The Importance of Little Things
The Importance of Little Things
Daniel 1:1-2a
Introduction-- Why should I care?
I don’t like the Bible
It doesn’t make sense
It is to old to matter
I’d rather read harry potter
1. It was a long time ago!
a. This was even before Christ
b. Its been so long how could this affect me
c. I live in the here & now
2. All these guys are dead!
a. Why bother to read about a bunch a has-beens
b. I can’t even pronounce their names
c. That dude couldn’t have been a good king he lost his kingdom
3. What if it did pertain to you?
a. Did you know that this verse affected the entire world through time
b. The year listed could lead to discovering approximately when Christ will return
c. Watch how come you need to know the little things.
Reading—
1:1-2a. The first two verses of the Book of Daniel state when and how the prophet was taken to Babylon.
Daniel referred to Nebuchadnezzar (whose name means “Nabu has protected my inheritance”) as king of Babylon. At that time (605) Nabopolassar was king in Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar had not yet acceded to the throne. However, Nebuchadnezzar, while in battle, heard of the death of his father and hastened to Babylon to be enthroned (see “Historical Background” in the Introduction). Writing at a later date, Daniel referred to Nebuchadnezzar as king in anticipation of his occupation of the throne.
Nebuchadnezzar’s besieging of Jerusalem took place during the reign of Jehoiakim, the 17th king of Judah and eldest son of Josiah (cf. 2 Chron. 36:2 with 2 Chron. 36:5). Jehoiakim’s younger brother Jehoahaz had been placed on Judah’s throne after Pharaoh Neco killed King Josiah in 609 b.c. (See the chart “The Last Five Kings of Judah,” near 2 Kings 23:31-35.) But Neco dethroned Jehoahaz and placed Jehoiakim on the throne (2 Chron. 36:3-4).
Jeremiah had warned Jehoiakim of impending invasion by Babylon. And Jehoiakim had heard of the prophet’s instruction to God’s people to submit to Babylon without resistance. So when Nebuchadnezzar besieged the city, little or no resistance was offered, and Jehoiakim was captured and taken to Babylon. Thus Judah came under Nebuchadnezzar’s authority.
With this incursion by Nebuchadnezzar an important prophetic time period —the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24)—began. The times of the Gentiles is that extended period of time in which the land given in covenant by God to Abraham and his descendants is occupied by Gentile powers and the Davidic throne is empty of any rightful heir in the Davidic line. The times of the Gentiles, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion of Jerusalem in 605 b.c., will continue till the Messiah returns. Then Christ will subdue nations, deliver the land of Israel from its Gentile occupants, and bring the nation Israel into her covenanted blessings in the millennial kingdom.
God had made a covenant with Israel in Moab (Deut. 28-30) just before she entered the land (Deut. 29:1). In this covenant God set forth the principle by which He would deal with His people. Their obedience to Him would bring blessing (Deut. 28:1-14) but disobedience to Him would bring discipline (Deut. 28:15-68). In this second portion God outlined the disciplines He would use to correct the people when their walk was out of line with His revealed Law. These disciplines would seek to conform them to His demands so they would be eligible for His blessings. The ultimate discipline He would use to correct His people was the invasion of Gentile nations who would subjugate them to their authority and disperse them from their land (Deut. 28:49-68).
Moses then stated when Israel would come under God’s discipline, that discipline would not be lifted until the people forsook their sin, turned in faith to God, and obeyed His requirements (Deut. 30:1-10). The Northern Kingdom of Israel had gone into captivity to Assyria in 722 b.c. This was the outworking of the principles of Deuteronomy 28. From time to time (though not consistently) the Southern Kingdom (Judah), in light of the fall of the Northern Kingdom, had heeded the prophets’ admonitions and turned to God. The Southern Kingdom continued for more than a century longer because of her repentance and obedience under her godly kings.
That condition, however, did not last. Judah also ignored God’s covenant, neglected the Sabbath Day and the sabbatical year (Jer. 34:12-22), and went into idolatry (Jer. 7:30-31). Therefore, because of the covenant in Deuteronomy 28, judgment had to fall on Judah. God chose Nebuchadnezzar as the instrument to inflict discipline on God’s disobedient people (cf. Jer. 27:6; Hab. 1:6). [1]
This one verse shows
God’s timing, God places rulers, God Controls nations, He punishes, He has a plan, He keeps his promises, He is coming back, the time is short, and we better be ready. The little things matter.
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[1]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 1:1328-1329.