Daniel 1:17, commentary and pictures

God gave the four Hebrew captives, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, knowledge and skill in all Babylonian learning and wisdom while they were trained to stand in the king's palace, and to Daniel alone He gave in addition understanding in all visions and dreams. Their refusal to defile themselves with the king's meat and wine, choosing plain nourishing food, preserved clear minds, strong memory and sound bodies for study. God did not bless idleness but honored their reverent obedience, daily prayer, study of the Scriptures, diligent effort and cooperation with Him by quickening every intellectual faculty and enlarging their powers. Thus made ten times wiser than all the magicians and astrologers, they stood before the king as faithful lights to make known that God reigns over all kingdoms. The same blessing of wisdom, clear mind and moral power may be received today by youth and workers who wholly give themselves to God, honor Him in habit and study, and use all knowledge for His honor and human good.

Captive Youths in Babylon

The four children are Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, Hebrew captives taken to Babylon and selected to be educated in the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans that they might stand in the king's palace. A daily allowance from the king's table was appointed them while they were trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were brought before the king and examined. Their mental ability and acquirements were made evident in that examination, for God Himself gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and no students like them could be found in all the courts of Babylon. That gift enabled them to excel in learning and practical work and to stand before the king, proving better in knowledge than the other youths.

Daniel is named first because he was the leader of the four, bound together in fellowship, and he exerted a strong influence over the other three who looked to him. His firm stand for the right and refusal to please and indulge self kept his companions from failing. That faithfulness in little things gave completeness to his whole life and fitted him for larger responsibilities.

The first chapter in which this gift is recorded gives the Bible standpoint for rightly understanding temperance and provides the most comprehensive and forcible illustration of true temperance and its attendant blessings. It presents Daniel as a holy man who controlled appetite, standing as a bold representative of pure hygiene. The same chapter belongs to the instructive account of Daniel and his three companions as health reformers in Babylon, showing what true education is through steadfast principles developed in the young. It gives matter for a full hour of speaking to a large congregation with much still left unsaid, and its lesson is that in school the religious interest is to be the first and highest study, so that hearts drawn toward heavenly things testify of heavenly things in word and action.

God Gives Knowledge Skill

God Himself gave all four knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom as His own blessing and gift, and to Daniel in addition understanding in visions and dreams. It was not accident or mere human achievement, but the Lord as their educator rewarding those who placed themselves in right relation to Him, kept close to Him through prayer and study with conscientious humble minds, trusted Him and conformed to Him in soul, body and spirit, and became partakers of the divine nature. The gift followed their firmness, self-denial, diligence and obedience to God's laws in refusing the king's food and wine, and it was vindicated after a ten-day trial on pulse and water when they appeared healthier, and after three years of training when their mental ability and acquirements were evident on examination. Their education thus joined knowledge with practice and self-denial in appetite, honoring God and fitting their ability to seek knowledge, keeping mental powers sharp and clear.

Their learning embraced Chaldean and Babylonian learning in every branch, including secular, scientific and religious knowledge, philosophy, history, science and literary acquirements. They studied science without being corrupted because they yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit, remained well-balanced, gave God the glory for their abilities, and would not compromise with Babylonian religion but remained true amid temptation through reverence for God and refusal to defile themselves. Science and knowledge thus served as the handmaid of religion, sanctified and consecrated by divine cooperation, with purity of mind strengthening the intellect and sharpening every faculty so that students who hear and obey God's word can advance in every branch of learning. Heavenly wisdom in this way could surpass the knowledge taught in Babylon's highest schools, for God opens the understanding of those who bring His words into practical life and recognize the Bible as guide and instructor.

