Daniel in Exile

 Upper Story—God is in charge and is merciful  Lower Story—God is continually bringing people to Himself

I.The Babylonians took exiles to Babylon as early as 605 B.C.  Nebuchadnezzar wanted the elite, bright and young.  Walking single file to Babylon—Bronze chains.  The elite of society.  4 youths without blemish, of good appearance  Emotion:

Daniel, Hanniah, Mishael and Azariah  Belteshazzer, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  These four teen boys were strangers in a strange land.  Daniel 1:3–4 (ESV) Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, 4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.

Application:  1 Peter 1:1 (NLT) — 1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.  1 Peter 2:11 (NLT) Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.

II.Three stories in Daniel show us how to live out God’s agenda for our lives.

Right Diet - Daniel 1  Refuse the Babylonian diet and offer a creative alternative.  Healthier and wiser than all the others.  Blessed by God as they live as strangers in Babylon.

Application:  Food we eat.  Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit  What other “diet” does our culture offer?  Padding the expense account?  Gossip in the neighbor?  We must refuse to eat the world’s diet.

Right Worship Daniel 3

Nebuchadnezzar’s officials are jealous of Daniel’s 3 friends and seek to trap them in a crime.  Daniel’s 3 friends refuse to worship an idol  Daniel 3:17–18 (ESV) — 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”  Thrown into a fiery furnace  Nebuchadnezzar gives glory to the God of Israel.

Right Praying-Right Focus Daniel 6  Daniel refuses to pray to Darius-thrown into a pit of lions.  Darius’s officials are jealous  Daniel, as his habit is, opens his window toward Jerusalem and prays to God.  Daniel is spared by God after he spends a night in the lions’ pit because he disobeyed Darius’ edict.

Application:  Young people: What is the greatest challenge you face?  Are we helping our youth have this kind of challenge and strength.  Are you living a Godly life so others see God’s greatness  How are you showing God’s amazement