Lesson 2 September 19

                     Daniel  God's Rule over History

 

1:1-2   Siege of Jerusalem;  Historical background

The drums of war were beating in the Middle East, Egypt and Babylon,  the two superpowers of the late seventh century B.C. were competing with each other for control of that part of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1:3-7  Nebuchadnezzar's strategy in dealing with the captives, or How to make the best use of them.

In the Ancient world it was more common that when a campaign was completed against a nation;  that the conquering nation did not destroy everything but sought to use what they had; to take booty; to utilize whatever they had to their own advantage.

 

 

This action fulfilled an earlier prophecy of God which said that offspring of the royal family of Judah would be taken captive to Babylon where they would become officials in the Palace of the king of Babylon (Isa.39:7).

 

1:3  Begins the selection process!

#1  had to be from the right family

 

#2  had to be right age!

 

#3  had to have the right appearance

 

#4  had to have the right ability, right intelligence.

 

For those selected, Nebuchadnezzar's program had objectives.

#1  With these young men their patriotism had to be neutralized!

 

 

 

#2  Had to neutralize individualism;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#3  Had to neutralize their sense of relationship with God.

The means of doing this was by changing their names.

 

 

 

* Daniel meant God is Judge.  laYEnID'

 

* Hananiah   hy"n>n:x]  from  !n:x'  signified YHWH is gracious.

 

* Mishael   laev'ymi   expressed the question, Who is God?  or  Who is what God is?

 

* Azariah   hy"r>z:[  conveyed the meaning, YHWH has helped.

 

** Because these names honored the God of Israel and spoke clearly of Him, the leaders knew that they had to go!!

 

1:7  Change of names

 

* Daniel was assigned Belteshazzar, may Bel protect his life.

 

* Hananiah was given Shadrach,  command of Aku, after the moon-god,

 

* Mishael was designated  Meshach Who is what Aku is?

 

* Azariah was named Abednego;  (abed = servant)   Servant of Nebo

 

**  All the various dimensions of Nebuchadnezzar's program really had only one  demand;   CONFORM!!!