Life Lessons from Daniel and Esther

Faith Under Pressure

Max Lucado

• Publisher: HarperChristian Resources
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9780310086703
• eBook ISBN: 9780310086710
• Subtopic: Biblical Studies

OVER 2 MILLION SOLD IN THE LIFE LESSONS SERIES!

Staying faithful when the pressure was most intense. That’s what these two did.

The Jewish people had reason to be depressed. Their nation had been conquered. Their hometown was in ruins. They were living in captivity. Yet from the ashes, God raised up two key figures to preserve the Jewish race.

Daniel was among the first of the captives carried away by the Babylonians. Although he lived in a culture opposed to God, he was always faithful to the Lord – even in the face of death – and ultimately was able to influence kings and rulers. Esther was in exile during the time of the Persian Empire. Like Daniel, the Lord also placed her in a position to influence those in power. God also called her to step out in faith and risk her life to foil a plot against her people. As a result of her bold actions, the entire Jewish race was saved from annihilation.

As you read, study, journal, and discuss the books of Daniel and Esther, watch for these key themes that Max will unpack throughout the book:

• God leads in our lives even in difficult circumstances.
• Sometimes faithfulness is rewarded by miracles.
• God will be faithful to his people in the future as he has in the past.

 

The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series brings the Bible to life in twelve lessons filled with intriguing questions, inspirational stories, and poignant reflections to take you deeper into God's Word. Each lesson includes:

• An opening reflection on the Bible book you’re studying.
• Background information to deepen your understanding of the cultural and historical setting.
• An excerpt of the text (from the NIV and the NKJV).
• Exploration questions with plenty of room to write your own thoughts and notes.
• Inspirational thoughts from Max as well as a closing takeaway for further reflection.

 

The Life Lessons series is ideal for use in both a small-group setting or for individual study.

LESSON ONE

OBEDIENCE TO GOD

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.

DANIEL 1:8 NKJV

REFLECTION

When is a time in your life that you felt you had to take a stand for something you believed in? How did you approach the situation? What happened as a result?

[Your Response Here]

SITUATION

God had warned his people that if they were unfaithful to him and worshiped idols, he would send enemies to invade and take them captive (see Leviticus 26:14–39). Unfortunately, the people failed to heed these warnings, and as a result they were taken into captivity. Daniel would have been just a youth when the Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar, conquered Jerusalem and led the first wave of people into exile. The Babylonians, like other nations in the ancient world, had a policy of incorporating the “best and brightest” among their captives into civil service for the government. Daniel is selected, but it is clear—even from the opening chapter of his book—that he has resolved not to be absorbed into the Babylonian culture.

OBSERVATION

Read Daniel 1:3–20 from the New International Version or the New King James Version.

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

³ Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— ⁴ young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. ⁵ The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

⁶ Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. ⁷ The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

⁸ But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. ⁹ Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, ¹⁰ but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

¹¹ Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, ¹² “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. ¹³ Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” ¹⁴ So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

¹⁵ At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. ¹⁶ So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

¹⁷ To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

¹⁸ At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. ¹⁹ The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. ²⁰ In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

NEW KING JAMES VERSION

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. ⁹ Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. ¹⁰ 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.”

¹¹ So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, ¹² “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. ¹³ 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.” ¹⁴ So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

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. ¹⁶ Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

¹⁷ 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.

¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. ²⁰ 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.

EXPLORATION

1. What were some of the qualifications needed for a young man to enter into civil service for the Babylonians?

[Your Response Here]

2. What were some of the benefits these candidates would have received?

[Your Response Here]

3. The name “Daniel” means “God is my Judge,” while “Belteshazzar” means “Bel protects his life.” (Bel was a Babylonian god.) Why do you think the Babylonians changed Daniel’s name?

[Your Response Here]

4. Why do you think Daniel and his three friends objected to eating “the royal food and wine” (verse 8) that was offered to all the candidates?

[Your Response Here]

5. What was the “test” that Daniel and the others put to the guard of the chief official? What was the result?

[Your Response Here]

6. Why was it important for Daniel and his friends to stay true to their convictions in this case?

[Your Response Here]

INSPIRATION

Perhaps changes are in the air right now. Maybe you’re in the midst of a decision. It’s disrupting, isn’t it? You like your branch. You’ve grown accustomed to it and it to you. . . . You’ve been a pretty good branch-sitter. And then you hear the call.

“I need you to go out on the limb and . . . take a stand. Some of the loc...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Ebook Instructions
• Contents
• How to Study the Bible
• Introduction to the Books of Daniel and Esther
• Lesson 1: Obedience to God (Daniel 1:3–20)
• Lesson 2: Facing Fiery Ordeals (Daniel 3:8–27)
• Lesson 3: Humility Before God (Daniel 4:19–34)
• Lesson 4: Consequences of Sin (Daniel 5:1–31)
• Lesson 5: Doing Right No Matter What (Daniel 6:6–24)
• Lesson 6: Power of Prayer (Daniel 10:1–14)
• Lesson 7: Being Prepared (Esther 2:1–13)
• Lesson 8: Standing Firm (Esther 3:1–11)
• Lesson 9: Taking Responsibility (Esther 4:1–17)
• Lesson 10: Faith and Courage (Esther 5:1–14)
• Lesson 11: Relying On God’s Protection (Esther 7:1–10)
• Lesson 12: Rewards of Faithfulness (Esther 8:1–17)
• Leader’s Guide for Small Groups