FAITH AND TEMPERANCE EXEMPLIFIED.
When God placed all the kingdoms of earth—excepting His own people of the kingdom of Judah—under the supervision of the king of Babylon, He recognized Nebuchadnezzar as His servant. Jer. 25:9. Therefore it is reasonable to suppose that, as far as the heathen mind could be influenced by the Spirit of God, heavenly suggestions were imparted to the man in whom was imposed so important a trust. By some means the king, with all his natural pride, realized the necessity of efficient help in conducting the affairs of so great a kingdom. “And the king spake 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; 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.” Dan. 1:3, 4. While this wise suggestion was no doubt inspired by the Lord, the king had his own ideas as to how the young students could best be promoted in their work. Their daily living would be an important item, and, as the king ate and drank what he deemed the best for mind and body, he thought to give his future advisers the same diet. “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.” Verse 5. “While Nebuchadnezzar believed that the cultivated and accomplished young princes of Judah would be of value in the political control of his vast realm, and especially in ruling his Jewish captives, he had no desire for their religion. The fact that he had succeeded in becoming the head of all nations would naturally convince him that his gods were superior to all others, and his religion practically superior to all religions. Therefore he would logically suppose that a strong point in maintaining the supremacy would be to impress his religion upon all peoples throughout the empire. Such a purpose is indicated by his changing the names of some of the young princes who had been selected for higher education as statesmen. Among the Jewish princes were four whose names were Daniel (“meaning ‘God is judge’”), Hananiah (“Jehovah has graciously given”), Mishael (“Who is what God is?”), and Azariah (“Jehovah helps”). So the names of these princes were changed, to better conform to the Babylonian religion. Daniel was named Belteshazzar (“Bel’s prince”); Hananiah was named Shadrach (“royal”); Mishael was changed to Meshach (“guest of the shah”); and Azariah was named Abednego (“servant of Nego,” or Nebo, a Chaldean god). But the change of names did not change the hearts or purpose of these faithful young princes. The temptations and allurements of their luxuriant surroundings did not turn them from the religion of their fathers. They proved to be noble exceptions to the general apostasy which had brought their nation into subjection to Babylon. So “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.” Verse 8. We come now to another instance of the ability of the Spirit of the Lord to influence a heathen heart: “God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” But, notwithstanding this love, the prince was afraid to ignore the king’s commandment. He had confidence in rich foods and stimulating wines as health-producing elements, and thought that abstinence from these would cause the young men to lose flesh, and show such a sickly appearance that inquiry would be made as to the cause. Then he would surely lose his head for disobedience of orders. But Daniel, having “purposed in his heart,” was not to be dismayed. So he approached the steward, one Melzar, whom the prince had given special charge over Daniel and his three companions, and said: “Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse [peas, beans, lentiles, or other vegetable food] to eat, and water to drink. 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 thou seest, deal with thy servants.” Verses 12, 13. Daniel was not afraid to make such a test; for the heathen used not only articles of food, but systems of cookery, which were forbidden by the law of Moses; and Daniel would not knowingly disobey God and defile himself, even at the risk of his life. But the steward consented to the test, and at the end of ten days the countenances of the four young men “appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.” Verse 15. Then the steward gave them their chosen food from that time to the end of their school course. The fidelity of these young Jews to their God in the midst of such baneful surroundings was not overlooked in heaven. “God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” Verse 17. At the end of their three years’ course they were examined by the king himself. “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.” Verse 20. So much for being “temperate in all things,” and faithful to the Word of God regardless of consequences. These examples “were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Whoever purposes in his heart not to defile himself before God, and takes the Word as his guide through life, will not fail of success, in this life, or in the world to come.