WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:04.320 So today we're starting a new series in the book of Daniel called Daniel's World. 00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:10.820 Daniel's a great book, also a great name if you're having a baby anytime soon. 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:14.900 Really strong name. 00:00:16.179 --> 00:00:20.879 And today we're going to do chapter one, which is called A Long Way From Home. 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:29.060 When God wants to drill a man and thrill a man and skill a man, 00:00:29.059 --> 00:00:33.280 when God wants to mold a man to play the noblest part, 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:37.820 when he yearns with all his heart to create so great and bold a man 00:00:37.820 --> 00:00:40.259 that all the world shall be amazed. 00:00:40.439 --> 00:00:43.460 Watch his methods, watch his ways. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:48.200 How he ruthlessly perfects whom he royally elects, 00:00:48.219 --> 00:00:52.379 how he hammers him and hurts him and with mighty blows converts him 00:00:52.379 --> 00:00:57.079 into trial shapes of clay which only God understands. 00:00:57.079 --> 00:01:01.979 While his tortured heart is crying and he lifts beseeching hands, 00:01:02.199 --> 00:01:04.159 how he bends but never breaks, 00:01:04.480 --> 00:01:06.359 when his good he undertakes, 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:08.659 how he uses whom he chooses 00:01:08.659 --> 00:01:11.659 and which every purpose fuses him, 00:01:12.219 --> 00:01:14.319 by every act induces him 00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:16.819 to try his splendor out. 00:01:16.819 --> 00:01:20.479 God knows what he's about. 00:01:21.079 --> 00:01:27.639 That anonymous poem speaking about how God shapes and molds and uses unlikely people 00:01:27.639 --> 00:01:31.579 in his world to bring him glory. 00:01:32.459 --> 00:01:36.459 And this would be so true of Daniel and his three friends. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:41.039 These people that we're going to take ten weeks to look at together. 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:48.180 How God used Daniel and his three friends to influence the most pagan nation on earth. 00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:53.680 How God shaped, gifted and transformed Daniel to be his man 00:01:53.680 --> 00:01:56.500 in the courts of four different emperors 00:01:56.500 --> 00:02:01.860 and two different empires over a span of seven decades. 00:02:01.859 --> 00:02:10.460 These men who refused to let a hostile society squeeze them into its mold. 00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:17.039 Daniel a book that is vital in encouraging us to remain faithful to God 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:20.919 despite pressures to compromise and conform. 00:02:21.979 --> 00:02:27.460 Daniel's Babylon, as we shall see, is very similar to our Edinburgh. 00:02:27.460 --> 00:02:30.300 Our gods just have different names 00:02:30.300 --> 00:02:33.860 and our temples are less clearly defined. 00:02:34.820 --> 00:02:37.640 Daniel is a believing individual 00:02:37.640 --> 00:02:42.080 swimming against the tide of the surrounding culture. 00:02:42.879 --> 00:02:46.659 And so his story resonates with our experience. 00:02:47.700 --> 00:02:50.900 We know what it is to be vastly outnumbered. 00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:55.520 To be the only believers in our families, our workplaces. 00:02:55.520 --> 00:03:01.460 To be the only believers in our friendship groups and social spheres. 00:03:02.540 --> 00:03:07.040 Daniel and his friends, who from their teenage years 00:03:07.040 --> 00:03:14.560 set their faces like flint to remain believers both publicly and privately. 00:03:15.860 --> 00:03:18.760 In a society dripping with idolatry. 00:03:19.500 --> 00:03:21.240 At great personal cost. 00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:24.520 And so it has so much import for us today. 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:31.380 As we're called to glorify God both publicly and privately. 00:03:31.380 --> 00:03:34.060 Even in a hostile culture. 00:03:34.860 --> 00:03:37.219 Daniel is a unique book in many ways. 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:38.879 It's a book of two halves. 00:03:39.379 --> 00:03:42.600 The first six chapters are six narrative stories. 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:47.240 The final chapters are four apocalyptic visions. 00:03:48.020 --> 00:03:50.460 It's also written in two different languages. 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:54.480 Chapters one and the first bit of chapter two are in Hebrew. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:03:58.879 Chapter two to the end of chapter seven are in Aramaic. 00:03:59.520 --> 00:04:02.260 And chapter eight to the end of the book are back in Hebrew. 00:04:02.819 --> 00:04:06.540 So in the middle of the book you have an evangelistic tract. 00:04:07.540 --> 00:04:11.640 In Aramaic, which would be the language that most of the world spoke. 00:04:11.639 --> 00:04:17.500 An evangelistic tract talking about the conversion of Nebuchadnezzar. 00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:18.060 Nebuchadnezzar. 00:04:18.139 --> 00:04:21.099 What a useful book this would be. 00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:24.199 It's also a wonderfully accurate book. 00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:25.500 We know lots about the Babylonians. 00:04:26.939 --> 00:04:32.939 We have loads of extra biblical evidence that perfectly line up with what we read in Daniel. 00:04:32.939 --> 00:04:37.319 They write their voracious chronologists. 00:04:37.980 --> 00:04:45.579 They chronicle everything in this weird cuneiform language which Daniel and his friends would have to master. 00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:51.800 So let me read Daniel chapter one for us and then we'll have a few thoughts. 00:04:52.759 --> 00:04:53.839 Daniel chapter one. 00:04:53.839 --> 00:05:03.379 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:08.339 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand. 00:05:08.979 --> 00:05:11.699 Along with some of the articles from the temple of God. 00:05:12.679 --> 00:05:16.120 These he carried off to the temple of his God in Babylonia. 00:05:17.019 --> 00:05:19.019 And put in the treasure house of his God. 00:05:19.019 --> 00:05:29.019 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his courts, to bring into the king's service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility. 00:05:29.719 --> 00:05:31.959 Young men without any physical defect. 00:05:32.459 --> 00:05:35.219 Handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning. 00:05:35.799 --> 00:05:39.740 Well informed, quick to understand and qualified to serve in the king's palace. 00:05:40.899 --> 00:05:44.479 He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 00:05:44.620 --> 00:05:48.899 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:52.379 They were to be trained for three years. 00:05:53.039 --> 00:05:56.099 And after that, they were to enter the king's service. 00:05:56.759 --> 00:06:00.259 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah. 00:06:00.799 --> 00:06:04.319 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:06.939 The chief official gave them new names. 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:09.359 To Daniel, the name Belteshazzar. 00:06:10.399 --> 00:06:12.279 To Hananiah, Shadrach. 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:13.740 To Mishael, Meshach. 00:06:14.039 --> 00:06:15.819 And to Azariah, Abednego. 00:06:15.819 --> 00:06:20.120 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:24.379 And he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way. 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:28.779 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel. 00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:30.719 But the official told Daniel, 00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:34.520 I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:38.880 Why should he see you looking worse than the other men of your age? 00:06:39.400 --> 00:06:42.180 The king would then have my head because of you. 00:06:43.140 --> 00:06:47.140 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, 00:06:47.139 --> 00:06:49.120 Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 00:06:49.699 --> 00:06:51.779 Please test your servants for ten days. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:55.139 Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 00:06:55.560 --> 00:07:00.500 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:03.240 and treat your servants in accordance with what you say. 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:07.039 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 00:07:07.599 --> 00:07:11.479 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished 00:07:11.480 --> 00:07:15.720 than any of the younger men who ate the royal food. 00:07:16.520 --> 00:07:20.500 So the guard took away their choice food and wine they were to drink 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:22.000 and gave them vegetables instead. 00:07:22.840 --> 00:07:25.920 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:27.780 of all kinds of literature and learning. 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:31.780 And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:36.400 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, 00:07:36.860 --> 00:07:39.259 the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 00:07:39.259 --> 00:07:45.279 The king talked with them and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 00:07:45.740 --> 00:07:47.420 So they entered the king's service. 00:07:48.579 --> 00:07:52.959 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:58.319 he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 00:07:58.980 --> 00:08:02.980 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:04.399 Let's pray. 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:08.039 Father God bless us as we look at your word. 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:10.180 Teach us and change us. 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:11.860 Glorify your son. 00:08:12.760 --> 00:08:17.020 Father thank you that you are the same God who was with Daniel in Babylon 00:08:17.020 --> 00:08:19.319 who's here with us this morning. 00:08:19.960 --> 00:08:22.240 So Father help us we pray in Jesus name. 00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:23.200 Amen. 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:28.480 First thing I want us to see is the deportation to Babylon. 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:33.019 Verses 1 and 2 are absolutely shocking. 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:37.840 It is the day that no one in Judah ever thought would come. 00:08:38.919 --> 00:08:45.419 The sacking of Jerusalem was close a hundred years before during the reign of King Hezekiah. 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:50.000 Sennacherib, the Assyrian emperor, had marched on Jerusalem. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:09:00.460 And then just as they were about to engage, Sennacherib unexpectedly withdrew and Jerusalem was temporarily spared. 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:06.700 Over the preceding century, the geopolitical scene had totally changed. 00:09:06.700 --> 00:09:11.960 Sennacherib, the emperor of Assyria was the big man. 