Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
God himself brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs, the heathen chief officer in charge of the young captives and their food, so that peace with God was accompanied by peace with one who did not know God. This was at the beginning of the seventy years' captivity in Babylon, when Daniel, about fifteen or sixteen, was among the children carried captive and with his three companions was selected to be educated in the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans to stand in the king's palace, placed there by Infinite Wisdom in a perilous and corrupt court. God gave the favor in answer to Daniel's purpose in his heart not to defile himself with the portion of the king's meat nor with the wine and his courteous, respectful request to be excused, honoring his steadfast loyalty to right at any cost. The favor opened the way for the ten-day proving with pulse to eat and water to drink, after which their countenances appeared fairer and healthier than those eating the king's dainties, and God blessed them with knowledge, wisdom and understanding for useful service. The history stands as the Bible's most comprehensive and forcible illustration of true temperance and its blessings, showing through strict temperance that there was a King above Babylon's king and carrying the knowledge of the true God to heathen great men.
Words and Historical Setting
God himself brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs, the chief official and heathen officer in charge of the young captives and their food, giving him favor and goodwill and tender regard and kindness so his request about refusing the king's food and drink would be heard with respect. Daniel's peace with God was thus accompanied by peace with one who did not know God, and the kind relationship helped the simple-diet request be granted despite the official's fear of the king.
The favor was given at the beginning of the seventy years' captivity in Babylon, when Daniel was among the children of Israel carried captive and, with his companions, was selected to be educated in the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans that they might stand in the king's palace. Daniel and his companions did not come into that place and into companionship with those who neither knew nor feared God by their own pride or ambition, but as captives in a strange land Infinite Wisdom placed them there on duty in the king's court. That court was perilous and dangerous and corrupt, filled with temptation, yet God's providence gave Daniel favor there and could support the faithful and reveal His power through them, since godliness came from inward principles and not from favorable circumstances.
Daniel was about fifteen or sixteen, one of four Hebrew youths with his three companions, living among the king's people and food and holding to commitment in unfavorable surroundings. Habits in their Judean homes had been temperate, while the king's table required wine and luxuries they had not had, and their healthful blood and healthy appearance with no trace of weakness showed the fruit of that school of temperance and self-denial. The officer in charge hesitated to grant a simpler fare because he feared his lord the king who had appointed the meat and drink, fearing rigid abstinence would make the youths look unhealthy and worse liking than the other children, bring himself into disfavor with the king, and endanger his head. He also believed a simple diet would weaken them, and his fear of the king's displeasure stood against the request for simple fare instead of the king's meat and wine.
The food at issue was the daily allowance from the king's table, including meats pronounced unclean by the law of Moses and food and wine dedicated to idols, with wine able to become an enticing habit. Daniel understood its effect and believed partaking would defile them, dishonor God, cloud the brain, weaken judgment and fitness for God's work, compromise faith, and corrupt character, so he chose obedience to God over royal approval with a firm and deliberate resolve. The first chapter of Daniel is full of valuable instruction and shows consistency, telling how Daniel and his companions endured when tested and leading on to God making known to Daniel the king's dream and its meaning so he could declare it. Daniel's plain diet, prayer, cooperation with God, and close connection with God stand as an example of sound judgment and care for body and mind, of clear mind and firm purpose and strength in learning, and of temperance and pursuit of knowledge and character to honor God, without further detail on the prince's favor itself in that connection.
Why God Gave Favor
God gave the favor in answer to Daniel's purpose in his heart not to defile himself with the portion of the king's meat nor with the wine, and his request to be excused from defiling himself, and this illustrates resistance to corrupting influences. A power from above worked in harmony with that determination to banish everything defiling from diet, and the favor opened the way to ask for a ten-day proving with pulse to eat and water to drink with countenances compared afterward. The request was granted so he and his companions were allowed to eat and drink as conscience told them they should, and the ten days' trial proved the result in health and fairness of countenance not possessed by those eating the king's table. Believers today are to overcome intemperance the same way, being steadfast for the right because it is right, placing themselves in right relation with Him and making the most of opportunities.
God honored and rewarded steadfast loyalty, allegiance to God, and standing for the right without swerving from principle when tempted, at any cost and even at risk of life. He honored Daniel for refusing evil amid temptation and honoring God in daily life in prosperity and adversity, dedicating himself without reserve with earnest prayer and refusing the king's meat and wine. Those who remain faithful amid temptation receive His approval and needed help and strength, with faithfulness bringing temporal as well as spiritual blessing, wisdom, knowledge, understanding and a clear mind. Daniel was true as steel to principle, uncorrupted by selfishness, and would honor God at the loss of all things, never compromising with idolaters as God's representative and worshiper of the living God.
The favor was gained by courteous, kind, respectful, meek and modest conduct, asking to be excused as a great favor and not in a defiant spirit. Without passion or defiance, with true courage and Christian courtesy, the case was presented after depending on God and taking the matter to Him in earnest prayer for wisdom, which helped the request be received with respect. Courteous conduct won the favor of the officer responsible for the Hebrew youths and the goodwill of those around him even in an idolatrous court, enabling the request to avoid the king's food and wine despite fear of the king's displeasure and belief a simple diet would weaken them. Allegiance to God joined with self-control, dignity, integrity and courteous respect won the tender affection of the heathen officer who supervised him in youth.
Daniel and his companions gained the favor through good behavior, self-denial and temperance in all things while trusting God to guide their choices. They rested their case in the hands of God, prayed to Him and trusted Him for the course to pursue, and God cooperated with them and cared for them as they sought to honor true worship. Because of this the Lord took charge of them to reveal the infinite superiority of the worship of the true God even in licentious Babylon.
The favor came because Daniel had been well trained at home, with early godly training that acquainted him with God and preserved all four in test and trial. That training stored the mind with pure principles, sound honest principles and precious truths, engraved truth upon the tablets of the soul and filled memory with the Word, forming truthfulness, integrity and steadfastness that held fast while instructed in Babylon and remained faithful to Jehovah under every circumstance. Wherever they were their words and actions sweetened the atmosphere, for Daniel had a loveable character, and God was able to make right impressions on their minds. Their healthful blood and healthy appearance with no trace of weakness showed the fruit of that school of temperance and self-denial passed through in temperate Judean homes, in contrast to wine and luxuries of the king's table they had not had.
