FAR FROM HOME
Every day you are faced with choices. Some of them are very easy to make, such as what you are going to have for dinner. However, other choices are more difficult to make and may well have far reaching consequences. In the Book of Daniel you can read about a young Jewish man named Daniel and his three friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah and the choices they had to make. Their story begins when they are taken from their country to a foreign nation Babylon, as you can read in Daniel 1:1-2
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure-house of his god.
Daniel and his friends are, in fact, only teenagers when they are taken from their country. Their nation has sinned against God and God disciplines His people by allowing them to be taken into exile. And Daniel is one of the people taken into exile, even though he himself has not sinned against God.
This means that Daniel finds himself among a people who speak a foreign language, whose customs are foreign to him and whose gods are foreign gods.
Furthermore, he is not allowed to choose his education system. It is chosen for him by the king. And he is even given a Babylonian name. And all of these things are for one purpose only: that Daniel and those with him will forget that they are Hebrew people who serve the Hebrew God, as you can read in Daniel 1:3-7
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of the court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility – young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and the literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names; to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
It seems that Daniel accepts all these changes. After all, he is a prisoner of the Babylonian king so what can he do as a prisoner? He knows very well that if the king is not pleased with his behaviour he can order for Daniel’s head to be cut off. So it makes sense for Daniel to play it safe and to just go along for nothing is worth losing his life over, or is it….?
One of the things the king has ordered is that Daniel and his friends are to be fed the food and wine from the king’s table. This will have meant that their food and drink are of the very best quality and we would expect Daniel to be very pleased that he has been selected to eat the food and drink the wine from the king’s table.
Let’s read Daniel 1:8 so see if that is so.
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.
How strange. Daniel accepts everything the king has decided for him but when it comes to some food and drink items he decides not to eat any of these foods or drink any of these wines. We would want to say to Daniel, “Please, Daniel, don’t refuse to eat the food and drink the wine selected for you for if the king finds out that you refuse to eat the food and drink the wine that is served on his table he is bound to become very angry and it will only mean you will lose your head after all. You have been so careful up to now. You have accepted whatever the king has told you to do and that is very wise of you. But why have you suddenly decided to go against the king’s wishes for you? Please think again, for surely you are just talking about some food and drink items and it is not worth losing your life over these items. Apparently, to Daniel, this food and drink issue is important enough to take a stand. The reason behind his refusal is that Daniel knows that he is a Hebrew. Learning a different language, learning the Babylonian literature, even receiving a Babylonian name has not changed him into a Babylonian. On the contrary, he remains a Hebrew. And as a Hebrew, he is committed to keeping certain dietary laws. And breaking these laws means disobedience to his God. That is why Daniel is determined not to eat the food and drink the wine of the king’s table.
Now you may say: “That story does not apply to me for I am not a Hebrew living under the Old Testament laws. I am a Gentile believer and even Jesus makes it very clear that a person is not made “unclean” by what he eats.” And that is true, for in Matthew 15:11 Jesus says
“What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth makes him “unclean.”
Therefore, eating and drinking does not affect the condition of a person’s heart.
However, Jesus does not stop there but explains in Matthew 15:18-20 how a person becomes “unclean” when He says
“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man “unclean”. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man “unclean”…..”
Daniel will have known these things as a young man and, apart from making the right food and drink choices which are in line with the Old Testament dietary laws, he will have watched his thought life. You are to do the same as you can know from Philippians 4:8, where the Apostle Paul writes
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
This means that you will need to select what you read, what you watch, or what you listen to for these things affect your way of thinking. So there will be times when you need to make a choice and not watch something, read something, or listen to something for these things not only affect your thinking; they affect what you say.
That can be awkward at times for you may well be tempted to compromise by reading something or watching something or listening to something that you know is not in line with the Word of God. You may even be tempted to think it does not matter for you believe no one else is aware of what you are doing. But remember, God knows for God sees everything you do. Therefore, act like Daniel did, and make a decision not to watch, not to read or not to listen to something you know will not please God for God wants you to have a renewed mind, as you can read in Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.
You receive a renewed mind when you spend time reading, meditating and studying God’s Word in order for you to learn to think in a way that is pleasing to God. Having a renewed mind will cause you to speak in a way that is pleasing to God and will cause you to act in ways that show your love for God and for others, as you can read in Luke 6:27-38 where Jesus says,
“But I tell you who hear Me; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” love those who love them. And if you are good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” lend to “sinners” expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Now you know that Daniel is only a young man when he makes this decision not to eat the food and drink the wine of the king’s table. But does he remain committed to obeying His God as time goes on? After serving king Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel next serves king Belshazzar. This king so displeases God that God allows Babylon to be taken over by the Medes when king Belshazzar is killed, as you can read in Daniel 5:30-31
That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.
However, Daniel remains at the Royal Court and now serves king Darius, as you can read in Daniel 6:1-2
It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss.
Daniel remains faithful and loyal to the one he serves for he knows that he is not just serving a king, he is serving his God. Likewise, you too are to serve God in whatever you do, for the Apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
The king is very pleased with Daniel’s faithful service to him, as you can read in Daniel 6:3
Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
Unfortunately, the other administrators are not as pleased with Daniel as the king is so they want to take action against him, as we can read in Daniel 6:4
At this the administrators and satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.