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:14.040 He was the one in charge. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:19.660 But a hundred years later, Babylon is the big power. 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:23.900 They are the unrivaled superpower in the world. 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:29.039 And their position had been swelled, particularly through a coalition with the Medes, 00:09:29.199 --> 00:09:32.360 who are going to turn up a little bit later on in the book of Daniel. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:36.699 This unstoppable force, this Babylonian war machine, 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:43.840 had in 612 BC decimated Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:49.639 Seven years later, Babylon had struck the decisive blow against the Egyptians 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:52.620 at the enormous battle of Carchemish. 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:58.120 They are now the unrivaled superpower in the world. 00:09:58.919 --> 00:10:02.519 The undisputed champion of the world. 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:08.580 The Tyson Fury of the global scene. 00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:12.139 Having dispensed with Assyria and Egypt, 00:10:12.700 --> 00:10:17.259 the Babylonian war machine fixes its gaze on minute Judah. 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:20.139 Judah standing all alone. 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:26.519 605 BC, the northern territory of Israel had been conquered 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:30.019 and decimated by Assyria many years before 00:10:30.019 --> 00:10:33.080 and consigned to the pages of history. 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:35.840 So in 605 BC, 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:39.759 the third year of the ineffective puppet king, 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:41.419 King Jehoiakim, 00:10:41.419 --> 00:10:45.579 Nebuchadnezzar having conquered all that stood in his way, 00:10:45.579 --> 00:10:48.319 now besieges Jerusalem. 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:51.860 The outcome is a foregone conclusion. 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:58.860 It is a highly skilled, mechanized, battle-hardened, gargantuan Babylonian force 00:10:58.860 --> 00:11:01.939 coming up against parochial Jerusalem. 00:11:02.599 --> 00:11:06.259 It is challenger tanks versus pea shooters. 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:10.039 And Babylon is bound to win. 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:12.840 And as we read in verse 2, 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:14.919 Jehoiakim is defeated. 00:11:16.139 --> 00:11:18.100 Jerusalem is occupied. 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:26.300 And the temple articles are plundered and placed in the treasure house of Marduk, 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:30.940 King Nebuchadnezzar's chief god in Babylon. 00:11:31.940 --> 00:11:35.519 This is a crushing blow to the Jewish people. 00:11:36.040 --> 00:11:38.759 What does it say about everything they believed? 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:42.220 What does it say about their gods? 00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:45.720 Their god who was supposed to be supreme and in charge. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:50.580 The only real god in the whole world who made the heavens and the earth. 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:54.500 What does it say that these pagan hordes have just destroyed 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:57.139 and robbed 00:11:57.139 --> 00:12:01.720 his nation's capital? 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:05.960 Perhaps Yahweh wasn't that big a deal after all. 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:10.200 Perhaps he was just a tribal deity for a small people 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:13.420 who told great stories to improve their self-esteem. 00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:19.160 What does it say about God that his people have just been utterly routed 00:12:19.160 --> 00:12:21.379 by the Babylonians? 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:24.899 And not only that, but what does it say about God's promises? 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:29.560 That God's people living in the land that God had given him, 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:33.839 who had placed his name in a very symbolic and special way in Jerusalem. 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:38.179 What does it say now that that has the Babylonian flag hoisted up? 00:12:38.859 --> 00:12:41.079 The Jerusalem flagpole. 00:12:42.859 --> 00:12:44.919 And what about the promise of a king? 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:50.059 The promise that a Davidic king would reign on David's throne forever, 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:54.419 ushering in peace and prosperity on earth. 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:58.139 And now King Jehoiakim, who was a rubbish king, 00:12:59.559 --> 00:13:01.159 gives way to no king. 00:13:02.099 --> 00:13:05.599 Not just not a Davidic king, but no king at all. 00:13:07.219 --> 00:13:09.239 Was it time to write God off? 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:12.919 Was it time to say that Yahweh had utterly failed 00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:15.599 and had made promises beyond his ability to deliver? 00:13:16.779 --> 00:13:20.159 And just to top it off, it wasn't any invading party, 00:13:20.299 --> 00:13:22.199 it was the Babylonians. 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:28.700 The Babylonians from Babylon or Babel on. 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:34.259 That place that symbolically shakes its fist at God. 00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:36.560 That place from Genesis 11 that said, 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:38.640 let's build a tower for ourselves. 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:41.680 That reaches up to heaven to make a great name. 00:13:43.280 --> 00:13:44.780 Utterly defiant of God. 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:48.500 And though it seems to be a great tower in their eyes, 00:13:48.579 --> 00:13:50.120 what does it say in Genesis 11? 00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:53.799 That God had to come down to see it. 00:13:54.459 --> 00:13:56.679 It was so small in his eyes. 00:13:57.600 --> 00:14:00.259 That tower on the plains of Sheena. 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:05.100 If you look at the footnote in verse 2, 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:09.720 these he carried off to the temple of his God in Sheena, 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:11.899 it's the same place. 00:14:13.560 --> 00:14:15.940 Almost like going back to square one. 00:14:16.680 --> 00:14:19.460 Almost like God's dealings with his people 00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:23.820 over the last millennia have been utterly in vain. 00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:25.920 Now they find themselves back on the plain 00:14:25.920 --> 00:14:29.740 under the heel of a people who have got no time for Yahweh, 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:31.860 no time for his promises 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:35.259 and real hatred for his people. 00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:39.800 Had it all been utterly in vain? 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:42.860 Well, to the secular historian, 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:44.320 it makes perfect sense. 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:47.259 The dog with the biggest teeth gets the biggest dinners. 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:50.960 The one with the biggest army conquers the biggest territory. 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.340 The conclusion was obvious. 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:56.220 Of course Babylon overran Judah. 00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:57.560 It's to be expected. 00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:01.680 But this is not how Daniel saw it. 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:05.200 This is not how he writes his book many years later 00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:06.740 as he's reflecting on this. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.980 Eighty years in Babylon court. 00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:09.879 What does he say? 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:12.360 Look with me at verse 2. 00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:20.600 And the Lord and Yahweh delivered Jehoiakim, 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:21.539 king of Judah, 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:25.159 into Nebuchadnezzar's hand. 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:31.719 The first thing Daniel says about his God in this book 00:15:31.719 --> 00:15:34.740 is that God is in charge. 00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:37.259 God is sovereign. 00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:38.459 He's involved. 00:15:41.459 --> 00:15:44.000 Daniel doesn't just inform us of what happened. 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:45.419 He tells us why it happened. 00:15:45.579 --> 00:15:46.480 Why did it happen? 00:15:47.339 --> 00:15:49.079 Because God allowed us. 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:55.400 The God of the universe allowed his people to be vanquished 00:15:55.400 --> 00:15:57.900 by the Babylonians. 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:01.120 Daniel is a Bible guy. 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:05.060 He's been well taught by his parents. 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:08.580 He was nurtured during the wonderful reformations 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:10.759 ushered in by King Josiah. 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:15.019 Daniel had heard the words of Jeremiah ringing in his ears 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:18.879 who had warned Judah a few years before Nebuchadnezzar arrived. 00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:23.379 God warns Judah through Jeremiah 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:26.100 telling them to do what is just and right 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:27.759 with the warning. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:30.819 But if you do not obey these commands, 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:31.720 declares the Lord, 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:34.980 I swear by myself that this place will become a ruin. 00:16:35.819 --> 00:16:39.240 For this is what the Lord says about the palace of the king of Judah. 00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:41.399 Though you are like Gilead to me, 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.659 like the summit of Lebanon, 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:45.159 I will surely make you like a wasteland, 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:46.960 like towns not inhabited. 