Read Daniel 1:7-20. We see two factors at work here: Daniel’s free will and the intervention of God. What important principle also exists here?

It appears that the four Hebrew captives do not object to their Babylonian names. Most likely there is nothing they can do about it, apart from using their Hebrew names among themselves.

Image © Providence Collection at GoodSalt.com

But in regard to the food and wine from the king’s table, it is certainly in their power to consume it or not. Thus, the free choice of the four men is very important here.

However, if an officer can change their names, he can also change the menu. There are two likely reasons why the four do not want to eat from the king’s table.

First, the meals from the king’s table may contain unclean meats (Leviticus 11). Second, food is first offered as a meal to the god’s image and then sent to the king for his consumption. Thus, when Daniel makes clear, without resorting to subterfuge or deception, that his request has a religious motivation, i.e., the food at the palace will defile him and his friends (Dan. 1:8), he is being very courageous.

As we look into the interaction between Daniel and the Babylonian officer, a few important points stand out. First, Daniel seems to understand well the difficult position of the officer, so he proposed a test. Ten days of consuming the alternative meals should suffice to demonstrate the benefits of the diet and thus to put down the fears of the officer. Second, Daniel’s certainty that the outcome would be so positive within such a short time span stems from absolute confidence in God. Third, the choice of a diet of vegetables and water points back to the food God gave humanity at Creation (see Gen. 1:29), a fact that perhaps influences Daniel’s choice as well. After all, what could be a better diet than the one God originally gave us?

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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1. The four heroes. True or false: The battle to recover Jerusalem was the result of heroic action by Daniel and his fellow Jewish companions. Does God always rely on human beings to carry out His earthly purposes in combating evil? Explain your answer.
2. God’s Sovereignty. How might a reporter introduce the news about what has happened to Judah after its fall to Nebuchadnezzar, starting with: “Tonight we see more evidence of unrest in the conquered kingdom of Judah…” Who really won the battle between Babylon and Jerusalem? Would you say that God had forsaken His people because of their lack of faith? What military, social or religious role did Daniel and the other three men play in this historic time? 
3. God’s rescue plans. Imagine what the young men’s parents thought when they learned the names their sons had been given by their conquerors. What sort of education do you think these four men had experienced at home? What evidence did Daniel have that God was leading them at this time? Give examples of how God even today causes events to happen—or restrains them from happening—as we face hardships and difficult times.  How can we trust God—no matter what?
4. Faith under pressure. I don’t know of any current example of soldiers captured in war and then offered a high position within the conquering nation. Do you? Why do you think the Babylonians decided to take advantage of the presence of these four well-educated and healthy young men? Were Daniel and his companions in a position where they could be useful to their new administrators without compromising their personal beliefs? How did they give their conquerors a lesson in healthful living?
5. Firm resolution. The captured men didn’t seem to mind having foreign names, although Daniel apparently kept his given name. The other three men were assigned Babylonian names. But when it came to food, they wanted a simpler fare, not the unclean meat offered first to idols. How was Daniel able to persuade the officers to give them simpler fare? What gave him the courage to ask for such a favor? Are we able to choose the healthiest food God has given us to eat?
6. Unblemished and wise. The king put the Hebrew men through a daunting test of their strength and health. How did the captive men do on this test? Can four strong men look better and stronger after just ten days of a healthy diet? Lessons learned: It’s true that he greater the challenges we face, the more we need to rely on the wisdom and understanding God has given us and the greater our reward will be for our faithfulness?
7. Final exam. Time to step forward to be evaluated. We have to wonder how long the final examination took, but it was probably at least two or three hours. And no doubt thorough in the material covered, including a huge bloc of information about pagan beliefs. The four men pass with flying colors. What does this episode in the life of the Old Testament church have to teach us in our  modern-day whirl of physical and mental ability?

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The hymn that will be used as the theme for this quarter is from “The Church Hymnal, Official Hymnal of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church” which was surpassed by the “Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal” in 1985.In the ‘old’ hymnal,
Number 497 – Standing by a Purpose True, that is, ”Dare to be a Daniel” will be the favourite. I do hope you are able to source this hymn and use it frequently during this quarters Sabbath School study time.

Sabbath afternoon’s introduction reminds us of the downfall in the Garden of Eden – the beginning of sin –
Hymn 295 “Chief of Sinners”. The Bible then goes on to show the many who “show great faithfulness to God:
Hymn 169 “Come, You Faithful” and
Hymn 602 “O Brother, Be Faithful” all because
“I Know Whom I Have Believed” Hymn 511 and
Hymn 583, “You That Know the Lord”.

Even though our faith may be under pressure (Monday),
“Faith Is the Victory” Hymn 608. We find the four young men in Babylon worshiping God alone:
Hymn 83 “O Worship the King”, even though their names were changed to those of foreign gods. They cared not for the riches but in the “The Church Hymnal, Official Hymnal of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church” (the old SDA Hymnal),Hymn 617 says, “Lord, I care not for riches, neither silver nor gold…Is my name written there?”

Those serving in the sanctuary were to be unblemished (Wednesday):
Hymn 318 “Whiter Than Snow”, and ask for great wisdom:
Hymn 547 “Be Thou My Vision”. This way all may remain faithful –
Hymn 169 “Come, You Faithful” and
Hymn 602 “O Brother, Be Faithful”.

The Final Exam showed the young men trusted their God –
Hymn 279 “Only Trust Him”. Thursday then “concludes with a glimpse of hope and a homecoming” in
Hymn 214 “We Have This Hope”.

God’s blessings as you enjoy your Singing with Inspiration this quarter.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Key Thought: To be faithful in one’s own culture and land is a big challenge, but more so when facing the pressure of a foreign land, culture, and religion.

January 11, 2020

1. Have a volunteer read 2 Kings 24:18-20.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Why does God give Judah and Jerusalem into the hands of the Babylonians?
3. Personal Application: What are some of the challenges your faith faces: from outside, within the church, or from your own personal defects? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “I don’t understand why God would allow a heathen nation to defeat and conquer His people, even if they had done wrong. Why allow those that don’t believe in God to be in charge of those who do, even if defectively.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Daniel 1:15-20

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What pressures are put on these young men to conform to Babylonian culture and lifestyle?
3. Personal Application: Can we draw any lessons from this about the importance of our choices? Does our faith and trust have any impact on our choices? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why would Daniel risk the anger and displeasure of the king by refusing to eat the meat and delicacies of Babylon? Is what we eat really that important in our spiritual life? Most people eat some kind of meat from time to time.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Daniel 1:17-21.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What was the key to success for these four young men?
3. Personal Application: How can we learn to put all our efforts into whatever we are asked to do for whatever reason? How does a strong faith in God give us the desire and ability to do our best? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “What are some of the cultural and social influences that interfere with people knowing and living the Christian life and mentality that may not agree or be in sync with the cultural and social beliefs?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Daniel Galatians 2:19,20.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What does it mean to be crucified with Christ and dead to the law?
3. Personal Application: How do we live with Christ in us? How is it different to live by faith rather than in the flesh? Share your thoughts.
4.  Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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You can view an in-depth discussion of “From Jerusalem to Babylon” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view:

You may download an MP4 video file, and audio file or a PDF lesson outline from the HopeSS site.

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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