Six Moral Conflicts – God’s Sovereignty is Victorious!

Ted Barker

Summary

Daniel and his friends are involuntary missionaries and yet God is Sovereign and delivers them so that He is glorified and His ways are demonstrated to mankind. Will you let Him do the same with you?

Goal

“ … I stir up your pure minds … that ye may be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy prophets … and the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.” (2Peter 3:1-2) and for you to recognize, appreciate and anticipate that the Sovereignty of God will apply to your own life.

Other references – 1Cor. 10:11

Main Theme

The Sovereignty of God over the affairs of mankind and how it may apply to you.Pagan kings’ confessions: Daniel 2:47; 4:37; 6:26

Six Moral Conflicts

No. 1: Between pagan Self-indulgence and obedient Abstinence in promoting health – Abstinence Wins: Daniel1:9; 1:17

No. 2: Between pagan Magi and heavenly Wisdom in the interpretation of dreams – Divine Wisdom Wins: Daniel 2:47

No. 3: Heathen Idolatry arrayed against loyalty to God –

Loyalty to God Wins: Daniel 3:28

Six Moral Conflicts

No. 4: A pagan king’s pride challenges Divine Sovereignty --

Sovereignty wins -The King is turned out to grass until he extols God: Daniel 4:37

No. 5: Impious sacrilege defies the Reverence for sacred objects

Reverence wins: The handwriting on the wall. Belshazzar dethroned: Daniel 5:26

No. 6: Malicious plotting against both His saint and the Providence of God.

Providence wins. The lions’ mouths are kept closed: Daniel 6: 22, 26, and 27

Prayer

Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; 1Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:8; Jeremiah 33:3 Hebrews 11:6

Introduction

“Daniel” – God is my Judge (not a critic but One Who “sees” and determines causes).

“Sovereignty” – Supremacy of Authority; royal rank, total independence, paramount

Daniel and his friends were involuntary missionaries and were given a foreign name, lived in a foreign land, learned a foreign language, adapted to a foreign culture and be loyal to foreign monarchies.

Underlying Theme

God’s sovereign power through miracles: One of 6 primary periods – the others are (i) Creation and the Flood, (ii) Patriarchs and Moses, (iii) Elijah and Elisha, (iv) Jesus and the Apostles, and (v) Time of the Second Advent -- authentication of Divine Purpose.

Conflict No. 1

Between Pagan self indulgence and conscientious abstinence in promoting health

Abstinence based on God’s principles and for His Glory wins.

Ref.: Daniel 1: 1-21; 1 Corinthians 10:31

Conflict No. 1

Daniel 1:1-2 Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem and capture of vessels

3-4 Eunuchs: selection, training and development

5 The king’s meat and wine – a bad thing?

6 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah

7 New names as part of the brainwashing and indoctrination

New Names

Daniel – God is my judgeHannaniah – The Lord is Gracious Mishael – Who is like the LordAzariah – The LORD is my helper

Belteshazzar – Bel protect the KingShadrach – Command of Aku (Babyl. God)Meshach – Who is what Aku isAbed-nego – Servant of Nego (a god of vegetation)

Conflict No. 1

8-16 Daniel “purposed in his heart”; favor favorable standing; the test17-21 God’s blessings; their interview with the king; outstanding results

GOD’S SOVEREIGN WISDOM EXCEEDS THE WORLD’S WISDOM!

How does this apply to me?Am I being tempted by the world’s “enticements”?Who has my heart? 23:26Where do I go to satisfy my appetites -- the world?Who do I honor? 1 Samuel 12:30b

Conflict No. 2

Between pagan magi and Heavenly Wisdom in the interpretation of dreams. Heavenly or Divine Wisdom Wins Ref: Daniel 2: 1-49

Conflict No. 2

Daniel 2:1-9 Nebuchadnezzar’s troubling dream and seeking an interpretation

10-11 The Chaldeans are “close” to knowing from whom to obtain an interpretation

12-14 King’s fury and degree to slay the wise men

15-18 Daniel’s respectful and wise response – more time and more prayer

Conflict No. 2

19-23The secret interpretation revealed and Daniel’s blessing of God

24 Daniel reveals he knows the interpretation

25-30Daniel meets with King Nebuchadnezzar and God is given credit

31-45The interpretation of the dream – gold: Babylonian; silver: Medo-Persian; brass: Greece; iron and clay: Roman empire-revived Roman empire; stone cutout without hands- Messianic Kingdom

Conflict No. 2

46-47 Nebuchadnezzar’s response – “God of gods”

48-49 Promotion of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY PREVAILS AND LIVES ARE PRESERVED!

How does this apply to me?When did wisdom come from God?

How do I respond to answered prayer?