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:51.120 I will send destroyers against you, 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:52.559 each man with his weapons, 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:55.600 and they will cut up your fine cedar beams 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.919 and throw them into the fire. 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:59.919 People from many nations will pass by this city 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:01.039 and will ask one another, 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:04.319 why has the Lord done such a thing to this great city? 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.259 And the answer will be, 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:09.759 because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:13.319 and have worshipped and served other gods. 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:18.700 This was not purposeless suffering as a result of chance 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:21.700 in a pointless, rudderless universe. 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:24.720 This isn't the result of might is right. 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:29.100 This was discipline enacted by the sovereign Lord 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:32.460 for his glory and the ultimate benefit of his beloved, 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:34.299 but wayward people. 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:37.620 Daniel was a Bible guy, 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:39.180 and it enabled him, 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:42.880 it enables him to remain faithful to his sovereign Lord, 00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:48.000 even when it seemed everything was crumbling around his ears. 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:52.320 It means that even when he is taken as a prisoner of war 00:17:52.320 --> 00:17:54.780 to the capital of a distant land 00:17:54.780 --> 00:17:59.120 for a radical program of social education and indoctrination 00:17:59.120 --> 00:18:01.140 into Babylonianism, 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:03.260 he will not capitulate, 00:18:03.800 --> 00:18:07.840 because he understands the ways and the will 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:11.559 and the discipline of the sovereign Lord. 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:17.240 If we too interpret our circumstances through the lens of God's word, 00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:19.959 resting in its truth, 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:24.019 understanding the God who reveals himself to us, 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:27.740 then it will ensure we will not be swamped, 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:30.720 even when what we see with our eyes 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:33.180 doesn't line up with what we believe in our hearts, 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:36.279 even when it involves suffering, 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:38.460 we'll still be those who can say, 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:41.299 God, you're in control and I trust you. 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:43.920 Isn't that what we learn in the book of Job, 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:45.539 who loses everything? 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:48.120 And yet, what does he say? 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:52.240 I'm better for it because I now see you better. 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:56.680 I now see you, Lord, and understand your ways more. 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:59.660 If there's one thing we learn from Daniel chapter 1, 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:01.799 it is that we're to build our lives 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:04.880 on the unshakable truth of God's eternal word. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:08.380 And this will enable us to stand firm 00:19:08.380 --> 00:19:12.759 even when the storms blow and the floods come up. 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:16.680 First thing we see is the deportation to Babylon. 00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:19.660 And then they arrive in Babylon 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:23.140 and they undergo a process of assimilation. 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:26.920 Look at verses 3, 4, and 5. 00:19:27.040 --> 00:19:29.060 Look at the criteria you need to reach 00:19:29.060 --> 00:19:30.240 in order to be deported. 00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:34.360 From the royal family or nobility, 00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:36.360 young men without physical defect, 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:40.100 handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:43.660 well-informed, quick to understand, 00:19:43.820 --> 00:19:45.960 qualified to serve in the king's palace. 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:49.019 Think I'd probably be able to remain at home. 00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:53.840 But this was part of Nebuchadnezzar's genius. 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:58.000 He would take the top 1% of a conquered civilization, 00:19:58.540 --> 00:20:00.080 he would deport them to Babylon, 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:03.519 he would then indoctrinate them with all things Babylonian. 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:06.920 He would assimilate them into the Babylonian society, 00:20:07.340 --> 00:20:08.720 and then he would send them back 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:11.000 to be vice-regents of the conquered nation. 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:13.720 It was a political bit of genius 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:17.200 that he shored up his conquered territories. 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:20.380 Daniel and his friends are selected, 00:20:20.580 --> 00:20:22.580 and the package they receive is remarkable. 00:20:23.580 --> 00:20:27.580 A three-year scholarship at the Babylonian University, 00:20:28.580 --> 00:20:31.620 the most highly reputed educational institution 00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:33.660 in the ancient world. 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:37.340 Then they would be fast-tracked to the top 00:20:37.340 --> 00:20:38.940 of the civil service. 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:42.580 Not only that, but they would get full board and lodging 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:45.919 consuming food that was literally fit for a king. 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:48.079 It's a pretty good deal. 00:20:49.159 --> 00:20:51.619 15-year-old, full scholarship, 00:20:52.699 --> 00:20:54.299 highly reputed institution, 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:57.059 banqueting like a king. 00:20:58.059 --> 00:21:00.639 And the city of Babylon would make Jerusalem 00:21:00.639 --> 00:21:02.379 look like a small market town. 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:04.899 It would be like moving from Edinburgh 00:21:04.899 --> 00:21:08.619 to the city of London in scale terms. 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:13.299 The architecture was awesome in every sense of the word. 00:21:14.399 --> 00:21:16.500 Nebuchadnezzar, whose wife was from the countryside, 00:21:17.219 --> 00:21:19.339 had built the hanging gardens of Babylon 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:22.639 so she could walk out of the palace and feel at home. 00:21:23.619 --> 00:21:26.599 This, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:29.239 just so your wife could feel at home 00:21:29.239 --> 00:21:31.059 in a sprawling metropolis. 00:21:31.979 --> 00:21:33.000 That's real love. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:38.179 Nebuchadnezzar's palace was a picture of opulence and grandeur, 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:41.860 with his throne room being 50 feet by 160 feet, 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:42.820 which is enormous. 00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:48.620 Protruding out of the skyline was the ziggurat Etimanaki, 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:51.900 the cubic skyscraper, 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:55.500 which is called the foundation of heaven and earth, 00:21:56.000 --> 00:22:00.480 with its seven platforms rising 100 meters in the air 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:03.960 as a reimagining of the ancient tower 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:06.740 that once stood on this site 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:12.519 in a culture just as defiant as the one back in Genesis. 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:16.980 Around the city was 120 feet high wall, 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:18.559 80 feet thick. 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:20.519 He could ride a chariot around the top 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:22.640 and it would go all the way around 00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:25.200 the 56 mile diameter of the city. 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:28.840 Entrance into the city was through one of the gates 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:31.259 dedicated to various gods, 00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:33.599 the most famous of which is this one, 00:22:33.659 --> 00:22:34.799 the Ishtar Gate, 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:37.220 which you can see the actual gate, 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.799 which has been reconstructed 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:41.899 in the Pergamum Museum in Berlin. 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.779 Has anyone seen that? 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.959 Pete Buvert, 00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:48.019 he'll tell you how impressive it is, 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:51.240 with its blue tiles and pictures of lions 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.919 all over it. 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:56.740 Babylon was dripping with idolatry. 00:22:57.400 --> 00:23:01.380 Within its walls were 1,197 temples. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:03.019 Every emotion, 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.620 every phenomena, 00:23:06.560 --> 00:23:09.820 every bit of produce would have its own gods. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.539 The temples were libraries, 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.759 training institutions, 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.880 trade guilds, 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:18.800 and cultural centers all rolled into one. 