They did well by submitting to the authority and rule of the king, even one as wicked and idolatrous as Nebuchadnezzar. In fact, even when their names were changed to align with the gods of Babylon, the Hebrew youths never opposed the decision. We should note that none of them resisted this plan. 5-7)Дaniel and his friends were to be trained in the ways of Babylon for three years and then enter the king's service. But we must hold fast to Him, and let Him work all things for good (Rom. The temptation to let go of God is strong when we suffer. We can examine ourselves, repent of our sins, and resolve to walk in obedience to His commands. We can trust that He has not utterly abandoned us. Although our sin may have led us into a difficult situation, we can look to God's good and sovereign hand. 105:17).ДЄpplication: This is how we must understand our suffering. At the end of Genesis, he says to his brothers, 'You planned evil against me God planned it for good' (Gen. Yet God was with Joseph and he prospered. Due to his brother's betrayal, he found himself in the foreign and idolatrous nation of Egypt. The story of Joseph in Egypt is a glorious picture of seeing God's hand in suffering. He is the one who rules the kingdom of men (Dan. He is the one who sent them into exile (Ezek. But we must not think that God was uninvolved or passive in all these events. We cannot overlook Judah's sinfulness or undervalue Babylon's might. He is the one who gave Jerusalem into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

Verse 2 is clear that the primary cause of the exile was the Lord. Even the sufferings that His people experience are simply tools in His loving hand to bring about good. The book of Daniel is clear, as is the rest of the Bible, that God is sovereign over all things. Look for God's sovereign hand during suffering (vv.1-5) Let's see how we can learn from their example as we examine Daniel 1:1-17. 29:5-14).Дaniel and his companions are great reminders of how we can remain holy, even in times of distress, pain, and suffering. Even while in exile, God expected the people of Israel to be His set-apart nation (Jer. God's people, regardless of their circumstances, have always been called to be holy. We never stop fighting against sin and temptation, at least in this life. When one war ends, another rises to take its place. We Christians in our war against sin, the world, and the devil, experience something similar. But when they ask the Colonel what he will do, he simply says, 'Start preparing for the next war.' One soldier will get married, another plans to be a teacher. In one scene the prisoners discuss what they will do when the war is over. To End All Wars is the true story of a group of Allied prisoners in a Japanese labor camp during World War II. Though the geographical location of God's people changed, by being exiled to Babylon, their calling to remain pure and holy did not.

Scriptures: Daniel 1:1-17 Connection to unit theme Judah: A Warned, Judged, and Promised People.Idolatry Exposed and Judged - 1 & 2 Kings.

Sermons on the book of daniel