Daniel 1: 14-17
Daniel and his friends were chosen to participate in the King's program of education to make them world-citizens and erase any specific nationalism.
So they qualified for the king's Royal Academy and were given new, Babylonian names to change their identities.
But Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were Israelites, chosen by God, and they worshiped only God, not any of the many idols in this foreign land.
They realized that this is their new reality, and that God had purpose for them here. They looked at how they could have the most influence in this pagan society, so they accepted the advantages offered to them, while still maintaining their identities as Jews. This could bring many conflicts and problems with this ungodly culture, which it did.
So they decided to pick their battles carefully. Dietary requirements were very foundational to their faith in Yahweh.
What do you think would have happened if Daniel had simply refused to eat the food that wasn't Kosher? If they adopted this adversarial attitude, they would have been expelled from the school and kicked out of any possibility of having an influence on the culture at all.
Daniel was wiser than that. He negotiated for the four of them, and they were willing to abide by whatever decision the commander made concerning the food.
(14) So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days.
This meek attitude and reasonable request allowed this "professor" to consider this test, and allow them to do it.
(15) 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.
I
can imagine how fresh and vibrant these four looked after their ten-day
cleanse! I think it was the best idea Daniel could have come up with,
so I would contend that God put him up to it.
(16) So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.
They didn't have to eat anything that would be unhealthy, and that battle was won. So they could eat all the plant-based foods that provided all the good nourishment they needed, and they flourished.
(17) 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.
Doing things God's way will bring God's provision. These were highly intelligent guys, and with the clear thinking that resulted from the non-processed foods they consumed, they were able to apply themselves to learn all these new languages and concepts, with understanding and discernment.
And Daniel's gift of vision and dream interpretation will help him to become indispensable to the king. Also part of God's plan.
Today Christian kids can learn all about atheistic evolution while believing that God created it all; and Christian theologians can study the Koran and distinguish the conflicts it presents against Scripture. We can learn all about the world's ways and wisdom, while still growing in our knowledge of our God and His ways.
This is what Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah did. Their faith in Yahweh never wavered, but grew stronger through this time. And they still learned everything there was to learn from all the ancient manuscripts, scrolls, and tablets.
O my Father, please help us to know You and Your written word so well that we will also grow in our faith and holiness even as we study this world and see everything that is happening around us. Father, help us to understand where other people are coming from, to discern what they are already believing, so we can gently and compassionately draw them out of the deceptions that have gotten hold of them, and shine Your light of Truth into their lives.
O Father, lead us to all Your embryonic children to bring them to the birth in Your family, to fill Your house with Your uncountable family, and surround Your Great Banquet Table to fellowship with You and one another forever!
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim 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 quickly, Lord Jesus!