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:22.660 It was a city submerged in idolatry, 00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:24.980 drowning in idolatry. 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:28.180 The pinnacle of the year was the spring festival, 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:30.880 where King Nebuchadnezzar would go out 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:32.160 in front of all his people 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:35.960 and would be slapped by various priests 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:38.820 until the tears ran from his face, 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:42.519 showing to everyone that it was in fact the gods 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:44.500 and their priests that were in charge, 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:46.400 not the king at all. 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:49.759 As Daniel and his friends roll into Babylon, 00:23:50.060 --> 00:23:51.920 imagine the awestruck wonder 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:55.060 at beholding such a sight of civilization. 00:23:56.060 --> 00:23:58.620 A culture centered on learning, 00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:00.740 making great strides in astrology, 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:04.240 science, literature, architecture, 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.779 and the arts. 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.700 Everyone on their wrist 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:11.340 has a mark of the genius of the Babylonians 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:13.960 who invented the sexy decimal system, 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:17.660 which splits minutes into 60 seconds 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:19.180 and hours into 60 minutes. 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:22.480 That is preserved by us today. 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:26.140 Daniel and his friends were in Babylon 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:28.000 to become Babylonians. 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:31.000 They would be fully immersed in the culture, 00:24:32.340 --> 00:24:34.019 affronted by the idolatry 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:36.300 and indoctrinated with the learning and language. 00:24:37.300 --> 00:24:39.040 They were there to be rewired 00:24:39.040 --> 00:24:41.380 from their antiquated Hebrew ways 00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:44.100 into the cutting edge life 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:46.040 of Babylonianism. 00:24:47.560 --> 00:24:48.660 And look at verse 6. 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:50.260 The curriculum starts with 00:24:50.260 --> 00:24:53.040 their names being changed. 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:56.780 As they matriculate at the Babylon University, 00:24:58.520 --> 00:25:00.260 they're told that they need 00:25:00.260 --> 00:25:03.260 some better identifying names. 00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:06.960 To name someone is to show your power over them. 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:10.140 And so their names are changed. 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:12.779 And it's not just for convenience. 00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:16.039 It's an attack on their very identity. 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:18.420 Daniel, whose name means 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:20.319 Yahweh is my judge, 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:23.039 has his name changed to 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.400 Belshazzar, 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:26.500 which means Marduk, 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:28.819 the chief god of the Babylonians. 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:30.220 He protects my life. 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:33.500 Yahweh is judge too. 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.840 Marduk protects my life. 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:38.179 Hananiah, whose name means 00:25:38.179 --> 00:25:40.240 the Lord shows grace, 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:42.299 has his name changed to 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.439 Shadrach, 00:25:44.159 --> 00:25:45.019 which means 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:48.419 I am under the command of Aku. 00:25:48.939 --> 00:25:51.000 Aku is the moon god. 00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:53.879 Again, totally changed. 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.459 Mishael, 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:57.459 there is no one like Yahweh. 00:25:58.179 --> 00:26:00.419 And his name is changed to Meshach. 00:26:00.419 --> 00:26:02.199 There is no one like 00:26:02.199 --> 00:26:03.159 Aku, 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.939 the moon god. 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:06.279 Azariah, 00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:07.200 whose name means 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.660 the Lord is my help, 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.720 has his name changed to 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.400 Abednego, 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.700 which means 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:14.840 servant of Nabu. 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:16.080 And Nabu, 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:17.299 in case you were wondering, 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:20.019 is the prince of the Babylonian gods, 00:26:20.620 --> 00:26:21.420 the son of 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.500 Marduk. 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:26.100 Every part of their life 00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:26.720 in Babylon 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:28.140 is designed to strip away 00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:28.920 their witness 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:30.220 and dismantle 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.060 their identity. 00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:32.820 Daniel and his friends 00:26:32.820 --> 00:26:33.640 are powerless 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:34.740 to stop their name 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.620 being changed. 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:38.680 They also give themselves 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:40.220 fully to their studies, 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.480 engaging wholly 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:44.539 and heartedly 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.580 in their learning, 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.080 understanding 00:26:47.080 --> 00:26:48.420 and gaining wisdom 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:49.200 with the aim 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:50.420 of mastering the subject. 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.519 Look at verse 20. 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:54.779 In every matter 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.400 of wisdom 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.279 and understanding 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:56.859 about which 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.779 the king questioned 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.460 these men, 00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:00.299 he found them 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.500 ten times better 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:03.420 than all the magicians 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.119 and enchanters 00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:05.019 in his whole kingdom. 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.559 Literally 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.779 ten hands better. 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.480 They could do 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:10.259 everything 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.519 better 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.480 than even 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.579 the most established 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.240 professors, 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:14.900 priests, 00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:15.599 enchanters 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.619 and magicians. 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:18.059 so well 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:19.419 had they taken 00:27:19.419 --> 00:27:20.559 to their studies. 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:22.559 But the reason 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.779 wasn't so much 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.519 their industry, 00:27:24.699 --> 00:27:25.439 it was their devotion 00:27:25.439 --> 00:27:26.219 to Yahweh. 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.959 Because verse 17 00:27:27.959 --> 00:27:28.599 says, 00:27:28.939 --> 00:27:29.719 but to these 00:27:29.719 --> 00:27:31.099 four young men 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:31.859 God 00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:33.000 gave 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.399 knowledge 00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:36.139 and understanding. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.759 However, 00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:40.239 Daniel and his friends 00:27:40.239 --> 00:27:41.519 are in Babylon, 00:27:41.699 --> 00:27:42.279 they are learning 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.479 about Babylon, 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.659 but they never 00:27:44.659 --> 00:27:45.939 are of 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:46.700 Babylon. 00:27:47.600 --> 00:27:48.299 Their hearts 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:49.279 continue to beat 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.299 wholeheartedly 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.440 for Yahweh 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:52.240 even when 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.200 saturated by 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.799 their surrounding 00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.380 culture. 00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:56.160 May that be 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:57.160 true for us. 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.640 We as Christians 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.320 are immersed 00:27:59.320 --> 00:28:00.640 similarly in exile 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.360 and a different 00:28:01.360 --> 00:28:02.460 version of Babylon, 00:28:03.360 --> 00:28:04.240 bombarded by 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:05.140 worldviews from 00:28:05.140 --> 00:28:06.380 every side 00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:07.320 that are an 00:28:07.320 --> 00:28:08.140 affront to our 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:09.580 identity in Christ. 