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

Amos The Prophet of Social Justice Kings of Judah Obadiah? Jeremiah Daniel Ezekiel Zephaniah Habakkuk Joel? Jerusalem & Temple Destroyed Return from Exile Babylonian Captivity

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”

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.

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

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

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: God’s people need to know where they stand before the test comes – Daniel 3: The three friends understood there was no guarantee of deliverance – 3:18. The three friends understood there was no guarantee of deliverance – 3:18.

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