Daniel 1:13, commentary and pictures

Daniel proposed a ten-day trial on simple pulse and water for himself, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, asking that their countenances afterward be looked upon and compared with those eating the king's rich food and wine, and that the steward then deal with them as seen fit. At the end of the ten days they appeared fairer, healthier and fatter in flesh than those on the king's dainties, vindicating their request for plain food. The test proves that what is eaten and drunk shapes bodily health and comeliness, keeping the organs sound and the body free from sickness, and that it shapes the mind, keeping thought clear, keen and vigorous while rich food, wine and stimulating indulgence clog and becloud the brain. It was a matter of vital principle rather than mere scruple, for to eat the unclean meats and idol-dedicated food would have surrendered truth, so they purposed to please God above royal favor and life, acting with prayer, courtesy and courage without defiance. God honored their obedience with favor, knowledge, wisdom and understanding that proved ten times better than the wise men of Babylon, and their course stands as a proved pattern for youth, students, families and workers in all ages to follow in temperance, purity and faithfulness.

Setting and Proposed Test

The proposal belongs to the captivity in Babylon, when Hebrew youths chosen to stand in the king's palace were appointed a daily allowance of the king's rich food and wine. That allowance included meats pronounced unclean by the law of Moses, and food and wine dedicated to idols whose use would be participation in heathen worship and a dishonor to God, while wine was feared as a snare that would weaken physical and mental powers and judgment. To accept it would have been regarded as a denial of faith exposing character to corrupting influences, and abstinence from the prescribed bill of fare was ordained that the Babylonians might learn that there is a King above the king of Babylon.

Daniel purposed not to defile himself, and with his companions courteously asked the officer in charge for simpler fare. God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs, which opened the way for the request. The officer in charge hesitated because he feared such rigid abstinence would spoil their personal appearance and bring himself into disfavor with the king. The refusal stood because pleasing God mattered more than royal favor or even life, as a firm choice to resist corrupting influences and preserve self-control.

Daniel then proposed a ten-day trial on pulse to eat and water to drink for himself, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. After the ten days their countenances were to be looked upon before the officer and compared with the countenances of the children eating the portion of the king's meat. The steward Melzar, keeper of their food or overseer, was then to deal with them as seen fit, judging by what was seen. Their willingness to be judged by the result showed resolve to avoid food and drink believed to defile, putting the question to a test of true temperance and its blessings.

At the expiration of the ten days Daniel and his companions were found far more healthy in appearance than those who ate the king's dainties, being fairer and fatter in flesh. Their countenances showed the simple diet without wine and rich meats suited them better, and those practicing temperance also showed greater physical activity. Their request was thus vindicated, and the simple pulse and water they first requested became thereafter their food, which they were allowed to continue during their training.

Bodily Health and Temperance

The ten-day trial proves that what is eaten and drunk governs the powers of the body as well as the mind. A careful, abstemious diet keeps the digestive organs sound, cares for the blood-making organs, keeps the human organism free from disturbance, and preserves health, strength, comeliness, physical activity and freedom from sickness. Eating merely to gratify taste impairs digestion and confuses the brain, while power from above works in harmony with right effort so that the ten days left Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah fairer and fatter in flesh than those eating the king's meat. Their obedience was followed by health, strength, comeliness and intellectual ability, Melzar took away the meat and wine and gave them pulse, and the proved sum remains for all who desire right relation to God to study and prove that health reform sustains strength and mental ability rather than causing loss.

The healthful course is plain, simple, nourishing food with water to drink instead of the king's luxuries, flesh meats, fermented wines, stimulating drink, tobacco and liquor. It requires temperance in eating, proper amounts at proper times, not loading the stomach, choosing a plain variety without many kinds at one meal, and refusing wine and meat and luxuries because difficult articles clog the mind and even healthful food must be restricted in quantity. Eating sparingly even of plain food is especially required when the brain is constantly taxed without physical exercise, and heavy mental work without exercise is harmful unless joined with proportionate exercise of body and mind. By keeping food under his own control and not surfeiting himself with overeating or with wine or flesh meats, man cooperates with God in keeping the stomach in healthful condition, maintaining a healthful current of blood in the veins, and keeping mind and body fit for hard, stern labor.