These men are not able to accuse Daniel of anything because he lives a life totally devoted to his God and pleasing to Him. And is that how you live? Do you live your life in such a way that no-one can accuse you of any wrong doing?
Does that mean that the enemies of Daniel stop trying to take action against him? Sadly no, and they think they may have found something to accuse him of, as you can read in Daniel 6:5
Finally, these men said, “We will never have any basis for charges against this man Daniel, unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”
The question is: Are they successful? You can find out from Daniel 6:6-9 what happens next.
So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said, “O, king Darius, live forever! The royal administrators, satraps, advisors and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered –in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” So king Darius put the decree in writing.
King Darius, no doubt very flattered by the request of his administrators, puts out the decree as requested by them. Their flattery has made him forget one very important thing and that is that his foolish action may well cause him to lose his most treasured servant Daniel to the lions. For Daniel has never in all his years of service at the Court given up on worshipping the God of Israel. But perhaps this time he will at least give up his daily practice of praying to his God three times a day in front of his open window. Surely, even God will not mind if he stops praying in front of that window? After all, God will be able to hear his prayers even when they are prayed in another part of the room where no-one can see him. Moreover, his knees must be worn out because of all the kneeling he has done over the years and his body is, very likely, no longer strong enough to be able to fight off lions. Therefore, God will not mind if he changes his habit somewhat so that his life can be preserved and he can continue to serve his God. But is that how Daniel reasons? Daniel 6:10 tells you what he does when he gets home.
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened towards Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
That day Daniel goes back home and he prays at his usual spot, in front of his open window facing Jerusalem. He once again makes a choice to continue to obey his God, regardless of the cost, knowing full well that his action will bring him before lions, as you can read in Daniel 6:16
So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
The king has no choice but to have Daniel thrown before the lions. All he can hope for now is that Daniel’s God will keep Daniel safe. That night sleep evades the king and as soon as it is light, he gets up to check on Daniel hoping against hope that he is still alive, as you can read in Daniel 6:19-23
At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “O king, live for ever! My God sent His angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
Words cannot describe how the king feels when he hears the voice of his trusted servant Daniel declaring that, yes, he is alive and well for his God has watched over him and has not allowed him to be touched by the lions.
So, we know from this account that Daniel obeyed his God throughout his life. Likewise God wants you to live a life of obedience regardless of the challenges you may face. As a believer, you will face a being that acts like a lion, as Peter writes in I Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
This “lion” is obviously not a physical lion as Daniel had to deal with but is the devil who is a fallen angel. Moreover this fallen angel makes himself look like an angel of light, as you can read in II Corinthians 11:14
And no wonder, for satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
Therefore, the devil’s ways are very deceptive and that means you are to have a close walk with the Lord in order to be able to withstand him, as James writes in James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
You are to live this life of faith in God on a daily basis and it ought to affect the way you think, how you speak and how you act. You are not to compromise on your faith in any way for that would mean you are denying the Lord the place you have given Him in your life. If He is your Lord then He is to be your Lord for all times and in all circumstances. Regardless of what that might mean. It may mean you will be misunderstood or even mocked for your stand. If that is so, then you are to simply forgive those who do these things to you for they do not know what they are doing. Jesus is your example for He forgave those who crucified Him, as you can read in Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
And you are not to give up doing what you know to be right, as Paul writes in Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
God wants you to trust Him to take care of you. And He will do so for He has promised to never leave you, as you can read in Hebrews 13:5
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
And God wants you to look forward to the day that you will hear the Lord’s praise, which you can read in Matthew 25:21
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
So be like Daniel and ask the Lord to help you to obey Him every day of your life regardless of what may happen for God will take care of you in the same way that He took care of Daniel. The author of the Book of Hebrews writes that the Lord never changes in Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Therefore, you can trust the Lord to help you live a life that is pleasing to Him just as He helped Daniel to be faithful and obedient to God in everything that he did.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question 1: Are some choices difficult to make?
Answer: Some choices are difficult to make and may well have far reaching consequences.
Question 2: Who can you read about in the Book of Daniel?
Answer: You can read about Daniel in the Book of Daniel.
Question 3: What are the names of Daniel’s three friends?
Answer: The names of Daniel’s three friends are Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
Question 4: Where are Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah taken to?
Answer: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah are taken from their country to Babylon.
Question 5a: According to Daniel 1:1-2 who comes to Jerusalem to besiege it?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:1-2 king Nebuchadnezzar comes to Jerusalem to besiege it.
Question 5b: According to Daniel 1:1-2 where has king Nebuchadnezzar come from?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:1-2 king Nebuchadnezzar has come from Babylon.
Question 5c: According to Daniel 1:1-2 who is king of Judah?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:1-2 king Jehoiakim is king of Judah.
Question 5d: According to Daniel 1:1-2 when does king Nebuchadnezzar come to Jerusalem to besiege it?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:1-2 king Nebuchadnezzar comes to Jerusalem to besiege it in the third year of the reign of king Jehoiakim.
