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
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
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!!!