Daniel 1

Nebuchadnezzar takes Jerusalem verse 1- 2

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came

Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem

and besieged it

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

Ashpenaz takes the best of young men verse 3- 5

And the king spoke to 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

Children in whom was no blemish

but well-favored – and skilful 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

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

Four young men chosen verse 6- 7

NOW among these were of the children of Judah

Daniel – Hananiah – Mishael – Azariah

to whom the prince of the eunuchs

gave names

for he gave to – Daniel – the name of Belteshazzar

and to Hananiah – of Shadrach

and to Mishael – of Meshach

and to Azariah – of Abed-nego

Daniel purposed to please the LORD verse 8- 10

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

NOW God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love

with the prince of the eunuchs

AND the prince of the eunuchs

said to Daniel

I fear my lord the king – who has 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 you make me endanger my head to the king

Daniel proposed a test verse 11- 14

THEN said Daniel to Melzar

whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over

Daniel – Hananiah – Mishael – Azariah

prove your servants – I beseech you – ten days

and let them give us pulse to eat

and water to drink

THEN let our countenances be looked upon before you

and the countenances of the children

that eat of the portion of the king’s meat

and as you see – deal with your servants

SO he consented to them in this matter

and proved them ten days

Daniel and friends pass the test verse 15- 16

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

THEN Melzar took away the portion of their meat

and the wine that they should drink

and gave them pulse

Daniel given special gift verse 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

Daniel and friends impressed the king verse 18- 20

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

And the king communed with them and among them all

was found none like

Daniel – Hananiah – Mishael – Azariah

THEREFORE stood they before the king

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding

that the king inquired of them

he found them ten times better than

all the magicians and astrologers

that were in all his realm

Daniel served many kings verse 21

AND Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 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. (214 “treasure house” [‘owtsar] means storehouse, cellars, armoury, store, treasury, or magazine of weapons)

DEVOTION: Every country had its own gods in the time of the children of Israel. Egypt had their gods. Babylon had their gods. There were temples everywhere to worship their own gods. They were false gods.

However, there is a reason for each nation has their personal gods. They wanted to see a god. They made gods out of stone, wood or other material such as silver and gold. Every nation realizes that there is something or someone out there that they should be worshiping.

How do we know that our God is not a false god? One reason is that the Bible tells us so. Another reason is that throughout the years people have tried to prove the Bible false and they were not able to. There are many other reasons but one final reason is that our personal testimony tells us that there is ONE TRUE GOD of the universe. HE has made a difference in our life and in the lives of others around us.

Your faith is going to be challenged regularly. The witness of the Word of God, Creation and others should keep us walking on the right track. Trust in the LORD with all your heart.

CHALLENGE: False gods are all around us and we need to keep ourselves true to the ONLY TRUE God of the universe.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skilful 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. (4093 “science” [madda] means knowledge, thought, mind, information with a focus on skill and wisdom with that data , intelligence or place of knowledge)

DEVOTION: When the Babylonians took the children of Israel into captivity, the first ones taken were the best of the people.

These four individuals that are disclosed in this chapter were just a sampling of the ones that were taken. The captives had to pass seven tests in order to go before the king. These testing took place over a period of three years.

Daniel purposed in his heart to not defile himself with the food and drink of the king. The LORD honored his choice of food. Daniel had a special gift from the LORD: understanding in all visions and dreams.

In this verse we have the seven characteristics of those who would be able to stand before the king of Babylon. One of the tests was the ability to understand logical thinking. They had to look at data and come to a conclusion regarding the data. They would have been computer whizzes. He had to look at the world and find the truth regarding the facts of creation. All truth is God’s truth.

God endowed these four individuals with the truth regarding the facts of life. They had a Biblical worldview. It is thought that they were only teenagers at the time.