00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:10.920 A society 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.720 that tries to 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.400 strip us of 00:28:12.400 --> 00:28:13.140 our confidence 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:14.299 permits only 00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:15.440 a privatized 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:16.740 faith and 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.799 relentlessly tries 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.660 to squeeze us 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.320 into its 00:28:19.320 --> 00:28:20.299 secularized 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:21.580 anti-theistic 00:28:21.580 --> 00:28:21.940 mold. 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.460 So what do we 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:23.880 need? 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.500 We need the two 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.279 things that Daniel 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:26.940 and his friends 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.299 have, 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:28.299 discernment 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.759 and devotion. 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.820 Discernment to 00:28:31.820 --> 00:28:33.360 understand that 00:28:33.360 --> 00:28:34.120 nothing is 00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:35.019 neutral or 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.559 objective, 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.059 that everything 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:38.380 is proselytizing 00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:39.100 a worldview 00:28:39.100 --> 00:28:40.100 in our culture. 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.620 Every film, 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.680 every news report, 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.519 every article, 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.460 every advert, 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.819 every political 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.539 standpoint, 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:48.059 all of them 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.619 are sponsored 00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.440 by different 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.079 modern day 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:51.339 versions of 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.299 the king of 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:53.099 Babylon. 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:54.339 We need to 00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:55.279 be discerning, 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:56.779 not necessarily 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.779 shutting our ears 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.500 or adversely 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.240 our eyes, 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:00.339 though that might 00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:01.099 sometimes be 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:01.740 necessary, 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:03.359 but using our 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:03.940 God-given 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:05.000 discernment not 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.960 to be naively 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:07.319 taken in by 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.259 their message 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:10.259 and assimilate it 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:11.579 into their way 00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:12.139 of thinking. 00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:13.639 An example 00:29:13.639 --> 00:29:14.079 would be 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:14.899 children going 00:29:14.899 --> 00:29:15.559 to school 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.639 and they're 00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.759 told repeatedly 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.359 that they are 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:18.899 the products 00:29:18.899 --> 00:29:19.500 of matter 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.199 plus time 00:29:20.199 --> 00:29:21.000 plus chance 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.179 and have no 00:29:22.179 --> 00:29:23.319 dignity or value 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:23.879 and are just 00:29:23.879 --> 00:29:24.720 like the animals. 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.119 They're just a 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:26.740 little bit further 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.740 up the evolutionary 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.399 chain. 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.980 We must be 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.740 those who offer 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.419 them the true 00:29:31.419 --> 00:29:32.539 minority report 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:33.599 that they are 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.079 known, 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.460 loved and made 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.019 in the image 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.720 of the creator 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:38.259 God and are 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:38.879 therefore those 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:40.079 of intrinsic value, 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:42.159 dignity and 00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:42.839 worth, 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:44.240 not allowing our 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:44.899 children to be 00:29:44.899 --> 00:29:45.619 assimilated. 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.319 We need 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:48.279 discernment. 00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:50.039 Our workplaces 00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:50.879 tell us that it 00:29:50.879 --> 00:29:51.539 isn't appropriate 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.319 to talk about 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.159 God at work. 00:29:53.939 --> 00:29:55.059 Again, we need 00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:56.039 discernment. 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.579 Why should the 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:58.559 public propaganda 00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:59.500 of secularism 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.439 demand an absolute 00:30:00.439 --> 00:30:01.339 silencing of 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:01.799 believers? 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.720 Persecution is 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.559 when believers 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.539 are punished for 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.159 speaking about 00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:07.859 their faith. 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.859 Assimilation is 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:10.479 when believers 00:30:10.479 --> 00:30:11.479 don't talk about 00:30:11.479 --> 00:30:12.119 their faith, 00:30:12.459 --> 00:30:13.119 having swallowed 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:13.899 wholeheartedly 00:30:13.899 --> 00:30:14.479 the worldview 00:30:14.479 --> 00:30:15.119 that it's not 00:30:15.119 --> 00:30:15.719 appropriate. 00:30:17.919 --> 00:30:18.879 When we do, 00:30:18.959 --> 00:30:20.000 just privatize 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.659 our faith. 00:30:21.399 --> 00:30:22.000 We'll do it 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.619 on Sunday 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:23.179 and behind 00:30:23.179 --> 00:30:24.139 closed doors, 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:25.859 but never publicly 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.859 before a watching 00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:27.299 world. 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:29.019 We also need 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.599 devotion. 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:31.279 A Red Hawk 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.059 deep devotion 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:32.679 to the Lord 00:30:32.679 --> 00:30:33.259 our God. 00:30:33.959 --> 00:30:34.619 A heartfelt 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:35.539 faith in the 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.359 truth of God's 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.619 word and a 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.339 sheer dependence 00:30:38.339 --> 00:30:39.159 on the grace 00:30:39.159 --> 00:30:39.919 of our God. 00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.419 Unless our 00:30:41.419 --> 00:30:42.259 heart is beating 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:43.079 wholly for the 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:43.659 Lord Jesus, 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:45.079 we will easily 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:46.259 be assimilated 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.599 and swamped 00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:48.359 by the competing 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:49.740 worldviews propagated 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:51.339 in our society. 00:30:51.959 --> 00:30:53.259 And our identity 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.179 will be eroded 00:30:54.179 --> 00:30:55.279 in the process. 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:57.699 The final part 00:30:57.699 --> 00:30:58.439 of Daniel chapter 00:30:58.439 --> 00:30:59.480 one is taken up 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.319 with the stand 00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:01.339 that him and 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.359 his friends take. 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:03.959 Keeping with 00:31:03.959 --> 00:31:04.720 the sound, 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.679 the postulation, 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.460 the taking of 00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:07.100 a stance 00:31:07.100 --> 00:31:08.340 in Babylon. 