Wisdom (Daniel 6)

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 delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel,

Series Intro

This is the concluding sermon in our Exiles series

I hope it has been beneficial to you as we begin this year.

Also, I hope that as we have talked through these topics, you find that we are not talking exclusively about our unique circumstance here in the United States.

This is not a political series, nor is it pointed at a specific issue (s)

The points of this series are applicable in every aspect of our lives.

We do not live in a more sinful world today in the United States than has ever existed.

Ever since Genesis 3, this has been a sinful world and followers of God have been called to live for a Kingdom that is beyond the sinfulness of this world.

That is the circumstance in Israel during the time of our series

Habakkuk lived in a sinful Judah.

He complained to God about how bad and evil the nation of God had become

God said that He is bringing the Babylonians to exercise a holy judgment on Israel.

Habakkuk complained to God that they Babylonians were even more sinful than the Israelites.

But this is God’s will. Not Habakkuk’s will

God does things to accomplish His purposes in His way in our world.

We don’t always understand, we may not even agree.

But we are not God.

GOD IS IN CONTROL

GOD IS HOLY AND JUST

GOD’S KINGDOM IS GREATER THAN THIS WORLD’S KINGDOMS

God was in control of the Babylonians. They conquered the nation of Judah because God raised them up.

Understanding these principles, we moved into the exile in Babylon

Babylon invaded and conquered the nation of Judah

They captured the people and led them to Babylon where they were asked to acclimate to the Babylonian lifestyle

Daniel

Daniel was one of the young men brought into captivity

As a captive, we must understand that the nation of Babylon was a pagan, ungodly, and even demonic nation.

They were not about personal freedoms and rights.

They were not good with you bringing your gods and customs into their culture.

They brought you into their culture, stripped you of your gods and customs and formed you into Babylonian citizens.

Daniel was trained to be a servant to the Babylonian king

In Daniel’s life, we see a man who strives to follow God and holds to his faith in God despite living in a deeply pagan culture.

It is something we can use as an example for our life.

Daniel lived out principles in a far darker and more difficult environment than we are.

However, the principles that Daniel shows are principles that we must hold to.

These principles teach us who we are

They teach us who God is

And they teach us how to live in that way.

For Daniel, it all revolved around faith

We showed this definition of faith and have developed the definition over the last few weeks

SHOW FAITH SLIDE

Faith defined

SHOW FAITH AND HOPE SLIDE

Hope defined

SHOW FAITH, HOPE AND HUMILITY SLIDE

Humility defined

5. Today, we are going to look at the final point of faith that Daniel displayed: Wisdom

Wisdom is the natural conclusion and display of the faith we have

A faith rooted in knowing God and surrendering to Him.

If we know God, if we surrender to God, we will display wisdom as we live in this sinful world.

As we navigate this passage, we will find four pathways wisdom will lead in our lives.

Main Topic

Wisdom Defined:

To develop a definition of wisdom, I wanted to take a few things into account.

One simple definition to wisdom we might find in this world is: Knowledge put into action.

While I believe this does account for some thought in wisdom, I also think that not all knowledge is something that is worth putting into action.

This world chases knowledge all the time. It lives out the reality of its pursuit. But that knowledge does not bring us closer to God and is not always the result of faith in God.

However, I do believe that the part of this definition worth holding onto is that wisdom lived out and not simply in the mind.

In looking at Proverbs, Solomon says,

Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 9:10 NIV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Solomon outlines that true wisdom begins with our understanding of God.

This falls in line with our definition of faith

Knowing God leads to a surrender to God. This is the same language that Solomon is using here.

This is the beginning of wisdom.

From this, I want to give a definition that we will operate with as we look at the life of Daniel.

Wisdom- The intentional act of living according to God’s truth, His nature and His will.

In this definition we see that all true wisdom comes from the nature of God, the will of God and ultimately His truth.

In this we find our hope and we approach wisdom in this world with humility.

I believe this also brings us in line with James when he says that faith without works is dead.

It isn’t that we have faith then we just run around doing things to demonstrate the faith we have.

Faith is intentionally living and acting according to God’s truth, nature and will and not my own or the world around me.

Because of this definition, wisdom can get us into all kinds of trouble in this world.

Why should we expect any different

This is a sinful world. It does not operate according to God’s truth, His nature or His will.

1 Corinthians 3:18–20 NIV

Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

The world will see us as foolish.

We see this in Daniel. He found himself in trouble because of his wisdom.

In our opening passage today, we see Daniel has again found favor in the king’s eyes. This is a different king.

In fact, we saw Nebuchadnezzar, then we saw his son Belshazzar, and now a third king is ruling over the kingdom.

Daniel has found favor with them all and we can see why:

Daniel 6:4 NIV

At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

Wisdom Leads to Integrity

Outcome #1:

Wisdom led to integrity

We know that Daniel was a man of integrity and we have seen it all along in this series.

But I want to highlight this.

How did wisdom result in Daniel’s integrity?

I need only to step back and look at Daniel 1:1

Daniel 1:1–2 NIV

Why was Daniel in the position Daniel was in? Because God placed him there.

