‘Four Faithful Men.’
Daniel 1:1-20.
a) Daniel 1:1. It was a difficult time for God’s People. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
b) Daniel 1:2; Romans 8:28. This was the Lord’s doing. The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
c) Daniel 1:3. Nebuchadnezzar told Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to gather together young men of potential.
d) Daniel 1:4. These young men:-
1- Had no blemish.
2- Were good looking.
3- Were gifted in all Wisdom.
4- Possessed knowledge.
5- Were quick to understand.
6- Had ability to serve. They were humble.
7- Had ability to learn a new language. They were teachable.
e) Daniel 1:5. The king provided abundantly for them for a three year training programme.
f) Daniel 1:6-7. Daniel and his three friends were sons of Judah.
1- Daniel means: God is my judge.
2- Hananiah means: God has favoured.
3- Mishael means: who is what God is.
4- Azariah means: Jehovah has helped.
Their names were changed by Ashpenaz. These names were intentionally given to deny the living God.
1- Daniel became Belteshazzar meaning: lord of the straitened people’s treasure.
2- Hananiah became Shadrach meaning: the great scribe.
3- Mishael became Meshach meaning the guest of a king.
4- Azariah became Abednego meaning servant of Nebo (a Babylonian god).
g) Daniel 1:8. Daniel asked Ashpenaz that he be not defiled with the feasts of the king’s delicacies and wine.
h) Daniel 1:9. Daniel found favour with Ashpenaz.
i) Daniel 1:10. Ashkenaz was afraid of king Nebuchadnezzar, if Daniel’s health deteriorated Ashkenaz would be in trouble.
j) Daniel 1:11-13. Daniel and his three friends asked for a 10 day test eating just vegetables and water. Then, after those ten days, their appearances could be checked. These men had active Faith.
k) Daniel 1:14. Ashkenaz agreed to the four men’s request.
l) Daniel 1:15-16. After the ten days, their health looked better than all the other young men so they had a permanent diet of vegetables and water.
m) Daniel 1:17. For the four young men God gave them Knowledge and skill in all literature and Wisdom.
n) Daniel 1:17. Especially for Daniel, God gave him understanding in visions and dreams.
o) Daniel 1:18. After the three year training programme the four men were brought before king Nebuchadnezzar.
p) Daniel 1:19. The king interviewed them and found them to be exceptional and he appointed them as personal servants. (This must have caused jealousy amongst Nebuchadnezzar’s own people)
q) Daniel 1:20. These four men had more Wisdom and Understanding than anyone else.
(Through this QT I am Blessed by the lives of Four Faithful Men)
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‘Rage.’
a) Daniel 3:13. Can cause unjust punishment.
b) 2 Kings 5:12. Can cause us to miss God’s healing in our lives.
c) 2 Kings 19:27; 2 Chronicles 28:9; Isaiah 37:28-29. God knows our rage.
d) 2 Kings 19:28. Can cause defeat and captivity.
e) Psalm 2:1; Acts 4:25. Can be a national problem.
f) Daniel 11:11. Can cause wars.
g) Luke 6:11. Is anti Christ.
(This Second one makes me realise how dangerous Rage is)
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Chris.
Rage is a destroyer. Let us forsake rage and follow the right way for our lives. Rage destroys health, rage destroys marriages, rage destroys friendships and rage can make the person who has it very lonely. Get rid of rage in Jesus Name.
