Sunday: The Exile
Read Isaiah 39:5-7 and Daniel 1:1-2. How are these verses related?
Daniel, whose name means God is my judge,
was force-marched from a defeated Jerusalem into the Babylonian capital. The book of Daniel gives glimpses of his life in the courts of Babylon and Persia.
Image © Review & Herald Publishing from GoodSalt.com
After three years of education
in Babylon, Daniel was employed as a civil servant and royal advisor. Through the power of God, he rose above normal captive status to become a highly placed missionary to two superpowers.
The book of Daniel is more than a treasure of prophetic literature. The reader encounters some of the challenges facing Hebrews living in an alien culture that provided no apparent support for their loyalty to the God of Israel and, at times, was openly hostile. It also paints a beautiful picture of men who learned to live out their commitment to truth in the absence of the temple, the priesthood, and sacrifices.
Read Daniel 1:8-13; Daniel 5:12; Daniel 6:4; Daniel 9:3-19. What do these texts tell us about Daniel’s character that made him the great missionary he was?
Every institution that bears the name of Seventh-day Adventist is to be to the world as was Joseph in Egypt, and as were Daniel and his fellows in Babylon. In the providence of God these men were taken captive, that they might carry to heathen nations the knowledge of the true God. They were to be representatives of God in our world. They were to make no compromise with the idolatrous nations with which they were brought in contact, but were to stand loyal to their faith, bearing as a special honor the name of worshipers of the God who created the heavens and the earth.
—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 153.
Think how easy it would have been for Daniel to have compromised, especially given his circumstances. What does his example teach us about how lame our excuses for compromise often really are?
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Both the experiences of Daniel and Joseph in foreign governments have at times been cited as justification for the involvement of God’s modern day people in politics. It should be noted these uncompromising godly men were promoted to elevated positions in government on account of their faithfulness to Jehovah and supernatural intervention (Genesis 41:15, 39-45; Daniel 2:47-49).
There is no recommendation in scripture for the ambitious to campaign for office, engage in evil speaking of opponents or take partisan positions which hedge up the way for promulgation of the everlasting gospel and present truth.
While the Sovereign of the Universe sets up kings and works through administrations (Daniel 2:21) His cause does not rest on the strategic positioning of the saints in polarizing political parties or establishing affiliations with powerful men.
Jesus made the point that His kingdom was not of this world and its politics (John 18:36). His followers (exiles) are to focus on building up the Kingdom of God (Luke 17:20, 21) and remain faithful in service (Mark 10:42-45). It is not by political influence or might or by human ability that the Kingdom of God grows, but by the Spirit’s power (1 Corinthians 2:4, 5).
As we totally surrender to Jesus each day, our walk with Him will be guided in all steps by the Holy Spirit, thus the Kingdom of God grows.
so, then if we should not stand for political office, should we participate in voting?
I have been a SDA all my life. The health message is very important to our Church, yet today at our pot lucks we show God how much we defile him. Most of the time the table is full of SUGAR. Am I right? This lesson should hit home to us. Look at us preaching one thing and doing another. Are we falling apart as God's remnant Church. We should learn from what we are reading here. My prayer is that we get back on track. I am the worlds worst when it comes to sweets. I can't get enough. Let's pray for each other to see the truth here and obey what God asks us to do. For the past 2 months i have been adding smoothies to my breakfast. Lets get back to Eden folks. Pray for me as I pray for you.
kRISTINA,
I am glad you feel as I do toward eating healthy. I always provide healthy dishes to potlucks... fruits and vegetables. It really bothers me when they allow sugar drinks..called JUICE..and the worse sweet pastries.. yogurt and fruit are a good choice. Baked apples, fresh watermelon, fruit combos
Bunch of bananas etc, etch, I don't know why SDA proclaim not to eat meat but eat artificial ingredients that taste just like meatballs or hotdogs..yuk. do you know what you are eating? Soy and gluten. Does it say anything in the bible about that? I eat Ezekiel bread. Brown rice,
All kinds of beans, greens of all kinds, real carrots. (not the baby carrots which have been formed to be baby carrots and artificial color.
Maybe a fresh blueberry cobbler with low sugar, ick..men need to be careful eating all the soy and gluten ..read and be informed...there is ALOT of money to be made in all these meatless products. Be ware my brothers and sisters. Keep your gut flora clean..by eating the right foods.good luck..with your sweet tooth. Sugar is an addiction...
To GOD Be The Glory,You Are SPEAKING
(The Language Of Canaan DOT.WMV)
ON GOOGLE OR YOUTUBE,
YOU'LL BE BLESSED AS I Am.
I'll Be There.
In The Mean Time While We Wait,Tell Us Some More.
You Are To Me, A Breadth Of Fresh Air/Inspiring.
Although This Taught MAY NOT Be In This Lesson Study, It Is Evident That Adam And Eve's Diet In The GARDEN Will Be Restored Again In Heaven.
Question?
At What Point In This Life, Would Those Who Would Like To Be Considered "THE REMNANT" Be Willing To Give Up
"Earthly Brews, Delicacies And Flesh Eating" Down Here? Since There Will Be None Available Up There In HEAVEN?
Also To Be A Baptized Member HERE, I Said "I Do!"
Loudly To Accept "The BIBLE & The SPIRIT OF PROPHECY" As My Choice.
What's Yours?
Luke 9:62 &
MH p.128(1905)/1MCP p.32
Wow isn't that statement amazing! Although God allowed the Children of Israel to be carried off into captivity because they continued to rebel against God, He could still use those who were faithful to witness to the heathen nations.
This tells me that no matter where I find myself, no matter if it is pleasant or not, the LORD can still use me to witness to His glory to those around me.
