Daniel (God As Judge) Part 1 (Chapter 1-6)

This is the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the king who attempted to eradicate the Jewish religion in 167-165 BC (Don Gowan, PhD, www.pts.edu professor). Another very different view is from Marilyn Hickey: written 70 years around 605-536 B.C . authorship by him confirmed by Matthew 24: 15 and the Jewish Talmud.

Daniel's History (from Marilyn Hickey Ministries), nothing negative about him?

1. 1st adventure

2. Nebuchadnezzar's dream (in Aramaic, 2ND 1/2 OF BOOK IN HEBREW)

3. 3 friends

4. Humbling the king

5. Writing on the wall

6. Den of lions

Ninevah (capitol of Assyria) conquered Babylon, who made anatomy, math, and astronomy.

The Choice Young Men - God disciplines individuals and nations. The 5th cycle of discipline per Leviticus is captivity.

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (IRAQ) came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

2 The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his [a]god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his [b]god. SMALL NOT BIG G.

3 Then the king [c]ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his [d]officials, (EUNUCHS, CAN'T REPRODUCE) to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the [e]royal family and of the nobles,

4 youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for [f]serving in the king’s [g]court; and he ordered him to teach them the [h]literature and language of the Chaldeans. (I'VE BEEN TO UR IN THE S.)

5 The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be [i]educated three years, at the end of which they were to [j]enter the king’s personal service. LIKE A COLLEGE DEGREE? Religion (vs. a relationship with God) seeks to obscure truth.

6 Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael (LIKE GOD) and Azariah. (JEHOVAH AIDS)

7 Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them (LIKE BRAINWASHING); and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar (WHOM BEL PROTECTS), to Hananiah (JEHOVAH HAS FAVORED, IS GRACIOUS), Shadrach (TENDER, AN IDOL), to Mishael Meshach (AN IDOL, AGILE) and to Azariah Abed-nego.(SERVANT OF NEBO, CARLTON PEARSON JOKES ABOUT THIS.)

Daniel’s Resolve - DIVINE VIEWPOINTS BRING GOOD RESULTS.

8 But Daniel [k]made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.

9 Now God granted Daniel [l]favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, I PRAY GOD GIVES US FAVOR WITH OFFICIALS AS WELL. PEOPLE IN HIGH PLACES TEND TO BE INSECURE.

10 and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would [m]make me forfeit my head to the king.”

11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,

12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.

13 Then let our appearance be [n]observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

14 So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days.

15 At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and [o]they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food. 16 So the overseer continued to [p]withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables. THIS IS CALLED THE DANIEL DIET. PERCEPTION OF DOCTRINE MAKES ACADEMIC PERCEPTION EASIER.

17 As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of [q]literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams. THIS IS LIKE JOSEPH IN GENESIS. GOD HONORS THOESE WHO PUT HIS WORD FIRST.

18 Then at the end of the days which the king had [r]specified [s]for presenting them, the commander of the officials [t]presented them before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they [u]entered the king’s personal service.