The Medo-Persian Empire successfully conquers the Babylonians along with all its territories and during their 200 year + reign on earth they will also conquer and control the other kingdoms of Lydia and Egypt. This means they will continue to control and manage the Jews who still remained in Babylon. Sometime after the beginning of the reign of Cyrus, he will make a decree to allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their city and their temple. Although Daniel will not write about this return to Jerusalem by the Jews (that will come later during the days of Ezra and Nehemiah), he will write about the beginning of this new Empire made up of the Medes and the Persians. As Daniel 6 begins, we quickly see that he is immediately placed in a position of trust and that was no doubt because of his consistent character of honesty and right living. Unfortunately, there will be those in the Medo-Persian Empire who will be jealous of Daniel’s success and he may well have been despised simply because he was Jewish. This will result in a number of government officials (satraps and commissioners) who will conspire together to encourage King Darius the Mede to make a decree that requires all of the subjects of the Empire to worship him and him alone.  Daniel of course will continue in his worship of the Lord and that violates the new decree by the king which causes Daniel to be thrown into the Lion’s den. The Lord miraculously intervenes and delivers Daniel from the lions and this results in Daniel influencing Darius so much that he too considers the God of Daniel to be the Most High God. It is thus easy to draw the conclusion that Daniel will also at a later time influence King Cyrus in such a positive way that at the time in which the Lord determined – King Cyrus will make a decree to allow the Jews to return to their home in Jerusalem.

This lesson “A Tribute to a Life of Faith” illustrates the consistent character of Daniel no matter what the outward circumstances may be and he chose not to violate his beliefs even if it meant putting his life at risk. We have much to learn from such a humble and dedicated man of God. For more information take a look at the complete lesson or feel free to contact me for the answers to the fill in blanks. I will be teaching this series in the fall at Valley View Church in Lincoln – contact me for more details – mikesouthwick@gmail.com

Lesson 6 – A Tribute to a Life of Faith – Daniel 6 (Student copy)

Lesson 6 – A Tribute to a Life of Faith – Daniel 6 (Teacher)

Lesson 6 – A Tribute to a Life of Faith – Daniel 6 (PPT)

As we begin a new chapter of Daniel (Daniel 5) we are also introduced to a new king of Babylon and his name is Belshazzar. He is called the son of King Nebuchadnezzar but it is more likely that he is actually Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson. This chapter begins to show the transition and downfall of the Babylonian Empire and the judgment that awaited them for their mistreatment of the Jewish people they had conquered and captured. The best way to summarize the complete failure and downfall of this once prestigious and dominant Empire is to read what Daniel writes in the middle verses of chapter 5;“Yet you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart even though you knew all this, but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven……..but the God in whose hand are your life-breath and your waysyou have not glorified” (Daniel 5:22-23). This passage truly depicts the pride and arrogance of a young king who shook his fist at Almighty God and out of defiance he desecrated that which was considered sacred to the Lord and His people. Instead of repenting like King Nebuchadnezzar did, Belshazzar instead throws a party and a hand appears that writes a message that Daniel interprets for him. The message to Belshazzar was clear – your days and the days of the Babylonian Empire are over. This is precisely what happens and sets the stage for the Persians to control the Land of Israel. It will be during the later reign of Cyrus the King of Persia in which the Jewish people will be allowed to return to their homeland in order to rebuild their Temple. All of this was in the plans that the Lord had for His people the Jews in order for Jesus the Messiah to become the Savior of the world! For more information take a look at the complete lesson or feel free to contact me for the answers to the fill in blanks. I will be teaching this series in the fall at Valley View Church in Lincoln – contact me for more details – mikesouthwick@gmail.com

Lesson 5 – Like Father Like Son – Daniel 5

Lesson 5 – Like Father Like Son – Daniel 5 (Teacher)

Lesson 5 -Like Father Like Son – Daniel 5 (PPT)