Daniel first took charge of himself and cooperated with God by making God's will the supreme law of life, depending on God in earnest prayer for wisdom and constantly and earnestly seeking God and clinging to Jesus. He practiced strict temperance in all things to avoid enfeebling brain or muscle, refusing luxuries of the king's table and wine and every stimulating drink to preserve health, keeping himself from idols, exercising self-control, so all faculties might do highest service for God with clear intellect. Heavenly intelligences cooperated with such humble faith, and with religious principle at stake dependence on God joined with courage and courtesy brought favor with God and with men for a simple diet instead of luxuries. Self-control preserved ability to receive education and understanding needed for service, and though standing next to the king in the highest position he was a man of prayer with power to prevail and a missionary gathering holy influences around his work.
God read Daniel's heart with pleasure upon his purity of motive and determination to honor the Lord. He did not walk in sparks of his own kindling but made the Lord his wisdom, made divine philosophy the foundation of education, welcomed divine counsel and submitted to divine discipline, and so God brought him into favour. He was a youth of firm principle whom God could use for His purposes, an example of solid character fitted for usefulness.
God in wise purpose permitted the captivity to wicked Babylon and deliberately placed Daniel in favor with Babylon's leaders to connect him and his companions with great men so they might know the Hebrews' religion and that God reigns over all kingdoms. He Himself brought Daniel into the king's court and into favor there, not by their pride or ambition but as captives in a strange land placed there by Infinite Wisdom, taken captive so they could bring other nations the blessings of knowing God. In that favored position God worked together with them, sustaining knowledge of God and interest in Bible religion amid idolatrous literature and practices and giving success to faithful service so Babylon could see their God as a living God and not an image. That compassion demanded unselfish service as God's representatives, keeping religion and true worship in a foreign land without complaint, cheerful and faithful in business and choosing wisdom that vindicates God, enabled by grace to remain faithful and resist temptation even in a dangerous corrupt setting from inward principles not favorable circumstances.
Daniel behaved himself, kept the fear of the Lord before him, lived so companions saw nothing to lead them astray, and carried the fragrance of a Christlike disposition, so those who had charge over him loved him. He walked humbly with simplicity of faith with the kingdom of God within him, and God set a hedge around him so surrounding temptations would not corrupt him, with heavenly intelligences cooperating. Anyone with a bad disposition can gain the same help by seeking to make the disposition good and obtain victory over self, for God will help, and if Christ rules in the heart men gain strength of principle to stand as faithful sentinels and reformers in thorough cooperation with Him.
Allegiance to God, self-control, dignity, integrity and courteous respect were the means of winning the officer's affection, and faithfulness brought temporal as well as spiritual blessing. Steadfastness without compromise gave God opportunity to honor him with wisdom, understanding and influence, and refusal to compromise principles was accompanied by wisdom and influence from God. His place of favor followed linking himself with God and proving true through trial in faithfulness and self-denial, not by ambition, self-promotion or forcing advancement, but through self-denial, good work and steadfastness under trial.
Daniel obtained favor with God and men because with religious principle at stake they depended on God and then with true courage and Christian courtesy presented their case. His self-control in guarding appetite and passions enabled him to offer his body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, and his refusal of what would hinder character and divine life was met with wisdom and influence. Steadfast refusal to follow evil brought rich blessings including favor from the prince, and God's approval of faithfulness is shown in the favorable outcome of the request after resolve to deny self, follow convictions about food, and trust in Him.
What the Favor Accomplished
The favor opened the way for Daniel to approach Melzar and the officer in charge and ask for a ten-day proving with pulse to eat and water to drink, with countenances to be compared afterward with those eating the king's meat. The officer had hesitated because he feared rigid abstinence would make them look unhealthy and bring himself into disfavor and danger, yet the favor God had granted led him to grant the plea for the trial. Their respectful appeal won the confidence of the official who could grant the request, and their earnest begging to be tried only ten days and judged by physical appearance secured pulse and water as their continued food.
The request was granted so that Daniel and his companions were allowed to eat and drink as conscience told them they should, with permission to keep the diet they had chosen and follow their own course in obtaining their education. They earnestly begged the officer who had charge of their food not to compel them to eat the king's luxuries but to try them ten days only on the abstemious diet and then decide by physical appearance. This goodwill meant the request about refusing the king's food and drink was heard with respect despite the official's fear of the king, showing favor with God and with people and a kind relationship that helped the simple-diet request be granted. With religious principle at stake they had depended on God, taken the matter to Him in earnest prayer for wisdom, and then with true courage and Christian courtesy, without passion or defiance, presented their case.
At the end of the ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh and far more healthy in appearance than those eating the king's dainties. When examined the result was decidedly in their favor, with clear sparkle of eye and ruddy healthful glow, while the youth who ate the luxuries and drank the wine had lost that glow. The ten days' trial proved the result, for the Hebrew youth showed health and fairness of countenance not possessed by those who ate from the king's table, and the authorities regarded them more highly than other students. Melzar then took away the meat and wine and gave them pulse, and pulse and water thereafter continued as their food.
They gained an education better than that of any of the magicians, astrologers, or wise men in all the realm, with God blessing them as educator with knowledge, skill, learning, wisdom and understanding. Their learning and abilities came through faithful use of their powers without becoming exalted, and their faithful choices and God's help prepared them for useful service and excelled in later trials. The favor with the chief official helped them rise to positions of honor, remain loyal to God's requirements in the king's court, serve faithfully in a worldly and scheming setting, reveal God to the idolatrous nation, and preserve close relationship with God and mental and spiritual faculties. Daniel's faithful course in health and education was accompanied by this favor with evident results, showing they could remain faithful while living healthfully and practicing temperance.