The gift made them ten times better in wisdom and understanding than all the magicians and astrologers in the realm when examined, so that none were found like them in all the courts of Babylon and they stood before the king. They were earnest and whole-souled, determined to be true to principle at any cost, faithful and firm in truth, reasoning that to fulfill God's purpose they must keep appetite under control, close the door to temptation, deny appetite and place themselves in right relation to God so the mind would be clear and keen to comprehend His instruction. Their self-denial in refusing the king's meat and wine and holding to pulse and water appeared in physical and mental vigor, and their temperance and firm choice to serve God were linked with the exceptional wisdom God gave, fulfilling that those who honor God He will honor. God permitted their captivity and gave this wisdom so that in Babylon, then the greatest kingdom in the world, they could carry to its king and nobles the knowledge of Him as the only true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and to young men today who do as they did He will manifest Himself in the same way, making them ten times better in understanding than worldly wise men.

Daniel's Prophetic Understanding

While all four received knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, to Daniel alone God gave in addition understanding in all visions and dreams, including wisdom, understanding and knowledge in mysteries. That special gift came as they connected themselves with God, learned from Christ, purposed to obey Him and remain true while captive in Babylon, and made use of their opportunities to study. His ability was from God to represent truth in righteousness and not himself, and to serve without pride or self-importance. As he remained faithful, refused compromise, and trusted unwaveringly, he received prophetic insight to understand divine mysteries concerning future ages.

That understanding was shown when Nebuchadnezzar had lost both his dream and its interpretation and threatened to kill all the wise men and astrologers unless they told him the dream and its meaning, which the wise men of Babylon could not do. After he and his companions Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah sought the Lord in prayer, an angel of God revealed and interpreted the forgotten dream to Daniel so that he could declare both the dream and its interpretation. Their sound judgment, clearer comprehension and intellectual strength had been strengthened by habits that kept their minds clear, by eating only food that would not becloud the mind, and by studying God's Word.

Through that prophetic power God taught him to understand the mysteries of future ages and to record history from his own time to the close of the world through figures and symbols, including events of the last days. His faithfulness and trust were accompanied by this power, and his refusal to compromise religious principle was followed by it.

He remained closely connected with the Source of all wisdom, kept his religious training equal with the advantages for becoming a wise and learned man, worked with his entrusted capital, and counted that God-given knowledge more precious than the gold of Ophir. Because he was connected with God and God is with those who fear Him, the secrets of the Most High were opened to him. His self-control in refusing the king's food and wine preserved the clear mind needed to receive and use the education God gave him, enabling him to serve successfully as a Christian statesman, prime minister and capable business man. Continual growth in religious wisdom and intelligence did not in any sense disqualify him or the youth for the faithful, intelligent discharge of the important duties assigned them in Babylon, but showed a business man could be guided by God rather than be merely shrewd and worldly while receiving heavenly inspiration as a prophet. He gained his trusted standing through self-denial, linking himself with God, seeking wisdom from God, putting every God-given ability into practical use rather than neglecting it or using it for self-glory, and proving himself through perseverance and faithfulness to principle rather than forcing his way.

Temperance Preserves Mental Clarity

The four purposed in heart not to defile themselves with the portion of the king's meat nor with his wine and luxuries, because the appointed food included meats pronounced unclean by the law of Moses. They asked the officer in charge for simpler fare, and when he hesitated for fear their abstinence would make them look worse and bring him into disfavor with the king, Daniel asked for a ten days' trial on pulse and water, which was granted. At the end of the ten days they appeared far more healthy than those who ate the king's dainties, so pulse and water became thereafter their food, and their refusal was vindicated when God gave them knowledge and skill in learning and wisdom and gave Daniel understanding of visions and dreams.

Their strict temperance meant conscientiously refusing the stimulus of flesh meat and wine, with wine and stimulating drink, liquor and tobacco, rich and luxurious food and overeating all put aside to avoid enfeebling brain or muscle. In place of the luxuries of the king's table they chose an abstemious diet of plain, nourishing, simple and wisely chosen food eaten sparingly. That course kept stomach, blood, mind and body in healthful condition for hard work, kept the body free from sickness and the mind free from the dullness caused by luxurious food, and kept them untainted by moral corruption and in harmony with the laws of nature which are the laws of God.