Shirley, I agree but I think that quotation could have been worded better. As it stands it could be interpreted as God engineering the exile just for the purpose of witnessing to other nations.
To me God gave them up and removed their protection because of the people's continual rebellion and desire to what they wanted to do. What the people did under that circumstance was their choice and Daniel and his friends decided to stand up for God unlike their breathern.
Whether we choose to be real Christians or not is not something God imposes on us. What he does do is to request that we side with Him in our daily walk. In other words God is not in the business of forcing His children to do something like Satan does. To me that is the big difference between God's government and Satan's.
Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a WITNESS unto all nations; and then shall the end come." The word and witness of God was suppose to have been given to Babylon and the other surrounding nations through King Hezekiah. The Chaldeans prouded themselves on being a very educated nation, knowledgable on all things pertaining to the study of the sun, stars, and anything that involved astronomy and astrology. When the sundial went backwards, the Chaldeans noticed, and sought out King Hezekiah because they heard that he had been very sick recently. They sought out a Jerusalem King to find out if he know anything about this strange phenomenon; they were already wondering if his sickness and the sundial had something in common. Instead of using this opportunity, God's engineering, to share his faith and knowledge of the True and Living God with the Chaldeans (educated people are always seeking for more knowledge); From this opportunity, they were supposed to take that newfound knowledge back to Babylon, at that time. Instead, King Hezekiah showed them all his worldly possessions; therefore, the prophet Isaiah proclaimed a prophecy that the Chaldeans would return and away anything in Jerusalem back Babylon. This would be God's second opportunity to carry the knowledge of the Only True God to Babylon and to all the world. In his kingly arrogance, Hezekiah didn't even care about the disaster foretold of his prodigy, he was just contend that he would have peace during his remaining lifetime. But to God be the glory, Daniel did not fail in his God-given opportunity, as his ancestors did; he share his faith and knowledge of his God throughout his lifetime in Babylon and in Persia. Daniel's witness even resulted in the conversion of the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. We all, who are believers in the True and Living God - the same God that used Daniel, can be used by God today. God has given us all many opportunities to share His word and Witness for Him. He can do the same thing for us as we did for Daniel; we just has to be ready to respond to God's opportunities. Many of us are showing our blessings to our neighbors and friends, instead of showing them our God; then we are surprised when thieves break into our houses to take away our blessings. Instead of being like King Hezekiah, let's choose to be like Daniel.
Hi Tyler,
I agree on the wording of the quote, maybe we need to see the full context.
It is highly important for us to realise that Daniel refusal not defile himself with unclean foods and drinks announced his respect for the Law of God to the chief eunuch and later proved to the eunuch that earthly brews and delicacies cant compete with the nourishment that comes from the happiness that radiates from obedience to the laws of God.
See Kristina..a.Daniel did it..fruits and vegetables. Ly. God bless
Hugh,
In your comments, you said, "There is no recommendation in scripture for the ambitious to campaign for office, engage in evil speaking of opponents or take partisan positions which hedge up the way for promulgation of the everlasting gospel and present truth."
From your comments here you do not believe that SDA's should run for public office. However, I do not think it is fair to say that everyone who do so engages in evil speaking and doing it solely because of their ambitions. I do believe that some get involved because of their love for country and belief that they can contribute in a more constructive way.
Eileen
Eileen,
it is true that there is no biblical recommendation for us to get involved in campaigns for political offices but there too is no clear cut recommendation for us not to do so. I think what Hugh said that almost everyone running for political office has in one way or the other to mud sling the opponent is true; which is not appropriate for us SDAs or indeed anybody who sees him/herself as a true follower of Christ. For sure, adventist candidates running for these offices even campaign on sabbath(i have seen it where i live); and that is the last sin you should commit in our church i think! It is very difficult to stick to biblical and doctrinal landmarks in politics but if there is a brother/sister who is able to stand for these offices without compromising our faith; i see no reason why they shouldn't
interesting question... We all know about the story of Shadreck, Misheck & Abednigo being thrown into the furnace because they had refused to bow down to the kings' images. at this point there is no mention of Daniel. He wasn't among his 3 friends & was not thrown in the furnace with them? Was he spared by the king or at this point or was he bowing & worshipping as well??
thank u very much brethren for the constructive analysis on the lesson through your coments.God bless u for that
great lession indeed, even when we are faced with challenging moment s in this life, we still have to stand true to our God,for he is faithful and just to give us all our sins.
3 weeks ago I was able to listen at the recent SDA General Conference. A Prime Minister from one of a smaller independent country spoke. He was so spiritual, full of vigor to spread the word of God, and with strong advice to all of us to remain faithful to God. Speaking for myself I felt proud that we have a brother who is a Prime Minister of his country.
Exactly my point brother Reyes, you must be talking about the Jamaican man if i am not mistaken!, my only hope is that he is carrying the light as per our faith, for i know that Adventism is something tough when you are holding such a worldly prestigious office. We are peculiar people and honestly, my humble experience has been that we appear as a nuissance to so many people due to our faith. but even those our bosses who see us as a nuissance must be moved by our persistence in the way of our Lord. Daniel gave us a good example to be followed by every well meaning adventist. And you know what, God does not disappoint his precious followers. the fact that Daniel and his friends appeared more healthy than the flesh eating colleagues can not be explained scientifically; honestly, a diet composed of water and vegetables is a very big miss; nutritionists will tell you that it has the barest nutrients you can talk about. But by divine providence, the people who ate this meal, were healthier than those who ate the so called balanced diet! Our God can create a way where there is no way.......
Hi,
concerning health ...should we stop some of commercial products that we cultivate for a living such as tea,sugarcane,cattle raring ,poultry feeding etc because there products are not recommended by Adventists to use them coz of health and temperance issues...