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.440 It seems like 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.519 a really weird 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.180 thing, doesn't 00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:12.580 it? 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.519 Seems like a 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.180 really weird 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:15.799 thing out of 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.519 all the learning 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:17.200 and the name 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:17.680 changing, 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:19.080 out of being 00:31:19.080 --> 00:31:20.279 deported from 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:20.960 your home in 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.240 Judah, 00:31:21.600 --> 00:31:22.100 that the thing 00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:22.460 you're going to 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.160 take your stand 00:31:23.160 --> 00:31:23.720 on is your 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.440 food. 00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:26.799 And commentators 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:27.660 write endlessly 00:31:27.660 --> 00:31:28.640 about what is 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.360 going on 00:31:29.360 --> 00:31:30.519 in this 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:31.779 scenario. 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:34.160 And they offer 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.920 things like this. 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:35.500 perhaps they 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.019 didn't eat 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.680 the food 00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:38.080 because of 00:31:38.080 --> 00:31:38.539 the Jewish 00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:39.400 food laws. 00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:40.400 They weren't 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:40.980 sure of the 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.460 origin. 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:42.519 They thought 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.740 actually Nebuchadnezzar 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.440 might be partial 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:44.980 to a bit of 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.720 rock badger, 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:46.480 which they 00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:46.920 weren't allowed 00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:47.500 to eat, 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.539 and therefore 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.220 we won't eat 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:49.820 it because we 00:31:49.820 --> 00:31:50.539 can't trace 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:50.940 where it's 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.519 come from. 00:31:51.820 --> 00:31:52.400 And rather 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:53.080 than defile 00:31:53.080 --> 00:31:53.700 Yahweh, 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.440 we'll just 00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:55.080 eat veg. 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.860 The problem 00:31:56.860 --> 00:31:57.340 with that is 00:31:57.340 --> 00:31:57.720 they also 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.340 refuse the 00:31:58.340 --> 00:31:58.779 wine. 00:31:59.100 --> 00:31:59.539 And there's 00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.180 nothing in 00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:01.039 Leviticus 11 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:01.460 and 12 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:01.900 about the 00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:02.660 food laws 00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.720 saying that 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.220 wine, 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:05.460 under any 00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:06.200 circumstances, 00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:06.819 makes you 00:32:06.819 --> 00:32:07.360 defiled. 00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:09.720 Which brought 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.140 them to the 00:32:10.140 --> 00:32:10.819 second view. 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:11.380 Perhaps they 00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:11.759 didn't eat 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.240 the food 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:12.759 because it 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.220 was offered 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.000 to idols. 00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:15.860 That would 00:32:15.860 --> 00:32:16.559 be very in 00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:17.059 keeping with 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.539 the teaching 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.420 of Deuteronomy, 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:18.960 and particularly 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:19.600 Deuteronomy 00:32:19.600 --> 00:32:20.539 chapter 6. 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:21.880 I'm sure that 00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:22.660 is part of 00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:23.259 what is going 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:23.799 on. 00:32:24.880 --> 00:32:25.380 But so 00:32:25.380 --> 00:32:26.160 imbibed with 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:27.160 idolatry is 00:32:27.160 --> 00:32:27.640 Babylon, 00:32:28.360 --> 00:32:29.079 that there is 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:29.559 a God of 00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.720 agriculture and 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.180 farming. 00:32:31.180 --> 00:32:32.160 there is a 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:32.560 God of 00:32:32.560 --> 00:32:33.519 produce and 00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:34.180 vegetation. 00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:35.460 So to 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:35.860 think these 00:32:35.860 --> 00:32:36.360 vegetables 00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:37.160 weren't also 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:37.740 offered to 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.160 the gods 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:38.759 first, 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.180 is probably 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:40.560 not the 00:32:40.560 --> 00:32:41.080 case. 00:32:41.580 --> 00:32:42.120 Ishtar, 00:32:42.600 --> 00:32:43.100 the one that 00:32:43.100 --> 00:32:43.880 gate is named 00:32:43.880 --> 00:32:44.200 after, 00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:44.740 has a real 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.440 part to play 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:46.000 in farming. 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.180 And almost 00:32:47.180 --> 00:32:47.960 certainly the 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:48.640 farming guild 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.120 would offer 00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:49.820 their produce, 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.580 their veg, 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:51.779 to her 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.480 first, 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:53.519 before it 00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:56.060 made its 00:32:56.060 --> 00:32:56.600 way to 00:32:56.600 --> 00:32:57.279 Daniel and 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:58.120 his friends. 00:32:58.119 --> 00:32:59.959 So perhaps 00:32:59.959 --> 00:33:00.279 they were 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:00.919 just making 00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:02.199 a point. 00:33:02.819 --> 00:33:03.279 Perhaps this 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:03.639 was just 00:33:03.639 --> 00:33:04.139 their only 00:33:04.139 --> 00:33:04.659 means of 00:33:04.659 --> 00:33:05.159 protest. 00:33:06.959 --> 00:33:07.279 Well it's 00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:08.239 a bit weird 00:33:08.239 --> 00:33:10.279 going on 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:10.579 some kind 00:33:10.579 --> 00:33:10.979 of hunger 00:33:10.979 --> 00:33:11.639 strike, 00:33:11.979 --> 00:33:12.279 but not 00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:12.659 doing it 00:33:12.659 --> 00:33:13.259 publicly, 00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.279 but going 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:14.859 to see the 00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:15.379 person in 00:33:15.379 --> 00:33:15.719 charge of 00:33:15.719 --> 00:33:15.959 you and 00:33:15.959 --> 00:33:16.239 saying, 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:16.879 I don't 00:33:16.879 --> 00:33:17.279 really want 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:17.619 your meat, 00:33:17.679 --> 00:33:17.939 please can 00:33:17.939 --> 00:33:18.199 we just 00:33:18.199 --> 00:33:18.399 have 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:18.719 veg and 00:33:18.719 --> 00:33:19.059 water? 00:33:19.919 --> 00:33:20.259 Oh and 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:20.519 if it 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:20.779 doesn't 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:21.199 work then 00:33:21.199 --> 00:33:21.519 in ten 00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:21.979 days we'll 00:33:21.979 --> 00:33:22.519 revert to 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.179 exactly what 00:33:23.179 --> 00:33:23.479 you want 00:33:23.479 --> 00:33:23.759 us to 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.159 eat. 00:33:24.659 --> 00:33:25.000 No 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.519 problem. 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:27.960 So I 00:33:27.960 --> 00:33:28.799 wonder what 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:30.480 are they 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.019 doing in 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.180 their 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:32.240 vegetarianism? 