Lesson 18
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DANIEL'S DECISION OF FAITH
Daniel 1:1-21
Key Verse: 1:8
"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."
 This book is written by Daniel at 6th Century B.C. “Daniel” means “God is my judge.” He
served four different kings in a row in the foreign land; king Nebuchadnezzar, king
Belshazzar, king Darius and king Cyrus.
 In Daniel’s times, 70 years of Babylonian captivity started. It was the most tragic situation in
Israel history. In this situation, what did Daniel do?
1. Read verses 1-2. What was the situation of the people of Judah and Jerusalem? Review God's
plans, promises and blessings: Ex 19:5-6; Dt 6:5,10-12. What had happened to them when they
did not maintain God's blessings?
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and
besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the
temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.
<Exodus 19:5-6> 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my
treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'
These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
<Deuteronomy 6:5,10-12> 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
strength. 10 When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good
things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you
eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of
slavery.
 Prior to this event, Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt killed king Josiah, king of Judah (2Ki 23:2930), and then appointed Jehoiakim. But later Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon invaded
Jerusalem (605 B.C.). He killed numerous Israelites mercilessly, burned down Jerusalem to
ashes, desecrated the holy temple, and took some of the articles from the temple of God and
put them in the temple of his god. He also carried young Israelites to Babylon.
 Israelites were very special to God. We know how God delivered them from Egypt. God
struck Pharaoh, separated the Red Sea, fed them for 40 years and led them by pillar of cloud
and fire. Why did such tragedy happen to them? Out of all nations, God chose Israel to be his
people (Ex 19:5,6). God had a plan to save all people of all nations through them. God wanted
them to love God with all their heart, soul and strength. God wanted them to obey him fully
and keep his covenant. They should not forget God. Then they could enjoy God’s blessings in
the land.
 In the Promised Land, they worshipped idols. They forgot God, did not obey God, and did not
love God. Then God punished them. Babylonian invasion was not by chance. It was God’s
way of punishment. 2Ki 23:27 says, “so the Lord said, ‘ I will remove Judah also from my
presence as I removed Israel, and I will reject Jerusalem, the city I chose, and this temple,
about which I said, ‘There shall my Name be.’” Verse 2 says, “And the Lord delivered
Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand.” Daniel saw it from God’s point of view. It was God’s
sovereign will. They needed divine discipline under Gentile king for 70 years. God is love and
merciful. But at the same time, God is holy and righteous. There is no sin unpunished. As God
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disciplined his own people when they did not maintain God’s blessing, he will discipline us
too. We must learn from the history.
2. Read verses 3-5. What plan did King Nebuchadnezzar have to make use of the conquered people?
What were the qualifications of those selected? How and for how long were they to be trained?
What special benefits did they receive?
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family
and the nobility- 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning,
well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language
and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table.
They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service.
 He took some young people who could serve the king.
 They were from royal family and nobility without any physical defect, handsome, showing
aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve
in the king’s palace. In short, he took idea banks from Jerusalem to train them for the future
service of his empire.
 They were taught Babylonian language and literature for three years.
 The king assigned them daily amount of royal food and wine from the king’s table. They
could eat all kinds of delicious food from king’s table. In the times of tragedy, they could
enjoy their life as opportunists. They received special benefit from the king.
3. Read verses 6-8. Who were the young men selected from Judah? What new names did the
steward give them? Why did he change their names? What did Daniel resolve? Why? Why would
it be hard to keep his decision?
6 Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new
names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 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.
 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
 Daniel => Belteshazzar, Hananiah => Shadrach, Mishael => Meshach, Azariah => Abednego.
 These names were those of Babylonian idols. The purpose was to make them pro-Babylonians
and to erase the traces of the Israelites. The king gave them new identity.
 Instead of despairing, Daniel had something to do for God. Daniel resolved not to defile
himself with the royal food and wine and then asked the chief official for permission not to
defile himself this way.
 He did so in order to keep the dietary law based on God’s words (Lev 11). He honored the
word of God in such hopeless situation. He did not complain to God due to the situation. He
loved God no matter what. He kept his identity as God’s chosen person. He had to deny the
luxurious and comfortable life. It was benefit and opportunity given to him.
4. Read verses 9-16. How did he get permission to carry out his decision? What happened? Why is
it important for a person to make such a decision of faith before God?
9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy 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." 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:
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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.
 He asked the official for permission. God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy
to Daniel. God accepted and blessed Daniel’s decision. He could do so by God’s help. If we
make a decision, God’s helps us to do so. The official’s answer was negative, but Daniel did
not give up. He asked him to test for ten days, giving them nothing but vegetables and water.
The official agreed with him.
 At the end of the ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young
men who ate the royal food. So he them only vegetables and water for three years.
 His decision seems very small. But it was very precious. God accepted him and blessed him.
His decision saved his life, saved his people and even influences on our life. One’s small
decision of faith before God impact on numerous people tremendously.
5. Read verses 17-21. How did God help these four young men? How did they do on their orals
before the king? (18-20) What can we learn from Daniel about how to obtain God's blessing?
What can we learn about God? (1Samuel 2:30)
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. 18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in,
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.
<1Samuel 2:30> "Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and your father's
house would minister before me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honor me I
will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.
 God was very pleased with them. So he gave them knowledge, understanding of all kinds of
literature, and learning. God gave Daniel wisdom to understand visions and dreams of all
kinds.
 Three years later, at the oral test, the king found that Daniel and his friends were much
superior to any of the classmates. So they were chosen to enter the king’s service. Their
wisdom and understanding were ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in the
whole kingdom.
 In any situation, we have to love God and obey his words. In order to do so, we have to make
a decision of faith before God and keep it.
 Living God accepts our personal and small decision of faith and blesses us more than we
expect. When we honor God, God honors us too. Even though four kings were changed,
Daniel was in the same place. Daniel was respected by the four kings.
*What decision of faith do you make before God?