First Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant, Michigan

  • Welcome
  • About Us
    • Service Times
    • Find Us
    • Calendar
    • Meet our Team
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Sermons
    • Devotionals
  • Good News!
  • Ministries
    • Resources
    • Youth Ministry Forms
  • Contact Us
  • Give

Devotional: Daniel 1:1-7

Today’s passage: Daniel 1:1-7

Helpful thoughts:

  • If you would like to read the narratives of the Babylonian conquest of Judah, read 2 Kings 23:36-25:30 and 2 Chronicles 36:1-21.
  • King Nebuchadnezzar wanted for himself the best of the best, according to his own wisdom, and make them “better” by teaching them how to become Babylonian in every way.
  • The four young men’s name changes mattered a great deal:
    • Daniel (God is my judge) became Belteshazzar (May the lord protect his life).
      • The “lord” being a Babylonian god and “his life” being the life of King Nebuchadnezzar…
    • Hananiah (Yahweh has been gracious) became Shadrach (Command of Aku)
      • Aku was the moon god of the Babylonians.
    • Mishael (Who is what God is?) became Meshach (Who is what Aku is?)
    • Azariah (Yahweh is my help) became Abednego (Servant of Nebo)
      • Nebo (Or Nabu) was the second highest god in Babylon after his father, Marduk.

Questions to consider:

  1. Having just defeated Judah, what would Nebuchadnezzar’s understanding have been concerning the strength of his gods versus the strength of the God of Judah?
  2. Do you think Nebuchadnezzar was intimidated or did he think he was doing these noble/royal young men a huge favor by attempting to turn them into Babylonians?
  3. Why was he wrong?  Who decreed that Babylon would conquer Judah? Which God would prove victorious?
  4. If God is your God, what can’t anyone ever take away from you?

February 5, 2019 Category: Daniel, Devotions

Recent on the Blog

  • Sermon: Galatians 4:1-11
  • Sermon: Isaiah 55
  • Sermon: Matthew 12:43-50
  • Sermon: Matthew 12:38-42

Devotionals by Book

  • Devotions
  • Sportacular – Register Now

Sermons by Book

  • Sermons

Inside

  • Welcome
  • About Us
    • Service Times
    • Find Us
    • Calendar
    • Meet our Team
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Sermons
    • Devotionals
  • Good News!
  • Ministries
    • Resources
    • Youth Ministry Forms
  • Contact Us
  • Give

Search

Copyright © 2025 · First Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant, Michigan · 1802 E. High Street Mount Pleasant, MI 48858 (Directions) · (989) 775-5578 · Contact Us