They reasoned that to fulfill God's purpose they must keep appetite under control so the mind would be clear and keen to comprehend God's instruction, and by closing the door to temptation and denying appetite they placed themselves in right relation to God for learning and for presenting knowledge of God and the truth. Their firm temperance in eating and drinking preserved physical strength for mental usefulness and service, giving clear thought, strong memory, sound judgment, vigor for study and endurance for taxing labor. With it came strength and comeliness, calm nerves, erect form, undimmed senses and keen perception, while yielding to appetite would have clouded the mind, confused the brain, and prevented receiving God's education.

God showed His approval by honoring their steadfast adherence to principle in all habits of life, blessing them with sound bodies and pure morals, clear minds and physical soundness visible in vigor and countenance, and with increased capability and physical, mental, and moral excellence. That fulfillment proved that those who honor God He will honor and that God always honors the right, making them after three years when brought before Nebuchadnezzar for examination ten times better in wisdom and understanding than all the magicians and astrologers in his realm, so that none were like them and Daniel became wiser than the king's court astrologers and magicians.

Reverence Prayer Study Cooperation

The knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, with understanding in all visions and dreams for Daniel, came because the four kept the fear and love of God ever before them, so that His instruction developed moral and spiritual life and not mental ability alone. They placed the will on the Lord's side and chose to obey God rather than men, refusing to let anything interfere with religious principle or to bow to mandates dishonoring God, and God imparted the wisdom they needed to remain faithful. That right position on the Lord's side was taken in wicked Babylon under most trying temptation, and it quickened the moral senses for healthy development of the body and holy activity of the soul.

They consecrated themselves daily to Him and sought Him in prayer three times a day in faith, and God heard and answered. They kept close to God with conscientious, humble minds, keeping in touch with Him by prayer and study and walking with God as Enoch did, with golden links of heaven joining the finite with the infinite, and they were made partakers of the divine nature. They made God's Word their highest instructor and their meat and drink, studying the Old Testament Scriptures they had and conforming habits, appetites, words and actions to its instruction. Daniel searched that portion with a contrite heart and pleaded for the Holy Spirit to give understanding, while all faithfully improved every opportunity to become intelligent in all lines of learning, and they learned from Christ the great Teacher with the Lord as their educator. Their God-given knowledge was more precious to Daniel than the gold of Ophir, and the secrets of the Most High were opened to him because God is with those who fear Him.

They cooperated with God and God cooperated with them in mutual work, joining His teaching with their own effort and exerting all their powers. They traded on entrusted talents and worked with entrusted capital in the use of every power given them so as not to be second in anything, putting religious training on an equal with advantages for becoming wise and learned. Their education was all-sided and pursued to honor God and represent true religion, seeking clear intellect and Christian character and practicing temperance so their faculties could serve Him fully. That continual growth in religious wisdom and intelligence did not disqualify them for faithful, intelligent discharge of the important duties assigned them in Babylon, but enabled them to excel in learning and practical work.

Holy obedience enlarged natural powers, purity of mind strengthened the mind, and every intellectual faculty was quickened through connection with God as the source of wisdom and power, so that hearers and doers of His Word can advance in every branch of learning. Association with the Lord through revealed truth and sanctification by the Holy Spirit enlarges the mind, fastens it on sacred things, and sets it to receive, comprehend and work out truth in heart, soul and character. Being pure-minded makes a person strong-minded and sharpens every faculty, while receiving the Bible as food for the soul purifies and strengthens the intellect. Feeding thus, they advanced as Daniel did, joining wisdom to courtesy, kindness, integrity and Christlike character, whereas absorbing amusements prove the soul is not eating and drinking the words of eternal life and weaken character, lessen mental vigor and retard advancement in the sciences.