00:33:33.160 --> 00:33:33.920 Well here's 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:34.579 the kite I'd 00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:34.920 like to 00:33:34.920 --> 00:33:35.279 fly. 00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:38.259 What if 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:38.920 their 00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.980 vegetarianism 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:40.379 is a 00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:41.720 means of 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:42.299 them showing 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:42.980 their dependence 00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.700 on God 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:45.220 to supernaturally 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:46.099 intervene in 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:46.920 their situation? 00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:48.599 What if 00:33:48.599 --> 00:33:48.900 they were 00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:49.639 disciplining 00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:50.480 themselves and 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.019 reminding 00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:51.799 themselves that 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.379 the source of 00:33:52.379 --> 00:33:53.119 their health 00:33:53.119 --> 00:33:54.980 provision and 00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:55.620 sustenance 00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:56.019 wasn't 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:56.900 ultimately from 00:33:56.900 --> 00:33:57.599 Nebuchadnezzar 00:33:57.599 --> 00:33:57.920 and his 00:33:57.920 --> 00:33:58.579 plethora of 00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.880 gods but 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:00.400 was from 00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:01.160 their God 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:01.880 Yahweh the 00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:02.319 God who 00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:02.839 is over 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:03.099 all? 00:34:04.039 --> 00:34:04.420 Let me 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:04.720 try and 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.019 show you 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.299 where I 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:05.680 get this 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:06.000 from. 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:07.880 They only 00:34:07.880 --> 00:34:08.599 eat vegetables 00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:09.340 for ten 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.539 days and 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:10.900 are then 00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.440 set to be 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.119 compared with 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:13.179 their peers. 00:34:14.240 --> 00:34:14.679 The official 00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:15.519 is fearful. 00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:17.119 Why is he 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:17.519 fearful? 00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:18.840 Why should 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.420 he see you 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:20.179 looking worse 00:34:20.179 --> 00:34:20.820 than the other 00:34:20.820 --> 00:34:21.699 young men of 00:34:21.699 --> 00:34:22.740 your age? 00:34:22.739 --> 00:34:24.739 Worse is a 00:34:24.739 --> 00:34:25.239 word for 00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:26.000 scrawny. 00:34:26.919 --> 00:34:27.299 Why should 00:34:27.299 --> 00:34:27.779 he see you 00:34:27.779 --> 00:34:28.459 looking thin 00:34:28.459 --> 00:34:29.439 and emaciated 00:34:29.439 --> 00:34:31.019 amongst your 00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:31.479 peers? 00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:32.819 And then 00:34:32.819 --> 00:34:33.979 verse 15. 00:34:34.759 --> 00:34:35.459 At the end 00:34:35.459 --> 00:34:36.099 of the ten 00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:36.599 days they 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.539 looked healthier 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.659 and better 00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:40.059 nourished than 00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:40.739 any of the 00:34:40.739 --> 00:34:41.479 young men who 00:34:41.479 --> 00:34:41.799 ate the 00:34:41.799 --> 00:34:42.399 royal food. 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:43.279 That phrase 00:34:43.279 --> 00:34:44.000 healthier and 00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:44.819 better nourished 00:34:44.819 --> 00:34:45.779 is a bit to 00:34:45.779 --> 00:34:46.819 our 21st century 00:34:46.819 --> 00:34:47.599 sensibilities. 00:34:48.239 --> 00:34:48.859 It says they 00:34:48.859 --> 00:34:49.819 were fatter and 00:34:49.819 --> 00:34:50.339 fuller in 00:34:50.339 --> 00:34:50.839 flesh. 00:34:50.840 --> 00:34:50.960 flesh. 00:34:51.720 --> 00:34:52.340 It seems 00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:52.860 that in 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:54.059 Babylon 00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:55.559 overall diameter 00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:56.180 was something 00:34:56.180 --> 00:34:56.539 you were 00:34:56.539 --> 00:34:57.180 looking for. 00:34:59.380 --> 00:35:00.140 And so it 00:35:00.140 --> 00:35:01.920 seems to 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:02.740 my eyes that 00:35:02.740 --> 00:35:03.079 they said 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:03.460 let's just 00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:04.220 eat vegetables. 00:35:05.300 --> 00:35:06.019 Trusting that 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:06.760 God was able 00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:07.200 to take 00:35:07.200 --> 00:35:09.340 vegetables and 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:10.240 supernaturally 00:35:10.240 --> 00:35:11.100 intervene in 00:35:11.100 --> 00:35:11.640 order that they 00:35:11.640 --> 00:35:12.360 would outperform 00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:15.300 their peers in 00:35:15.300 --> 00:35:15.800 their kind of 00:35:15.800 --> 00:35:16.460 anti-weight 00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:18.079 watchers kind 00:35:18.079 --> 00:35:18.860 of society. 00:35:20.840 --> 00:35:22.420 I've never 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:22.960 seen a fat 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:25.600 vegetarian and 00:35:25.600 --> 00:35:26.120 therefore it 00:35:26.120 --> 00:35:27.000 seems that God 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:28.400 has so intervened 00:35:28.400 --> 00:35:30.120 that they look 00:35:30.120 --> 00:35:30.860 fatter and 00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:31.400 fuller in 00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:33.660 flesh even on 00:35:33.660 --> 00:35:34.600 this diet of 00:35:34.600 --> 00:35:35.340 veg and 00:35:35.340 --> 00:35:35.780 water. 00:35:36.780 --> 00:35:37.440 It must be 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.960 supernatural 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:38.579 intervention. 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:39.660 If you're 00:35:39.660 --> 00:35:40.519 banqueting at the 00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:41.240 king's table 00:35:41.240 --> 00:35:42.220 breakfast, lunch 00:35:42.220 --> 00:35:43.480 and dinner and 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:43.840 you're doing 00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:44.480 that for ten 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:46.140 days you might 00:35:46.140 --> 00:35:46.820 put on a bed 00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:48.140 of timber I 00:35:48.140 --> 00:35:50.019 think and 00:35:50.019 --> 00:35:50.599 yet the guys 00:35:50.599 --> 00:35:52.619 eating veg are 00:35:52.619 --> 00:35:54.119 fuller and 00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:54.780 fatter in 00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:55.340 flesh. 00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:57.239 If that is so 00:35:57.239 --> 00:35:57.780 then what an 00:35:57.780 --> 00:35:58.800 interesting application 00:35:58.800 --> 00:35:59.699 for us. 00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:01.360 What choices 00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:02.920 are we making 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:03.639 or my making 00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:04.420 or you making 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:05.699 in your life 00:36:05.699 --> 00:36:07.219 to show that 00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:07.800 our ultimate 00:36:07.800 --> 00:36:09.440 dependence, our 00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:10.519 ultimate security, 00:36:10.679 --> 00:36:11.780 our ultimate joy 00:36:11.780 --> 00:36:13.280 is bound up 00:36:13.280 --> 00:36:13.900 with God. 00:36:14.500 --> 00:36:15.420 My fear is that 00:36:15.420 --> 00:36:15.940 we're all too 00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:16.960 self-sufficient, 00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:19.960 too self-sustaining, 00:36:20.760 --> 00:36:21.659 just doing what 00:36:21.659 --> 00:36:23.679 we can do and 00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.639 never trusting. 00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:26.800 Our society 00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:27.559 says that 00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:29.300 security is to 00:36:29.300 --> 00:36:29.980 be found in 00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:30.619 money in the 00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:31.420 bank for the 00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:32.059 rainy day. 00:36:33.440 --> 00:36:34.000 And therefore I 00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:35.119 wonder is the 00:36:35.119 --> 00:36:35.800 way we use our 00:36:35.800 --> 00:36:36.480 money a way to 00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:36.980 show that our 00:36:36.980 --> 00:36:37.760 ultimate dependence 00:36:37.760 --> 00:36:39.139 is on God. 00:36:39.699 --> 00:36:40.780 To be generous, 00:36:41.579 --> 00:36:42.380 to hold it 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:43.940 loosely, to 00:36:43.940 --> 00:36:45.079 not stockpile the 00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:45.619 blessing we 00:36:45.619 --> 00:36:46.819 receive but be 00:36:46.819 --> 00:36:48.059 a reservoir of 00:36:48.059 --> 00:36:48.900 it funneling to 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.619 other people. 00:36:50.299 --> 00:36:50.819 A way of 00:36:50.819 --> 00:36:52.119 showing that by 00:36:52.119 --> 00:36:52.940 the use of our 00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.739 treasure that our 00:36:53.739 --> 00:36:54.400 treasure is not 00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:55.099 our treasure but 00:36:55.099 --> 00:36:56.619 Jesus is our 00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:56.960 treasure. 