We need to understand that the LORD can give us all this wisdom if we ask HIM for it in a given situation. With the help of the LORD we can handle all the situations HE sends our way. We might not be a Daniel or one of his friends but we still have the LORD available for our responsibilities in life. We can have faith that could give us strength in a fiery furnace or a lion’s den.

We have not because we ask not. We have not because we have not given ourselves wholly to the LORD!!! Daniel trusted the LORD in all that he did.

CHALLENGE: We should use our brain to be the best we can be for the LORD. HE will give us heavenly wisdom if we ask HIM. When was the last time you asked the LORD for heavenly wisdom or Godly wisdom?

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 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. (7760 “purposed” [suwm] means appoint, set up, consider, ordain, direct toward, or determine)

DEVOTION: Our inner life is more important than our outer life. We can fake people out with the way we act or talk. The LORD looks at the heart and there is no faking HIM out.

Daniel was a unique young man. It is thought that he was only a teenager when he was taken by Nebuchadnezzar. Even at a young age his parents had taught him the basics of his faith.

One of the basics was what he should eat and drink as a young man. He didn’t want disobey the LORD by the way he ate. He received favor with his captor. He proposed a test and he and his friends passed the test.

We have to know what habits we are supposed to have as we serve the LORD. We should stay true to those habits or characteristics. If our life is pleasing to the LORD, HE will take care of us in any situation.

CHALLENGE: Know what the LORD expects of you and purpose to do it with all your heart.

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: 12 Prove your servants, I beseech you, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. (5254 “prove” [nacah] means to venture, to put someone to the test, to give experience, to put to the test in order to ascertain the nature of something, including imperfections, faults, or other qualities)

DEVOTION: Here we find three of the children of Israel in captivity not eating what the rest of the captives are eating. They wanted to honor the LORD with their eating habits while others didn’t seem to care.

So we find that they challenged the eunuch to a test to prove that they could still look even better than those who were eating the king of Babylon’s portions that were dedicated to his false god.

We know that they did prove themselves with the help of the LORD. We will find times in our lives that we will have to act differently even from others who claim to be believers. It is a test and we need to honor the LORD with all of our habits.

CHALLENGE: While watching others who claim to be believers doing things that are not pleasing to the LORD do we wish we were doing them or are we willing to prove the LORD faithful by not doing things that are displeasing in HIS sight?

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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

House of God verse 2

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

Lord – Adonai (Owner, Master) verse 2

God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign, Plural name) verse 2, 9, 17

House of God verse 2

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Nebuchadnezzar – king of Babylon verse 1, 2, 5, 18, 19

Carried possessions of Judah to

land of Shinar to house of

his god

Appointed daily provision for captives

of Israel

Found that the four ten time better than

others

Ashpenaz = master of his eunuchs verse 3

Chaldeans verse 4

Prince of the eunuchs verse 7- 11, 18

Gave Daniel name Belteshazzar

Questioned Daniels diet

Melzar set over Jewish children verse 11- 16

Allowed Daniel and other to prove their

diet would work

Magicians verse 20

Astrologers verse 20

King Cyrus verse 21

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

False gods verse 2

Defile verse 8

Eating meat dedicated to false gods verse 8

Drinking wine verse 8

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Purpose in heart verse 8

Favor verse 9

Servant verse 12, 13

Knowledge verse 17

Skill in all learning and wisdom verse 17

Understanding verse 17, 20

Wisdom verse 20

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Jehoiakim – king of Judah verse 1, 2

