Equip Bible Study - Daniel – Living faithfully in a foreign land

The book of Daniel begins by placing the events that are to follow within a particular point in Israel’s history. When Israel was preparing to enter the promised land, God made clear that their occupation of the land was conditional upon their obedience, with the promise that if they did not obey God, they would not remain in the land. The nation of Israel divided into two kingdoms (Israel, the northern kingdom and Judah, the southern kingdom) under Solomon’s unwise son, Rehoboam.

Israel quickly descended into idolatry, turning away from the Lord. The Assyrians took over and the people went into exile. Daniel and his friends therefore live at a time when God’s people are oppressed by a foreign power. The challenge for Daniel and his friends is to remain faithful to God in a foreign land, while they experience the oppression and opposition of an empire that at times is directly opposed to God.

The book of Daniel has been a source and comfort for God’s people throughout the generations, particularly when they have experienced a sense of “exile”: that they are living in a land where the powers that be are oppressing them and at times directly opposing God. Daniel and his friends provide us with models as to how to live for God in such a context, and challenge us to stand for God, despite the risk.

This series of studies covers the first six chapters of Daniel and uses the Conversations method.