Temperance and Health Teaching
The history of Daniel and his Hebrew associates in the court of Babylon is the Bible's most comprehensive and forcible illustration of true temperance and its attendant blessings, teaching health reform and that choices about food are connected with faithfulness to God and separation from worldly habits. What is eaten and drunk influences the powers of the mind, and healthful bodies and clear minds require careful diet rather than eating to gratify taste, lest the digestive organs be impaired and the brain confused. Those who desire to come into right relation to God should study and prove Daniel's plan for themselves, since health reform does not cause loss of physical strength. Daniel's clear mind, firm purpose, force of character and strength in learning and acquiring knowledge came in great measure from plain food joined with a life of prayer. From the first of their experience in the king's court Daniel and his companions gained clearer comprehension and sounder, more accurate judgment than all the wise men in Babylon, because they ate only food that would not cloud their minds and followed rules of life that gave strength of intellect so they might gain the greatest possible benefit from study of God's Word. God wants those who labor in His cause to cultivate such force of character and to be men of keen feeling and quick perception rather than mere time-servers, to be temperate in eating with no rich and luxurious food on their tables, and when the brain is constantly taxed and there is lack of physical exercise to eat sparingly even of plain food, and this course leads to a rich reward by and by.
Their abstinence made a distinction in every way in appearance between them and youth who indulged appetite, kept their minds clear from the oppression of luxurious food, kept their bodies from sickness and fitted them for study and for taxing labor. Faithfulness even in little things and obedience to God give strength of thought and memory and vigor to think and work with sound judgment. Daniel regulated his diet by the knowledge God had given for his benefit, temperate in eating and governing appetite by sound reasoning from Christian temperance and not by impulse. He refused wine and meat and luxuries from the king's table because they would clog the mind and are difficult of digestion, and he restricted the quantity even of healthful food. He kept the food placed in the stomach under his own control and cooperated with God in keeping his stomach healthful by not surfeiting himself with overeating or with wine or flesh meats, which are not healthful or necessary for physical strength. Proper regard for food kept a healthful current of blood flowing through his veins and kept mind and body fit for hard, stern labor, not oppressed with a variety of flesh meats or meat of any kind.
These youth practiced total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks and fermented wines, as demonstrated with most telling results by their ten-day trial while gaining an education, proving the advantage of an abstemious diet over the rich food and wines of the king's table and the advantages of temperance in eating and strict adherence to the principles of health reform. Their example is abstaining from everything hurtful and being temperate in the use of food that builds the human structure when taken in proper quantities and at proper times, keeping the brain clear, the breath pure, and the stomach strong to do its appointed work. This requires thorough mastication instead of bolting food down and periods of entire rest for the stomach, to save from disease, suffering and premature death caused by intemperance in eating and drinking at feasts and dinners and late suppers and by indulgence in wine and liquor drinking. They refused the king's meats and wine because they had been taught that such food would not keep the mind and the physical structure in the very best health to do God's service, and Daniel had been taught from childhood that improper food clouded the brain, so his choice of what was right rather than eating at the king's table made him a light among a crooked generation. God showed His approval of their conscientious refusal of the stimulus of flesh and wine and their obedience to His will in self-denial, desiring His servants to honor Him by adherence to steadfast principle in all habits of life, with their countenances a certificate of physical soundness and moral purity.
Daniel's refusal of food and drink that would harm the body and his choice of a plain nourishing diet show wisdom, sound judgment and care for body and mind, teaching that temperate choices protect the body and its powers. Eating wholesome food rather than meat and rich sweets helps preserve health, a clear brain and spiritual understanding, and God gave him superior knowledge and enabled him to gain an education above Babylon's astrologers and magicians. Faithfulness in eating and drinking is part of health reform, where appetite should not rule and God's provision is meant to sustain physical, mental and moral health. Daniel's strict adherence to health principles is a lesson in healthful diet and its good result, an example for the young. Daniel presents purity of tastes, appetite and habits as the standard for comparison for sound bodies presented to God in service, keeping himself from defilement of appetite and passion and preserving every faculty in health to be presented to God, with calm nerves, clear brain and unimpaired judgment.
Those who follow his example keep clear perceptions and may become partakers of the divine nature, fit for God to use, and those who hold firm to such principles are rewarded with health of body, mind and soul, including calm nerves, a clear brain, sound judgment and keen perception. Sanctification requires bringing appetites and habits of life into conformity to divine and natural law, refusing to indulge appetite and passion at the expense of health and life in order to preserve the full vigor of every faculty for the service of Christ. Daniel's temperance and self-denial in preserving correct physical habits made him an example to others wherever they are to elevate the moral standard, because indulgence harms the body and weakens the mind and spirit offered in God's service. Resisting selfish appetite preserves the physical, intellectual and moral powers God has given, and using those powers rightly under God's guidance in youth is a personal responsibility, with Daniel's faithfulness accompanied by wisdom and understanding to care for his body in harmony with God's purposes. Simple food keeps the body free from disturbance, so students attending school should be provided food that will not cause disturbances in the human organism, and those who do not know how to provide such food must learn how.
Subduing the passions by diet is part of fighting for the kingdom and laboring together with God, and perfecting Christian character here determines whether a person will be shut out of the courts of heaven or enjoy the pleasures of eternal life. Simple foods such as fruits and grains should be prepared without wine or other harmful elements that can confuse the mind and lead toward sin. God does not want irritable tempers and disturbed and confused minds, and He wants each person to do for himself what Daniel and his companions did for themselves by letting alone wine that excites and intoxicates, whose harmful results are seen everywhere. Daniel in the courts of Babylon kept his mind clear and composed by abstaining from stimulating narcotics such as tobacco and liquor. This clear-minded temperance is the pattern and standard for men with grave responsibilities in safeguarding their fellow men from accident and harm, in contrast to those who by indulgence becloud the brain, temporarily lose their reasoning faculties, become untrue to their trust, and cause terrible accidents and shipwrecks.
Daniel controlled appetite and refused to defile himself with the king's meat and wine, making him a bold representative of pure hygiene. His conduct in Daniel 1:8-16 is held up as an example of strict temperance as a model for people entrusted with responsibility.