Jerusalem verse 1

Children of Israel – kings seed verse 3, 4

No blemish

Well favoured

Skillful in wisdom

Cunning in knowledge

Understanding science

Ability to stand in king’s palace

Learn the tongue of the Chaldeans

Kings seed verse 3

Princes verse 3

No blemish verse 4

Well favored verse 4

Skillful in all wisdom verse 4

Cunning in knowledge verse 4

Understanding science verse 4

Stand in king’s palace verse 4

Teach the learning verse 4

Learning tongue of the Chaldeans verse 4

Children of Judah verse 6

Daniel = Belteshazzar verse 6- 11, 17, 19, 21

Purposed in his heart that he would

not defile himself with king’s

portion

God brought him into favor and tender love

with the prince of eunuchs

Had understanding in all wisdom and dreams

Continued even to the first year of King Cyrus

Hananiah = Shadrach verse 6, 7, 11, 17, 19

Mishael = Meshach verse 6, 7, 11, 17, 19

Azariah = Abednego verse 6, 7, 11, 17, 19

All four stood before king

Proved ten days verse 14, 15

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

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QUOTES regarding passage

1:8 Throughout their history, remaining true to the Mosaic law in matters concerning diet was a challenge for the Jews when in foreign lands (cf. Tob 1:10–12; 1 Macc 1:62–63), and now the four Hebrew youths were confronted with this dilemma. Yet “Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine.” His friends concurred in this decision as is evident from the following verses (cf. 1:11–16). Gāʾal (“defile”) occurs eleven times in the Old Testament (e.g., Mal 1:7, 12; Ezra 2:62; Neh 7:64; Isa 59:3) and refers to moral or ceremonial defilement. In this case Daniel would have been defiled on both counts.

At least two factors would have caused these religious Jews to be reluctant to eat the king’s food. First, many of the foods eaten at the Babylonian court (e.g., pork and horseflesh) would have been unclean according to the law of Moses (cf. Lev 11 and Deut 14), either inherently or because they were not prepared properly; for example, the blood might not have been drained from the meat (cf. Lev 17:13–14). To eat such foods would have been a sin for an Israelite and would have rendered the individual ceremonially unclean before God.

Second, the meat and wine would have been undesirable because a portion of it was (at least on occasions if not always) first offered sacrificially to the Babylonian gods before being sent to the king and was therefore associated with idolatrous worship. Although wine was not forbidden by the Jewish law, Daniel’s aversion to drinking it probably is to be explained by its use as a libation in these pagan rituals. Wood points out that partaking of this food would have been an indirect act of worshiping the Babylonian deities.

First-century Christians faced a similar dilemma (cf. 1 Cor 10:25–28). Thus Daniel’s refusal to eat the king’s food was based upon his deep religious convictions. He desired to remain true to his God.

Here obedience to Scripture’s divine commands may be observed. This is one reason God blessed Daniel with such great insight. He acted upon the spiritual light he had, and God honored his faithfulness by imparting more.

In order to avoid defilement, the young Jewish captive asked the chief official (Ashpenaz) if he might be served a substitute diet. In making his request, Daniel was polite and tactful. Believers today may disagree with official policies and even with each other, but they should follow Daniel’s example in disagreeing in an agreeable fashion.

At first glance this request seems simple enough, but a number of factors rendered this a courageous act. (1) To refuse the royal diet could have been taken as an insult to the king and as an act of direct disobedience to Nebuchadnezzar’s orders. (2) Pressure from Daniel’s peers most certainly made the decision difficult. Everyone else was doing it. By choosing this course of action, Daniel and his friends were setting themselves apart from the others. Now they were different, strange. (3) Such unorthodox behavior could have jeopardized their chances for advancement. (4) The quality of food would have been attractive. It was the best in the land. (5) Their new location may have tempted them to be unfaithful. Judah was nine hundred miles away; parents and friends would never know whether or not they kept God’s laws. Yet Daniel and his friends were aware of a very important fact. Other people might not know their actions, but God would know, and someday all will give an account of themselves to him. (6) It would have been natural to argue that since God had not protected them from captivity—this horrible situation—they did not have to be careful to obey his commands. They could have become bitter toward God during this time. Sometimes believers fall into this trap. All of these factors could have caused some people to compromise, but Daniel and his friends remained faithful to their God. (Miller, S. R. (1994). Daniel (Vol. 18, pp. 66–68). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