Diligence Joins Divine Blessing

The gift of knowledge and skill did not take the place of effort, for the four youths studied diligently, used their abilities strenuously, and made the most of their opportunities through close study and labor. Through grace their destiny depended on their own will and action, as they faithfully carried out their work while depending on God for grace and strength, with His grace working in them but not replacing their willing and doing. They applied themselves closely under God's training because they feared Him and kept a living connection with the God of all wisdom, and He rewarded that course by giving knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, with added understanding of visions and dreams to Daniel. That acquired knowledge enabled them to give a reason for the hope in them, to stand examination in secular knowledge, and to be served in strait places, for God gives heavenly wisdom when human agents exercise their faculties to become deep-thinking acquirers of knowledge, while He will not supply deficiencies that come from mental and spiritual indolence; and their purity of motive and determination to honor God were pleasing to Him.

After the period of study under tutors they did not devote further years to one line of book-knowledge but entered the line of work for which they had studied. Daniel put into practical use the theories he had gained, showing that education is to lead into useful work with learning applied rather than prolonged as book study alone. God was represented in every phase of that education, and students are to seek His wisdom and guidance in their decisions, seeking heavenly direction with humility and making no move without having received His guidance and counsel.

They recognized and improved their defects under God's instruction, cultivated every faculty, and grew progressively in grace, knowledge, understanding and discernment, thereby gaining multiplied ability and fitness for usefulness and duty. The knowledge God gives sanctifies its receiver and enables reflection of His light and grace to the world, and standing where Daniel stood brings progressive education, which means progressive sanctification. Such education prepares for inheriting the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world for the faithful, for as people strive to obtain a knowledge of God He will commune with them as He communed with Daniel and his companions and will give prevailing power. Daniel sought wisdom from God and developed it by putting every God-given ability into use rather than neglecting it or using it for self-glory, and through that faithfulness he became a trusted man in Babylon. Knowledge used in God's service is a power for good, and using every faculty to represent His kingdom remains essential for service.

Witness in Heathen Court

God permitted the captivity and placed Daniel and his three companions among the great men of Babylon, then the greatest kingdom in the world, so that in the royal court they could carry to its king and nobles the knowledge of Him as the only true God, the Creator of heaven and earth. The knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom given to all four, with understanding in visions and dreams given to Daniel in addition, enabled them as consecrated servants filled with the Holy Spirit and supplied with grace to represent God and make His majesty known to a heathen kingdom. God gave the gift to those who made the most of their opportunities and placed themselves in right relation to Him, so that when examined by Nebuchadnezzar they were found ten times better in wisdom and understanding than all the magicians and astrologers in the realm. He placed them there so those rulers would become acquainted with the religion of the Hebrews and learn that God reigns over all kingdoms, that there is a King above the king of Babylon, and that He is a living God and not an image. Their simple diet helped keep body free from sickness and mind free from dullness caused by luxurious food, giving clear thought, strong memory, vigor for study and endurance for taxing labor so they could gain knowledge, and their abilities and loyalty served God's purpose of making knowledge of the God of Israel known among the nations and witnessing to His supremacy, the holiness of His requirements, and the results of obedience.

Amid idolatry, corruption, and severe temptation surrounding them in a wicked city, they held fast to the instruction received at home, kept their religion and true worship, refused idols and what would hinder character, and remained faithful to Jehovah without compromise under every circumstance and consequence. Their godliness and steadfastness did not depend on or come through favorable circumstances but through God's power, and their firm refusal to compromise and faithfulness in worship even under threat were honored by Him with wisdom, understanding, and influence. They chose wisdom that would honor God, understood their captivity as serving His purpose and their conduct as a call to represent Him unselfishly, and remained cheerful and faithful in their work rather than complaining. God put a hedge about them and upheld them with heavenly cooperation, strengthened them to resist temptation and entrusted them with work suited to their abilities, so that their steadfastness made His power known and they shone as lights in moral darkness.