Question 5e: According to Daniel 1:1-2 who delivers king Jehoiakim into the hand of king Nebuchadnezzar?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:1-2 God delivers king Jehoiakim into the hand of king Nebuchadnezzar.
Question 5f: According to Daniel 1:1-2 what does king Nebuchadnezzar take from the temple of God?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:1-2 king Nebuchadnezzar takes some of the articles from the temple of God.
Question 5g: According to Daniel 1:1-2 where does king Nebuchadnezzar carry the articles from the temple of God off to?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:1-2 king Nebuchadnezzar carries the articles from the temple of God off to the temple of his god in Babylonia.
Question 5h: According to Daniel 1:1-2 where does king Nebuchadnezzar put the articles from the temple of God?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:1-2 king Nebuchadnezzar puts the articles from the temple of God in the treasure-house of his god.
Question 6: How old are Daniel and his friends when they are taken from their country?
Answer: Daniel and his friends are only teenagers when they are taken from their country.
Question 7: What has the nation of Daniel and his friends done?
Answer: The nation of Daniel and his friends has sinned against God.
Question 8: How does God discipline His people?
Answer: God disciplines His people by allowing them to be taken into exile.
Question 9: Who is one of the people taken into exile?
Answer: Daniel is one of the people taken into exile.
Question 10: Has Daniel sinned against God?
Answer: Daniel has not sinned against God.
Question 11: What does that mean for Daniel?
Answer: It means that Daniel finds himself among a people, who speak a foreign language, whose customs are foreign to him and whose gods are foreign gods.
Question 12: Is Daniel allowed to choose his education system?
Answer: Daniel is not allowed to choose his education system.
Question 13: Who chooses Daniel’s education system for him?
Answer: Daniel’s education system is chosen for him by king Nebuchadnezzar.
Question 14: What other name is Daniel given?
Answer: Daniel is given a Babylonian name.
Question 15: What is the purpose for all these changes?
Answer: The purpose for all these changes is for Daniel and those with him to forget that they are Hebrew people who serve the Hebrew God.
Question 16a; According to Daniel 1:3-7 who is the chief of the court officials?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:3-7 Ashpenaz is the chief of the court officials.
Question 16b: According to Daniel 1:3-7 what does king Nebuchadnezzar order Ashpenaz to do?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:3-7 king Nebuchadnezzar orders Ashpenaz to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility.
Question 16c: According to Daniel 1:3-7 what are the requirements of these young men?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:3-7 these young men are to be without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed and quick to understand.
Question 16d: According to Daniel 1:3-7 where are these young men to serve?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:3-7 these young men are to serve at king Nebuchadnezzar’s palace.
Question 16e: According to Daniel 1:3-7 what is Ashpenaz to teach these young men?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:3-7 Ashpenaz is to teach these young men the language and literature of the Babylonians.
Question 16f: According to Daniel 1:3-7 what does king Nebuchadnezzar assign these young men?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:3-7 king Nebuchadnezzar assigns these young men a daily amount from the king’s table.
Question 16g: According to Daniel 1:3-7 for how long are these young men to be trained?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:3-7 these young men are to be trained for three years.
Question 16h: According to Daniel 1:3-7 whose service are these young men to enter afterwards?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:3-7 these young men are to enter king Nebuchadnezzar’s service afterwards.
Question 16i: According to Daniel 1:3-7 who are from Judah?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:3-7 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah are from Judah.
Question 16j: According to Daniel 1:3-7 what new names does the chief official give to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:3-7 the chief official gives new names as follows; to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; to Azariah, Abednego.
Question 17: Does Daniel accept all these changes?
Answer: It seems Daniel accepts all these changes.
Question 18: Why does Daniel accept all these changes?
Answer: Daniel accepts all these changes since he is a prisoner of king Nebuchadnezzar.
Question 19: What can happen to Daniel if king Nebuchadnezzar is not pleased with his behaviour?
Answer: King Nebuchadnezzar can have Daniel’s head cut off if he is not pleased with Daniel’s behaviour.
Question 20: Does it make sense for Daniel to play it safe and to just go along?
Answer: It does make sense for Daniel to play it safe and to just go along for nothing is worth losing his life over.
Question 21: What is one of the things king Nebuchadnezzar has ordered?
Answer: One of the things king Nebuchadnezzar has ordered is that Daniel and his friends are to be fed the food and wine from the king’s table.
Question 22: Will this have meant that the food and wine for Daniel and his three friends are of the very best quality?
Answer: It will have meant that the food and wine for Daniel and his three friends are of the very best quality.
Question 23: Would you expect Daniel to be very pleased that he has been selected to eat the food and drink the wine from king Nebuchadnezzar’s table?
Answer: You would expect Daniel to be very pleased that he has been selected to eat the food and drink the wine from king Nebuchadnezzar’s table.
Question 24a: According to Daniel 1:8 what does Daniel resolve not to do?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:8 Daniel resolves not to defile himself with the royal food and wine.
Question 24b: According to Daniel 1:8 what does Daniel ask the chief official?
Answer: According to Daniel 1:8 Daniel asks the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
Question 25: Why would you want to say to Daniel to not to refuse to eat the food and drink the wine selected for him?
