Daniel 1: 8-13
These four Jewish boys had qualified and been accepted into the king's Royal Academy, so their lives would be busy and purposeful, learning all of the knowledge of the literature and languages of the Chaldeans.
They had been given new identities to become part of the high society in this new culture. Did all these privileges affect their moral integrity?
(8) 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;
Daniel picked his battle. There were doubtless many things different from his home culture, so he discerned what was pivotal. He resolved to retain his identity as an Israelite by following the dietary guidelines the Lord had laid out. But how can he fit this into this new culture?
so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.
He realized that he was under their authority, and he honored that authority, and didn't demand his rights, but humbly asked their permission to alter this one detail of their regimen. He approached the "headmaster" or "principal" of the Royal Academy.
(9) Now God had granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,
God had sweetened Daniel's personality in the eyes of this commander, so he approached him, reasoning that he would listen to his request, and not brush him off.
(10) 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."
This commander did listen to him, and explained to Daniel the position he was in, that he was responsible for the physical condition of his charges, and would "lose his head" if he allowed them to look less healthy than the others.
Instead of just saying "No!" this man explained the reason why he couldn't allow it, so Daniel had something to go on.
(11) But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,
So Daniel came down the ladder of authority and approached his immediate superior, his "professor," with a proposition.
(12) "Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.
He asked that the meats and wines would be withheld, leaving them the vegetables and water. These meats would have come from animals forbidden by God to eat for food, and from clean animals that had been used in sacrifice to their idols, defiling them.
Knowing that he may refuse, Daniel asked him for only ten days of this change, which would not make a permanent difference, considering their course was three years.
(13) "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."
Daniel put himself on the spot here. He left it to the overseer to decide, and he could have gone either way. So he was really leaving it in the Lord's hand, as it was the Lord who caused him to be under this man's authority.
Daniel did everything right here. He humbled himself under his God-appointed authority, he made no demands but only a simple, respectful request, and he left it in other hands to make the decision.
Even given all the luxuries and privileges and opportunities, and the pressure to conform to this new, pagan culture, Daniel still remained resolute to follow the Lord God of Israel. He still determined to maintain his Jewish identity. But he wanted to get along and use these worldly things in service to this pagan king, in order to have a godly influence here where it was so needed.
He humbly left himself open to the demands of those over him, and apparently would not argue if the decision went against him. But I think he would have thought of something else, if this test didn't work.
Tomorrow we will see how this went.
O my Father, Your ways are not our ways, they are so far above our ways that we just can't reach them. Thank You for bringing them down to us.
Father, help us to understand the order of authority that You have designed to bring order in our society. Give us the humility to submit to the authorities You have placed over us, even when it seems inconvenient, or even dangerous, leaving the results in Your hand. Teach us the wisdom and discernment You gave Daniel, to meekly present our requests, that we may worship only You.
O Father, Daniel didn't know if this test would work, but He knew that only You are God, and He trusted You to perform Your will in his life and circumstances. Help us also to trust You when we don't see the outcome of what is being put on us. Help us to trust You to do what would be in our own benefit also, when we must leave the decisions in other hands.
We know that You are good, and You have all power to do whatever You want. And You are Love, You love us more than we can comprehend! And everything you bring into our lives is for our good, even when we see only trouble.
We have seen how Joseph suffered so much adversity, through whole years in Egypt, until the time Your purpose was revealed. Daniel knew the story of Joseph, and we do, too. Daniel also trusted You, and didn't succumb to the temptation to fit into the society that wanted to honor him.
Father, thank You for giving Daniel strength and humility and meekness to work with the overseer and the commander over him. And to trust You in putting the decision into their hands. Teach us, also, to have the same attitude of confident submission to our authorities, realizing our own responsibilities.
My Father, help each of Your children to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we will be His hands and feet in this broken world, and shine the Light of Christ into the darkness. Lead us to Your chosen ones, to draw them to the birth into Your own family, that Your house will be full with Your uncountable family members, all surrounding Your Great Banquet Table, enjoying sweet fellowship with You and one another forever!
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
