Many of you probably know of the prophet Daniel from the Old Testament. Maybe some of you even thought of his story immediately upon reading the title of this post. If so, then well done! I have been doing a deep study of the book of Daniel for some time now, because it is truly fascinating to me to see so many applicable examples in this one man’s life! I feel that this is what the Lord would have me write about to you all. There are two major events in the life of Daniel that have always greatly inspired me and I would like to look at the first of those today.
Daniel 1:1-16 (KJV)
1] In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2] And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
3] And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
4] Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5] And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6] Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7] Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
8] But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9] Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10] And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11] Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12] Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13] Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14] So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15] And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16] Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
Right from the start, there are some things that really strike me when I read this story:
1.) Daniel was in a wicked foreign land, yet he chose to stand up for his beliefs.
Daniel was removed from the godly influences he had no doubt been surrounded with his entire life. He was placed in the center of a wicked and morally destitute nation, yet he retained his integrity. He did not allow the pressure of the world to weaken his personal, godly convictions.
I feel that some young people that have grown up completely surrounded by godly influences, as I have, are not really prepared for the criticism they face for being a godly person when they enter the secular world. I can still remember the first time I was mocked for my dress standards; it shocked me, but it also caused me to examine my reasons for the high standards of modesty I and my family hold to. When we are faced with the decision to remain strong in our convictions will we do so or cave and blend in?
2.)Daniel was of noble blood, yet he had obviously learned to be polite and respectful to all.
Even though Daniel was a captive in Babylon, he was obviously well liked by the prince of the eunuchs and other servants, and they in turn treated him with respect and consideration. (Daniel 1:9) Daniel had grown up in the royal house in Judah and was considered a prince, but at some point, he had obviously learned that treating all with respect and civility was a wise choice. His words to Melzar were distinctly polite and carefully worded so as not to come across as insulting or demanding.
I try my very best to be polite to everyone, no matter how they may treat me and my convictions. We cannot control what other people do and say, we can only control our reaction!
"The only thing you control in this situation is your response; you are not responsible for their actions" ~ My Mom
When we embrace this truth, it is actually very freeing. The way I have learned to see it is that God created this person, and they deserve civility for this reason.
3.)Daniel doesn’t act in an arrogant or prideful way throughout the whole ordeal.
Daniel and his three friends were in the right; they were following the Lord’s laws for their people, as opposed to others who may not have. It would have been easy for them to be arrogant and demanding, especially because they knew that obeying would please the Lord. Also, Daniel knew that the diet he and his friends were suggesting to the prince of the eunuchs and Melzar would be better for them than that of the king’s meat and wine. However, he humbly offered a short trial period so that they could see for themselves. He did not criticize them for their doubt in the success of such simplicity, he simply suggested a solution that was both submissive and firm.
As a Christian, I find I have to watch myself in this area. It is easy to just say, "I know they are wrong because they do not agree with the Bible." If they really do not agree with the Bible, then this is a true statement, but being prideful or arrogant because we as Christians have the truth does not show the love of God to the lost. We must have discretion to know the best way to present the truth to the lost in the right way. This is a lesson I am still learning.
4.)Daniel displays no fear, despite the plausible personal consequences.
Not one time in the whole story does the Bible speak of Daniel allowing fear to hinder him. Was he afraid? I find it very probable that Daniel felt some amount of fear; he was not a super-human being with no natural emotion. Going against any king’s orders as a captive could have very easily ended in death. At this point, Daniel’s life would not have meant much at all; he was a captive, little better than a slave, wanted only for his appearance, sharp mind, and noble birth. (Daniel 1:3-4) We know there were at least five besides Daniel, since the Bible speaks of his three friends and the “others” Daniel mentions to Melzar, so one life would not have been much missed.
Daniel must have been afraid, yet he did not allow that fear to cripple him.
He did not allow that fear to dictate what he said and did.
He did not allow that fear to keep him from continuing to obey and honor the Lord!
How was Daniel able to continue, with so many things against him? Was it by chance that this young man was able resist the temptation to “fit in” rather than be different?
I do not believe so.
In verse 8 of Daniel chapter 1, we see the well-known phrase found in the title of this article: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…”
What does this mean? According to Webster 1828:
PURPOSE- to intend; to design; to resolve; to determine on some end or object to be attained.
RESOLVE- (v.) to fix in opinion or purpose; to determine in mind.
- (n.) fixed purpose of mind; settled determination; resolution.
These are rather strongly worded definitions and I think they say much all on their own. Daniel determined that he would not abandon his convictions and God’s laws in his heart, and then he acted on that decision.
I believe Daniel purposed to please the Lord and honor Him in all areas of his life, and this gave him the courage to be different and speak up for what he believed in, no matter how easy it would have been to remain silent.
In these days, the temptation for Christians to “comply” is so extreme that even some seasoned Christians are doing so. The Devil has cloaked the age-old temptation to go along with the world in a fine-looking robe of so-called “safety” and many innocently go along, never dreaming that anything is amiss. The terrible thing about this new wave of conformity is the fear that reigns over common sense and obedience to God.
The only way we as Christians can hope to make a difference in these times is to purpose in our hearts to follow the Lord and His Word, no matter the cost.
This is a lesson I am still learning; I think we are always learning lessons like this as we grow in the Lord.
I pray that this article has encouraged someone to stand up for the right, like Daniel did: firmly, respectfully, humbly, and resolutely, without allowing fear to stop us from continuing to obey and honor God.
Acts 5:27-29 (KJV)
27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28] Saying, Did we not straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29] Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
{Emphasis added}
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