Answer: You would want to say to Daniel to not refuse to eat the food and drink the wine selected for him for if king Nebuchadnezzar finds out that he refuses the eat the food and drink the wine from his table he is bound to become very angry and it will only mean that Daniel will loose his head after all.
Question 26: Why would you want Daniel to think again?
Answer: You would want Daniel to think again for surely he is just talking about some food and drink items, and it is not worth losing his life over these items.
Question 27: Is this food and drink issue important enough for Daniel to take a stand?
Answer: Apparently, this food and drink issue is important enough for Daniel to take a stand.
Question 28: What is the reason behind Daniel’s refusal?
Answer: The reason behind Daniel’s refusal is that Daniel knows he is a Hebrew.
Question 29: Has learning the Babylonian language and literature as well as receiving a Babylonian name changed Daniel into a Babylonian?
Answer: Learning the Babylonian language and literature as well as receiving a Babylonian name has not changed Daniel into a Babylonian.
Question 30: As a Hebrew, what is Daniel committed to keep?
Answer: As a Hebrew, Daniel is committed to keep certain dietary laws.
Question 31: What does breaking these dietary laws mean for Daniel?
Answer: Breaking these dietary laws means disobedience to his God for Daniel.
Question 32: Could you say that this story does not apply to you?
Answer: You could say that this story does not apply to you.
Question 33: Why could you say that this story does not apply to you?
Answer: You could say that this story does not apply to you for you are not a Hebrew living under the Old Testament laws.
Question 34: What are you?
Answer: You are a Gentile believer.
Question 35: What does Jesus make very clear about a person?
Answer: Jesus make it very clear that a person is not made “unclean” by what he eats.
Question 36a: According to Matthew 15:11 what does Jesus say about a man’s mouth?
Answer: According to Matthew 15:11 Jesus says that what goes into a man’s mouth does not make him “unclean.”
Question 36b: According to Matthew 15:11 what does Jesus say makes a man “unclean”?
Answer: According to Matthew 15:11 Jesus says that what comes out of a man’s mouth makes him “unclean.”
Question 37: Does eating and drinking affect the condition of a person’s heart?
Answer: Eating and drinking does not affect the condition of a person’s heart.
Question 38a: According to Matthew 15:18-20 where do the things that come out of someone’s mouth come from?
Answer: According to Matthew 15:18-20 the things that come out of someone’s mouth come from the heart and these make a man “unclean.”
Question 38b: According to Matthew 15:18-20 why is the heart the place of a man’s “uncleanness”?
Answer: According to Matthew 15:18-20 the heart of a man is “unclean” because out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man “unclean.”
Question 39: Will Daniel have knows these things as a young man?
Answer: Daniel will have known these things as a young man.
Question 40: What will Daniel have done?
Answer: Apart from making the right food and drink choices, which are in line with the Old Testament dietary laws, he will have watched his thought life.
Question 41: Are you to watch your thought life?
Answer: You are to watch your thought life.
Question 42: According to Philippians 4:8 what does Paul write?
Answer: According to Philippians 4:8 Paul writes that you are to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.
Question 43: What does that mean for you?
Answer: It means that you will need to select what your read, what you watch or what you listen to.
Question 44: Why do you need to select what you read, watch or listen to?
Answer: You need to select what you read, watch or listen to because these things affect your way of thinking.
Question 45: Why will there be times when you need to make a choice to not watch something, read something or listen to something?
Answer: There will be times when you need to make a choice to not watch something, read something or listen to something for these things not only affect your thinking; they affect what you say.
Question 46: Why can choosing not to watch something, read something or listen to something be awkward at times?
Answer: Choosing not to watch something, read something or listen to something can be awkward at times for you may well be temped to compromise.
Question 47: How can you be tempted to compromise?
Answer: You can be tempted to compromise by reading something or watching something or listening to something that you know is not in line with the Word of God.
Question 48: Why can you be tempted to think it does not matter what you read, watch or listen to?
Answer: You may be tempted to think that is does not matter what you read, watch or listen to for you believe no one else is aware of what you are doing.
Question 49: What should you remember?
Answer: You should remember that God knows for God sees everything you do.
Question 50: How are you to act?
Answer: You are to ace like Daniel did and make a decision not to watch, not to read or listen to something you know will not please God.
Question 51: What does God want you to have?
Answer: God wants you to have a renewed mind.
Question 52a: According to Romans 12:2 what are you no longer to conform to?
Answer: According to Romans 12:2 you are no longer to conform to the pattern of this world.
Question 52b: According to Romans 12:2 what are you to be?
Answer: According to Romans 12:2 you are to be transformed.
Question 52c: According to Romans 12:2 how are you to be transformed?
Answer: According to Romans 12:2 you are to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Question 52d: According to Romans 12:2 what will you be able to test and approve then?
Answer: According to Romans 12:2 you will then be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Question 53: How will you receive a renewed mind?
Answer: You will receive a renewed mind when you spend time reading, meditating and studying God’s Word.
Question 54: What will reading, meditating and studying God’s Word enable you to do?
Answer: Reading, meditating and studying God’s Word will enable you to learn to think in a way that is pleasing to God.
Question 55: What will having a renewed mind enable you to do?
Answer: Having a renewed mind will enable you to speak in a way that is pleasing to God.
