In this chapter, Daniel demonstrates his commitment to the Lord by refusing to defile his Temple (his body). Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it with his armies. The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah. When Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon, he took with him some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God and placed them in the treasure house of his god in the land of Babylonia. (Wow! The text says, “The Lord gave him victory over Judah.” The Lord is in control, as He exercises His plan! Lord, help us see that you are exercising your plans for us, too! You are the same God today, as yesterday!)
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 pose needed to serve in the royal palace. Teach these young men the language and literature of the Babylonians.” The king assigned them a daily ration of the best food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for a three-year period, and then some of them would be made his advisers in the royal court. (Wow! That sounds amazing for a prisoner/captive. They would be living the “good life”!)
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. The chief official renamed them with these Babylonian names:
Daniel was called Belteshazzar.
Hananiah was called Shadrach.
Mishael was called Meshack.
Azariah was called Abednego.
But Danial made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. (Yes, Daniel!) He asked the chief official for permission to eat other things instead. Now God had given the chief official great respect for Daniel. (God’s favor!) But he was alarmed by Daniel’s suggestion. “My lord the king has ordered that you eat this food and wine,” he said. “If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded for neglecting my duties.”
Daniel talked it over with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief official to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. “Test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s rich food. Then you can decide whether or not to let us continue eating our diet.” So the attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.
At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the rich foods and wines. God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for learning the literature and science of the time. And God gave Daniel special ability in understanding the meanings of visions and dreams. (Wow! God is completely taking care of his faithful servants, giving them everything they need to be prosperous, even in captivity!)
When the three-year training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief official brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with each of them, and none of them impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they were appointed to his regular staff of advisers. In all matters requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, the king found the advice of these young men to be ten times better than that of all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. (Yes, Lord! Won’t He do it!)
Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus’s reign. (Daniel 1)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us remain true to you, like Daniel. Help us never compromise ourselves for the pleasure and the agenda of others; for if we do, you will certainly bless us, take care of us, and prosper us! You are our God, and it is you who we want to please. Lord, we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.