1. Studies in the Book of Daniel: Chapter 3: The Gold Standard Forest Hills Bible Chapel 22 January 2006

2. Amos The Prophet of Social Justice 610 600 590 580 570 560 550 540 530 Kings of Judah Obadiah? Jeremiah Daniel Ezekiel Zephaniah Habakkuk Joel? Jerusalem & Temple Destroyed Return from Exile Babylonian Captivity

3. Because of its brevity and literary nature, the book of Daniel can be described as: “A Handbook for Life in Captivity.” Daniel 1-6: “Court Tales” Daniel 7-12: “Daniel’s Visions”

4. Some Principles from Daniel 1 The Babylonian Exile of the people of Judah was inevitable, and it was necessary for Daniel and his three friends to accept that – Daniel 1:1-2; cf. also Jeremiah 25:1-14; 29:1-9. The Babylonian Exile of the people of Judah was inevitable, and it was necessary for Daniel and his three friends to accept that – Daniel 1:1-2; cf. also Jeremiah 25:1-14; 29:1-9. Daniel and his friends could participate in Babylonian culture – provided they did not violate the law of God – Daniel 1:3-8. Daniel and his friends could participate in Babylonian culture – provided they did not violate the law of God – Daniel 1:3-8.

5. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream, and Its Interpretation – 2:24-45 Head of Gold: Nebuchadnezzar Chest/Arms of Silver: Medo-Persia Thighs of Brass: Greece (Alexander the Great) Legs of Iron/Feet of Iron and Clay: Rome

6. An Outline of Daniel 3 Nebuchadnezzar’s Image of Gold – 3:1-7 Nebuchadnezzar’s Image of Gold – 3:1-7 The Accusation Against the Three Friends – 3:8-12 The Accusation Against the Three Friends – 3:8-12 The Confrontation with Nebuchadnezzar – 3:13-18 The Confrontation with Nebuchadnezzar – 3:13-18 The Miraculous Deliverance – 3:19-27 The Miraculous Deliverance – 3:19-27 Nebuchadnezzar Worships God – 3:28-30 Nebuchadnezzar Worships God – 3:28-30

9. Applications Secular politicians are fickle at times – cf. Daniel 2:46-47; 3:1-6. Secular politicians are fickle at times – cf. Daniel 2:46-47; 3:1-6. There are elements in our world that are biased against God’s people, and we should not be surprised when we encounter them – Daniel 3:8-12. There are elements in our world that are biased against God’s people, and we should not be surprised when we encounter them – Daniel 3:8-12. God’s people need to know where they stand before the test comes – Daniel 3:16-17. God’s people need to know where they stand before the test comes – Daniel 3:16-17. The three friends understood there was no guarantee of deliverance – 3:18. The three friends understood there was no guarantee of deliverance – 3:18.

10. Applications God Himself is with us in times of extreme trial – Daniel 3:24-25. God Himself is with us in times of extreme trial – Daniel 3:24-25. Rather than spare them from the trial, God brought them through it – Daniel 3:26-27. Rather than spare them from the trial, God brought them through it – Daniel 3:26-27. There were no permanent after effects of their trial experience – 3:27. There were no permanent after effects of their trial experience – 3:27.