January 23, 2022 = Daniel 1
January 23, 2022
Introduction to Daniel
by Wayne Gaeddert
1. The book of Daniel records the events in his life from the time of his exile in 606 B.C. until 536 B.C.
2. Daniel’s name means ‘God is my judge.’
3. The central theme of the book of Daniel is God’s sovereignty over history and empires, setting up and removing kings as He pleases.
4. Outline of Daniel: From ESV notes
(We will study the chapters in bold print.)
I. Daniel and his three friends. Chapters 1-6.
A. Prologue. Chapter 1
B. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great statue. Chapter 2
C. Nebuchadnezzar built a golden statue. Chapter 3
D. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the toppled tree. Chapter 4
E. Belshazzar’s feast with the handwriting on the wall. Chapter 5
F. The Lions Den. Chapter 6
II. Apocalyptic (prophetic) visions of things to come. Chapters 7-12
A. The vision of the four great beasts and the heavenly court. Chapter 7
B. The vision of the ram, the goat, and the little horn. Chapter 8
C. Daniel’s Prayer and its answer. Chapter 9
D. Daniel’s vision of the final conflict. Chapters 10-12
5. Daniel was part of the first deportation of exiles to Babylon in 605 B.C.
6. Daniel was a young teen when he was deported to Babylon.
7. Daniel was part of the royal family or part of the noble class in Jerusalem. Daniel 1:3
8. Ezekiel, Habakkuk, Jeremiah, and Zephaniah were Daniel’s prophetic contemporaries. John MacArthur
9. Christ confirmed Daniel as the author of this book. Matthew 24:15
10. Daniels faith is mentioned in the ‘hall of faith’ in Hebrews 11:32, 33.
11. Daniel was God’s mouthpiece to the Gentile and Jewish world declaring God’s current and future plans.
January 23, 2022
Lessons Learned
Daniel 1
by Wayne Gaeddert
1. Hebrew name Daniel means God is my Judge.
Babylonian name Belteshazzar means O wife of the god Bel, protect the king.
2. Hebrew name Hananiah means Yahweh is gracious.
Babylonian name Shadrach means Command of Aku. (Babylonian god of the moon.)
3. Hebrew name Mishael means Who is what God is.
Babylonian name Meshach means who is like Aku.
4. Hebrew name Azariah means Yahweh is a helper.
Babylonian name Abednego means servant of the shining god Nebo.
5. The goal of the Babylonian school for exiles was to brainwash them so that they did not remember their Jewish upbringing and instruction.
6. God allowed the most spiritual of the young Hebrews to be the first exiles to Babylon.
7. Resolve is a measure of the commitment someone has to their beliefs.
8. Chapter 1 is testimony that God was in charge of everything that took place.
· Verse 2- The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand…
· Verse 9- God gave Daniel favor and compassion…
· Verse 17- God gave the four youths learning, skill in literature, and wisdom…
· Verse 17b- And God gave Daniel understanding in visions and dreams…
9. Chapter 1 highlights the faith of Daniel and his three friends as they maintain their relationship with God as exiles in a foreign land.
10. Daniel gives us a lesson in how to appeal to authority.
11. The king’s meat and wine would have been presented to the idol gods of Babylon before being served.
12. Application:
· The resolve in your heart to serve God is tested in the difficult trials of your life.
· We have the promise that God will not leave us or forsake us. Notice how many times it is repeated in scripture.
(See Deut 31:6,8; Josh 1:5; 1 Kings 8:57; 1 Chron 28:20; Heb 13:5)
God rewards those who are faithful to Him.
God gave Daniel and his 3 friends learning, skill in literature, and wisdom.
Daniel and his 3 friends became the king’s top aides.