1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,920 Speaker 1: Let us pray. But Daniel purposed in his heart that 2 00:00:04,960 --> 00:00:07,280 Speaker 1: he would not defile himself with a portion of the 3 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:11,960 Speaker 1: king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore, 4 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 1: he requested the Prince of the eunuchs that he might 5 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: not defile himself. Daniel one, ate Lord, because my purpose 6 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 1: means more to me than my comfort, I will be 7 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:27,440 Speaker 1: mindful to treat my body in a way that will 8 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: allow me to carry out my mission while here on 9 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: earth to day. Like Daniel and the young men, I 10 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 1: am making a conscious decision to honor my body by 11 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: not defiling it with food or substances that would stop 12 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:46,279 Speaker 1: me from experiencing the fullness of all you have in 13 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 1: store for me. I thank you, Lord for the will 14 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 1: and the fortitude to stand strong when I am tempted 15 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 1: to choose the comfort of laziness and poor health habits. 16 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:04,840 Speaker 1: I declare that health is a top priority. I declare 17 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 1: that through my decision to live a healthy lifestyle, my 18 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 1: mind will be sharper and more creative than ever before. 19 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:17,680 Speaker 1: I praise you and thank you in advance for uncommon 20 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 1: outcomes and alliances that are working on my behalf to 21 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:25,840 Speaker 1: help realize the dreams and destiny You've placed on and 22 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:30,480 Speaker 1: in me. No matter what, I will not be ashamed 23 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:34,200 Speaker 1: of my acceleration because I've made the decision to honor 24 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:37,399 Speaker 1: my body, which is the vehicle needed to take me 25 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:45,760 Speaker 1: to my future. In Jesus name, Amen, thank you for 26 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 1: praying with us today. Continue your time with God by 27 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: listening to today's Bible story brought to you by Bible 28 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 1: in a Year dot. 29 00:01:54,280 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 2: Com Daniel and the King's Men. In our last story, 30 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 2: we were taken up in the spirit of the Lord 31 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 2: with Ezekiel as he scanned a vast valley of dry bones. 32 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:18,360 Speaker 2: As the spirit of God rushed into the valley, the 33 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:22,200 Speaker 2: bones came to life and were restored. This was an 34 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 2: image of God's plan to restore Israel and pour out 35 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 2: his spirit. Now we look into the life of Daniel. He, 36 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 2: along with the rest of God's people, was taken captive 37 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:36,920 Speaker 2: by Babylon. Daniel is brought into the fold of King 38 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 2: Nebeconezzer to study and serve. Slowly, Daniel begins to influence 39 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:46,360 Speaker 2: the wicked king and his men. Inspired by the Book 40 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 2: of Daniel. 41 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:52,920 Speaker 3: This is Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible 42 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 3: in a Year. I'm so glad that you've joined us 43 00:02:55,440 --> 00:02:59,119 Speaker 3: once again. In our previous reading, we heard how God 44 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 3: spoke to Eazy Eikil, taking him up in the spirit 45 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 3: and giving him a vision of dry bones that were 46 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 3: brought back to life by the power of God's word 47 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 3: and his spirit. It was a message to Israel that 48 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 3: God would restore them to life and make one nation 49 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 3: of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And ultimately 50 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:20,040 Speaker 3: it is a promise, a greater promise of one who 51 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:23,640 Speaker 3: would come, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would not just 52 00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 3: give life to Israel, but offer life to the whole world. 53 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 3: Today we'll hear a reading about a young exile named Daniel. He, 54 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 3: along with a few of his faithful Israelite captives, is 55 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 3: chosen to serve the Babylonian king. God is placing this 56 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 3: young man, a godly follower of the Lord, into a 57 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 3: place where he can influence evil men for the glory 58 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 3: of God. So let's hear God's word today. 59 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 2: The kingdoms of Israel and Judah fell to the mighty 60 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 2: hand of King Nebukon Ezza. Hooks were sewn into their 61 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 2: lips and they were carted off to their captivity in 62 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 2: Babylon along with the people. King Neberconezzar took the vessels 63 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 2: in the temple and placed them in his own treasury 64 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 2: with his gods. King Neberconezza was determined to graft Israel 65 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:15,360 Speaker 2: into Babylonian culture. He would do so first by taking 66 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 2: their temple. Then he would take the best of them, 67 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 2: the brightest and most educated, to serve him. Neberkonezzar gathered 68 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 2: young men, strong, good looking, skilled and wise. He gave 69 