Witness to Heathen Nations
The favor was part of God's purpose to bring a knowledge of God and the truth before the king and before Daniel's associates and the great men of Babylon. God deliberately placed Daniel in favor with the leaders of Babylon to connect him and his companions with those great men so they might become acquainted with the religion of the Hebrews and know that God reigns over all kingdoms. That success followed the strict temperance in all things in which Daniel and the other youths had been educated for their present and future good, especially in what they ate and drank, because their intelligence and their ability to stand high in clear intellect and in clear presentation of truth depended on refusing the wine and rich foods the king had appointed. God designed to show the Babylonians through them that there was a King above the king of Babylon, the God the Hebrew youth worshiped, whom they exalted by carrying out the principles of truth and refusing the meat from the royal table and the wine from the royal cellar. Their abstinence made a distinction in every way between their appearance and the appearance of youth who indulged appetite, kept their minds clear from the oppression of luxurious food, kept their bodies from sickness and fitted them for study and for taxing labor, and proved that faithfulness even in little things and obedience to God give strength of thought and memory and vigor to think and work.
God used loyal captives in Babylon to show His supremacy, the holiness of His requirements, and the sure results of obedience, even as Israel's departure from Him had brought humiliation. In that favored position God worked together with the youth, sustaining their knowledge of God and interest in the religion of the Bible amid idolatrous literature and practices and giving success to their faithful service so Babylon could see their God as a living God and not an image. God in His wise purpose permitted Daniel to be taken captive to wicked and corrupt Babylon and gave him compassion and favor there. Daniel was among the children of Israel carried captive at the beginning of the seventy years' captivity, a patriot true as steel to principle and uncorrupted by selfishness, who would honor God at the loss of all things, and because he honored God in prosperity and adversity God honored him and gave him favor.
In the land of captivity he was to carry out God's purpose by giving to heathen nations the blessings that come through a knowledge of Jehovah, to be God's representative never compromising with idolaters, bearing his faith and his name as a worshiper of the living God as a high honor. Daniel and his companions represented the true God without compromising their faith, and God honored their faithfulness by giving them wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Their steadfastness to religious principle and close connection with God made them His representatives among heathen nations, and God's providence at work gave him favor with the Babylonian official, helping him remain loyal to God among an idolatrous people. Their experience makes them models for institutions serving the world while remaining faithful to God.
That compassion demanded unselfish service from Daniel and his three companions as God's representatives, keeping their religion and true worship in a foreign land, refusing complaint, remaining cheerful and faithful in all business transactions, and choosing wisdom that vindicates God's honor and permits no slur to be cast upon Him. God rejoices to give His Spirit to those who cooperate with Him, and blessed them to reveal Him to the idolatrous nation with which they were connected. Favor with the prince of the eunuchs did not excuse compromise, and Daniel and his companions refused in the least degree to yield the light God had given them on the king's food and demands. They saw a vital principle involved and determined to be true to God whatever the consequences and however men might judge them, because God is the great Judge over all, and to comply with the king and his officers would have meant surrender of principle, compromise of truth, and apostasy from God, so no influence could come between them and their Maker.
That firm stand was the turning point in their life, leading in later years to open disregard of royal requirements even in the face of death, but God vindicated His servants and was honored by their faithfulness, spreading the knowledge of the true God throughout the empire of Babylon and accomplishing His purpose in permitting their captivity as heathen captives. The lesson is never to sacrifice principle even in the slightest particular, for it is better to incur the displeasure of men than to surrender loyalty to God. God worked in them and enabled them to develop their abilities for His service as they treated His will as supreme, practiced strict temperance to preserve their faculties, sought knowledge so they could serve God and represent true religion, and yielded to divine guidance to fulfill His purpose through them. Their strict adherence to principle exerted a good influence in Daniel's time, and his life and conduct honored God's name, showing that steadfast devotion can make God's truth evident. Their refusal to compromise with heathen religion was met by God's support and honor, for they honored God by standing firm in principle, and God honored these faithful witnesses.
Character and Spiritual Lessons
The account to which the verse belongs is an inspired illustration of what constitutes a sanctified character, presenting a lesson for all and especially for the young. In the experience of Daniel and his companions is an instance of the triumph of principle over temptation to indulge the appetite, showing that through religious principle young men may triumph over the lusts of the flesh and remain true to God's requirements even though it cost them a great sacrifice. Their integrity and firmness provide the example of Christian temperance and of daring to stand by a true purpose, for strict compliance with the requirements of God is beneficial to the health of body and mind, and to reach the highest standard of moral and intellectual attainments it is necessary to seek wisdom and strength from God and to observe strict temperance in all the habits of life.
While in favor with the prince of the eunuchs they were pressed by heathen officers to eat and drink as the Babylonians did, and their refusal to compromise kept them true to principle. That steadfastness preserved their sense of right and abhorrence of wrong, their physical vigor, clearness of intellect, and spiritual power, and kept their connection with Heaven unbroken. A single departure in appetite would have weakened conscience and sacrificed health of body and mind and spiritual strength, and one wrong step would have led to others until separation from Heaven left them swept away by temptation.
Favor with the prince did not excuse compromise, and they refused in the least degree to yield the light God had given them on the king's food and demands. They saw a vital principle involved and determined to be true to God whatever the consequences and however men might judge them, because God is the great Judge over all. To comply with the king and his officers would have meant surrender of principle, compromise of truth, and apostasy from God, so no influence could come between them and their Maker. That firm stand was the turning point in their Christian life, leading in later years to open disregard of royal requirements even in the face of death, but God vindicated His servants and was honored by their faithfulness, spreading the knowledge of the true God throughout the empire of Babylon and accomplishing His purpose in permitting their captivity as heathen captives. The lesson is never to sacrifice principle even in the slightest particular, for it is better to incur the displeasure of men than to surrender loyalty to God.