Question 56: What will speaking in a way that is pleasing to God enable you to do?
Answer: Speaking in a way that is pleasing to God will enable you to act in ways that show your love for God and for others.
Question 57a: According to Luke 6:27-38 what are you to do about your enemies?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 you are to love your enemies.
Question 57b: According to Luke 6:27-38 how are you to treat those who hate you?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-29 you are to do good to those who hate you.
Question 57c: According to Luke 6:27-28 what are you to do about those who curse you?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 you are to bless those who curse you.
Question 57d: According to Luke 6:27-38 what are you to do about those who mistreat you?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 you are to pray for those who mistreat you.
Question 57e: According to Luke 6:27-28 what are you to do when someone strikes you on one cheek?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 if someone strikes you on one cheek, you are to turn to him the other also.
Question 57f: According to Luke 6:27-38 what are you to do about someone who takes your cloak?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-28 if someone takes your cloak, you are not to stop him from taking your tunic.
Question 57g: According to Luke 6:27-38 to whom are you to give?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 you are to give to everyone who asks you.
Question 57h: According to Luke 6:27-28 what are you to do about someone who takes what belongs to you?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 if someone takes what belongs to you, you are not to demand it back.
Question 57i: According to Luke 6:27-28 do “sinners” love those who love them?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 “sinners” love those who love them.
Question 57j: According to Luke 6:27-28 are “sinners” good to those who are good to them?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 “sinners” are good to those who are good to them.
Question 57k: According to Luke 6:27-38 do “sinners” lend to those who lend to them?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 even “sinners” lend to others expecting to be repaid in full.
Question 57l: According to Luke 6:27-28 when will you be a son of the Most High?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-28 you will be a son of the Most High when you love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.
Question 57m: According to Luke 6:27-38 why will you be a son of the Most High when you love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 you will be a son of the Most High when you love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back because God is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Question 57n: According to Luke 6:27-38 why are you not to judge?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 you are not to judge so that you will not be judged.
Question 57o: According to Luke 6:27-38 why are you not to condemn?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 you are not to condemn so that you will not be condemned.
Question 57p: According to Luke 6:27-38 why are you to forgive?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 you are to forgive so that you will be forgiven.
Question 57q: According to Luke 6:27-38 why are you to give?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 you are to give so that it will be given to you.
Question 57r: According to Luke 6:27-38 what will be poured into your lap?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, will be poured out into your lap.
Question 57s: According to Luke 6:27-28 what will be measured to you?
Answer: According to Luke 6:27-38 the measure you use, will be measured to you.
Question 58: When does Daniel make the decision not to eat the food and drink the wine of king Nebuchadnezzar’s table?
Answer: Daniel is only a young man when he makes the decision not to eat the food and drink the wine of king Nebucahdnezzar’s table.
Question 59: Who does Daniel serve next after having served king Nebuchadnezzar?
Answer: After serving king Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel next serves king Belshazzar.
Question 60: How does God view king Belshazzar?
Answer: God is very displeased with king Belshazzar.
Question 61: How can you know that God is very displeased with king Belshazzar?
Answer: You can know that God is very displeased with king Belshazzar because He allows Babylon to be taken over by the Medes.
Question 62a: According to Daniel 5:30-31 what happened to Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians?
Answer: According to Daniel 5:30-31 Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians was slain.
Question 62b: According to Daniel 5:30-31 who takes over the Babylonian kingdom?
Answer: According to Daniel 5:30-31 Darius the Mede takes over the Babylonian kingdom.
Question 62c: According to Daniel 5:30-31 how old is Darius the Mede when he takes over the Babylonian kingdom?
Answer: According to Daniel 5:30-31 Darius the Mede is sixty-two years old when he takes over the Babylonian kingdom.
Question 63: Where is Daniel?
Answer: Daniel remains at the Royal Court.
Question 64: Who does Daniel serve?
Answer: Daniel now serves king Darius.
Question 65a: According to Daniel 6:1-2 how many satraps does Darius appoint?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:1-2 Darius appoints 120 satraps.
Question 65b; According to Daniel 6:1-2 what are the satraps to do?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:1-2 the satraps are to rule throughout the kingdom.
Question 65c: According to Daniel 6:1-2 who are placed over the 120 satraps?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:1-2 three administrators are placed over the 120 satraps.
Question 65d: According to Daniel 6:1-2 who is one of the administrators?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:1-2 Daniel is one of the administrators.
Question 65e: According to Daniel 6:1-2 to whom are the satraps made accountable?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:1-2 the satraps are made accountable to the three administrators.
Question 65f: According to Daniel 6:1-2 why are the 120 satraps made accountable to the three administrators?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:1-2 the 120 satraps are made accountable to the three administrators so that king Darius might not suffer loss.
Question 66: Why does Daniel remain faithful and loyal to the one he serves?
Answer: Daniel remains faithful and loyal to the one he serves for he knows that he is not just serving a king, he is serving his God.
Question 67: Are you, likewise, to serve God in whatever you do?
Answer: You are, likewise, to serve God in whatever you do.
Question 68: According to I Corinthians 10:31 what does Paul tell you to do for the glory of God?