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:31,920 Speaker 2: them access to his libraries and the finest tutors Babylon 70 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 2: could provide. He taught them foreign languages and exposed them 71 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 2: to different cultures, music, and art. It was Nebercanezza's intention 72 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 2: to indoctrinate these young men to become leaders over the 73 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:47,599 Speaker 2: captives and loyalty to Babylon. The king provided a daily 74 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 2: portion of food and wine for them. It was his 75 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 2: desire to educate them for three years, and at the 76 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 2: end of their time, they would stand in front of 77 00:04:56,520 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 2: the king. Among these young men were Daniel, Hannan, Na Mischel, 78 00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 2: and Azariah from the tribe of Judah. Their names were 79 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:10,680 Speaker 2: taken from them, and Neberconezzar called them Belta, Shazar, Shadrach, 80 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:16,320 Speaker 2: me Shak and a Bednago. Although neber Caoneszar took their names, 81 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:21,039 Speaker 2: he could not take their true identities. Daniel watched closely 82 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 2: as the king and some of the young men feasted 83 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:27,480 Speaker 2: on the king's food. It was not only sacrificed to idols, 84 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 2: but it was dirty. The grease dripped from the Babylonian's chin. 85 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:35,919 Speaker 2: He saw many of the Babylonian nobles. They were overweight 86 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:40,480 Speaker 2: and bloated. Daniel purposed in his heart to not defile himself. 87 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:44,239 Speaker 2: He would not eat the king's food. The chief servant 88 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 2: was concerned for Daniel and thought that his health and 89 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 2: favor would decline if he did not eat. But Daniel 90 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:53,840 Speaker 2: had a challenge for him and the king. Test your 91 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:57,719 Speaker 2: servants and I, Daniel challenged, for ten days, my friends 92 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:00,840 Speaker 2: and I will consume nothing but vegetables and water. At 93 00:06:00,839 --> 00:06:02,919 Speaker 2: the end of those ten days, measure who was in 94 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 2: better health. So for ten days, Daniel and his companions 95 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 2: ate vegetables and drank water, while the other young men 96 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 2: ate the food sacrificed to idols. When the ten days passed, 97 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 2: Daniel and his friends were far more healthy and clear 98 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:20,480 Speaker 2: in mind than the others. So the Chief servant ordered 99 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:22,440 Speaker 2: for all the men in the palace to be given 100 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 2: vegetables and water. This was but one example of how 101 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:30,239 Speaker 2: Daniel and his friends began to transform the Babylonian culture. 102 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 2: They increased in knowledge, wisdom, and favor with God. They 103 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:38,359 Speaker 2: had visions and dreams, and began to transform the hearts 104 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 2: of those around them. Nebucon Zer brought them into his 105 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:45,479 Speaker 2: presence as counselors and wise men. In every matter, he 106 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:50,800 Speaker 2: found them ten times more insightful than the Babylonian scholars, magicians, 107 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 2: and enchanters. 108 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 3: In today's reading, we're reminded of the brutality of the 109 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 3: Babylonians when they conquered Israel and Judah. They didn't just 110 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 3: take captives away in chains. Many of the captives were 111 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 3: tortured with hooks sewn into their lips, and as an 112 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 3: act of humiliation, this was meant to crush the spirit 113 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 3: of their vanquished foes. They also carted off precious items 114 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 3: from the temples, signaling that their gods were superior to 115 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 3: those of their enemies. They did not know or fear 116 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:27,360 Speaker 3: the One True God. But among the captives there were 117 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 3: some young men who would begin to change that and 118 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 3: challenge that showing Nebukanezer and his court who Yahweh is. 119 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 3: Though they were cruel and ruthless, the Babylonians were wise 120 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:43,600 Speaker 3: in how they handled the people they conquered. Understanding that 121 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 3: the best and the brightest in Israel could prove to 122 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:49,240 Speaker 3: be a benefit to Babylon, they selected the cream of 123 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:52,679 Speaker 3: the crop and worked to assimilate them into Babylonian culture. 124 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 3: Among those chosen were Daniel and three of his friends. 125 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:02,200 Speaker 3: Rather than suffer as slaves, Nebukanazar gave these best and 126 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 3: brightest access to the riches of his kingdom, both in 127 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:08,520 Speaker 3: terms of education and training and in comfort and the 128 00:08:08,560 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 3: finer foods and drinks the land had to offer. They 129 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 3: were given new Babylonian names to replace their Jewish ones. 130 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:19,680 Speaker 3: This was meant to wipe away any former identity, to 131 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:23,080 Speaker 3: make their Jewishness disappear as they were seduced by the 132 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:27,680 Speaker 3: pagan culture. The Bible tells us in the New Testament Romans, 133 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 3: Chapter twelve that we are not to conform to this 134 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 3: world and the patterns and the activities of this world. Unfortunately, 135 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:40,920 Speaker 3: too many Christians often take the path of least resistance. 