Friday 4 March 2016

Daniel 1 Commentary : Bible Study And Lessons

Introduction to Daniel Chapter 1

In an age of compromise, it is always refreshing to go back to the bible and read of characters like Daniel who stood up for God when everybody else around them was in compromise mode. It is amazing that these guys could stand up for the truth in an age when life was cheap and the powers that be literally controlled lives.

The book of Daniel was written by Daniel a Jew who was taken into Babylonian exile with his fellow Jews around 600BC. This was after the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar had laid siege to Jerusalem.

Daniel lived during the times of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar as kings of Babylon and Cyrus and Darius as Medo-Persian kings. Judah was defeated by the Babylonians during the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah.

Daniel 1 start out with the exile of the Jews to Babylon which took place during the reign of Johoiakim, king of Judah.

Why did God Allow the Jews To Be Taken To Babylon?

God allowed the exile to happen because his people had abandoned him and started worshipping idols, and had abandoned the ideals of mercy and justice to their fellow men. They started practising all sorts of evil things until God had had enough.

We also need to remember that God had sent prophets to warn the people and to call them to repentance in order to avoid the the disaster. God had sent prophets such as Jeremiah to warn them but His people ignored these warnings.

Why did Nebuchadnezzar Choose Daniel and His Friends?

Daniel was part of the first three deportations from Judah to Babylon. Daniel and his three friends were children of the elite of Judah i.e. the leading families that time and therefore seen as valuable by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar.

While in Babylon there given new names signifying that they were welcome at the Babylonian kingly court where they were taken. 

Apparently Nebuchadnezzar chose young people because he believed that they could easily be influenced and were full of energy and drive. The bible is full of stories where God calls young people such as Samuel, David and Timothy but he also called older people such as Moses Noah and Nicodemus.

Daniel and His Friends Reaction In Exile.

While others compromised Daniel exhibited courage and faithfulness. He remained steadfast in his obedience to God. He valued obedience above his own life.

While everyone else partook of the kings unclean foods Daniel decided that he could not defile his body with unclean foods forbidden by God in the bible such as in Leviticus 11.

He is an example to all who want to follow God no matter the consequences.

It is also refreshing that God showed that he doesn't abandon those who decide to be obedient to him. We however need to dare to be obedient to see His faithfulness. Whoever is not faithful does not give God an opportunity to intervene.

Another point worth remembering is that God's way is still the best and this showed in the way Daniel and his friends looked after following God's diet. We too need to be obedient to God and we will experience amazing results in our health and well being. God's rules are for our own good.

Please find below a video bible study on Daniel chapter as seen on 3ABN. Please leave your comments below.


Click here for the next study and discussion which is on Daniel chapter 2.

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