Daniel is the pattern for all in responsible positions. He sought the power that comes alone from God so he could represent not himself and not his imperfections in selfish and fraudulent practices, but the truth in righteousness. Because of this he had no vestige of pride or self-importance, was filled with the Spirit of wisdom from God, represented the sacredness of the work, magnified the truth, and ever presented before men and angels the holy perfume of the character of Christ, which is the sacred fire of God's own kindling. No one with greater responsibilities is above his fellow workers. His firm stand for what was right influenced his companions and helped them remain faithful, showing his strong influence as their leader, so that if he had failed to stand firm his companions would have failed too. His faithfulness in small matters prepared him for greater responsibilities and marked his whole life, and that faithfulness with his companions brought them honor from God.
Daniel's faithfulness in doing the small duties entrusted to him gave character to his whole life. God will give encouragement like this favor to all who follow his example by not only professing truth but living truth, acting on temperance principles, and standing distinct from the world while living in the world to witness for Him with purity of character, honesty in dealing, and faithfulness, truthfulness and uprightness in small as well as great acts as sanctified sons and daughters of God, children of the heavenly King. The verse shows God protecting one brought into temptation while doing duty in the king's court and facing a trial of faith, keeping and defending those in testing because duty placed them there. Safety belongs to trial met in duty, while choosing association with the servants of Satan and placing oneself under temptation leads to falling sooner or later.
The brief record to which the verse belongs presents Daniel as an example of what a person may become when united with the God of wisdom and of what God's grace can make of people fallen by nature and corrupted by sin. His experience is encouragement for those facing trial and temptation to resist and stand firmly for what is right, even under severe trial. He and his companions valued God's favor above the praise of princes, and their integrity and refusal to compromise God's honor led the Lord to protect and honor them before others. His honor was joined to his choice to remain true to God and to maintain moral dignity, purity, and righteousness, showing that respect is earned by a life faithful to God, not claimed as a matter of status.
He stood firm against the influence around him and would not yield in his resolve not to eat the portion allotted to him. His example shows that every ability can be used faithfully and earnestly in God's work, even in a hostile heathen Babylon. His faithfulness and cooperation with God were part of a life that preserved his close relationship with God and his mental and spiritual faculties, and that faithfulness was accompanied by favor and tender regard with the prince of the eunuchs.
Application for Youth Today
The history was recorded for youth of all succeeding ages to prove that what men have done men may do, and its self-denial, earnestness, diligence and steadfastness show that young people who follow this temperance example amid temptation may enjoy God's favor and blessing like Daniel even under circumstances as unfavorable. The experience teaches students the gains of self-denial in eating and drinking, calling them to care wisely for diet and blood-making organs. God's blessing did not substitute for taxing effort, but through grace destiny depended on will and action, requiring diligent study, full use of ability and making most of opportunities, with God working with effort rather than replacing it.
Success in education is not chance or destiny but comes from God, for He read Daniel's heart with pleasure upon purity of motive and determination to honor the Lord, and because Daniel did not walk in sparks of his own kindling but made the Lord his wisdom, made divine philosophy the foundation of education, and welcomed divine counsel and submitted to divine discipline, God brought him into favour. That course revealed heavenly wisdom as superior to the learning of Babylon's highest schools. God was in that education as much as in the present school, seeking continual cooperation, wanting each person to keep reaching the highest standard in His presence, to glorify God on earth, learn His lessons, glorify Him in heaven, and receive the crown of everlasting life.
Daniel qualified himself for higher work by bringing all habits, appetites and passions into conformity to God's requirements, putting from the mind all that is cheap and frivolous and discarding nonsense and amusement-loving propensities as out of place in those living by faith, and young men and women who follow him in this conformity will qualify as laborers for God, constantly receiving light to be channels of communication as they seek earnestly to acquire in order to impart. God's favor rests on firmness in resisting temptation and maintaining integrity, refusing to associate with those who walk in paths of sin and refusing to be charmed by their society, and discarding unprofitable amusements and indulgence of appetite. The same favor belongs to college students and youth who do as Daniel did, giving clear minds for pursuit of knowledge and moral power to remain unmoved when assailed, so that when proved and tested they reflect honor to God by firm adherence to right, with victory after victory over self and darkness repaying continual alertness, and students who avoid sinful companions and maintain integrity can likewise enjoy that favor.
God gives favor with school authorities to youth established, rooted and grounded in truth who enter worldly schools and colleges as students to live the truth as Daniel did. They make no pretensions but live out belief, never sacrifice principle, respect all rules and regulations, study the situation to represent truth so light shines, start no open controversy, and let the power of God seen in the life work as leaven more than words spoken. When inquiry is aroused they tell inquirers in simple language the simple Bible doctrines, keeping living principles of truth and observing the Sabbath, and under the Holy Spirit the seeds dropped spring up to bear fruit for God's glory in saving souls.
God worked through their firm adherence to self-denial to cause them no loss and to work out lessons of value for the present stage of history. That favor calls young men to diligently study these lessons from the highest standpoint, calls every gospel minister to proclaim the thrilling truths appropriate for this time, and calls all to be as Daniel and his fellows, light-bearers gathering rays from heaven and shedding them abroad, because the Lord calls for workers now. Those who resolutely follow God's guidance in diet and deny appetite receive strength, wisdom and sound judgment, including help to endure trial through obedience to strict temperance and diligent learning, and conforming life to God's Word through temperance brings mental and spiritual help and blessing for faithfulness to healthful living.
Daniel in Babylon as a youth in probationary time was tried and proved and stood firm to principle, and God gave him favour, making him a representative man and pattern of integrity forming character to stand the judgment. Students must imitate him by building such character, because each decides eternal destiny now and there is no second probation. Youth in the last days will face tests just as severe as his, for he had been carefully trained at home in the hills of Judea and his faith was tried by demands to sacrifice life rather than apostatize and break God's commandments, especially over idolatry and the Bible seventh-day Sabbath versus a man-made spurious sabbath. They must now use granted probation to prepare by forming a loving Christlike character firm to right, refusing evil and delighting in good, with intelligent faith that cooperates with God by refusing the first wrong step and watching unto prayer so as not to enter temptation, keeping a faith nothing can change, principles none can corrupt, and affections nothing can separate from God, unafraid even if earth shakes.
