Daniel in Exile

Upper Story—God is in charge and is

merciful

Lower Story—God is continually

bringing people to Himself

I. The Babylonians took exiles to Babylon as early as 605 B.C.

 Nebuchadnezzar wanted the elite, bright and

young.

Walking single file to Babylon—Bronze chains.

The elite of society.

4 youths without blemish, of good appearance

Emotion:

Daniel, Hanniah, Mishael and Azariah

Belteshazzer, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

These four teen boys were strangers in a strange land.

 Daniel 1:3–4 (ESV) Then the king commanded

Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people

of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, 4

youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful

in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding

learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace,

and to teach them the literature and language of the

Chaldeans.

Application:  1 Peter 1:1 (NLT) — 1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle

of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who

are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia,

Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

 1 Peter 2:11 (NLT) Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary

residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires

that wage war against your very souls.

II. Three stories in Daniel show us how to live out God’s agenda for our lives.

Right Diet - Daniel 1

Refuse the Babylonian diet and

offer a creative alternative.

Healthier and wiser than all the

others.

Blessed by God as they live as

strangers in Babylon.

Application:Food we eat. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit What other “diet” does our culture offer?

Padding the expense account? Gossip in the neighbor? We must refuse to eat the world’s diet.

Right Worship Daniel 3

Nebuchadnezzar’s officials are jealous of Daniel’s 3 friends and seek to trap them in a crime.Daniel’s 3 friends refuse to worship an idolDaniel 3:17–18 (ESV) — 17 If this be so, our God

whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Thrown into a fiery furnaceNebuchadnezzar gives glory to the God of Israel. 

Right Praying-Right Focus Daniel 6

Daniel refuses to pray to Darius-thrown into

a pit of lions.

Darius’s officials are jealous  

Daniel, as his habit is, opens his window

toward Jerusalem and prays to God.

 Daniel is spared by God after he spends a

night in the lions’ pit because he disobeyed

Darius’ edict.

Application: Young people: What is the greatest

challenge you face?

Are we helping our youth have this kind

of challenge and strength.

Are you living a Godly life so others see

God’s greatness

How are you showing God’s amazement