00:36:58.039 --> 00:36:59.039 Our treasure says 00:36:59.039 --> 00:36:59.659 that academic 00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:00.880 success is of the 00:37:00.880 --> 00:37:01.799 most paramount 00:37:01.799 --> 00:37:02.719 importance to 00:37:02.719 --> 00:37:04.239 forge a good 00:37:04.239 --> 00:37:04.840 future for 00:37:04.840 --> 00:37:05.360 yourselves. 00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:06.759 So when 00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:07.539 coursework, 00:37:07.679 --> 00:37:08.480 revision and 00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:10.079 studying comes, 00:37:10.179 --> 00:37:11.099 it takes priority 00:37:11.099 --> 00:37:11.900 over everything 00:37:11.900 --> 00:37:12.500 else. 00:37:12.500 --> 00:37:14.760 even gathering 00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:15.599 together on a 00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:17.239 Sunday is 00:37:17.239 --> 00:37:18.039 forsaken for 00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:18.639 time in the 00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:19.059 library. 00:37:19.920 --> 00:37:20.860 Is committing 00:37:20.860 --> 00:37:22.059 to local church 00:37:22.059 --> 00:37:22.860 at the sacrifice 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:23.840 of a few hours 00:37:23.840 --> 00:37:25.280 of study a way 00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:25.780 of showing that 00:37:25.780 --> 00:37:26.280 actually our 00:37:26.280 --> 00:37:27.019 future is not 00:37:27.019 --> 00:37:27.920 ultimately bound 00:37:27.920 --> 00:37:29.400 up in our 00:37:29.400 --> 00:37:30.059 ability to 00:37:30.059 --> 00:37:30.460 comprehend 00:37:30.460 --> 00:37:32.179 textbooks but 00:37:32.179 --> 00:37:33.099 is bound up in 00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:33.679 a red hot 00:37:33.679 --> 00:37:34.500 devotion to the 00:37:34.500 --> 00:37:35.719 Lord Jesus. 00:37:36.780 --> 00:37:37.760 Worshipping him 00:37:37.760 --> 00:37:38.480 through our 00:37:38.480 --> 00:37:39.900 work, not 00:37:39.900 --> 00:37:40.719 worshipping our 00:37:40.719 --> 00:37:41.219 work. 00:37:41.219 --> 00:37:45.459 our society 00:37:45.459 --> 00:37:46.099 pedestals 00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:46.779 family and 00:37:46.779 --> 00:37:47.759 silos family 00:37:47.759 --> 00:37:49.219 life away 00:37:49.219 --> 00:37:50.119 from and over 00:37:50.119 --> 00:37:51.199 everything else. 00:37:51.739 --> 00:37:52.699 Is having a 00:37:52.699 --> 00:37:53.699 permeable family 00:37:53.699 --> 00:37:54.539 life, open 00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:55.599 homes and a 00:37:55.599 --> 00:37:56.159 sacrificial 00:37:56.159 --> 00:37:56.859 investment in 00:37:56.859 --> 00:37:57.399 our wider 00:37:57.399 --> 00:37:58.259 church family, 00:37:59.139 --> 00:37:59.719 a way of 00:37:59.719 --> 00:38:00.239 showing that 00:38:00.239 --> 00:38:00.859 our supernatural 00:38:00.859 --> 00:38:01.819 family formed 00:38:01.819 --> 00:38:03.500 in Jesus is 00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.339 of equal and 00:38:04.339 --> 00:38:05.399 eternal worth 00:38:05.399 --> 00:38:06.679 when placed 00:38:06.679 --> 00:38:07.519 alongside our 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:08.659 natural families? 00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:10.039 God 00:38:10.039 --> 00:38:10.659 is the 00:38:10.659 --> 00:38:12.899 ultimate source 00:38:12.899 --> 00:38:14.079 of our 00:38:14.079 --> 00:38:15.239 faith in 00:38:15.239 --> 00:38:16.000 Jesus Christ 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:16.319 is the 00:38:16.319 --> 00:38:16.980 ultimate source 00:38:16.980 --> 00:38:17.279 of our 00:38:17.279 --> 00:38:18.759 identity, the 00:38:18.759 --> 00:38:19.379 ultimate source 00:38:19.379 --> 00:38:20.339 of our worth, 00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:21.159 the ultimate 00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:21.779 source of our 00:38:21.779 --> 00:38:23.279 security and the 00:38:23.279 --> 00:38:24.059 ultimate fountain 00:38:24.059 --> 00:38:24.799 of our joy. 00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:26.759 What for us is 00:38:26.759 --> 00:38:27.460 going to be like 00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:28.339 the vegetables of 00:38:28.339 --> 00:38:28.699 Babylon? 00:38:29.399 --> 00:38:30.299 How we do life 00:38:30.299 --> 00:38:31.599 differently to 00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:32.299 show all that we 00:38:32.299 --> 00:38:33.039 have in Jesus? 00:38:33.039 --> 00:38:33.400 us. 00:38:34.219 --> 00:38:34.880 Daniel and his 00:38:34.880 --> 00:38:35.460 friends lean 00:38:35.460 --> 00:38:36.500 wholly on Yahweh 00:38:36.500 --> 00:38:38.019 to intervene and 00:38:38.019 --> 00:38:38.800 provide in their 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:39.519 lives in a way 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:40.239 that marks them 00:38:40.239 --> 00:38:40.820 out from their 00:38:40.820 --> 00:38:42.179 peers and 00:38:42.179 --> 00:38:43.039 testifies to 00:38:43.039 --> 00:38:43.659 God's goodness 00:38:43.659 --> 00:38:44.920 to them and 00:38:44.920 --> 00:38:45.699 his sovereignty 00:38:45.699 --> 00:38:46.920 over them. 00:38:47.940 --> 00:38:49.000 The deportation 00:38:49.000 --> 00:38:49.619 to Babylon, 00:38:49.880 --> 00:38:50.559 our God, is 00:38:50.559 --> 00:38:51.400 sovereign and 00:38:51.400 --> 00:38:52.039 in control. 00:38:53.400 --> 00:38:54.659 The assimilation 00:38:54.659 --> 00:38:55.460 by Babylon, 00:38:55.940 --> 00:38:56.739 our God, they 00:38:56.739 --> 00:38:57.420 say, is the 00:38:57.420 --> 00:38:58.000 source of our 00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:58.539 identity. 00:38:59.699 --> 00:38:59.820 The 00:38:59.820 --> 00:39:01.559 postulation in 00:39:01.559 --> 00:39:02.340 Babylon, our 00:39:02.340 --> 00:39:03.519 sovereign Lord, 00:39:03.600 --> 00:39:04.400 is our hope 00:39:04.400 --> 00:39:05.740 and our help. 00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:07.579 And see how 00:39:07.579 --> 00:39:08.680 God intervenes. 00:39:09.100 --> 00:39:09.960 He intervenes in 00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:11.100 history, verse 2. 00:39:11.980 --> 00:39:12.920 He intervenes in 00:39:12.920 --> 00:39:14.039 relationships, verse 00:39:14.039 --> 00:39:14.380 9. 00:39:15.220 --> 00:39:16.260 He intervenes in 00:39:16.260 --> 00:39:16.980 the life of the 00:39:16.980 --> 00:39:18.059 individual, verse 00:39:18.059 --> 00:39:18.920 17. 00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:20.420 He's interested in 00:39:20.420 --> 00:39:21.920 the big stuff and 00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:22.860 the little stuff. 00:39:23.120 --> 00:39:24.059 He does global 00:39:24.059 --> 00:39:25.039 politics at the 00:39:25.039 --> 00:39:25.940 same time he does 00:39:25.940 --> 00:39:26.680 your individual 00:39:26.680 --> 00:39:27.380 academics. 00:39:28.220 --> 00:39:28.760 Behind the 00:39:28.760 --> 00:39:29.320 relaying of 00:39:29.320 --> 00:39:30.000 history, there is 00:39:30.000 --> 00:39:31.039 the sovereign Lord 00:39:31.039 --> 00:39:32.260 who is working 00:39:32.260 --> 00:39:33.220 out his purposes 00:39:33.220 --> 00:39:34.180 in and through 00:39:34.180 --> 00:39:35.780 individuals in 00:39:35.780 --> 00:39:36.360 the course of 00:39:36.360 --> 00:39:36.960 his history. 00:39:38.080 --> 00:39:38.500 And this 00:39:38.500 --> 00:39:39.720 phrase in 00:39:39.720 --> 00:39:40.380 verse 2 and 00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:41.060 verse 9 and 00:39:41.060 --> 00:39:41.960 verse 17, God 00:39:41.960 --> 00:39:43.860 gave, just 00:39:43.860 --> 00:39:44.820 building up as 00:39:44.820 --> 00:39:46.020 this small story 00:39:46.020 --> 00:39:47.120 in the story of 00:39:47.120 --> 00:39:48.120 God's enormous 00:39:48.120 --> 00:39:50.720 intervention, that 00:39:50.720 --> 00:39:51.440 it would be this 00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:52.720 God who gave 00:39:52.720 --> 00:39:54.540 his only son to 00:39:54.540 --> 00:39:56.580 transform absolutely 00:39:56.580 --> 00:39:57.840 everything. 00:39:57.840 --> 00:40:00.380 God who intervened 00:40:00.380 --> 00:40:03.160 most decisively in 00:40:03.160 --> 00:40:03.960 the person of the 00:40:03.960 --> 00:40:04.960 Lord Jesus given 00:40:04.960 --> 00:40:07.039 by God in order 00:40:07.039 --> 00:40:07.880 that those who 00:40:07.880 --> 00:40:08.440 have been in 00:40:08.440 --> 00:40:09.539 exile in Babylon 00:40:09.539 --> 00:40:10.980 for all of their 00:40:10.980 --> 00:40:11.800 lives would have a 00:40:11.800 --> 00:40:14.120 home forever with 00:40:14.120 --> 00:40:14.960 God. 00:40:15.920 --> 00:40:17.200 Daniel is a tiny 00:40:17.200 --> 00:40:17.920 story in the 00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:18.940 unfolding story of 00:40:18.940 --> 00:40:20.420 God and his 00:40:20.420 --> 00:40:21.620 sovereign plan to 00:40:21.620 --> 00:40:23.160 redeem a people for 00:40:23.160 --> 00:40:23.880 his very own 00:40:23.880 --> 00:40:24.320 possession. 00:40:24.320 --> 00:40:25.960 who will worship 00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:27.780 him alone above 00:40:27.780 --> 00:40:28.960 the competition of 00:40:28.960 --> 00:40:29.720 this hostile 00:40:29.720 --> 00:40:31.059 society. 00:40:31.700 --> 00:40:32.380 Let me pray. 00:40:32.380 --> 00:40:39.180 Father God, thank 00:40:39.180 --> 00:40:39.900 you so much for 00:40:39.900 --> 00:40:40.559 this story of 00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:40.860 Daniel. 00:40:42.340 --> 00:40:43.220 Thank you how it 00:40:43.220 --> 00:40:44.480 speaks so relevantly 00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:45.579 to where we are as 00:40:45.579 --> 00:40:47.579 people in this 00:40:47.579 --> 00:40:48.579 place in history. 00:40:49.559 --> 00:40:50.420 Thank you that it 00:40:50.420 --> 00:40:51.019 speaks of your 00:40:51.019 --> 00:40:52.039 sovereignty and your 00:40:52.039 --> 00:40:52.400 goodness. 00:40:53.420 --> 00:40:54.180 Thank you that it 00:40:54.180 --> 00:40:54.780 speaks of your 00:40:54.780 --> 00:40:56.119 absolute control over 00:40:56.119 --> 00:40:57.220 absolutely everything. 00:40:58.860 --> 00:40:59.579 And so Lord, I 00:40:59.579 --> 00:41:00.440 pray we would trust 00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:01.500 you as Daniel did. 00:41:01.500 --> 00:41:03.800 we would seek to 00:41:03.800 --> 00:41:04.880 show that trust to 00:41:04.880 --> 00:41:05.840 the watching world. 00:41:07.039 --> 00:41:08.079 And Father, through 00:41:08.079 --> 00:41:09.960 it, you might use us 00:41:09.960 --> 00:41:11.159 to influence many in 00:41:11.159 --> 00:41:12.000 the way that you used 00:41:12.000 --> 00:41:12.980 Daniel for such a 00:41:12.980 --> 00:41:14.760 long period to make a 00:41:14.760 --> 00:41:15.780 real difference in the 00:41:15.780 --> 00:41:16.820 society in which you 00:41:16.820 --> 00:41:17.360 placed him. 00:41:18.280 --> 00:41:19.639 So Lord, we would say 00:41:19.639 --> 00:41:21.059 you are our trust, 00:41:21.539 --> 00:41:22.380 you are our hope, 00:41:22.940 --> 00:41:23.699 the source of our 00:41:23.699 --> 00:41:25.340 identity and the 00:41:25.340 --> 00:41:26.219 fountain of all of 00:41:26.219 --> 00:41:26.679 our joy. 00:41:27.360 --> 00:41:28.199 So Lord, would you 00:41:28.199 --> 00:41:29.380 keep your rightful 00:41:29.380 --> 00:41:31.280 place in each of our 00:41:31.280 --> 00:41:31.720 lives. 00:41:32.280 --> 00:41:33.200 For the glory of your 00:41:33.200 --> 00:41:34.060 Son, we pray these 00:41:34.060 --> 00:41:34.460 things. 00:41:35.060 --> 00:41:35.280 Amen.