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Evidently Daniel himself was the leader and chief spokesman for the four young Hebrew believers. The record suggests that he was the first to make up his mind (wayyāśem ʿal-libbô, lit., “and he placed on his heart”; NIV, “but Daniel resolved”) to refuse the food from the king’s table and then to communicate his settled resolve to the other three. What he sought to avoid was being “defiled” (lōʾ-yiṯgāʾāl, lit., “that he might not defile himself”) by contact with unclean meats—or even clean meats that had become contaminated with heathen worship. Rather than break faith with God, Daniel was willing to risk expulsion from the Royal Academy with the disgrace and danger that entailed. His priorities were firm. (Archer, G. L., Jr. (1986). Daniel. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Daniel and the Minor Prophets (Vol. 7, pp. 35–36). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

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For 490 years they had not kept one sabbatic year. They doubtless thought they would do better by tilling the land annually, and that they would be richer as a result of taking their own way. God had told them that if they gave every seventh year to Him they would have abundance in the sixth year to last them until harvest in the eighth year; but they evidently did not believe Him, and they thought to better themselves by their own efforts. Thus, through covetousness—a sin that is eating like a canker among many of God’s professed people to-day—the word of the Lord was ignored and His commandment broken. For 490 years He seemed to be indifferent to this breach of obedience on their part; He appeared to wink at their sin. But He had taken account of it all; and when they, perhaps, thought His law had become as a dead letter, He sent Jeremiah to tell them that now they must go down to Babylon, as captives there for seventy years, while the land kept sabbath! They had cheated God out of seventy years, they thought; but He squared the account by giving them into the power of Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Chaldeans, who carried them away to the land of Shinar; and there they remained until the seventy years had expired, while the lost sabbaths were being made up. (Ironside, H. A. (1953). Lectures on Daniel the Prophet (2d ed., pp. 16–19). New York: Loizeaux Bros.)

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The test came. They were to eat of the king’s meat; and all that meat was dedicated to idols; making it abhorrent and defiling to a godly Jew. But as the king had given his orders, it might have seemed as though these Hebrews had no choice in the matter. Many, at least, would have argued in this way, and said there was no individual responsibility in such a case. Nebuchadnezzar’s authority was derived from God. They had only to obey, they might reason, as the Lord Himself had put them in his power. But not thus did Daniel or his young companions view it. They looked upon the king’s command as a trial of their faith. Would they keep themselves from the unclean in the land of the idolater? Would they be just as particular about being true to God as if they were in their own land; giving due honor to His Word, and seeking to glorify Him by subjection thereto, though captives in the country of the oppressor?

They stood the test in a most marked way, as did the apostles in a later day, who said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Daniel besought the master of the eunuchs that he would give them pulse—vegetable food—to eat. Fearing the result upon their physical constitutions, he objected, dreading to incur the king’s wrath. But the devoted young men pleaded that, at least, an opportunity be given to prove whether they would not thrive as well upon pulse as the rest of the company did upon the king’s meat. To this Melzar consented, and the test showed that at the end of ten days Daniel and his three friends were fatter and fairer than any who were fed with the regulation diet. Permission was accordingly given to continue the same fare; and thus they were able to maintain a position of separation from the unclean, even in the very home of idolatry.

