets again and again, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear, (5) saying, 'Turn now everyone from his evil way and from the evil of your deeds, and dwell on the land which the LORD has given to you and your forefathers forever and ever; (6) and do not go after other gods to serve them and to worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the work of your hands, and I will do you no harm.' (7) "Yet you have not listened to Me," declares the LORD, "in order that you might provoke Me to anger with the work of your hands to your own harm. (8) "Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Because you have not obeyed My words, (9) behold, I will send and take all the families of the north,' declares the LORD, 'and I will send to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land, and against its inhabitants, and against all these nations round about; and I will utterly destroy them, and make them a horror, and a hissing, and an everlasting desolation. (10) 'Moreover, I will take from them the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp. (11) 'And this whole land shall be a desolation and a horror, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. (12) 'Then it will be when seventy years are completed I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,' declares the LORD, 'for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it an everlasting desolation. (13) 'And I will bring upon that land all My words which I have pronounced against it, all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations.

Commentary regarding the dates of Jehoiakim and the first year of Nebuchadnezzar: (Bible Knowledge Commentary) Jeremiah’s final message concerned all the people of Judah. Because of the significance of the message, the time when it was given was recorded. It was delivered in the fourth year of Jehoiakim… which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar. This has caused some confusion because the “first year” of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign (after his accession year) would have begun on April 2, 604 b.c., while Jehoiakim’s fourth year (using the Nisan [March-April]-to-Nisan dating system that Jeremiah usually employed) would have extended from April 12 (Nisan 1), 605 b.c. to April 2 (Nisan 1), 604 b.c. (not April 11, 604 b.c. because of the lunar calendar). So the two dates (Nebuchadnezzar’s first year and Jehoiakim’s fourth year) do not seem to occur in the same calendar year.

Two possible solutions have been suggested. First, it is possible that the word “first” (ri’svo¯niˆ) should be translated “beginning.” This word is not the normal word used to describe the first year of a king’s reign (cf. Jack Finegan, Handbook of Bible Chronology. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1964, p. 202). Thus the “beginning” year of Nebuchadnezzar could be equated with his accession year. This would place Jeremiah’s prophecy sometime between September 7, 605 b.c. when Nebuchadnezzar ascended the throne and April 2, 604 b.c. when the first full year of his reign officially began.

Second, possibly Jeremiah was here using a Tishri (September-October)-to-Tishri dating system for Jehoiakim. Thus Jehoiakim’s fourth year extended from October 7 (Tishri 1), 605 b.c. to September 26 (Tishri 1), 604 b.c. (not October 6, 604 b.c. because of the lunar calendar). In this case Jeremiah’s prophecy would have been given sometime between April 2, 604 b.c. (the start of Nebuchadnezzar’s first full year) and September 25, 604 b.c. (the end of Jehoiakim’s fourth year). Either solution allows the text to stand as it is written.

1Sa 16:6-13 NAS77 Then it came about when they entered, that he looked at Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before Him." (7) But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (8) Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." (9) Next Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." (10) Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen these." (11) And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are these all the children?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep." Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." (12) So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he." (13) Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

CHOICE FOOD

Mat 26:26-28 NAS77 And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." (27) And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; (28) for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

TEACHING

(Mat 4:23 NAS77)

And Jesus was going about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.

(Mat 7:28 NAS77)

The result was that when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at His teaching;

(Mat 9:35 NAS77)

And Jesus was going about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

(Mat 11:1 NAS77)

And it came about that when Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.

(Mat 26:55 NAS77)

At that time Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me.

(Luk 7:40 NAS77)

And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he replied, "Say it, Teacher."

(Joh 1:38 NAS77)

And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and *said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to Him, "Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?"

(Joh 3:10 NAS77)

Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things?

(Joh 7:14 NAS77)

But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach.

(Joh 7:16 NAS77)

Jesus therefore answered them, and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

(Joh 7:28 NAS77)

Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, "You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know.

(Joh 18:19 NAS77)

The high priest therefore questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching.

(Joh 20:16 NAS77)

Jesus *said to her, "Mary!" She *turned and *said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher).

Heb 5:12-14 NAS77 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. (13) For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. (14) But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

NEW NAME

Gen 17:4-8 NAS77 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. (5) "No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I will make you the father of a multitude of nations. (6) "And I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come forth from you. (7) "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. (8) "And I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God."

Mat 16:17-18 NAS77 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (18) "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.

(Isa 62:2 NAS77) And the nations will see your righteousness, And all kings your glory; And you will be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will designate.

(Rev 2:17 NAS77) 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'

(Rev 3:12 NAS77) 'He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.

VEGETARIANS

Gen 1:29-30 NIV Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. (30) And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.

Gen 9:3 NIV Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

Lev 11:45-47 NIV I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. (46) "'These are the regulations concerning animals, birds, every living thing that moves in the water and every creature that moves about on the ground. (47) You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.'"

Psa 141:4 NIV Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.

Hos 9:3 NIV They will not remain in the LORD's land; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.

HOW LONG DID DANIEL LIVE

2Ch 36:22-23 NIV In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing: (23) "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you—may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.'"