136 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 3: We don't stand up to the culture that is trying 137 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:47,199 Speaker 3: to conform us. We want to blend into the world, 138 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:50,720 Speaker 3: enjoy the world and what it has to offer. But 139 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 3: we are called to be better than this. We, like 140 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 3: Daniel and his companions, are called to stand apart, even 141 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:02,160 Speaker 3: if we have to stand alone. But as Daniel and 142 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:06,200 Speaker 3: his friends watched others accept the rich foods, including unclean meat, 143 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:11,600 Speaker 3: sacrifice to idols, he resolved not to be defiled. Daniel 144 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:16,040 Speaker 3: chose to honor God and refused what Nebkanazzer offered him. 145 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:20,080 Speaker 3: This wasn't just an act of self denial, It was 146 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:26,040 Speaker 3: a dangerous refusal to abide by the king's command. This 147 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 3: act could have easily been viewed as rebellion and rejection 148 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 3: and cost Daniel and his friends their lives. But God, 149 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 3: as always, is in control, and he has a purpose 150 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 3: and a plan in all of this. Daniel offered the 151 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:42,560 Speaker 3: chief of servants a challenge. He and his friends would 152 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:46,199 Speaker 3: eat only vegetables and drink water, abstaining from the meat 153 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 3: and rich food and wine for just ten days. If 154 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 3: at the end of that time they were weaker, slower, 155 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:55,439 Speaker 3: less mentally sharp than the others, they would follow the 156 00:09:55,520 --> 00:10:00,440 Speaker 3: king's diet. God honored the faithfulness of Daniel, and we 157 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:03,600 Speaker 3: read this in the first chapter of Daniel, verse seventeen. 158 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:09,040 Speaker 3: To these four young men, God gave knowledge and understanding 159 00:10:09,080 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 3: of all kinds of literature and learning, and Daniel could 160 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 3: understand visions and dreams of all kinds. After ten days, 161 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 3: it was apparent that Daniel and his friends were stronger 162 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 3: and brighter than the others. God had big plans for 163 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 3: these young men, and it all began with a simple, 164 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:32,280 Speaker 3: yet courageous, confident step of faith. When we choose to 165 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 3: live differently, to dare to be a Daniel, our witness 166 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 3: is powerful and persuasive. It often opens doors for God's 167 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 3: glory to be shown to the world and often gives 168 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 3: us opportunities to influence those around us. When we stand 169 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 3: up and stand apart, we make a difference. We are 170 00:10:52,400 --> 00:10:54,640 Speaker 3: not to be like the world, but we're to be 171 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:58,400 Speaker 3: different from the world. And so with this act of 172 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:01,680 Speaker 3: faithful defiance to the pressure of culture, Daniel and his 173 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 3: friends were given access to an inner circle where God 174 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 3: could work through them to reach the hard heart of 175 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:13,560 Speaker 3: even King nevikin Ezer and many others. Dear God, we 176 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:16,040 Speaker 3: are thankful for the courage of Daniel and the young 177 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:18,960 Speaker 3: men who stood with him. Thank You for the inspiration 178 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:21,640 Speaker 3: of their lives, that they purposed in their hearts not 179 00:11:21,679 --> 00:11:27,360 Speaker 3: to defile themselves. May we also live devout lives, lives 180 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 3: that are given over to You and not to the world. 181 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:33,240 Speaker 3: May our focus and our faithfulness be strong and true 182 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:38,240 Speaker 3: against all odds in Jesus' name. Amen, Thank you for 183 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:40,960 Speaker 3: listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. We are 184 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,800 Speaker 3: so glad that you have joined us. I'm Pastor Jack 185 00:11:43,880 --> 00:11:47,360 Speaker 3: Graham from Dallas, Texas. You can download the Prey dot 186 00:11:47,360 --> 00:11:50,440 Speaker 3: com app and join millions of people who are listening 187 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:53,280 Speaker 3: daily to the Bible in a Year. I want to 188 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:56,880 Speaker 3: encourage you to make prayer and Bible study a priority 189 00:11:57,040 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 3: in your life, that you would seek first the Kingdom 190 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:03,920 Speaker 3: of God and his righteousness. If you enjoy this broadcast, 191 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 3: let me encourage you to share it with others, people 192 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:09,199 Speaker 3: that you love, people that you know, people in your church, 193 00:12:09,559 --> 00:12:12,440 Speaker 3: because we believe the Word of God makes an eternal 194 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:16,840 Speaker 3: difference in people's lives. If you want more resources as 195 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 3: to how you can live the Christian life, be sure 196 00:12:19,679 --> 00:12:23,640 Speaker 3: to visit Jack Graham dot org. That's Jack Graham dot org. 197 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:24,719 Speaker 3: God bless you.