Now all this might have seemed to many of the Jews a very trivial matter; and some who read the account in our day may also consider it all a mere quibble on the part of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. But it brings out a principle of great force and beauty that should appeal to every Christian heart and conscience. Mark you, the only way to go on with God is by being faithful in little things. He who honors the Lord by conscientious adherence to His Word in what some would call minor details is likely to be exercised about greater things. I have heard Christians refer to certain precepts in the Scriptures as non-essentials. But we may rest assured there are no non-essentials in our Bibles. “The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver tried in the fire, purified seven times.” When people talk of non-essentials in regard to anything concerning which God has revealed His mind, it is well to ask, “Essential or non-essential to what?” If it be a question of the soul’s salvation, undoubtedly the one great essential is faith in His blessed Son, whose finished work alone avails to put away sin and procure peace with God. But if it be a question of what is essential to the enjoyment of communion with God—essential to obtaining the Lord’s approval at the judgment-seat of Christ—then it is well to remember that in everything the believer is sanctified to the obedience of Christ. And it is here that we should seek to imitate Daniel, who had “purposed in his heart” that he would not defile himself. Paul and Barnabas besought the early Christians to “cleave to the Lord with purpose of heart.” It is only thus we will be kept from defilement. Anything that defiles the conscience at once breaks the link of communion with God, and hinders our advance in spiritual things. There can be no true progress if there be not care to preserve inviolate this inward monitor. “Holding the faith and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck,” is a solemn word worthy of being carefully pondered.^[1]

Now all this might have seemed to many of the Jews a very trivial matter; and some who read the account in our day may also consider it all a mere quibble on the part of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. But it brings out a principle of great force and beauty that should appeal to every Christian heart and conscience. Mark you, the only way to go on with God is by being faithful in little things. He who honors the Lord by conscientious adherence to His Word in what some would call minor details is likely to be exercised about greater things. I have heard Christians refer to certain precepts in the Scriptures as non-essentials. But we may rest assured there are no non-essentials in our Bibles. “The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver tried in the fire, purified seven times.” When people talk of non-essentials in regard to anything concerning which God has revealed His mind, it is well to ask, “Essential or non-essential to what?” If it be a question of the soul’s salvation, undoubtedly the one great essential is faith in His blessed Son, whose finished work alone avails to put away sin and procure peace with God. But if it be a question of what is essential to the enjoyment of communion with God—essential to obtaining the Lord’s approval at the judgment-seat of Christ—then it is well to remember that in everything the believer is sanctified to the obedience of Christ. And it is here that we should seek to imitate Daniel, who had “purposed in his heart” that he would not defile himself. Paul and Barnabas besought the early Christians to “cleave to the Lord with purpose of heart.” It is only thus we will be kept from defilement. Anything that defiles the conscience at once breaks the link of communion with God, and hinders our advance in spiritual things. There can be no true progress if there be not care to preserve violate this inward monitor. “Holding the faith and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck,” is a solemn word worthy of being carefully pondered. (Ironside, H. A. (1953). Lectures on Daniel the Prophet (2d ed., pp. 16–19). New York: Loizeaux Bros.)

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A discerning test (Dan. 1:8–16). How can God’s people resist the pressures that can “squeeze” them into conformity with the world? According to Romans 12:1–2, “conformers” are people whose lives are controlled by pressure from without, but “transformers” are people whose lives are controlled by power from within. Daniel and his three friends were transformers: instead of being changed, they did the changing! God used them to transform the minds of powerful rulers and to bring great glory to His name in a pagan land.

The first step in solving their problem and being transformers was giving themselves wholly to the Lord. Daniel’s heart—the totality of his being—belonged to the Lord, as did the hearts of his friends (Dan. 1:8; Rom. 12:1–2). “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23, nkjv). A heart that loves the Lord, trusts the Lord, and therefore obeys the Lord has no difficulty making the right choices and trusting God to take care of the consequences. It has well been said that faith is not believing in spite of evidence—that’s superstition—but obeying in spite of consequences. When they had to choose between God’s Word and the king’s food, they chose the Word of God (Ps. 119:103; Deut. 8:3).

The second step was to be gracious toward those in authority. The four men noticed that Ashpenaz was especially friendly and kind to them and recognized that this was the working of the Lord. (Joseph had a similar experience when he was in prison. See Gen. 39–40.) “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Prov. 16:7, nkjv). Instead of expecting a pagan Gentile officer to obey the Law of Moses and get himself in trouble with the king, Daniel and his friends took a wise approach and asked for a ten-day experiment.