Answer: According to I Corinthians 10:31 Paul tells you that whatever you do, whether eating or drinking, do it all for the glory of God.
Question 69: Is king Darius very pleased with Daniel’s faithful service?
Answer: King Darius is very pleased with Daniel’s faithful service.
Question 70a: According to Daniel 6:3 who distinguishes himself among the administrators and the satraps?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:3 Daniel distinguishes himself among the administrators and the satraps.
Question 70b: According to Daniel 6:3 how does Daniel distinguish himself among the administrators and the satraps?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:3 Daniel distinguishes himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities.
Question 70c: According to Daniel 6:3 what does king Darius plan to do?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:3 king Darius plans to set Daniel over the whole kingdom.
Question 71: Are the other administrators as pleased with Daniel as king Darius?
Answer: The other administrators are not as pleased with Daniel as king Darius.
Question 72: What do the other administrators want to do?
Answer: The other administrators want to take action against Daniel.
Question 73a; According to Daniel 6:4 what do the other administrators and the satraps try to do?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:4 the other administrators and the satraps try to find grounds for charges against Daniel.
Question 73b; According to Daniel 6:4 in what way do the other administrators and the satraps try to find grounds for charges again Daniel?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:4 the other administrators and the satraps try to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs.
Question 73c: According to Daniel 6:4 are the other administrators and the satraps able to find grounds for charges against Daniel?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:4 the other administrators and the satraps are unable to find grounds for charges against Daniel.
Question 73d: According to Daniel 6:4 why are the other administrators and the satraps unable to find grounds for charges against Daniel?
Answer; According to Daniel 6:4 the other administrators and the satraps are unable to find grounds for charges against Daniel because they can find no corruption in him.
Question 73e: According to Daniel 6:4 why can the other administrators and the satraps not find corruption in Daniel?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:4 the other administrators and the satraps can find no corruption in him because Daniel is trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.
Question 74: Why are these administrators and the satraps not able to accuse Daniel of anything?
Answer: These administrators and the satraps are not able to accuse Daniel of anything because he lives a life totally devoted to God and pleasing to Him.
Question 75: Does that mean that the enemies of Daniel stop trying to take action against him?
Answer: Sadly no, and they think they may have found something to accuse him of.
Question 76: According to Daniel 6:5 what do these administrators and satraps say?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:5 these administrators and satraps say that they will never have any basis to charges against Daniel, unless it has something to do with the law of his God.
Question 77a: According to Daniel 6:6-9 who goes to king Darius?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:6-9 the other administrators and the satraps go to king Darius.
Question 77b: According to Daniel 6:6-9 what do the other administrators and the satraps say to king Darius?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:6-9 the other administrators and the satraps say to king Darius that the royal administrators, satraps, advisors and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict.
Question 77c: According to Daniel 6:6-9 what should the edict enforce?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:6-9 the edict should enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to king Darius, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.
Question 77d: According to Daniel 6:6-9 what do the other administrators and the satraps tell king Darius to do?
Answer; According to Daniel 6:6-9 the other administrators and the satraps tell king Darius to issue the decree.
Question 77e: According to Daniel 6:6-9 why is the edict to be put in writing?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:6-9 the edict is to be put in writing so that it cannot be altered.
Question 77f: According to Daniel 6:6-9 which laws cannot be repealed?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:6-9 the laws of the Medes and Persians cannot be repealed.
Question 77g: According to Daniel 6:6-9 what does king Darius do?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:6-9 king Darius puts the decree in writing.
Question 78: Does king Darius puts out the decree?
Answer: King Darius, no doubt very flattered by the request of his administrators and satraps, puts out the decree.
Question 79: Has the flattery of the other administrators and the satraps made king Darius forget one very important thing?
Answer: The flattery of the administrators and the satraps has made king Darius forget that his foolish action may well cause him to lose his most treasured servant Daniel to the lions.
Question 80: Why can king Darius’ foolish action cause him to lose his most treasured servant Daniel?
Answer: King Darius’ foolish action may cause him to lose his most treasured servant Daniel for Daniel has never in all his years at the Court given up on worshipping the God of Israel.
Question 81: What is Daniel’s daily practice?
Answer: Daniel’s daily practice is praying to his God in front of an open window three times a day.
Question 82: Will God hear Daniel’s prayers even when they are prayed in another part of the room where no-one can see him?
Answer: God will hear Daniel’s prayers even when they are prayed in another part of the room where no-one can see him.
Question 83: Has Daniel’s knees worn out because of all the kneeling he has done over the years?
Answer: Daniel’s knees will have worn out because of all the kneeling he has done over the years.
Question 84: Is Daniel’s body strong enough to fight off lions?
Answer: Daniel’s body is, very likely, no longer strong enough to be able to fight off lions.
Question 85: Will God mind if Daniel changes his habit somewhat?
Answer: God will not mind if Daniel changes his habit somewhat so his life can be preserved.
Question 86: Is that how Daniel reasons?
Answer: That is not how Daniel reasons.
Question 87a: According to Daniel 6:10 what does Daniel do when he has learned that the decree has been published?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:10 Daniel goes home when he has learned that the decree has been published.
