Promotion or Persecution?
Daniel 1-2/Matthew 12-13
How to get the most out of Hungry Bible
OT
1:3-4 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, who was in charge of the palace officials, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good sense, and have the poise needed to serve in the royal palace. Teach these young men the language and literature of the Babylonians.”
NT
12:30-33 “Anyone who isn’t helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. Every sin or blasphemy can be forgiven–except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which can never be forgiven. Anyone who blasphemes against me, the Son of Man, can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come. A tree is identified by its fruit. Make a tree good, and its fruit will be good. Make a tree bad, and its fruit will be bad.”
OT Flash Points
4 boys from Israel given important positions in Nebo’s court
Nebo’s dream about the future of Babylon & the world
NT Flash Points
You are breaking the Law!
The leaders yell this at Jesus, then go and plot to kill Him (the plague of legalism)
Parables to explain eternal truths
Perspective
Is God ignoring evil in the world?
No, he will sort it out at the end of the age
In the meantime, He feeds all who come to Him