Throughout Scripture you will find courageous people who had to defy authority in order to obey God, and in every case, they took the wise and gentle approach. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Rom. 12:18, niv).

Along with Daniel and his friends, you have the examples of the Hebrew midwives (Ex. 1), the apostles (Acts 4), and even Jesus Himself (1 Peter 2:13–25). All of them had to resist the law in order to obey the Lord, and God gave them success. They were courteous and didn’t try to get others into trouble. They had a meek and quiet spirit. They saw the challenge as an opportunity to prove God and glorify His name.

The four Jewish students didn’t threaten anybody, stage a protest, or try to burn down a building. They simply excelled in their studies, acted like gentlemen, and asked Melzar to test them for ten days by feeding them only water and vegetables. Christians have no right to ask others—especially the unsaved—to take risks that they won’t take themselves. Unconsciously directed by the Lord, Melzar was willing to accept their suggestion, and God did the rest. In the end, the four Jewish boys were healthier in body and better looking than all the other students. This is a vivid illustration of the promise in Matthew 6:33 and the principle laid down in Colossians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:12; and 1 Peter 3:15.

When it comes to solving the problems of life, we must ask God for the courage to face the problem humbly and honestly, the wisdom to understand it, the strength to do what He tells us to do, and the faith to trust Him to do the rest. Our motive must be the glory of God and not finding a way of escape. The important question isn’t, “How can I get out of this?” but, “What can I get out of this?” The Lord used this private test to prepare Daniel and his friends for the public tests they would face in years to come. The best thing about this experience wasn’t that they were delivered from compromise, as wonderful as that was, but that they were developed in character. No wonder God called Daniel “greatly beloved” (Dan. 9:23; 10:11, 19), for he was very much like His Beloved Son. (Wiersbe, W. W. (2000). Be resolute (pp. 15–17). Colorado Springs, CO: Victor.)

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1:8 Daniel made up his mind. The pagan food and drink was devoted to idols. To indulge was to be understood as honoring these deities. Daniel “made up his mind” not to engage in compromise by being untrue to God’s call of commitment (cf. Ex 34:14, 15). Also, foods that God’s law prohibited (Lv 11) were items that pagans consumed; to partake entailed direct compromise (cf. Da 1:12). Moses took this stand (Heb 11:24–26), as did the psalmist (Ps 119:115), and Jesus (Heb 7:26). Cf. 2Co 6:14–18; 2 Tim 2:20. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Da 1:8). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

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Ver. 8. But Daniel purposed in his heart, &c.] It being proposed to him to be brought up in the manner before described, he revolved it in his mind; he well weighed it, and considered it with himself, and came to a resolution about it. This is to be understood of him, not to the exclusion of his three companions, who were of the same mind with him, as appears by what follows; but perhaps it was first thought of by him; at least he first moved it to them, to which they consented; and because he was the principal in this affair, it is ascribed to him as his purpose and resolution: that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat; by eating of it; partly because it might consist of what was forbidden by the law of Moses, as the flesh of unclean creatures, particularly swine, and fat and blood, and so defile himself in a ceremonial sense; and partly because, though it might be food in itself lawful to be eaten, yet part of it being first offered to their idol Bel, as was usual, and the whole blessed in his name, it would have been against his conscience, and a defiling of that, to eat of things effered to, or blessed in the name of, an idol: nor with the wine which he drank; which was as unlawful as his food; being a libation to his gods, as Aben Ezra observes; otherwise wine was not forbidden; nor was it disused by Daniel, when he could partake of it in his own way, ch. 10:3. therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself; he did not, in a surly, stiff, and obstinate manner, refuse the meat and drink brought; but prudently made it a request, and modestly proposed it to the prince of the eunuchs, that had the care and charge of him and his companions; and who also joined with him in this humble suit, as appears by what follows. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 6, p. 273). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