Question 87b: According to Daniel 6:10 what does Daniel do when he is home?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:10 Daniel goes to his upstairs room where the windows open towards Jerusalem.
Question 87c: According to Daniel 6:10 what does Daniel do in his upstairs room?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:10 Daniel kneels down in front of the open windows facing Jerusalem in his upstairs room and prays.
Question 87d: According to Daniel 6:10 how many times a day does Daniel pray in front of the open windows facing Jerusalem in his upstairs room?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:10 Daniel prays three times a day in front of the open windows facing Jerusalem in his upstairs room.
Question 87e: According to Daniel 6:10 has Daniel prayed three times a day in front of the open windows facing Jerusalem in his upstairs room before?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:10 Daniel has prayed three times a day in front of the open windows facing Jerusalem in his upstairs room before.
Question 88: Does Daniel go home and pray at his usual place?
Answer: That day Daniel goes home and prays at his usual place.
Question 89: What is Daniel’s usual place of prayer?
Answer: Daniel’s usual place of prayer is in front of his open window facing Jerusalem.
Question 90: What choice does Daniel make?
Answer: Daniel makes once again a choice to continue to obey his God, regardless of the cost.
Question 91: What does Daniel know?
Answer: Daniel knows full well that his action will bring him before lions.
Question 92a: According to Daniel 6:16 what does king Darius do?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:16 king Darius gives the order.
Question 92b: According to Daniel 6:16 what happens to Daniel?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:16 Daniel is brought and thrown into the lions’ den.
Question 92c: According to Daniel 6:16 what does king Darius say to Daniel?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:16 king Darius says to Daniel he hopes that the God whom Daniel serves continually will rescue him.
Question 93: Does king Darius have a choice about having Daniel thrown before the lions?
Answer: King Darius has no choice but to have Daniel thrown before the lions.
Question 94: What is the only thing that king Darius can hope for now?
Answer: The only thing king Darius can hope for now is that Daniel’s God will keep Daniel safe.
Question 95: Can king Darius sleep that night?
Answer: Sleep evades king Darius that night.
Question 96: When does king Darius get up?
Answer: King Darius gets up as soon as it is light.
Question 97: What does king Darius do when he gets up?
Answer: King Darius gets up to check on Daniel.
Question 98: What does king Darius hope for?
Answer: King Darius hopes that Daniel is still alive.
Question 99a: According to Daniel 6:19-23 who gets up at the first light of dawn?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 king Darius gets up at the first light of dawn.
Question 99b: According to Daniel 6:19-23 where does king Darius go to?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 king Darius goes to the lions’ den.
Question 99c: According to Daniel 6:19-23 to whom does king Darius call out?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 king Darius calls out to Daniel.
Question 99d: According to Daniel 6:19-23 in what voice does king Darius call out to Daniel?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 king Darius calls out to Daniel in an anguished voice.
Question 99e: According to Daniel 6:19-23 how does king Darius address Daniel?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 king Darius addresses Daniel as the servant of the living God.
Question 99f: According to Daniel 6:19-23 what does king Darius ask Daniel?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 king Darius asks Daniel if his God has been able to rescue him from the lions.
Question 99g: According to Daniel 6:19-23 what does king Darius know about Daniel?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 king Darius knows that Daniel serves his God continually.
Question 99h: According to Daniel 6:19-23 how does Daniel begin his answer king Darius?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 Daniel begins his answer to king Darius by wishing him to live forever.
Question 99i: According to Daniel 6:19-23 who has sent an angel to Daniel?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 God has sent an angel to Daniel.
Question 99j; According to Daniel 6:19-23 what has the angel done?
Answer; According to Daniel 6:19-23 the angel shut the mouths of the lions.
Question 99k: According to Daniel 6:19-23 have the lions hurt Daniel?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 the lions have not hurt Daniel.
Question 99l: According to Daniel 6:19-23 why have the lions not hurt Daniel?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 the lions have not hurt Daniel because he is found innocent in the sight of God.
Question 99m: According to Daniel 6:19-23 has Daniel ever done any wrong before king Darius?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 Daniel has never done anything wrong before king Darius.
Question 99n: According to Daniel 6:19-23 what is king Darius’ response to Daniel’s words?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 king Darius is overjoyed at Daniel’s words.
Question 99o: According to Daniel 6:19-23 what orders does king Darius give?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 king Darius gives orders for Daniel to be lifted out of the lions’ den.
Question 99p: According to Daniel 6:19-23 what is Daniel’s condition when he is lifted out of the lions’ den?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 no wound is found on Daniel when he is lifted out of the lions’ den.
Question 99q: According to Daniel 6:19-23 why is no wound found on Daniel when he is lifted out of the lions’ den?
Answer: According to Daniel 6:19-23 no wound is found on Daniel when he is lifted out of the lions’ den because he trusts in his God.
Question 100: Can words describe how king Darius feels when he hears the voice of Daniel?
Answer: Words cannot describe what king Darius feels when he hears the voice of his trusted servant Daniel.
Question 101: What does Daniel say to king Darius?
Answer: Daniel declares that, yes, he is alive and well for his God has watched over him and has not allowed him to be touched by the lions.
Question 102: What do we know from this account about Daniel?
