Sunday: Faithful in What Is Least
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10, NKJV).
Look at the words of Jesus here. It’s so easy, isn’t it, to compromise, to be “unjust in what is least.”
Image © Lifeway Collection Goodsalt.com
The problem isn’t so much that “what is least” is important in and of itself; it’s not. That’s why it is “the least”. As most of us know either by personal experience or by the examples of others (or both), the problem is that the first compromise leads to another, and then another, and then another, until we become “unjust also in much.”
With this thought in mind, we pick up the story in Daniel 1, the first account of the experiences of these four Judeans in Babylonian captivity.
Read Daniel 1. In what ways did the stand that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah took reflect what ancient Israel was to be to the nations? See also Deut. 4:6-8, Zech. 8:23.
Though the text does not directly link what they ate to their being “ten times better” in “wisdom and understanding” than all others (Dan. 1:20), the link is clearly there. The chapter also says that God gave them this knowledge and wisdom. That is, the Lord was able to work with them because of their faithfulness to Him in refusing to eat the unclean food of Babylon. They obeyed, and God blessed their obedience. Would not God have done something just like this for ancient Israel as a whole had it adhered to the teaching of the Bible as diligently and faithfully as these four young men did? Of course. And will He not also do that for us today, in the last days, if we are faithful?
| Since we have been given so much light and truth, as a church we need to ask ourselves: Have we been faithful and obedient to what we have been given? At the same time, how can each one of us individually take positions that will enable us to be powerful witnesses for God? |
(54)
Hi there,
“In what ways did the stand that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah took reflect what ancient Israel was to be to the nations?” (Daniel 1, See also Deut. 4:6-8, Zech. 8:23)
Is the answer to this question that Israel was to be an example to all nations?
That seems to fit perfectly - they were the examples that God called Israel to be.
Thank you 🙂
Israel was freed from bondage, preserved and taught by God Himself in the wilderness, and blessed with a "land flowing with milk and honey" so they could be God's witnesses to the world.
The church today has the same privilege, which means every member. Daniel's life has much we can learn from.
Thank you 🙂
The question asked: "At the same time, how can each one of us individually take positions that will enable us to be powerful witnesses for God?"
As John said (in 1 John 1), our witness is what we have experienced. When Christ is real in us we can witness as such. If He is NOT real in us then we only share doctrines and philosophy.
Doctrines and philosophy! So true! God has been calling us to be perfect examples of His wisdom and knowledge! But we seem to be happy simply with doctrines and philosophy! Why aren't we full of His Power at our houses and works too? Is that the cause of God's "delay" to come back for His children? How long are we going to be attached to doctrines and philosophy more than to Jesus' Love?
I do have things to change! As I vollunteerly teach kids at Sabbath School I learn how much more I need to be a powerful example! How can I teach my own kid about these heroes of faith if in my own life I can't share the wonderful blessings that God has given us today?
they were loyal and faithful to God always thus fit to be example to all nations
I love that Daniel purposed in his heart. That is resounding. And also that everything that happens in this chapter is because God gave...or he gave wisdom, favour in the eyes of Eunuch, knowledge of visions and dreams...he even gave Jehoiakim into the hands of the Babylonians and the vessels from the house...thats profound I need to continue to ask God to impress on my mind and heart that all the wisdom and skill I have directly comes from God
The scriptures tell us what ancient Israel's problems were and the reason why they were captured. They were simply unfaithful to God as a people. This is also telling us that the world we are living in is somehow fallen apart, God is still looking at those who are faithful and the scripture says the same shall be saved.
This is true wisdom and true intelligence, just simple reflecting Christ in our character..
Israel's problem was that instead of allowing God to make them a "kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Exod. 19:6), they said "WE will do it" (Exod. 24:3; Exod. 19:8; Exod. 24:7; Deut. 6:25).
In contrast, Daniel and his 3 friends all realized and witnessed that God would have to deliver them, tell them of the king's dreams, rescue them from the furnace/lions, etc. and didn't have an ounce of "we will do it" in their lives.
This is the faithful surrender God wanted from all of Israel that would have made them "an holy nation" and an undeniable witness that the God of heaven is the only true God.
Israel's problem was not what they said, it was that they did not do what they said they would do. That's why "better promises" were needed.
Repentance is nothing more than saying "Thy will be done", or "I will follow Thee my Savior". Without our willing consent, there can be no sanctification.
Didn't Daniel and his companions say the same thing by purposing in their heart that they would not depart from God's will? God can't do anything with anyone who does not "commit [their] way unto the Lord" first(Ps 37:5). Israel had good intentions, said the right words, but exercised no faith when tempted to doubt.
Study closely Daniel's righteous example. A youth who lived his most formative years(up to age 11 or so) under the righteous rule of Josiah, where the passover was kept as it had not been kept since the days of Samuel. Dan, Ezekiel(close to the same age) and the older prophet Jeremiah were all there at that time of Judah's return to the truth until Josiah's sons/grandson turned it all back to the ways of rebellion which resulted in this captivity, and God's 3 faithful prophets prepared for their vital work, which is more relevant to us today than to Israel then.
Daniel's example is so important to notice and understand. The only difference pointed out between these 4 faithful youth and the rest of the captives was their purpose to not be defiled with the King's food. Notice the results, not only in the king's assessment of their wisdom(which must always begin with the fear of the Lord), but notice their faithfulness when their lives were threatened in Daniel 3 and 6. Where were the others of their nation when only the 3 stood faithful to God in the furnace? Where were the others when Daniel slept that night with the lions? This all resulted in their faithfulness in what many deem as a little thing when it comes to their preferences in eating and drinking, yet Daniel proves these are no little things. A thorough study of physiology would confirm these things as true, and with the wealth of information today, many still see these choices as irrelevant and of no consequence. But when the great trials come, Malachi 3:18 will be fulfilled again as it was in Daniel's time.
it is very important to be faithful in the least,today's lesson has blessed me
This is probably one of the biggest questions one can ask oneself. "Am I faithful in the what is least?" Then - Will my friends, my family, my neighbours be desperate to "grasp our sleeves" and go with us to meet Jesus when He comes?
I love how Daniel and his fellows carry themselves during this whole chapter. They show love and respect to the eunuch even in their refusal of the food. Obedience to God should not make us unloving, disrespectful and unkind to those who do not understand our faith. In fact, our treatment of and behaviour around them should not be disassociated from the spiritual message we carry. Furthermore, by being faithful in the food I strongly believe these boys opened the way be successful in the event of the golden image that ought to have been worshipped. It is imperative that we remember that the big situations and decisions are influenced by our daily execution of the smaller, the ones that seemingly "don't matter."
I quote the lesson; “Though the text does not directly link what they ate to their being “ten times better” in “wisdom and understanding” than all others (Dan. 1:20)”
It clearly says in Daniel 1:12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.”
I hope no one really believes that 10 days on a certain diet is going to make anyone 10 times "better." God blessed Daniel and his friends and gave them wisdom, strength and faith. It was God's faithfulness (demonstrated through Daniel and his friends) that was a witness to all who observed them. That is why king Nebuchadnezzar (and later, Darius) turned to God instead of some "magical" diet.
They were faithful in the "little things." Therefore, God blessed them in much. Little things are important.