Their honor from God came through faithfulness in little things, small duties, and home training in the Lord, which prepared them to stand the test when taken captive, made right impressions on their minds, and fitted them to see the necessity of faithfulness in larger responsibilities and for positions of great trust. Daniel is named first because he was their leader whose strong influence and firm stand for the right kept his companions from failing, and God cooperated with him and gave completeness to his whole life. Because they bound themselves to the throne of God by truth and would not turn aside from integrity, valuing the favor of God above the favor and praise of princes and determining to honor God above every human power, God loved them, spread His shield over them, and signally honored them before men as Lord over all heaven and earth. Even in the court of the king they were not ashamed to display their true colors, confessing faith in the Lord God of heaven in words, habits, and practices and refusing to bow to any earthly mandate that detracted from His honor, with strength from heaven to confess allegiance to Him. Firm adherence to what is right and refusal to follow sinful influences, indulgence, and unprofitable amusements bring God's favor, leave the mind clear for learning, and build moral strength to withstand temptation, and tested in Babylon Daniel stood firm to principle and became a pattern of integrity, diligence, and self-denial worthy of imitation, calling the youth of today to serve the Lord, conquer unlawful appetites and passions, purify the soul by belief of the truth, be true to principle in small things so they will not hesitate when the larger test of sacrifice is presented, openly confessing faith by choice words, consistent action, propriety and earnest piety, letting Christ occupy the throne of the heart and laying every talent without reserve at His feet for His service.

Example for Youth Today

Daniel's history is an inspired illustration of sanctified character with a lesson for all and especially for the young, showing what God will do for those who give themselves wholly to Him and what a person may become when united with the God of wisdom. His life encourages those who face trial and temptation to remain loyal and resist surrounding allurements, for God rewarded such steadfastness with rich blessings including wisdom and understanding. His self-denying life presents what God's grace can make of persons fallen and corrupted by sin, encouraging others to resist temptation and stand for the right even under severe trial and at great sacrifice through triumph of principle over appetite and lusts of the flesh. Strict compliance with God's requirements benefits health of body and mind, and reaching the highest standard of moral and intellectual attainment requires seeking wisdom and strength from God and observing strict temperance in all habits of life. He was a youth of firm principle whom God could use to carry out His purposes, and God wrought for him, for his knowledge, skill, wisdom and usefulness were not accident but came as God gives opportunities and success depends on the use made of them through industrious habits, force of character, purity of motive, simple trust, consulting duty rather than inclination, and quickly discerning and eagerly seizing the openings of Providence. Young men are to gain the same solidity of character to be fitted for usefulness in the earnest work of this age, for they may have come to the kingdom for such a time as this, and the integrity and wisdom of Daniel are gained by studying the Scriptures, with the Bible as the first textbook in home and school which parents are to use to educate children to serve God and do good, so that as they improve opportunities and grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ they can represent Christ to the world through His power and grace.

God gave the four young men knowledge and skill in learning and wisdom, and gave Daniel understanding in visions and dreams, and their mental ability and acquirements were evident when tested after three years of training. Their self-denial, diligence, and obedience to God's laws were a wise course honored by God, teaching students that self-denial in appetite honors God and benefits ability to seek knowledge. They were earnest and whole-souled, determined to be true to principle at any cost, reasoning that to fulfill God's purpose they must keep appetite under control so the mind would be clear and keen to comprehend His instruction. Because they closed the door to temptation, denied appetite, and placed themselves in right relation to God, God blessed their effort with this gift, and to young men today who do as they did the Lord will manifest Himself in the same way, making them ten times better in understanding than worldly wise men. Their history teaches that God increases the abilities of those who faithfully do the work assigned to them and seek Him as the source of knowledge, and He likewise gives young people understanding when they turn from indolence and receive His help. He gives the same wisdom and knowledge to faithful workers who have had little opportunity for formal schooling, rewarding their industry, thirst for knowledge, and service, and their understanding is quickened as they follow Jesus and work in His service. Young people and students today who follow the same course of honoring God, surrendering the will, doing their best, valuing opportunity and living by faith may receive the same wisdom, knowledge, retentive memory, clear mind and moral power to stand unmoved.