Do I “almost” know God? Daniel 2:10-11; 46-47

How must I be saved? Acts 4:12

Conflict No. 3

Heathen idolatry arrayed against allegiance or loyalty to God

Allegiance and loyalty to God Wins

Ref: Daniel 3: 1-30

Conflict No. 3

Daniel 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar’s image of gold 2-3 Summit meeting4-5 Instructions how to worship6 Consequences of failure to worship identified 7 The worship ceremony8-12 Certain men accuse the Jews and approach the king

Conflict No. 3

13-15 The king’s furious response and his interview with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego and his brash answer regarding “who is that God that will deliver you?” (again so close to the truth)16-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego’s reply with unwavering faith and obedience to God 19-20 Nebuchadnezzar’s furious response – hotter furnace, strong men

Conflict No. 3

21 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in their combustible attire22 The king’s men are consumed by the fire23 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego are cast down into the furnace24-26 Nebuchadnezzar sees four men and calls for Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to come forth

Conflict No. 3

27 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego’s lack of harm confirmed

28-30 Nebuchadnezzar’s praise to the “God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego”, the king’s decree and the promotion of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego

GOD’S SOVEREIGN PROTECTION EXCEEDS THE WRATH OF MAN!

How does this apply to me?Am I willing to say “No” to the gods of this world and suffer the consequences and experience the blessings? Romans 12:1-2How do you classify God? One of many? A god of someone else?Who have you chosen to give your heart to? Proverbs 23:26

Conflict No. 4

A pagan king’s pride challenges Divine Sovereignty Divine Sovereignty wins – the king is turned out to grass until he extols God Ref: Daniel 4: 1-37

Conflict No. 4

Daniel 4:1-3 Nebuchadnezzar introduces his personal experiences which he describes as “wonders” of God4-7 Another dream that he wants interpreted; his men fail8-9 “But at last Daniel” and the king tells Daniel the dream10-18 Nebuchadnezzar describes the dream19-26 Daniel is astonished at the dream and interprets it

Conflict No. 4

27 Daniel urges the king to repent28-33 The dream unfolds and Nebuchadnezzar is driven to the fields34-37 Nebuchadnezzar’s restoration and manifold praise of God and his key acknowledgment – “those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”

GOD’S SOVEREIGN WAYS NULLIFY THE KING’S PRIDE!

How does this apply to me? Daniel encouraged Nebuchadnezzar “to break off his sin by righteousness and his iniquities by showing mercy” – Why? because God wanted Nebuchadnezzar to repent – is he showing me an opportunity to demonstrate repentance in some area of my life – for salvation? (Isaiah 55:7; Isaiah 64:6; 1Corinthians 1:30 – Righteousness provided by God.)

GOD’S SOVEREIGN WAYS NULLIFY THE KING’S PRIDE!

Am I proud? Do I even look proud? Proverbs 6:16-17? Am I suffering the consequences of pride? Proverbs 11:2; 16:6; Am I succumbing to the pride of life? 1John 2:16; How shall I repent?

Conflict No. 5

Impious sacrilege defies reverence for Sacred Objects

Reverence wins – “handwriting on the wall” and Belshazzar dethroned

Ref: Daniel 5: 1-31

Conflict No. 5

Daniel 5:1-2 Belshazzar’s feast; command to bring the gold and silver vessels 3-4 The vessels were used for drinking and the gods praised 5-7 The handwriting on the wall and call for interpretation

Conflict No. 5

8-12 Wise men fail, queen identifies Daniel and he is summoned.13-28 An offer to Daniel and Daniel’s explanation and interpretation29-31 Daniel is rewarded and Belshazzar is dethroned and slain and Darius takes the kingdom

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY DEMANDS THAT HE AND HIS OWN WILL BE

REVEREDHow does this apply to me?Do I profane God, His name or the things of God?Am I being brought to sin by worldly pleasures? Has God been putting any “writing on the wall” for me to read? Psalm 38:4, 51:3

Conflict No. 6

Malicious plotting against both His saint and the Providence of God; God’s sovereignty results in His shutting the lions’ mouths. Ref: Daniel 6: 1-28

Conflict No. 6

Daniel 6:1-3 Darius reorganizes and Daniel is preferred4 Jealous princes attempt to find a fault (crime) against Daniel5-9 They concur that they will only entrap Daniel by the law of his God (which they know by now, Daniel will adhere to) and thus plot successfully by duping the king10-13 Aware of the decree, Daniel prays, is observed and the men confront the king

Conflict No. 6

14-15 The king is displeased with himself and is pressured to follow through and put Daniel in the den of lions.16-17 At the king’s command Daniel is put in the den of lions18-20 The king has a sleepless night and goes early to the den of lions

Conflict No. 6

18-20 The king has a sleepless night and goes early to the den of lions21-23 Daniel assures the king he is well because God has sent an angel and shut the lions’ mouths; the king rejoices24 Daniel’s accusers are cast into the den of lions and are consumed25-28 Darius issues a decree praising God and Daniel prospers

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY GUARDS HIS OWN AND BRINGS PRAISES TO

HIMSELF!How does this apply to me?Do I plot against what is God’s, intentionally or unintentionally? As an act of mercy, do I see God’s trying to persuade me to stopping fighting Him and submit to Him as even the Apostle did?Is my life so consistently godly that my enemies would know that they could entrap me by obedience, love and dependence ? Am I an epistle readable to all me? (2Cor3:2)

So What?

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY IS PRESENT – WHAT HINDERS ME FROM EXPERIENCING IT?