A meat diet and a great variety of food give no advantage, and all human testimony for meat eating should have no weight in light of this test. The ten-day examination proved the advantage of an abstemious diet and strict abstinence from fermented wines over the rich food and wines of the king's table, and the countenances at the examination decided in favor of the abstemious diet as showing no disadvantage. As God fed Israel with bread from heaven instead of flesh to keep them healthy physically, mentally and morally, so the test teaches refusal of a flesh diet for good.

The countenance is a visible certificate of physical soundness and moral purity from correct, temperate habits. The faithful youths kept the clear sparkle of the eye and the ruddy healthful glow, brighter and healthier than feasting at the king's table could give, with a clean conscience and cheerful service. Those eating the king's luxuries and drinking his wine lost that sparkle and glow and looked pale and weak. Faithfulness even in little things thus made a distinction in every way in physical appearance, leaving Daniel and his companions far ahead and permitting them to continue their chosen diet.

Mind and Moral Power

What is eaten and drunk reaches directly into the mental nature, and the ten-day trial on pulse to eat and water to drink was proposed to Melzar so that countenances after abstinence from the king's meat and wine could be compared with those of the children eating the portion of the king's meat, with further dealing to follow as seen. The proposal carried out a purposed refusal to defile the body with royal food and wine and a determination to banish everything defiling from the diet, undertaken by Daniel with Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah as students educated to strict temperance for present and future good. Careful diet kept the digestive organs sound and the mind clear, keen, composed and vigorous for education, while eating merely to gratify taste impaired digestion and confused the brain. Their intelligence depended on what they ate and drank, and by refusing wine and rich, high, luxurious foods they stayed in the course they had laid out to stand high in clear intellect and in clear presentation of matters bringing a knowledge of God and the truth before the king and their associates. Simple fare left them free from the oppression caused by luxurious food, better prepared for study and for taxing physical and mental labor, free from sickness, and able to think and work vigorously with strength of thought, memory, intellect and sound judgment. Rich, excessive and improper food, wine and stimulating narcotics clog, confuse, becloud and oppress the brain and weaken the ability to learn, whereas a power from above works in harmony with temperate effort. At the end of the ten days they appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than those eating the king's meat, Melzar took away the meat and wine and gave them pulse, they kept the privilege of following their own course, and their education became better than that of all the magicians, astrologers and wise men in the realm. The result stands as a proved sum that those desiring right relation to God can study and prove for themselves, showing that health reform sustains rather than loses physical strength and mental ability.

Strict temperance preserved self-control, clear perceptions, calm nerves, unimpaired judgment and spiritual power to distinguish between right and wrong and between the sacred and the common. Refusal of the king's food and wine was a firm choice to resist corrupting influences, to eat and drink to God's glory with the fear of God before them, and to keep the mental machinery in condition to receive the education God had to give. Presenting themselves to God in prayer as needy and dependent placed them where God could help them discern right from wrong, and God honored their loyalty with strength, wisdom and understanding. Yielding to appetite would have weakened the sense of right, physical vigor, clear thinking and spiritual power, hindered reception of God's wisdom and grace, and could have led from one wrong step to another until connection with Heaven was lost. Their choice to remain faithful rather than compromise therefore protected body, mind and spiritual power, and their even tones and kind words showed supervision by a power above human power. Those truly sanctified elevate the moral standard wherever they are by preserving correct physical habits and presenting, like Daniel, an example of temperance and self-denial.

The trial offers countenances to be examined as proof of true temperance after standing firm amid great temptation, and it was recorded for youth of all succeeding ages to emulate as showing that what was done can be done again even under circumstances as unfavorable, with the same favor and blessing. It teaches strict temperance in the use of all God's bounties and total abstinence from every injurious or debasing indulgence in order to preserve the powers unimpaired for the service of God, since the danger lies not in scarcity but in abundance and constant temptation to excess. Appetite and passions are to be kept as servants under control and offered as a living sacrifice, with all faculties developed to glorify God, perfect Christian character, and stand in a heathen nation as fitting representatives of true religion. Right physical habits promote mental superiority, and intellectual power, physical strength and longevity depend upon immutable laws with no chance about it, for God will not interfere to preserve men from the consequences of violating nature's laws. Self-denial in eating and drinking honors God and benefits the ability to gain knowledge, care of the blood-making organs through careful diet preserves physical powers and strengthens the mind, and God blesses such temperance and resolve to honor Him with increased understanding and wisdom. Religious principle thus enables the young to resist temptation and remain faithful even at personal cost, and while parents are responsible for the stamp of character and training, position and usefulness depend to a great degree upon one's own course of action. Under divine training the faculties exerted to work out salvation while God works to will and to do become able to do the highest service, and to Daniel was given understanding in visions and dreams with knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom to his companions.

