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Daniel Chapter 1 Answers
Day One
1. Read Jeremiah 26:1-6. From this reading, why did God allow Nebuchadnezzar to destroy Jerusalem and the temple and take his chosen people captive?
Because the Israelites didn't listen to the prophet Jeremiah (and therefore God) to repent from their evil way of life.
2. Read 2 Chronicles 36:4-8 and 2 Kings 23:34-37, 24:1-7. What do we learn from these texts about King Jehoiakim?
- The king of Egypt (Neco) made Eliakim king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim.
- He was the brother of Jehoahaz, who previously was the king. He was the son of Josiah and Zebidah.
- Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.
- Initially, he was Nebuchadnezzar's vassel for three years, but rebelled after three years and was defeated.
- Nebuchadnezzar attacked and defeated him and bound him in chains to take him to Babylon.
- He taxed the people and gave the money to the King of Egypt.
- He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord his God.
“Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and the abominations that he did, and what was found against him, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. And Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place.”
(2 Chronicles 36:8, ESV)
Day Two
1. What are the eight characteristics that King Nebuchadnezzar used to describe the Israelites to Ashpenaz?
- from the royal family and from the nobility
- Young men
- Without any physical defect
- Good-looking
- Suitable for instruction in all wisdom
- Knowledgeable
- Perceptive
- Capable of service in the kings palace
2. Of course God is the main character in the Book of Daniel. Who are the other eight characters named in Daniel Chapter one?
Three Babylonians are named:
- King Nebuchadnezzar
- King Cyrus
- Ashpenaz, Chief Eunuch of King Nebuchadnezzar
Five Israelites are named:
- King Jehoiakim of Judah
- Daniel, who was renamed Belteshazzar
- Hananiah, who was renamed Shadrach
- Mishael, who was renamed Meshach
- Azariah, who was renamed Abednego
There are also three unnamed characters:
- the guard assigned to the four Israelites
- the young men who ate the king’s food and drank his wine
- all the magicians and mediums in the kingdom of Babylon
Day Three
1. Does the book of Daniel make a case for a vegetarian diet being a godly idea?
No, not really. The issue isn’t the type of food, the issue for Daniel is he believed the food would have defiled him had he ate it - and it very well may have included vegetables.
2. Why might one think that the guard provided the requested diet either with or without Ashpenz’s knowledge?
On the one hand Ashpenaz said he feared for his life if he was to provide the requested change in diet (vs 10). On the other hand, Daniel appears to have negotiated a diet change with the guard assigned to bring his food (vs 11). Verse 14 says he (the guard) agreed to test them with the new diet. Then, after the test provided positive results, the guard continued to provide them their requested diet (vs 16).
It seems that God was working in the background and was pleased to facilitate the provision of the non-defiling food.
Day Four
1. How is Daniel seen as the leader of the four Israelites mentioned in Daniel Chapter 1?
Verse 8 indicates it was Daniel who determined he would not defile himself. So he asked permission to change his diet. Also, it was Daniel who negotiated with the guard in verse 11.
2. How (and why) do you think Daniel received the ability to interpret visions and dreams?
Verse 17 indicates (or implies) that God gave Daniel the ability to interpret visions and dreams. We aren’t told why but we can surmise when we get to the later chapters that it was to bring glory to God.
Day Five
1. Who are the seven people God in teracts with in Daniel Chapter 1?
- King Nebuchadnezzar - God handed the king of Judah to him along with some vessels from the temple (vs 2).
- King Jehoiakim - God handed him over to King Nebuchadnezzar (vs 2).
- Ashpenaz - God granted Daniel kindness and compassion towards Daniel from him (vs 9).
- Daniel - God granted Daniel kindness and compassion from Ashpenaz (vs 9). Perhaps God also facilitated the appearance of Daniel with the diet change (15). God granted Daniel knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom, and the ability to interpret visions and dreams (vs 17).
- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - God granted them (along with Daniel) knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom (vs 17).
2. What should or can we do today like Daniel did to ensure that we won’t defile ourselves with the world we live in?
- First, we must understand why our defilement is such a big deal. Sin is a big deal to God. Our hearts are the issue - not simply our actions. Is our heart honoring to God?
- Secondly, we must understand what defiles us from a biblical point of view.
- Thirdly, we must determine ways to avoid or protect ourselves from the defilement.
- Finally, are there ways we can systematize actions or habits to help keep ourselves pure? For example, every time you wash your hands or take out the trash, you might examine the sins in your life and ask God to forgive you.