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The meaning of all these names is very significant. Each of the four had been given by their parents a name honoring the true God, but the Babylonians wanted them to be identified with one of the false gods. Daniel (“God is my judge”) was assigned the name Belteshazzar, which meant “favored by Bel.” Hananiah (“Beloved of the Lord”) became Shadrach (“illumined by Rak,” the sun god). Mishael (“Who is as God?”) was called Meshach (“who is like Shak,” the Babylonian Venus), and Azariah (“The Lord is my help”) became Abednego (“servant of Nego,” the god of fire).HMM

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FROM MY READING:

2 Kings 1
The Lord sends Elijah to inform Ahaziah that he will die.
INSIGHT Ahab and Jezebel have become famous for their irreverence and disregard for the Law of the Lord. Yet Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, goes beyond them in his blatant disregard for the Lord. After an accident, he inquires of Baal-Zebub, the pagan god of Ekron, whether or not he will recover. Elijah informs the messengers that Ahaziah will die. No longer afraid, Elijah has been strengthened from his previous failure. We must always look at failure as an opportunity to grow. (Quiet Walk)

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REVIVAL OFTEN STARTS WITH ONE PERSON

And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation…which was without the camp.

Exodus 33:7

Here is profound teaching. This Tabernacle was a kind of tent that Moses set up in the middle of the congregation, in the middle of the camp of Israel, where he and others would pray, a “tent of meeting” where people might go together to meet with God. The tent of meeting—it is such a significant and such a wonderful term. The Nonconformist fathers generally referred to their places of worship as meeting houses, and it is a good old term. You see, it is a place not so much where people meet with one another, though that is included, but the essential meaning is this—the place where they meet with God.

It is important that we should understand that Moses was clearly led to take this peculiar action. He took this Tabernacle out of the center of the camp and put it outside, far off from the camp. This was an action taken by Moses himself. And I must pause with that, because you will always find as you read the history of these movements of the Spirit in the long story of the Christian church that generally the very first thing that happens, and which eventually leads to a great revival, is that one man, or a group of men, suddenly begin to feel this burden, and they feel the burden so much that they are led to do something about it.

Martin Luther, a very ordinary kind of monk, suddenly became aware of this burden. And it so burdened him that he was led to do something about it. Just one man, and through that one man, God sent that mighty movement to the church.
A Thought to Ponder: Generally one man suddenly begins to feel this burden, and he feels the burden so much that he is led to do something about it. (From Revival, pp. 162-163, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

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The Glory of the Children

“[The] glory of children are their fathers.” (Proverbs 17:6)
Most Christian men are aware of the familiar exhortation to bring up their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) and the warning “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged” (Colossians 3:21). Biblical messages to fathers frequently reflect the very real societal need for family discipline and godly leadership in the home (Proverbs 22:6, 15; Genesis 18:19).
Our text is a bit different. Although the message certainly implies godly leadership, the immediate focus is on the children. Children, we are told, receive “glory” from their fathers! How is this to come about?
Glory, in the biblical sense, centers on the value, the worthiness, or the reputation of the person or event so recognized. For instance, the Scripture teaches that the Lord Jesus “shall come in the glory of his Father” (Matthew 16:27; Mark 8:38; etc.), and that the reputation of God the Father was conferred on Christ Jesus: “For he received from God the Father honour and glory” (2 Peter 1:17).
So, fathers, please learn this critical principle. Your reputation is reflected onto your children. Your behavior in the workplace is assumed to be an indicator of your children’s potential. What you say or do in moments of unguarded or uncontrolled passion will pass on to your children—for good or ill. The common saying “like father, like son” is recognized across time and culture as an accurate measure of human existence.
The Lord insists that “the iniquity of the fathers” will be passed “upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:7). Would it not be far better that your children receive glory from your righteous life than shame (Psalm 89:45) from your iniquity? (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)

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Kasey writes about her father (Our son): Kasey’s quote “how are we ever going to find someone in our generation that does everything like our dad?” Yep big shoes to fill for their future husbands!!

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