Plainness of diet joined with a life of prayer gives in great degree clearness of mind, firmness of purpose and strength of intellect in acquiring knowledge. Daniel's clear mind, firm purpose, ability to learn and strength to resist temptation are attributed in great measure to plain food and a life of prayer rather than to rich and luxurious food. Self-control in appetite joined with constant earnest seeking of God in prayer and clinging to Jesus gives power to prevail with God and wisdom to do daily duties and bear manifold responsibilities acceptably, keeping joy full and bringing holy angels and pure influences among workers rather than tainting the atmosphere. It calls for force of character rather than time-serving, for keen feeling and quick perception in labor for God, for temperance with no rich food on the table, and for eating sparingly even of plain food when the brain is constantly taxed without physical exercise. Subduing the passions by simple diet keeps the human organism free from disturbances and belongs to fighting for the kingdom as laborers together with God, and perfecting Christian character here is necessary in order not to be shut out of heaven but to enjoy eternal life.

Faithfulness and Divine Blessing

More than a scruple over food was at stake, for a vital principle of loyalty to God and light He had given was involved in refusing the king's meat and wine dedicated to idols as participation in heathen worship. To comply would have meant surrender of principle, compromise of truth and apostasy from God, dishonoring Him and exalting the king of Babylon and his images above Him as the living God. Pleasing God mattered more than royal favor or even life, with His will as supreme law, so the four youths determined to be true at any cost, leaving human judgment aside because God is the great Judge over all. They kept themselves from idols, refused enslavement to hereditary or cultivated habit, served the Lord with undivided heart, made no compromise with idolatry, and remained loyal to their faith and to the Creator. That fidelity in refusing the prescribed bill of fare was God's design to show that there is a King above the king of Babylon, and their connection with the great men of Babylon was ordained that these men might become acquainted with the religion of the Hebrews and know that God reigns over all kingdoms.

Daniel took the matter to God in earnest prayer and sought wisdom from the Lord before his decision was made, reasoning that appetite must be kept under control and trusting God to sustain them through the ten-day trial. He then acted with true courage and perfect Christian courtesy and wisdom toward elders and youth, quietly begging for the privilege of simple food without passion, defiance, contention, complaint, or excuse to please men. His courteous request was to compare after ten days his countenance and that of Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah with the countenances of the children eating the portion of the king's meat, and then to let Melzar, the steward and keeper of their food, deal with them as seen fit. In speaking so as to gain the confidence of those having power to control the matter, he left judgment to what would be seen, honored God by firm refusal to compromise principle, and showed that God could be trusted to sustain those who chose fidelity even at risk to themselves. Because of this course as witnesses for God in word and work that heaven could approve, they obtained favor with God and with men and their request was granted.

A power from above works in harmony with such effort, and God cooperated with their obedience and showed approval by bringing them into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs and with rulers. He blessed their efforts to honor Him by giving them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, clear minds, increased understanding, and to Daniel understanding in all visions and dreams. Their temperance preserved physical powers and strengthened minds for education, and after the ten days on pulse to eat and water to drink they were found fairer and fatter in flesh than those eating the king's meat, so Melzar took away the meat and wine and gave them pulse and they kept the privilege of following their own course. Examination proved them ten times better than all the magicians, astrologers and wise men in the realm, and those who make the most of their opportunities and place themselves in right relation with God will be rewarded even as Daniel was. Through their steadfastness the knowledge of the only true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, was spread throughout the empire of Babylon, accomplishing the very purpose for which He had permitted their captivity and placed them as representatives to carry His knowledge to a heathen nation, giving evidence of His supremacy and of the results of obedience.

Their early training in pure, sound principles, the truths of God's Word, and temperance in their Judean homes helped preserve them and prepared them to remain faithful to God in the king's court whatever the circumstances or consequences. Their trust in God did not replace effort, for success in the king's court required diligent study, deliberate labor, taxing of their powers, and full use of abilities and opportunities with willing hearts. They discerned through grace that their destiny depended on their own will and action, knowing that choices and actions mattered alongside God's grace. Their faithfulness was followed by their being exalted as faithful representatives of God's religion.

