Our Choices-- Notes

Our Choices  —Notes   2 Chron. 17:3-5   10/26/08

Dan. 1:4-8- Egyptians were very far advanced in their knowledge. They knew about the sun and knew the earth was flat. The Greeks later cam thru and flattened it out.  The Bible never did. See Isa. 40:22

He gave Daniel the name of Belteshazzar which means “worshiper of Baal. The names given all the boys were heathen names.  

  These guys are identified and singled out because they are going to take a stand for God.

V.8- J. Vernon McGee- Daniel takes a real stand for God. Daniel was not trying to win a popularity contest. This was according to the Mosaic Law. He wasn’t attempting to please Nebuchadnezzar. His decision did not reflect the modern softness of compromise which we find all around us today; nor was it dictated by the false philosophies of “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and “The Power of Positive Thinking.” Daniel knew nothing of the opportunist’s policy of “When in Babylon, do as the Babylonians do.” Daniel was not conformed to this world, but he was transformed by the renewing of his mind, and the will of God was the all-absorbing purpose of his life. All of what Daniel did was purposed in his heart. That’s where it started. Daniel’s convictions came from his heart. It’s impossible to serve God by just following a set of rules – it has to be a conviction of the heart.

However, this man Nebuchadnezzar began as a petty chieftain and united several tribes. Then he took over the Assyrian empire, then the Syrian, and he was on the march. And he overcame the Egyptians. The Greeks would have been unable to offer resistance, but he made no effort to move in their direction.

2:12-What they are saying is that they have no communication with heaven. They even confessed that their gods were not giving them very much information. They conclude their argument by saying that no human being could meet the king’s demands. This paves the way for Daniel to come onto the scene.

2:16-18- Daniel got an audience with the king—he is already in favor—and he requested the king to give him time to tell him the dream.

2:17-18- “That they would desire mercies” reveals the basis of their prayers. God does not answer prayer because of the worth or the effort or the character or the works of the one who is, praying. All prayer must rest upon His mercy. To pray today in Jesus’ name simply means that we come to God, not on our merit, but on His merit, looking to Him for mercy.

3:16- Not careful to answer- we have thought about the consequences of not following your directives. We aren’t concerned about our well being. We believe God will deliver us but even of he doesn’t we won’t bow down to you.