Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 23, 2022

Captured but Not Carried Away

Daniel 1:1-21

1. Orientation to Daniel 1-7

• context of judgment/exile (1-3): Nebuchadnezzar, the Lord “gave” (Lev. 26, Isa. 39)
• deportation of “unblemished” youths (4): relocation
• rationing, re-educating and renaming (5-7)
• focus on Daniel yet greater focus on the God of Daniel
• parallels with the present (Heb. 11:13, 1 Pet. 2:11)

2. Resolution of Daniel 8-16

• resolve to avoid defilement of prescribed diet and its motivation (8)
• chief’s rejection of request (9-10): note “God gave…favor”
• steward’s acceptance of proposal (11-14)
• supernatural result (15-16)

3. Elevation of Daniel 17-21

• endowment with exceptional skills (17): note “God gave…”
• graduation elevation (18-20)
• preservation of a dependent life (21)
• connection to Christ: Luke 4:4, Phil. 2:5-11, 3:20

4. So What?

• While in “captivity,” nothing is more important than knowing the God in control of your past, present and future.
• “God suffers no man to be a loser by faithfulness, and more than makes up all that is surrendered for His sake.” (Maclaren)
• Treasure the truth of an unchanging, unlimited God. (Knowing God, J. I. Packer)
• “You are almighty, You are great and majestic, You are strong, invincible, And there’s no one like You…” (“Eres Todopoderoso,” D. Montero)