Answer: We know from this account that Daniel obeyed his God throughout his life.
Question 103: What does God want you to do?
Answer: God, likewise, wants you to live a life of obedience regardless of the challenges you may face.
Question 104: As a believer, who will you face?
Answer: As a believer you will face a being that acts like a lion.
Question 105a: According to I Peter 5:8 what are you to be?
Answer: According to I Peter 5:8 you are to be self-controlled and alert.
Question 105b: According to I Peter 5:8 why are you to be self-controlled and alert?
Answer: According to I Peter 5:8 you are to be self-controlled and alert because your enemy the devils prows around.
Question 105c: According to I Peter 5:8 who is your enemy the devil looking for?
Answer: According to I Peter 5:8 your enemy the devil is looking for someone to devour.
Question 106: Is this “lion” a physical lion?
Answer: This “lion” is not a physical lion but is the devil who is a fallen angel.
Question 107: How does this fallen angel make himself look like?
Answer: This fallen angel makes himself look like an angel of light.
Question 108: According to II Corinthians 11:14 how does satan masquerade himself?
Answer: According to II Corinthians 11:14 satan masquerades himself as an angel of light.
Question 109: What are the devil’s ways?
Answer: The devil’s ways are very deceptive.
Question 110: What does that mean for you?
Answer: That means you are to have a close walk with God.
Question 111: Why do have you to have a close walk with God?
Answer: You are to have a close walk with God in order to be able to withstand the devil.
Question 112a: According to James 4:7 Who should you submit yourself to?
Answer: According to James 4:7 you should submit yourself to God.
Question 112b: According to James 4:7 what are you to do after you have submitted yourself to God?
Answer: According to James 4:7 after you have submitted yourself to God, you are to resist the devil.
Question 112c: According to James 4:7 after you have submitted yourself to God and resisted the devil, who will flee from you?
Answer: According to James 4:7 after you have submitted yourself to God and resisted the devil, he will flee from you.
Question 113: How are you to live this life of faith in God?
Answer: You are to live this life of faith in God on a daily basis.
Question 114: In what ways ought living this life of faith in God affect you?
Answer: Living this life of faith in God ought to affect the way you think, how you speak and how you act.
Question 115: Why are you not to compromise on your faith in any way?
Answer: You are not to compromise on your faith in any way for that would mean denying the Lord the place you have given Him in your life.
Question 116: Is the Lord to be your Lord for all times and under all circumstances?
Answer: He is to be your Lord for all times and under all circumstances, regardless what that might mean.
Question 117: What are you to do when you are misunderstood or even mocked for your stand?
Answer: You are to simply forgive those who misunderstand you or even mock you for your stand.
Question 118: Do those who misunderstand you or even mock you for your stand know what they are doing?
Answer: Those who misunderstand you or even mock you for your stand do not know what they are doing.
Question 119: Who is your example?
Answer: Jesus is your example.
Question 120: According to Luke 23:34 what did Jesus say?
Answer: According to Luke 23:34 Jesus said to the Father to forgive them for they did not know what they were doing.
Question 121: Are you to give up doing what you know to be right?
Answer: You are not to give up doing what you know to be right.
Question 122a: According to Galatians 6:9 what does Paul tell you to do?
Answer: According to Galatians 6:9 Paul tells you to not become weary of doing good.
Question 122b: According to Galatians 6:9 why does Paul tell you to not be weary of doing good?
Answer: According to Galatians 6:9 Paul tells you to not be weary of doing good for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.
Question 123: What does God want you to do?
Answer: God wants you to trust Him to take care of you.
Question 124: Why will God take care of you?
Answer: He will take care of you for He has promised never to leave you.
Question 125: According to Hebrews 13:5 what does the author say about God?
Answer: According to Hebrews 13:5 the author says about God that He will never leave you, nor forsake you.
Question 126: What does God want you to look forward to?
Answer: God wants you to look forward to the day that you will hear the Lord’s praise.
Question 127: According to Matthew 25:21 what does Matthew tell you God wants say to you?
Answer: According to Matthew 25:21 Matthew tells you that God wants say to you that you have done well and have been a good and faithful servant.
Question 128: Who are you to be like?
Answer: You are to be like Daniel.
Question 129: How are you to be like Daniel?
Answer: You are to be like Daniel in that you too are to ask the Lord to help you obey Him every day of your life regardless of what may happen to you.
Question 130: Why are you to ask the Lord to help you obey Him every day of your life regardless of what may happen to you?
Answer: You are to ask the Lord to help you obey Him every day of your life regardless of what may happen to you for God will take care of you in the same way that He took care of Daniel.
Question 131: What does the author of the Book of Hebrews write about the Lord?
Answer: The author of the Book of Hebrews writes about the Lord that He never changes.
Question 132: According to Hebrews 13:8 Who does the author says remains the same?
Answer: According to Hebrews 13:8 the author says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Question 133: Why can you trust the Lord to help you live a life that is pleasing to Him just as He helped Daniel to be faithful and obedient to Him in everything that he did?
Answer: You can trust the Lord to help you live a life that is pleasing to Him just as He Helped Daniel to be faithful and obedient to Him in everything that he did because He is the same yesterday, today and forever.