歸耶和華為聖(28): 「出淤泥而不染的但以理」

經文： 3 (巴比倫王尼布甲尼撒)吩咐太監長亞施毗拿，從以色列人的宗室和貴冑中帶進幾個人來， 4 就是年少沒有殘疾、相貌俊美、通達各樣學問、知識聰明俱備、足能侍立在王宮裏的，要教他們迦勒底的文字言語。 5 王派定將自己所用的膳和所飲的酒，每日賜他們一分，養他們三年。滿了三年，好叫他們在王面前侍立。 6 他們中間有猶大族的人：但以理、哈拿尼雅、米沙利、亞撒利雅。 7 太監長給他們起名：稱但以理為伯提沙撒，稱哈拿尼雅為沙得拉，稱米沙利為米煞，稱亞撒利雅為亞伯尼歌。 8 但以理卻立志不以王的膳和王所飲的酒玷污自己，所以求太監長容他不玷污自己。(但1：1-8)

背誦經文：21 人若自潔，脫離卑賤的事，就必作貴重的器皿，成為聖潔，合乎主用，預備行各樣的善事。 22 你要逃避少年的私慾，同那清心禱告主的人追求公義、信德、仁愛、和平。(提後2:21-22)

A. 但以理所處的世代

1. 是一個整体「被擄」的世代－遠離應許美地、被擄至巴比倫

2. 非常容易「被同化」的世代－教他們迦勒底的文字言語並改其名字

3. 非常容易「被腐化」的世代－住王宮、吃王膳、喝王酒，享受榮華富貴

4. 非常容易就「妥協」的世代－為不拜偶像而被扔火窯與堅持拜 神而被丟入獅坑

B. 但以理得勝的祕訣

1. 一如「素常」的內室生活 (6:10)

· 但以理知道這禁令蓋了玉璽，就到自己家裏（他樓上的窗戶開向耶路撒冷），一日三次，雙膝跪在他 神面前，禱告感謝，與素常一樣。

2. 自幼過分別為聖的生活

· 但以理卻立志不以王的膳和王所飲的酒玷污自己… (但1:8) 

· 不要愛世界和世界上的事。人若愛世界，愛父的心就不在他裏面了。 (約壹2:15)

· 21 人若自潔，脫離卑賤的事，就必作貴重的器皿，成為聖潔，合乎主用，預備行各樣的善事。 22 你要逃避少年的私慾，同那清心禱告主的人追求公義、信德、仁愛、和平。(提後2:21-22)

Holiness Unto The Lord (28): “Daniel who remained undefiled out of the miry soot”

Scriptures: ³ 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, ⁴ 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. ⁵ 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. ⁶ Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. ⁷ To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.  ⁸ 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. (Dan 1:1-8)

Memorization Verse: ²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Tim 2:21-22)

A. Daniel’s generation

1. A generation entirely in captivity – separated from the promise land and taken into captivity and exile to Babylon

2. A generation that is easily assimilated- taught in the language and literature of the Chaldeans and given a new name

3. A generation that is easily corrupted – lived in a palace, given the king’s delicacies and wine, a lifestyle of opulence

4. A generation that is easily compromised – will be cast in the furnace for not worshiping an idol and thrown into the lion’s den for upholding the worship of God

B. The secrets to Daniel’s victory

1. As his custom, he continued with his prayer life

· Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. (Dan 6:10)

2. Lived a lifestyle that is holy unto the Lord since his youth

· 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 … (Dan 1:8)

· Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15)

· Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Tim 2:21-22)