Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
July 23, 2023

Daniel Chapter One: Setting the Stage
by Bryan Gibson
That’s what Daniel chapter 1 does—it sets the stage for the rest of the book, and we can see that from looking at several verses in this first chapter.
“And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand…” (1:2). The various kings mentioned throughout this book—whatever these kings had was given to them by God, and were therefore accountable to Him. That point will be emphasized throughout the book (for one example, see 2:37-38).
According to 1:2, King Nebuchadnezzar carried vessels from the house of God into the house of his god. This sets up the account in chapter 5, when King Belshazzar drank wine from these vessels while praising other gods. See Daniel 5:23 for the strong rebuke given to him by Daniel.
“Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams” (1:17), a gift clearly given to him by God. Daniel will later interpret dreams for Nebuchadnezzar in chapters 2 and 4, and the handwriting on the wall for Belshazzar in chapter 5. In the latter half of the book, Daniel will receive four visions, one in chapter 7, another in chapter 8, yet another in chapter 9, and then one final long vision in chapters 10-12.
“Therefore they (Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) served before the king” (1:19). Not just before the king, but in very influential roles before the king. Others were interviewed for this role, but “among them all none was found” like these four men (1:19); in fact, the king “found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm” (1:20). Clearly God was blessing them (1:17), which helps explain how all four later receive promotions from the king (2:48-49; 3:30). You wouldn’t expect people who defy certain orders from the king (chapters 1, 3) to be promoted, but that’s exactly what happened. And the passage cited above (2:48) won’t be the last time Daniel is promoted (5:29-6:3). Greater opportunities were given them before the king because they were faithful to THE KING.
“Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus” (1:21). Daniel actually continued beyond Cyrus’ first year, because Daniel received a vision “in the third year of Cyrus the king of Persia” (10:1). But there is something very significant about the first year of Cyrus’ reign—this is when He issued the decree for the captives to return and rebuild the temple (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4). Daniel lived to see the deliverance of His people from captivity! That is likely the reason the first year is emphasized in 1:21. Daniel served under Nebuchadnezzar (chs. 1-4), then Belshazzar (ch. 5), and when the Babylonian kingdom was “given to the Medes and Persians” (5:28), he served under Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian (ch. 6). This transition from one kingdom to another—that’s exactly what Daniel prophesied in chapter 2, and he lived it to see it.
Another prominent theme introduced in chapter 1 is God’s care for His people, as seen in His care for Daniel and his companions (the gifts/abilities He gave them—1:17; the favor and goodwill He gave them before others—1:9; the way He blessed them through the ten days of testing—1:14-16). Other examples will be revealed in the rest of the book, the most notable being when He delivered Daniel’s three companions from the fiery furnace (ch. 3), and Daniel from the lions’ den (ch. 6).
Need a good preview or introduction to the Book of Daniel? Rread the first chapter. It’s certainly not a preview of everything to come, but it’s a good start.

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

Phone Numbers

E-Mail Address
Web Address
We

Mailing Address

The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.