Daniel's offering of his countenance to be examined was faithfulness in a little thing entrusted to him, proof of living the truth by principles of temperance and not merely professing it. Such faithfulness in doing the little things gave complexion to his whole life, for whatever is worth doing is worth doing well, requiring faithfulness in the smallest duties as well as in work requiring the largest sacrifice. His example and influence helped his companions stand firm too, for had he pleased himself instead they too might have failed. That faithfulness in small things prepared him for greater responsibilities and tests even when sacrifice involved life and in the very face of death, as one true as steel to principle, full of reverence and zeal for God and full of purpose, industry and toil, putting whole dependence in God though as weak and helpless as any worker now. To all who follow his example, standing distinct from the world in manner of dealing and showing purity of character, honesty in dealings, and sanctification through truth received and obeyed as sons and daughters of God and members of the royal family, the Lord gives encouragement similar to that He gave Daniel.

Witness and Present Application

The course taken in proposing that countenances be examined after ten days was recorded to stand as a tried and proved pattern of integrity for youth of all succeeding ages to emulate. It shows what earnest, whole-souled young people may become when true to principle, holding fast to purity and God-fearing principles despite corrupting surroundings and even at personal cost. What was done then can be done again even under circumstances as unfavorable and corrupt, with the same favor and blessing of God received again. Religious principle can thus help the young resist temptation and remain faithful to God, and strict temperance benefits both body and mind and supports moral and intellectual attainment.

For students and schools the testing of the Hebrew youths teaches that religious interest must be first and the highest study, and that in proportion as hearts are drawn toward heavenly things words and actions testify of heavenly things. Self-denial in eating and drinking honors God and benefits the ability to gain knowledge, with care of the body’s blood-making organs through a careful diet. Success in obtaining an education is not a matter of chance or destiny but comes from God, who looks with pleasure upon purity of motive and determination of purpose to honor Him, joined with diligent persevering effort, willing hearts, ready minds, and disciplined use of abilities rather than selfish motives or amusements. Daniel is the pattern for those established in truth entering worldly colleges, living principle without pretension or open controversy, respecting rules, observing the Sabbath, letting a godly life provoke inquiry and then telling Bible doctrines simply under the Holy Spirit.

The experience is a lesson in health reform to be studied and proved, showing how eating habits can express separation from worldly practices and affect physical, mental, and moral well-being. After ten days on the chosen diet the Hebrews were found fairer in appearance and better in knowledge than the others being tested, proving their chosen diet wholesome and demonstrating the importance of strict adherence to right living. Those who resolutely follow God’s guidance in diet, including abstaining from flesh foods and from intoxicating drink and resisting perverted appetite, can receive strength, wisdom and sound judgment for bodily health and mental ability.

The call extends to every gospel minister to proclaim the thrilling truths appropriate for this time, to families to follow the example learned in the Judean home, to sanitariums and Seventh-day Adventist institutions to copy the pattern before the world as agencies for good, to canvassers to model temperance for effective service, and to all to be light-bearers gathering rays of light from heaven and shedding them on those around them. In the last days youth face tests just as severe over obedience, especially over the seventh-day Sabbath of the Bible against idolatry and a spurious man-made sabbath, requiring the same training, loving Christlike character, and firm loyalty to right principle under trial even if life must be sacrificed. Those bearing grave responsibilities to safeguard others must keep reason clear from tobacco and liquor, and through Christ’s grace hereditary and cultivated tendencies of appetite can be reformed with lasting impression and worldwide influence.

Seeking the power that comes from God alone leaves no vestige of pride or self-importance, but weighs the life with the Spirit of wisdom from above, leading to representation of the sacredness of the work and ever presenting before men and angels the holy perfume of the character of Christ. Self-control in appetite joined with constant earnest seeking of God in prayer, clinging to Jesus, presenting oneself to God as needy and dependent, and eating and drinking to God’s glory gives power to prevail with God and wisdom to do daily duties and bear manifold responsibilities acceptably. Meeting the test by humbling self before God, praying much in the family and alone, trusting Him, walking in simple faith and meekness, putting away self and self-interests, and overcoming hasty temper places the life where God can help distinguish right from wrong. Then holy angels and pure influences are brought among workers rather than tainting the atmosphere, angels minister and impress minds and open opportunities to make known the God of heaven, and those who cherish meekness and humility stand on vantage ground with Daniel and his companions, overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony and bearing the test of the judgment.