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But
Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with
the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank;
so he sought permission from the commander of the officials
that he might not defile himself. Now God granted Daniel favor
and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,
and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am
afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and
your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard
than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me
forfeit my head to the king.” But Daniel said to the overseer
whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants
for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and
water to drink. Then let our appearance be observed in your
presence, and the appearance of the youths who are eating the
king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according
to what you see.” So he listened to them in this matter
and tested them for ten days. And at the end of ten days their
appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths
who had been eating the king’s choice food. So the overseer
continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were
to drink, and kept giving them vegetables. (NASB) Daniel 1:8-16 |
If Daniel was rejecting food not approved under the Mosaic Law, why
did he reject the wine? Or, did he want to avoid food offered to Babylonian
gods? Foreign gods are not gods according to the New Testament (Galatians
4:8). There is only one God. The answer is, “We do not know for
sure why Daniel rejected the food!” There is no clear, satisfactory
answer. What we do know is that Daniel did not want to “defile”
himself. Daniel was seeking holiness! That is the key point. That
is the message of these verses.
Therefore
Daniel asked for permission not to eat the food or drink the wine
and God granted Daniel favor and compassion. Have you ever wanted
favor and compassion in a difficult situation? Proverbs has the answer
for us.
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My
son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments
. . . Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around
your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will
find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. Trust
in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will
make your paths straight. (NASB) Proverbs 3:1-6 |
In this passage the Holy Spirit calls us to knowledge of His Word,
faithful obedience and love. When God calls us to faithful obedience,
He is calling us to a holy life. When He calls us to faithful obedience.
He is calling us to love. These things appear to be true of Daniel.
God's
Favor.
God’s Favor. So God granted Daniel favor and compassion and He
granted all four young people knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom.
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And
as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence
in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood
all kinds of visions and dreams. (NASB) Daniel 1:17 |
Three years past between verses seventeen and eighteen. The day came
for them to be evaluated by the king.
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Then
at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting
them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar.
And the king talked with them, and out of them all not one was
found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered
the king’s personal service. And as for every matter of
wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them,
he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers
who were in all his realm. (NASB) Daniel 1:18-20 |
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