Sermon Tone Analysis

The book of Daniel displays God’s sovereignty over individuals, nations and the expanse of empires.

He raise up whom He will and He deposes whom He will.

Even pagan kings carry out His sovereign rule.

Chapter 1

Daniel 1:1–21 (NKJV)

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.

Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.

And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.

Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.

And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink.

For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age?

Then you would endanger my head before the king.”

So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”

So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.

Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.

Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.

Breakdown

Nebuchadnezzar reigned in Babylon between 605-562 BC.

605 BC Egypt and Babylon were at war.

Babylon won a great victory and Egypt retreated to Jerusalem.

Nebuchadnezzar won the victory when Egypt retreated back to their country.

Nebuchadnezzar then took Jerusalem.

At the time when he took Jerusalem his father was king.

He took the city and his father died around the same time.

He quickly retreated to Babylon to regain control and take his seat as king.

the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand

We see at the beginning of the chapter that it is God’s sovereignty that gives Jerusalem into his hands.

Nebuchadnezzar is called Gods servant in scripture at times.

This is foretold many centuries before in the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Jeremiah saying the judgement or exile would last 70 yrs.

(Common OT and NT concept in scripture, “I am telling you now, so when it happens you will KNOW I AM GOD) Jesus used this concept in His day.

Chapter 1 gives and interesting introduction.

It is originally written in the Hebrew language.

Its a historical narrative, simply telling us the event.

Nebuchadnezzar is given Jerusalem, he then takes away some of the temple articles (The treasures are known to Babylon because of king Hezekiah see Isaiah) to Babylon.

We see next that Nebuchadnezzar then turns to the people taking away some of the wise young men, kings men, nobles all good looking and and gifted in wisdom.

These boys were to be apart of Nebuchadnezzar conquering.

He is not only taking the land and bringing the land under his reign.

He is seeking to change the thinking of the people by taking these boys and training them in his beliefs.

Compare Gods command to His people in Deut.

about training children.

Think about it this way.

How do you truly conquer?

You take the minds into captivity.

This is what Nebuchadnezzar is doing.

Taking future influential men to raise them up to change the thinking of this people.

We are all familiar with the Daniel diet, this is not a suggestion for dieting it is showing that even in the exile God preserves His people.

He sets them apart.

He shows them favor among their enemies.

We see this favor after the ten day test and the favor God bestows on Daniel and His fellow captives.

Keep this in mind as you read through the book.

You will see time and time again God protecting His people.

Showing them favor among their enemies.

Daniel is written in part Hebrew and part in Aramaic.

Aramaic would be the dominant universal language of the day.

Hebrew mainly the Jews.

1:1-2:4 is Hebrew (Introduction to the People of God)

2:5-7:28 Aramaic (Message to all the world)

8:1-12:13 Hebrew (People of God)

Daniel is historical narrative chapters 1-6 then turns to in 7-12 future looking prophecies.

( I am telling you know so you will KNOW I AM GOD).

It takes place over approx a 70 yr period.

We will move approx 3 years into the this exile (Babylonian reign) as we enter into chapter 2.

Chapter 2