We look at Daniel being brought into the king’s training program.

Daniel saw this as God’s movement

Regardless of how difficult the situation was. Regardless of how sinful the people around him acted, Daniel knew that God was sovereign and he trusted God.

So if God placed him under the authority of the king of Babylon, he was going to serve the king of Babylon with the highest level of integrity.

In fact, I would argue that Daniel served Darius, and Nebuchadnezzar with the same level of integrity as he would have if God Himself were ordering him to do these things.

This is what they were called to do.

Jeremiah 29:7 NIV

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

When they were brought into exile, they were instructed to pray for the prosperity of the kingdom of Babylon.

Can you imagine that? Pray for the prosperity of the evil, pagan, demonic Babylonians?

That seems so contrary to what we might think they should be praying in a positive way for those who are so evil.

I think in my mind that they should have been praying for the Babylonians to stumble and fall and that God would deliver His people again.

I would have been praying for 10 more plagues like Egypt.

Integrity and wisdom are really hard.

Now, I am not saying that we should be praying for the prosperity of every evil nation and person in our world.

But we should be praying for some.

God has not made all of us presidents or kings over our own nations.

In His wisdom and will, He has placed us as people under authority.

And similarly to the “Pray for the prosperity of Babylon” passage, we are called to pray as well

1 Timothy 2:1–2 NIV

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Are we to pray for or against kings and authorities? For!

But what if they are evil? What if they are bad? What if they actively oppose the things of God?

Matthew 5:43–48 NIV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

I want to go back to our definition of wisdom.

What is God’s nature?

He is God. He is the King of kings. This person, or government, or boss, or fill in the blank is not superior to God.

What is God’s will?

That I pray for them and love them and ultimately serve them as if I am serving God.

This is contrary to what the world will say, but the world’s wisdom is foolishness to God

I shouldn’t badmouth those in authority.

I shouldn’t hope for their failure.

These motives of the heart reveal that my hope is not found in God, my humility is not found in God and my wisdom is not found in God.

If Daniel could show integrity, than I can as well.

Back to our passage

Wisdom leads to Conviction

Daniel 6:10–12 NIV

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

Outcome #2:

Wisdom led to conviction

I want you to see Daniel in this moment.

He knew the law that had been decreed. He knew it was now more than just illegal to pray to God. It was the death penalty to pray to God.

So what did Daniel do?

He went home and GAVE THANKS!

If there was ever a situation that a human being should be exempted from giving thanks, this would be it.

But Daniel went to God with gratitude.

It also said that Daniel went to God asking for His help

I want to go back to our definition of wisdom

Do you think that Daniel felt he needed wisdom in this situation?

Yes! I think all of us would.

So where did Daniel go? What was the absolute source of his wisdom?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

He went to the Lord.

It was illegal, but where else could he go? It was either the wisdom from God or it would be his own wisdom.

He would not rely on his own wisdom, so he went to God.

This was an act of disobedience to the king. This may even be seen as an act of rebellion against the king.

But what was the posture of Daniels heart? Did he display a rebellious heart?

Or did he display a humble heart rooted in the faith, hope and surrender he had in God?

He didn’t shove it in Darius’ face. He didn’t say harsh words or rebel.

His mind was on God’s nature and God’s will. He was submissive and surrendered with a deep conviction to God.

Knowing God, leads to a surrender to God, which leads to wisdom.

Wisdom is knowing that we must know God and it leads back to looking to Him for all truth.

This is a conviction we ought to observe in Daniels life.

In our world, I want to connect this to our day to day lives.

God will not bless a rebellious heart

God will always bless a surrendered heart

A rebellious heart will always be focused on our world and our circumstances.

A surrendered heart will always be focused on God and His will.

As we look at Daniel, do we see a focus on Darius, an immoral law, and devious leaders?

No, we see a focus on God, and Godly wisdom.

Was there disobedience to the king? Yes.

You see, he could have disobeyed the king with a rebellious heart or with a surrendered heart.

It is the same act. However, one is done in foolishness with a mind of the world.

One is done in wisdom, intentionally acting according to the will of God.

The outcome is where and how we see the value of wisdom.

Daniel 6:13–18 NIV

Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.” So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.

If Daniel had not been a man of INTEGRITY or CONVICTION.

If he had been lazy or worked with a poor attitude

If he had been rebellious to the king, how would the king have responded in this passage?

Very differently.

However, because of Daniel’s wisdom we see the king with a different response.

Wisdom leads to Influence

Daniel 6:19–24 NIV

At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

This passage leads to our third outcome of wisdom

Outcome #3:

Wisdom leads to influence

Notice what Darius says to Daniel:

Daniel 6:20 NIV

When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

Daniel 6:23 NIV

The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

King Darius knew of the wisdom of Daniel and knew the source of Daniel’s wisdom

As a result, did the policy of the land change? It did!

The evil men who had plotted against Daniel were executed in the same way that they were trying to get Daniel executed.

Now, as we look at this, we might say that the punishment seemed a bit severe. Not only did the men involved get killed, but so did their families.