God blesses those who educate themselves in kindness, tenderness and Christian politeness, which wins more friends than opposite conduct, and Daniel's courteous conduct, kindness and faithful obedience where God was not dishonored helped win goodwill and tender regard. Daniel's integrity is the pattern for gaining favor with human authorities so true hygienic principles can gain influence over drug medication, as when integrity is maintained God gives favor among people. His close connection through love and fear of God led him to train all powers and make good use of time with willing hearts and ready minds, showing Christian youth can reach a high standard through devotion and diligent effort, and workers guided by the Spirit receive grace, clear thought and knowledge with pure, correct, temperate habits evident even to unbelievers.
Daniel and companions as health reformers provide true education where steadfast principles develop well-rounded characters whose influence reaches the world. Their choice of habits believed to protect physical, mental and moral development to glorify God prepared them under God's guidance to use all faculties in service, showing the value of caring for the body and preserving a clear mind while preparing for service and resisting temptation through disciplined living. The verse teaches each to do for himself what they did by letting alone exciting, intoxicating wine whose harmful results are seen everywhere, proving Daniel's plan personally, for God wants each to subdue passions by diet as part of fighting for the kingdom with Him, determining not to indulge extravagance in luxuries that tempt appetite but weaken moral and physical power.
Daniel's self-denial and sacrifice show God's people can resist hereditary and cultivated tendencies, making appetite, passion, habits, circumstances and surroundings servants not rulers by inwrought principle learned of the greatest Teacher, a principle to pass like a plowshare through excuses in all with Christ's attributes. Depending on God for grace to overcome and for strength and skill in work can make one mighty, and because he made a friend of God instead of companionship with harmful minds and influences he came off triumphant with victory over darkness, wandering from self-denial, warped character and enemy temptations, fighting bravely to be more than conqueror with influence for truth. His faithfulness made lasting impressions never to be effaced, reaching far beyond his setting throughout the world, and those relying on grace and overcoming wrong tendencies likewise leave lasting impressions, gaining through Christ ruling within strength of principle to stand as faithful sentinels and true reformers in thorough cooperation with Jesus, reforming themselves by God-given faculties and gaining victories by self-denying action.
God helps those surrendering wills to Him and valuing opportunities to grow in understanding, giving wisdom, knowledge, unselfishness, hope and courage for service. His providence while they lived among the impure could bring them into association with others and give strength to resist temptation as they cooperated, kept pure and honored Him, and their faithfulness can lead others into right paths, with trust and humble faith helping to stand firm in difficulty. God sets Daniel and fellows as the pattern for students to see God behind the teacher with teacher cooperating, to be established in faith, bear witness, acquire knowledge by diligent persevering effort, and by self-denial and strict temperance prepare to endure trial, acting faithfully, using influence for good, avoiding selfish motives and amusement waste, and cultivating themselves.
Daniel remained unsullied by surrounding evil, demonstrating the value of religious principle and careful upbringing amid temptation. His loyalty and steadfastness as servant of the Lord of hosts form the standard young men in whom God's word abides and who have overcome the wicked one are to reach by elevating the soul, being sober-minded, standing on holy ground with angels about them, pondering the path, climbing the highest round of the educational ladder with philosophy, history, science and literature counting for God and humanity, keeping heaven and immortal life before them with Jesus as daily teacher. His example teaches forming habits of faithfulness and accuracy in learning and serving in a foreign court that shape later life, using every ability faithfully with reverent zeal, purposeful industry and willingness to toil in dependence on God, and with Joseph, Samuel and his companions shows what God expects and reveals to children and youth.
Serving the Lord with undivided heart under all circumstances means being kind and faithful to earthly authority and complying where it does not conflict with Christ, letting none interpose between soul and God, praying much, remaining faithful under opposition, holding duty to observe the Sabbath and keeping it best under all circumstances, loving the Lord fully without swerving, so as to influence for good where placed. His life and conduct honored God's name, showing steadfast devotion can make truth evident, and he and his companions are held up as faithful models of excellence whom God's people should follow by following given light and taking up work for themselves and others, to whom God will give wisdom, skill and understanding. Those who honor God as Daniel did by refusing defilement and dedicating themselves without reserve with earnest prayer are honored with favor and clear mind, so no human testimony for meat diet or great variety should weigh against this history, for their countenances stand as certificate of physical soundness and moral purity, and God desires servants to honor Him by steadfast principle in all habits.
God blesses and strengthens minds of those placing themselves where He can bless, and wherever they hold communion with Him they may enjoy sanctified science with minds strengthened even as Daniel's was, for from the first in court they gained clearer comprehension and sounder judgment than all Babylon's wise men because they ate only what would not cloud minds and followed life rules giving strength of intellect for study of God's Word. His godliness came from inward principles not favorable circumstances, and grace enabled faithfulness and resistance even in a dangerous corrupt setting brought about by providence. His close connection through prayer, reverence and diligent use of abilities enabled meeting duties under God's care without selfish motives consuming time, and love and fear of God leading to training all powers and good use of time with willing hearts reaches a high standard through devotion and effort. His temperance in eating and drinking as part of honoring God preserved physical powers to support mental strength, with God blessing him and companions with knowledge, skill, wisdom and understanding, calling parents to educate children for this age's earnest work and young men to gain solidity of character as youths of firm principle whom God could use.
God himself brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs, the heathen chief officer in charge of the young captives and their food, so that peace with God was accompanied by peace with one who did not know God. This was at the beginning of the seventy years' captivity in Babylon, when Daniel, about fifteen or sixteen, was among the children carried captive and with his three companions was selected to be educated in the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans to stand in the king's palace, placed there by Infinite Wisdom in a perilous and corrupt court. God gave the favor in answer to Daniel's purpose in his heart not to defile himself with the portion of the king's meat nor with the wine and his courteous, respectful request to be excused, honoring his steadfast loyalty to right at any cost. The favor opened the way for the ten-day proving with pulse to eat and water to drink, after which their countenances appeared fairer and healthier than those eating the king's dainties, and God blessed them with knowledge, wisdom and understanding for useful service. The history stands as the Bible's most comprehensive and forcible illustration of true temperance and its blessings, showing through strict temperance that there was a King above Babylon's king and carrying the knowledge of the true God to heathen great men.
