Lesson Text: Daniel 1:8-21 Sunday, January 7, 2018 King James Versionn (KJV) I. THE HEBREW BOYS CONVICTIONS ARE TESTED (DANIEL 1:8-10) 8. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. II. THE HEBREW BOYS MAINTAIN THEIR CONVICTIONS (Daniel 1:11-17)
11. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12. Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king s meat. 16. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. III. THE HEBREW BOYS ARE REWARDED FOR MAINTAINING THEIR CONVICTIONS (Daniel 1:18-21)
18. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. 21. And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. New International Version (NIV) I. THE HEBREW BOYS CONVICTIONS ARE TESTED (DANIEL 1:8-10) 8. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10. but the official told Daniel, I am afraid of my lord the
king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you. II. THE HEBREW BOYS MAINTAIN THEIR CONVICTIONS (Daniel 1:11-17) 11. Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12. Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see. 14. So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. 17. To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.and
Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. III. THE HEBREW BOYS ARE REWARDED FOR MAINTAINING THEIR CONVICTIONS (Daniel 1:18-21) 18. At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king s service. 20. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 21. And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. PRACTICAL POINTS FOR DISCUSSION: 1. When we are committed to obedience to God, we can also
expect our seriousness to be tested (Daniel 1:8). 2. If we stand firm for God, He will intervene on our behalf (Daniel 1:9-10). 3. Although we are in the world, we are not of the world. Therefore, we must not compromise the truth of God s Word (Daniel 1:11-14; John 15:19). 4. When we are obedient to God s will, we will be lights to a dark world (Daniel 1:15-16; Philippians 2:14-15). 5. When God graces us with skills and knowledge He expects us to use them for His glory (Daniel 1:17). 6. There is no comparison between the superior wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world (Daniel 1:18-20; I Corinthians 3:19). 7. Wherever you are, know that God has placed you there for a reason, so keep on trusting Him (Daniel 1:21; Genesis 37: 22,-24, 28; 50:18-21 John 4:4, 7-30; Acts 8:26-39). ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel
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