In this episode of the International Gospel Hour, we delve into the life of Daniel, a revered figure in the Old Testament known for his knowledge and skill in all aspects of learning and wisdom. Join us as we explore Daniel’s purposeful heart and steadfast faith that remained unswayed by external influences. Through his story, we gain insights into his dedication and faithfulness, providing timeless lessons that resonate with today’s challenges.
Today from the International Gospel Hour, let’s study an individual that the Bible describes as one of knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom. That’s coming up. Stay with us.
SPEAKER 01 :
It’s time for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jay Webb, and welcome to our study today as we embrace God’s Word to help us meet the challenges of today. Let’s open our Bibles and open our heart for this time of Bible study with our speaker Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. Here’s Jeff.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, thank you always for the kind words, Jay, and hello everyone, greetings, and great having you with us today for our studies from the International Gospel Hour. Let’s get right to it and talk about a great individual from the Old Testament, Daniel, and a great book to study. So today let’s begin by listening to Daniel chapter 1. 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 gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into his hand with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his God. And he brought the articles into the treasure house of his God. Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish but good looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies, and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names. He gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach, and to Azariah Abednego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king. So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies, and as you see fit, so deal with your servants. So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. Daniel chapter 1 verse 15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink and gave them vegetables. As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they served before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus. Now, friends, a little bit of a lengthy reading, but that’s all right. This is a Bible study program. Let’s review this a little bit. From verse 8, we observe Daniel had a purposed heart. Now, the meaning of purpose is to put or place something somewhere. He had placed his dedication and faithfulness to God in his heart and refused to take part in what would defile him. Now, that means here is a decision. Plans have been made. Daniel’s mind was made up. When he was faced with it, he knew his answer. You see, friends, the conviction one has now will result in one’s commitment later. And due to that purpose, we note of Daniel, as well as Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, of his knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom. That’s from verse 17. So today, let’s look specifically at Daniel, and that godly knowledge and skill, and what he attained and what he did. Before we do that, we want to pause, and we are blessed to offer a number of studies here from International Gospel Hour. We have an online video study we’d love for you to try. Here is our J-Web with those details.
SPEAKER 01 :
Does It Matter? is a free online video study. The most important question in all the world is, where will you go when you die? This question and others are addressed from God’s Word. May we send you the link and you give it a try? Just call toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, email, and just say, Does It Matter? Again, call toll-free at 855-444-6988. And please leave your name, email, and just say, Does it matter? You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, email, and type, Does it matter? in the message blank. We will send the link to you. From Daniel…
SPEAKER 02 :
Godly knowledge and skill reflected position. Now, again, Daniel would not defile himself. His heart saw the plan. His mind was made up. And, you know, I’m reminded of another individual with that prepared heart. Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. Ezra 7 and verse 10. When you think about it, our God is a God of purpose. This reflected from such passages as Ephesians 1 in verse 9, Ephesians 3 in verse 11, and 2 Timothy 1 in verse 9. Nothing God does is haphazard or off the cuff, as we would say. He has created us as individuals with and to purpose, to put, to place, to decide what is right and to pursue it, and provides us with knowledge and skill to apply therein. When we grow in our knowledge and the skill to use it, think about it, it would result in faithfulness to the doctrine of Christ, 2 John 9. Faithfulness in true worship unto the Father, John 4, 24. Faithfulness and standing in matters of morality, as we see from Romans 12, 1 and 2 and 1 Peter 2, 11 and 12. How about faithfulness and holding to the oneness of the church, Matthew 16, 18. Knowledge and skill responds in principle, conviction, and determination, and that is one’s position. And one sets forth that stand for God and remains therein. Just like we note from 1 Corinthians 16, 13 and Galatians 5 and verse 1. Godly knowledge and skill reflects position. Second, it responds with planning. When we go back to verses 9 through 16 of Daniel 1, he replied to the prince of the eunuchs concerning his food. You see, Daniel took his position and now was planning. He explained how effective his position was. Held to his faith and the knowledge and skill continues growing and the results are in faithful planning and pursuing. That’s something worthy for us to think about. How about this? Let’s hold to one’s faith with daily planning. For example, we note about Barnabas in Acts 11 and verse 23 that when he came to Antioch, he had seen the grace of God and was glad and exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. So with that purpose of heart, with that heart set in our planning, we cleave daily. How about withstanding thoroughly? That’s a reflection from Ephesians 6, 11, and 12. To be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. To put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. And grow faithfully. In 2 Timothy 3 and verse 10, Paul told Timothy, You have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, and patience. Grow faithfully. You see, godly knowledge and skill responds with planning. We cleave daily. We hold on. We withstand thoroughly. We grow faithfully. Here’s a third one. Godly knowledge and skill not only reflects position, responds with planning, but stands in presence. How well did Daniel and the three look physically? Remaining faithful, look at their presence before the king. He inquired of them due to their learning and wisdom, their knowledge and skill that began with the purpose. And with one’s purpose carrying onward, think about one’s presence before others. Romans 8, 28 says, And in 1 Timothy 6 and verse 12, Both of these texts bring forth that strong presence due to one’s purpose in God. Wow, what great lessons to learn today from Daniel and to embrace the knowledge and the skill therein. Let’s grow in our knowledge, shall we? How about a free Bible course by mail? Here is our Jay Webb with the details.
SPEAKER 01 :
Our long-time free Bible study course by mail is always available at Have you tried it yet? Just call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. Study the Bible at your own pace. Again, it’s free from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 02 :
So friends, we take a look at one’s purpose with knowledge and skill. It continues with position, a plan, and a presence before others. Again, a great study today from Daniel chapter 1. And we hope this study has been of help to you. And we’re going to continue these studies together at our next broadcast. But for now, thank you for joining me today here on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, as always, keep listening.
SPEAKER 01 :
Thank you for listening today. To God be the glory. And we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. Feel free to listen to our other programs at our website at internationalgospelhour.com. And join us next time. God be with you till we meet again.