Words and Historical Setting
God himself brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs, the chief official and heathen officer in charge of the young captives and their food, giving him favor and goodwill and tender regard and kindness so his request about refusing the king's food and drink would be heard with respect. Daniel's peace with God was thus accompanied by peace with one who did not know God, and the kind relationship helped the simple-diet request be granted despite the official's fear of the king.
The favor was given at the beginning of the seventy years' captivity in Babylon, when Daniel was among the children of Israel carried captive and, with his companions, was selected to be educated in the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans that they might stand in the king's palace. Daniel and his companions did not come into that place and into companionship with those who neither knew nor feared God by their own pride or ambition, but as captives in a strange land Infinite Wisdom placed them there on duty in the king's court. That court was perilous and dangerous and corrupt, filled with temptation, yet God's providence gave Daniel favor there and could support the faithful and reveal His power through them, since godliness came from inward principles and not from favorable circumstances.
Daniel was about fifteen or sixteen, one of four Hebrew youths with his three companions, living among the king's people and food and holding to commitment in unfavorable surroundings. Habits in their Judean homes had been temperate, while the king's table required wine and luxuries they had not had, and their healthful blood and healthy appearance with no trace of weakness showed the fruit of that school of temperance and self-denial. The officer in charge hesitated to grant a simpler fare because he feared his lord the king who had appointed the meat and drink, fearing rigid abstinence would make the youths look unhealthy and worse liking than the other children, bring himself into disfavor with the king, and endanger his head. He also believed a simple diet would weaken them, and his fear of the king's displeasure stood against the request for simple fare instead of the king's meat and wine.
The food at issue was the daily allowance from the king's table, including meats pronounced unclean by the law of Moses and food and wine dedicated to idols, with wine able to become an enticing habit. Daniel understood its effect and believed partaking would defile them, dishonor God, cloud the brain, weaken judgment and fitness for God's work, compromise faith, and corrupt character, so he chose obedience to God over royal approval with a firm and deliberate resolve. The first chapter of Daniel is full of valuable instruction and shows consistency, telling how Daniel and his companions endured when tested and leading on to God making known to Daniel the king's dream and its meaning so he could declare it. Daniel's plain diet, prayer, cooperation with God, and close connection with God stand as an example of sound judgment and care for body and mind, of clear mind and firm purpose and strength in learning, and of temperance and pursuit of knowledge and character to honor God, without further detail on the prince's favor itself in that connection.
Why God Gave Favor
God gave the favor in answer to Daniel's purpose in his heart not to defile himself with the portion of the king's meat nor with the wine, and his request to be excused from defiling himself, and this illustrates resistance to corrupting influences. A power from above worked in harmony with that determination to banish everything defiling from diet, and the favor opened the way to ask for a ten-day proving with pulse to eat and water to drink with countenances compared afterward. The request was granted so he and his companions were allowed to eat and drink as conscience told them they should, and the ten days' trial proved the result in health and fairness of countenance not possessed by those eating the king's table. Believers today are to overcome intemperance the same way, being steadfast for the right because it is right, placing themselves in right relation with Him and making the most of opportunities.
God honored and rewarded steadfast loyalty, allegiance to God, and standing for the right without swerving from principle when tempted, at any cost and even at risk of life. He honored Daniel for refusing evil amid temptation and honoring God in daily life in prosperity and adversity, dedicating himself without reserve with earnest prayer and refusing the king's meat and wine. Those who remain faithful amid temptation receive His approval and needed help and strength, with faithfulness bringing temporal as well as spiritual blessing, wisdom, knowledge, understanding and a clear mind. Daniel was true as steel to principle, uncorrupted by selfishness, and would honor God at the loss of all things, never compromising with idolaters as God's representative and worshiper of the living God.
The favor was gained by courteous, kind, respectful, meek and modest conduct, asking to be excused as a great favor and not in a defiant spirit. Without passion or defiance, with true courage and Christian courtesy, the case was presented after depending on God and taking the matter to Him in earnest prayer for wisdom, which helped the request be received with respect. Courteous conduct won the favor of the officer responsible for the Hebrew youths and the goodwill of those around him even in an idolatrous court, enabling the request to avoid the king's food and wine despite fear of the king's displeasure and belief a simple diet would weaken them. Allegiance to God joined with self-control, dignity, integrity and courteous respect won the tender affection of the heathen officer who supervised him in youth.
Daniel and his companions gained the favor through good behavior, self-denial and temperance in all things while trusting God to guide their choices. They rested their case in the hands of God, prayed to Him and trusted Him for the course to pursue, and God cooperated with them and cared for them as they sought to honor true worship. Because of this the Lord took charge of them to reveal the infinite superiority of the worship of the true God even in licentious Babylon.
The favor came because Daniel had been well trained at home, with early godly training that acquainted him with God and preserved all four in test and trial. That training stored the mind with pure principles, sound honest principles and precious truths, engraved truth upon the tablets of the soul and filled memory with the Word, forming truthfulness, integrity and steadfastness that held fast while instructed in Babylon and remained faithful to Jehovah under every circumstance. Wherever they were their words and actions sweetened the atmosphere, for Daniel had a loveable character, and God was able to make right impressions on their minds. Their healthful blood and healthy appearance with no trace of weakness showed the fruit of that school of temperance and self-denial passed through in temperate Judean homes, in contrast to wine and luxuries of the king's table they had not had.
Daniel first took charge of himself and cooperated with God by making God's will the supreme law of life, depending on God in earnest prayer for wisdom and constantly and earnestly seeking God and clinging to Jesus. He practiced strict temperance in all things to avoid enfeebling brain or muscle, refusing luxuries of the king's table and wine and every stimulating drink to preserve health, keeping himself from idols, exercising self-control, so all faculties might do highest service for God with clear intellect. Heavenly intelligences cooperated with such humble faith, and with religious principle at stake dependence on God joined with courage and courtesy brought favor with God and with men for a simple diet instead of luxuries. Self-control preserved ability to receive education and understanding needed for service, and though standing next to the king in the highest position he was a man of prayer with power to prevail and a missionary gathering holy influences around his work.