Teachers and students are shown the pattern of the purest and most complete education under the supervision of heaven, for in wicked Babylon under most trying temptations the four placed themselves in right position on the Lord's side, consecrating themselves daily to Him and seeking Him in prayer three times a day in faith which God heard. They cooperated with God and God cooperated with them in mutual work, studying the Word in the Old Testament Scriptures and conforming habits, appetites, words and actions to its instruction, bringing themselves under discipline so physical and spiritual health would not be weakened by wrong habits, refusing all idolatrous practice and keeping senses sharp so amid association with idolaters and religious corruption they could distinguish between right and wrong. Their qualification is the pattern for becoming wise unto salvation with a knowledge of the science of the gospel that qualifies to work for God, and God advances humble, faithful, praying people devoted to medical missionary work wholeheartedly as He advanced Daniel and his companions. Daniel's God-given ability is the model for the young physician and medical student, for through divine grace and power a physician can become highly capable in his calling and as efficient as Daniel was in his high position. Scientific preparation and training alone are not enough, for reliance on Jesus for wisdom and religious principles are foundational to successful practice, and one closely connected with Christ the great Physician can work with wisdom and precision and access to heavenly resources beyond what godless human knowledge can provide, attaining greater excellence and handling difficult cases.

Daniel is the pattern for established, rooted believers who enter worldly institutions of learning as students, for like him they do not go to gain theological enlightenment, to sacrifice principle, or to enter open controversy, but having the truth wrought into their being by the Spirit they live it out. Established, rooted and grounded and connected with God, led and taught by Him, they keep principle without sacrifice, keep the living principles of the truth including the Sabbath, respect all rules and regulations of the school, and study each situation to see the best prudent, wise way to represent the truth so the light shines forth. Their godly lives work as leaven and accomplish more by the power of God manifested in them than by words, for power is in the life lived more than in words spoken, living out what they believe until principles become known and inquiry is aroused. Then when inquirers ask they tell the Bible doctrines in simple language and drop seeds of truth in minds and hearts that under the Holy Spirit will spring up to bear fruit for the glory of God in the saving of souls and flashing light into many minds. Only such Spirit-filled ones should go, for they do not go to become enlightened on theological subjects since the teachers themselves need to become Bible students, and those with no connection with God who place themselves in these schools will instead of correcting error and diffusing light themselves be led astray, whereas like Daniel and like Paul faithful students act faithfully and let their lives bear witness to their beliefs.

God gave Daniel and his three fellows knowledge, protection and public honor because they bound themselves to the throne of God by truth and would not turn aside from integrity, valuing the favor of God above the favor and praise of princes and determining to honor God above every human power. God loved them, spread His shield over them, and signally honored them before men as Lord over all heaven and earth, even in the court of the king where they were not ashamed to display their true colors, confessing faith in the Lord God of heaven in words, habits and practices and refusing to bow to any earthly mandate that detracted from the honor of God, with strength from heaven to confess allegiance to Him. Their experience calls youth to follow the same course, never ashamed of faith but openly confessing it by choice words, consistent action, propriety and earnest piety, letting Christ occupy the throne of the heart and laying every talent without reserve at His feet for His service. Daniel recognized God as the source of his wisdom and faithfully gave God honor before kings, princes and statesmen throughout his life, and doing so did not lessen his influence. He honored the gift by refusing to take credit to himself, openly acknowledging dependence on the Lord before worldly men and brethren and putting out of his life everything that would grieve God's Spirit, faithfully acknowledging God as its source rather than taking credit for himself. He used every faculty to represent God's kingdom and cultivated every faculty by trading on the talents the Lord had given him according to holy principles, improving every opportunity to add to his acquirements, and this faithful use gave him multiplied ability, showing that growth in knowledge, understanding and discernment is essential and that knowledge used in God's service is a power for good, availing nothing unless used for God's honor, human good and eternal purposes.