This was not Daniel’s decision. This was still Darius’ decision.

We can see that Darius’ perspective changes in this story.

His perspective changes toward Daniel, toward Daniel’s God and toward his own kingdom.

But he still does not exhibit Godly wisdom in his response. He is vengeful and brutal.

But the truth here is that by means of Daniels wisdom, the kingdom changed. Policy changed. The king changed. The laws changed.

I think that as we live in this world, specifically in the United States, this is where we are as a church and as a nation.

We see a nation that is divided, broken and in conflict.

There is no faith in one another.

Sin seems to define the narrative of our nation and our globe.

So how do we address this issue as a church?

I believe all of us can look out the window and say, “God help us. God change our nation. God change our community.”

This is not wrong.

I believe this is what Habakkuk was praying in the first sermon we preached in this series.

He asks, “God, why do you put up with this?”

I also believe that there are only two ways to bring about change in our nation.

First, is through wisdom

Second, is through foolishness

Let’s talk this out

Where does the change in our nation need to come from?

From us? Or from God?

I believe our nation and our world need a God-sized change.

If the change our world needs comes from God, then we need to seek God, seek to know Him, recognize that He is at work in the world around us. Trust Him when it doesn’t make sense. And live in wisdom.

In our government:

Understand that God has raised up a government and a leadership.

Wisdom is praying for those who are in leadership.

Much like when a husband and wife are fighting and they think that by tearing each other down, they are building up their marriage.

When we tear down our leaders, it shows us and others that we are not honoring them as God calls us to in His Word.

There are no holy leaders in our world. They are all fallen and sinful.

As I said before, we will not elect our next Messiah. Jesus came once.

He is coming back again, but not to run for President. He is coming back as a conquering King and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father.

Our attitude and approach to our nation will be a direct reflection of our knowledge of God, our hope in Him, our surrender to His work, our belief in His sovereignty, and our submission to His wisdom, not taking it on our own.

Bottom line, LIKE DANIEL, OUR APPROACH TO THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD MUST BE DONE WITH OUR EYES PRIMARILY ON JESUS, NOT THIS WORLD.

Be involved where we ought to be involved

We are not pacifists, but in our structure of governance, God has seen fit to bless us for a time with the ability to allow our voices to be heard by voting.

When we vote, we can vote with wisdom or foolishness.

We can vote with surrender to God or rebellion in our hearts. Either way our vote may look the same, but our heart is not.

We are accountable to God for the condition of our heart, not the condition of the sinful world around us.

We must recognize that there is sin. There are issues and topics that align with holiness and God’s design of the world.

And there are issues that are contrary to God’s holiness and God’s design for the world.

We must vote not on our preference, but according to wisdom: the truth, nature and will of God.

In this way, the church establishes itself as the conscience for our nation.

God may raise us up in ways for our voices to be heard.

God raised up Daniel. He raised up Joseph. He raised up David.

God raises up people to do His purposes in the world.

We isn’t raising everyone up for this, but we must be willing to listen and obey and live in wisdom as God may even raise you up for a time and a place.

Change will come from God

We will not vote a nation into holiness, even though we ought to have our voices heard.

The next president will not by the stroke of a pen absolve the nation of its sin.

In fact, in all of these cases in the Bible we find one truth to be constant.

WE CANNOT CHANGE A SINFUL CULTURE.

WE MUST CREATE A GODLY CULTURE, BEGINNING WITH OUR OWN HEARTS.

The change our nation needs does not begin with those on a political opposition to us.

The change our nation needs is a light of Jesus shining in our world.

That happens when we build the Kingdom instead of trying to invest our entire efforts into something that will be done away with when God makes everything new.

The conclusion of the story

Wisdom leads to Worship

Daniel 6:25–28 NIV

Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: “May you prosper greatly! “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Outcome #4:

Wisdom led to Worship

I want to go back to our definition of wisdom:

Wisdom- The intentional act of living according to God’s truth, His nature and His will.

Wisdom is living a life that is centered around God, His truth, His nature, and His will.

Why would we do this?

For Daniel, His surrender and submission to God led to a recognition of God’s truth, God’s nature and God’s will.

IT IS OUR DESIRE AS FOLLOWERS OF GOD FOR THE WORLD TO SEE AND KNOW GOD.

IF WE SURRENDER TO GOD, THE WORLD CAN SEE GOD.

BUT THE WORLD WILL NEVER SEE A GOD THAT WE DO NOT SURRENDER TO.

If we live by our wisdom, who will get the glory for the outcome.

But if we live according to God’s wisdom, that looks like foolishness in the world, who gets the glory?

Not us. It isn’t our wisdom.

God is glorified when we surrender to Him.

John 3:30 NIV

He must become greater; I must become less.”

When I become less, He is seen as greater

Conclusion

Wisdom- The intentional act of living according to God’s truth, His nature and His will.

Wisdom leads to integrity

Wisdom leads to conviction

Wisdom leads to influence

Wisdom leads to worship

James 3:13–18 NIV

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

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