Daniel

Daniel 1: God rules in Babylon

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Daniel in Babylon, let us pray together. Ask the Lord to show us that God rules over kings, and to teach us to look to Christ in every verse.

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule; nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

Proverbs 8:15-16

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You rule over every king, and help us to see Christ, the wisdom of God. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieges Jerusalem, and the Lord gives the king of Judah into his hand. He takes part of the vessels of God's house and some young men from Israel's royal family and nobles. For three years Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah are to learn the language of the Chaldeans and eat from the king's table. Daniel decides not to defile himself, and God makes the officer kind to him. A test of ten days shows the four young men looking healthier than the others. God gives them knowledge and wisdom, and the king finds them ten times better than all his magicians.

As you read Daniel 1, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God rules over kings, and He gave Daniel and his friends kindness and wisdom in Babylon.

Daniel opens with Jerusalem under siege and part of God's house carried off to Shinar (verses 1 and 2). It looks as though Babylon's king has won. But the text says, “The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand” (verse 2). God did not lose control, and the king held only what the Lord gave him. The same God gave Daniel “kindness and compassion” in the sight of the officer (verse 9). Daniel had decided not to defile himself, and God, not Daniel's own cleverness, gave him that kindness. The four young men's wisdom was a gift too, for “God gave them knowledge and skill” (verse 17). This matters to us, because the God who ruled over Babylon's king still rules over every power that frightens His people.

How does Daniel 1 show us that God rules over kings, and that He gave Daniel and his friends kindness and wisdom in Babylon?

The Lord gave Judah's king into Nebuchadnezzar's hand.

Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem in the third year of King Jehoiakim (verse 1). The text says the Lord gave Jehoiakim into his hand (verse 2). The king carried part of the vessels of God's house to Shinar, to the house of his god. Babylon won the battle, yet God was the One who gave it.

Daniel decided in his heart not to defile himself.

The king chose young men from Israel's royal family and nobles to be taught for three years (verses 3 to 5). Daniel asked that he might not defile himself with the king's food and wine (verse 8). To defile means to make unclean. God gave Daniel kindness with the officer, and a ten day test of vegetables and water went well (verses 9 to 15).

God gave the four young men knowledge and wisdom.

God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel understood visions and dreams (verse 17). When the king talked with them, none were found like these four (verse 19). He found them ten times better than all his magicians and enchanters (verse 20). All true wisdom is God's gift, and Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1 verse 24).

Memorise

Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Daniel 1:17

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, since God rules over everything, have I come to Jesus for forgiveness?

In Babylon, God gave four young men “knowledge and skill.” Jesus is the true wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1 verse 24).

Our own wisdom cannot answer our sin before a holy God. So Jesus carried the sin of His people to the cross, and what He did there is enough. Death could not hold Him, and the Father raised Him from the tomb.

So come to Jesus, the wisdom of God. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him will receive forgiveness of sins, and God will keep them.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God rules over kings, and that He is the same God who rules over their lives. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Parents, verse 8 does not say why the king's food would defile Daniel, so please say only what it says.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He rules over kings and gives wisdom to His servants, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Luke 2:52

Lord God, thank You that You rule over every king, in Babylon and in every land. Thank You for giving Daniel and his friends kindness and wisdom. Please show each of us our need of Jesus, and bring us to turn from sin and trust Him. Amen.