Daniel: A Committed Man Of God

Historical Background:

Daniel was among the Jewish captives of the first deportment by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C. He lived in Babylon throughout the entire seventy- year captivity period. Daniel was taken captive at eighteen years old. He served for three different rulers.

1. Nebuchadnezzar (Neo-Babylonian)

2. Darius the Mede (Median)

3. Cyrus (Persian)

Daniel, as we shall see, was one of the most notable characters of Jewish history, one of the greatest and purest souls of the Bible. He was a man with a committed spirit who influenced his surroundings. He never compromised his personal walk with God in his captivity. Instead he separated himself from the defilement of Babylon and became an active witness for God.

I. DANIEL SHOWED THE QUALITY OF A MAN WITH A COMMITTED SPIRIT BY HIS MORALITY IN HIS PERSONAL LIFE. (Dan. 1:8-20)

8But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, 10but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your£ food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” 11Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.15At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. 17To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. 18At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

a. Daniel, a captive of Babylon who was castrated because he was chosen by Ashpenaz to serve in the king’s court, always acted in humility and never became bitter because of his captivity, and he never let Babylon destroy his morals.

i. Even under extreme circumstances, his true character blossomed forth.

1. Daniel decided in his heart, that he would not drink or eat of the royal food. He decided that Babylon would not influence his moral life. (Vs. 8)

2. Daniel did not want to eat or drink the royal meals for two reasons: