relationships (Daniel 1:1-21) Love and Respect

(Daniel 1:1-21)

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god.

3 Then the king told Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, 4 youths in whom there was no impairment, who were good-looking, suitable for instruction in every kind of expertise, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability to serve in the king’s court; and he ordered Ashpenaz to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king also allotted for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and ordered that they be educated for three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service. 6 Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach, and to Azariah Abed-nego.

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; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials. 10 The commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has allotted your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking gaunt in comparison to the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.” 11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please put your servants to the test for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined 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.”

14 So he listened to them in this matter, and put them to the test for ten days. 15 And 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. 16 So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.

17 And as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every kind of literature and expertise; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.

18 Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; so they entered the king’s personal service. 20 As for every matter of expertise and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the soothsayer priests and conjurers who were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued until the first year of Cyrus the king.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

This scripture is not saying that we are to eat a diet of only vegetables and water.  Pagan cultures often sacrifice their meat and drink to their gods.  As well, they probably didn't use very safe preparation standards for back then (since they didn't have refrigeration, etc.).  And we are not told how long Daniel and his friends ate this way.  Perhaps it was only while they were in training for those three years, after which point they probably would have been free to prepare their own food.

While Daniel's respect for the Lord came first in his life, notice that he also showed respect to his enemies, who were now his earthly authority figures.  Daniel also respected the laws and procedures of this strange country, except for the ones that went against God's Laws.  But notice that he didn't make demands on what or how he ate, and he didn't make any demands to speak to the king.  Daniel didn't assume any status or privilege, but peacefully sought out the permission from the appropriate officials in charge, and spoke with them using sound reasoning.

The main takeaway from all of this is that Daniel loved and respected the Lord first.  And even though God allowed Daniel and his friends to go into captivity (because of other people's sinful behaviors), they fully trusted that God would help them!   And, because Daniel and his friends had a desire to only honor God, God blessed them and their efforts!

God might allow us to go through tests, trials and temptations.  But no matter what we are going through or what is happening around us, as we remain focused on the Lord and continue striving to live in His will, in His strength and guidance, God will bless us and our efforts, all to His glory!  And while we know that God will reward our obedience, our desire to obey will flow out of our love, trust and respect for Him, because it is the Lord who loves us and cares for us!