Working in Babylon | Randy Frazee | Work Matters
Teaching Notes
Key Question: How does the Christian survive in Babylon?
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.
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service 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 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.
Daniel 1:1-5
But 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.
Daniel 1:8
Resolve not to defile yourself
“At the end of the ten days they looked better and more robust than all the others who had been eating from the royal menu.”
Daniel 1:15
“Israelites considered food from Nebuchanezzar’s table to be contaminated because the first portion of it was offered to idols. Likewise, a portion of the wine was poured out on a pagan altar. Ceremonially unclean animals were used and were neither slaughtered nor prepared according to the regulations of the law. (kosher)
quote out of NIV Study Bible
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
Romans 14:1-2
I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.
Romans 14:14
God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in both books and life. In addition, Daniel was gifted in understanding all sorts of visions and dreams. At the end of the time set by the king for their training, the head of the royal staff brought them in to Nebuchadnezzar. When the king interviewed them, he found them far superior to all the other young men. None were a match for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
And so they took their place in the king’s service. Whenever the king consulted them on anything, on books or on life, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom put together.
Daniel continued in the king’s service until the first year in the reign of King Cyrus.
Daniel 1:17-21
Be the Best.
Darius reorganized his kingdom. He appointed one hundred twenty governors to administer all the parts of his realm. Over them were three vice-regents, one of whom was Daniel. The governors reported to the vice-regents, who made sure that everything was in order for the king. But Daniel, brimming with spirit and intelligence, so completely outclassed the other vice-regents and governors that the king decided to put him in charge of the whole kingdom.
Daniel 6:1-3
The vice-regents and governors got together to find some old scandal or skeleton in Daniel’s life that they could use against him, but they couldn’t dig up anything. He was totally exemplary and trustworthy. They could find no evidence of negligence or misconduct. So they finally gave up and said, “We’re never going to find anything against this Daniel unless we can cook up something religious.” (Daniel 6:4-5)
At this, the king was very upset and tried his best to get Daniel out of the fix he’d put him in. He worked at it the whole day long.
Daniel 6:14
“May the God, whom you serve continuously, rescue you!”
Daniel 6:16
King Darius published this proclamation to every race, color, and creed on earth:
Peace to you! Abundant peace!
I decree that Daniel’s God shall be worshiped and feared in all parts of my kingdom.
He is the living God, world without end. His kingdom never falls.
His rule continues eternally.
He is a savior and rescuer.
He performs astonishing miracles in heaven and on earth.
He saved Daniel from the power of the lions.From then on, Daniel was treated well during the reign of Darius, and also in the following reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel 6:25-28
Don’t hide the secret to your success - God
Going Deeper Discussion
Daniel's journey in Babylon begins in Daniel, chapter 1. He had to leave his home and survive in a foreign land. What adjustment(s) did he have to make to his mindset to survive in Babylon while maintaining his dedication to God?
Daniel was an out-of-the-box thinker. He asked that he and the others be allowed to follow their own diet for a period of time to prove that they would still be and look healthy without defiling themselves with the Kings food. How can you retain your integrity as you navigate the waters of your Babylon?
As the saying goes, "If it is worth doing, then it is worth doing well." God wants our very best. How do you bring excellence into your daily activities?
In Daniel, chapter 6, Daniel had to trust God as he faced a very severe punishment for worshipping Him. When God delivers you from tough circumstances, how can you share all He has done for you in a way that people will see it could only be the work of God?
Sunday Set List
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
Child of Love- We The Kingdom
Promise Keeper- Hope Darst
Forever (We Sing Hallelujah)- Kari Jobe
God of Revival- Bethel Music
WFC Speedway
Don't Tread On Me- We The Kingdom
Simple Gospel- United Pursuit
Too Good To Not Believe- Brandon Lake
I Thank God- Maverick City
Be sure to save our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sunday’s set!