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JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE DANIEL Day 1 Daniel 1 Daniel 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. 3 And the king spoke unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? Then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as you see, deal with thy servants. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. A lot of attention today is on healthy eating and exercise. People want to get away from fast food and what it does to the body. Vegan has become a way of life for many people, also vegetarian diets, preferring to take in only what will nourish and replenish the body, instead of breaking it down and causing it to go to fat. Daniel was among the captives taken from Jerusalem to Babylon, along with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Daniel saw the food offered to them as unhealthy and determined to eat only what was good for the body, in that case pulse, or vegetables. Another change made in their lives, was the names they were known by. Daniel means God is my judge. Hananiah means Jah (God) has favored, or grace of the Lord. Mishael means he who is the strong God. Azariah means Jah (God) has helped. In changing their names, they changed the meaning. Daniel was given the name Belteshazzar meaning Bel protect the king. Bel being one of the gods the Chaldeans worshiped. Hananiah was given the name Shadrach meaning inspiration of the sun. Chaldeans worshiped the sun. Mishael was given the name Meshach. Shach was a goddess, one of the names of Venus, whom they worshiped. Azariah was given the name Abed-nego. Abed-nego means servant of the shining fire. (Information verified by Matthew Henry’s Commentary) Not only did the Chaldeans intend to pollute the body, but the mind as well by giving them Chaldean names of worship to their gods. Daniel didn’t want to pollute his body or his mind, but intended to keep himself firmly in God’s favor. To do that he chose to eat vegetables and sought God’s favor and not that of the Chaldeans. At the end of ten days, eating only vegetables, the prince of the eunuchs saw that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were better looking than those who polluted themselves with food from the king’s table, and allowed them to continue eating what they chose to eat. As Christians, you know there are many ways to pollute the mind and the body. Satan brings more pollution your way daily. You see it in the way people dress, how they talk, who their idols are – celebrities in movies, music, and sports, and what they are taught in school. Satan has done his best to delete God from every facet of life. However, as children of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, you must stand strong as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah did, and not take part in the pollution of the mind and body. You do that by staying in the Word, studying it so you know what God intends for you, and praying for God to keep you strong against Satan. Only in that way will you be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. When you determine to stand strong for God, Satan will have no hold over you, just as he had no hold over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Those young men became leaders among the Chaldeans because of their faithfulness to God. Let’s pray: Father, give me your wisdom as I continue steadfast in your Word. Studying it to know your will for my life. Help me and nurture me as I grow in you daily. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 3 February 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay