6 Among these young men were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: To Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.

9 Now God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official, 10 but he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age? You would endanger my head before the king!”

11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearances with those of the young men who are eating the royal food, and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

14 So he consented to this and tested them for ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than all the young men who were eating the king’s food. 16 So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead.

17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.

18 Now at the end of the time specified by the king, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king spoke with them, and among all the young men he found no one equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the king’s service.

20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. 21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

REFLECTIONS

Written by James Davidson

The Babylonian indoctrination program was thorough, but Daniel had a line he wouldn’t cross. He would not disobey God’s law. So when he was offered food that God had declared unclean, he wouldn’t eat it. This was a courageous stand. You can imagine the Babylonians not taking too kindly to someone who thought their royal food was not good enough for them.

God has given us a clear line we shouldn’t cross – the commands of Jesus and his apostles in the New Testament. The world will pressure us to cross that line. “Everyone’s doing it” will be the catch cry. It could be bad language, disrespect, gossip, slander or dishonesty. We could be pressured into drunkenness, sexual immortality, cruelty or greed. But God calls us to say “No, I will not cross that line, no matter what happens.”

God honoured Daniel’s courage and faithfulness. He gave him success in the food trial and in entering the king’s service. He gave him great wisdom and understanding. He even caused him to outlast the kingdom of Babylon. He remained in Babylon until the first year of King Cyrus. Cyrus was the Persian king who defeated Babylon and allowed the Israelites to return to Judah and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

Likewise, God will honour us when we take a stand for him. He will be with us. He will even cause us to outlast Satan’s kingdom! Long after Satan’s dominion has been destroyed, we will be reigning with Christ in the New Creation.

Let’s pray. Father, when the pressure comes from the world to disobey you, help us to stand firm and obey you, no matter what happens.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James is one of our Assistant Ministers.