Daniel’s Preparation for Babylonian Captivity-His First
Sixteen Years in Judah
1.
Born into the
Royal Family of Judah (Daniel 1:3, 6) [Daniel: Great-great grandson of
Hezekiah/ was of the kings Seed-Ref: Josephus Jewish Historian of the First
Century A.D.]
2.
Raised during
Great Revival/Reforms of King Josiah one of Judah’s Godliest Kings (II Chronicles
34, 35)
*Idolatry thoroughly purged from entire
kingdom (II Chronicles 34:1-7) [Cleansing]
*House of the Lord was repaired and
amended (II Chronicles 34:8-13) [Construction]
*Book of the Law was found and greatly
honored (II Chronicles 34:14-28) [Contrition/Counsel]
*Covenant made by Josiah w/all present to
obey Word of God (II Chronicles 34:29-33) [Covenant]
*Greatest Passover since Samuel the
Prophet kept by all (II Chronicles 35:1-19) [Commitment]
3.
Prophecy
concerning the children of Hezekiah provided Daniel/King’s family w/insight
(Isaiah 39:6-8)
4.
Knowledge of
Scripture/Joseph’s Trials/Testing 1300 years earlier:
Illustration:
Daniel’s (8) Similarities/Parallels to Joseph
1-Both
young (increasing severity of temptation) Hebrew Men
2-Both
captives in a strange land-‘Culture Shock’
3-Both
brought to live in places of high governmental authority
4-Both
gifted by God to have dreams/understand and interpret dreams of others
5-Both
underwent intense moral testing
6-Both
were victorious through multiple trials, troubles, tribulation & testing
7-Both eventually promoted to honor,
glory & powerful positions in government
8-Both
actively used to deliver the people of God
5.
Confidence in
being selected/chosen by God to represent Him and Israel (Daniel 1/Isaiah
39:6-8)
Daniel’s Childhood
Preparation Produced (8) Outstanding Character Traits/Fruit of the Holy Spirit
1. Self-control (1:8, 10:3)
2. Courage (1:12; 5:22)
3. Integrity (6:4)
4. Humility (2:30, 10:17)
5. Vision (7:9,12; 10:5,6)
6. Holiness/Righteousness (1:8)
7. Faith (1:12-16; 2:16)
8. Discipline (6:10)
Daniel’s Godly Appeal to
Nebuchadnezzar
1. Appeals with a right attitude (1:12) [Please let us be proved]
1. Appeals with a right attitude (1:12) [Please let us be proved]
*Not contentious
*Not condemning
*Not condescending
*Not coercive
2. Offers a reasonable alternative (1:12) [Ten days…give us pulse (Veggies, seeds,
grain, lentils) to eat]
3. Gives final say to his master/not demanding (1:13) [As thou seest, deal with thy servants]
4. Gives God the opportunity to work in the heart of his
authority by his impeccable appeal/testimony
5. Separation from sin was the key principle Daniel
obeyed giving God the opportunity to turn the heart of the king
There are at
least ten similarities and parallels between Daniel and his three companions
and the 144 Thousand:
1. They are prepared for their ministry
(Daniel 1:3, 4; Revelation 7:3
2. They are supernaturally protected by the Lord (Revelation 7:3a, 9:4; Daniel 3:23-28, 6:21, 22)
2. They are supernaturally protected by the Lord (Revelation 7:3a, 9:4; Daniel 3:23-28, 6:21, 22)
3. They are called servants of God (Revelation 7:3b; Daniel 3:26)
4. They are sons of Israel [Men of the tribe of Judah] (Revelation 7:5;
Daniel 2:25)
5. They refuse to worship an idolatrous image under the threat of death
(Revelation 13; Daniel 3)
6. They are seen with the Lord (Revelation 14:1; Daniel 3:26)
7. They refuse to be defiled (Revelation 14:4a; Daniel 1:8)
8. They choose to follow God (Revelation 14:4b; Daniel 3:16-18, 28)
9. They are without fault (Revelation 14:5; Daniel 6:4)
10.
Their ministry is prophesied (II Kings 20:17, 18; Psalm 11:3; Revelation 7:1-8;
14:1-5)
God is
right now preparing a generation of young men who will be mightily prepared to
face the great tribulation of the Antichrist and the ensuing chaos during the
Day of the Lord. Could it be that you are being mightily prepared by God “For such a time as this” ? (Esther 4:14)
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