God read Daniel's heart with pleasure upon his purity of motive and determination to honor the Lord. He did not walk in sparks of his own kindling but made the Lord his wisdom, made divine philosophy the foundation of education, welcomed divine counsel and submitted to divine discipline, and so God brought him into favour. He was a youth of firm principle whom God could use for His purposes, an example of solid character fitted for usefulness.
God in wise purpose permitted the captivity to wicked Babylon and deliberately placed Daniel in favor with Babylon's leaders to connect him and his companions with great men so they might know the Hebrews' religion and that God reigns over all kingdoms. He Himself brought Daniel into the king's court and into favor there, not by their pride or ambition but as captives in a strange land placed there by Infinite Wisdom, taken captive so they could bring other nations the blessings of knowing God. In that favored position God worked together with them, sustaining knowledge of God and interest in Bible religion amid idolatrous literature and practices and giving success to faithful service so Babylon could see their God as a living God and not an image. That compassion demanded unselfish service as God's representatives, keeping religion and true worship in a foreign land without complaint, cheerful and faithful in business and choosing wisdom that vindicates God, enabled by grace to remain faithful and resist temptation even in a dangerous corrupt setting from inward principles not favorable circumstances.
Daniel behaved himself, kept the fear of the Lord before him, lived so companions saw nothing to lead them astray, and carried the fragrance of a Christlike disposition, so those who had charge over him loved him. He walked humbly with simplicity of faith with the kingdom of God within him, and God set a hedge around him so surrounding temptations would not corrupt him, with heavenly intelligences cooperating. Anyone with a bad disposition can gain the same help by seeking to make the disposition good and obtain victory over self, for God will help, and if Christ rules in the heart men gain strength of principle to stand as faithful sentinels and reformers in thorough cooperation with Him.
Allegiance to God, self-control, dignity, integrity and courteous respect were the means of winning the officer's affection, and faithfulness brought temporal as well as spiritual blessing. Steadfastness without compromise gave God opportunity to honor him with wisdom, understanding and influence, and refusal to compromise principles was accompanied by wisdom and influence from God. His place of favor followed linking himself with God and proving true through trial in faithfulness and self-denial, not by ambition, self-promotion or forcing advancement, but through self-denial, good work and steadfastness under trial.
Daniel obtained favor with God and men because with religious principle at stake they depended on God and then with true courage and Christian courtesy presented their case. His self-control in guarding appetite and passions enabled him to offer his body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, and his refusal of what would hinder character and divine life was met with wisdom and influence. Steadfast refusal to follow evil brought rich blessings including favor from the prince, and God's approval of faithfulness is shown in the favorable outcome of the request after resolve to deny self, follow convictions about food, and trust in Him.
What the Favor Accomplished
The favor opened the way for Daniel to approach Melzar and the officer in charge and ask for a ten-day proving with pulse to eat and water to drink, with countenances to be compared afterward with those eating the king's meat. The officer had hesitated because he feared rigid abstinence would make them look unhealthy and bring himself into disfavor and danger, yet the favor God had granted led him to grant the plea for the trial. Their respectful appeal won the confidence of the official who could grant the request, and their earnest begging to be tried only ten days and judged by physical appearance secured pulse and water as their continued food.
The request was granted so that Daniel and his companions were allowed to eat and drink as conscience told them they should, with permission to keep the diet they had chosen and follow their own course in obtaining their education. They earnestly begged the officer who had charge of their food not to compel them to eat the king's luxuries but to try them ten days only on the abstemious diet and then decide by physical appearance. This goodwill meant the request about refusing the king's food and drink was heard with respect despite the official's fear of the king, showing favor with God and with people and a kind relationship that helped the simple-diet request be granted. With religious principle at stake they had depended on God, taken the matter to Him in earnest prayer for wisdom, and then with true courage and Christian courtesy, without passion or defiance, presented their case.
At the end of the ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh and far more healthy in appearance than those eating the king's dainties. When examined the result was decidedly in their favor, with clear sparkle of eye and ruddy healthful glow, while the youth who ate the luxuries and drank the wine had lost that glow. The ten days' trial proved the result, for the Hebrew youth showed health and fairness of countenance not possessed by those who ate from the king's table, and the authorities regarded them more highly than other students. Melzar then took away the meat and wine and gave them pulse, and pulse and water thereafter continued as their food.
They gained an education better than that of any of the magicians, astrologers, or wise men in all the realm, with God blessing them as educator with knowledge, skill, learning, wisdom and understanding. Their learning and abilities came through faithful use of their powers without becoming exalted, and their faithful choices and God's help prepared them for useful service and excelled in later trials. The favor with the chief official helped them rise to positions of honor, remain loyal to God's requirements in the king's court, serve faithfully in a worldly and scheming setting, reveal God to the idolatrous nation, and preserve close relationship with God and mental and spiritual faculties. Daniel's faithful course in health and education was accompanied by this favor with evident results, showing they could remain faithful while living healthfully and practicing temperance.
Temperance and Health Teaching
The history of Daniel and his Hebrew associates in the court of Babylon is the Bible's most comprehensive and forcible illustration of true temperance and its attendant blessings, teaching health reform and that choices about food are connected with faithfulness to God and separation from worldly habits.
What is eaten and drunk influences the powers of the mind, and healthful bodies and clear minds require careful diet rather than eating to gratify taste, lest the digestive organs be impaired and the brain confused.
Those who desire to come into right relation to God should study and prove Daniel's plan for themselves, since health reform does not cause loss of physical strength.
Daniel's clear mind, firm purpose, force of character and strength in learning and acquiring knowledge came in great measure from plain food joined with a life of prayer.
From the first of their experience in the king's court Daniel and his companions gained clearer comprehension and sounder, more accurate judgment than all the wise men in Babylon, because they ate only food that would not cloud their minds and followed rules of life that gave strength of intellect so they might gain the greatest possible benefit from study of God's Word.
God wants those who labor in His cause to cultivate such force of character and to be men of keen feeling and quick perception rather than mere time-servers, to be temperate in eating with no rich and luxurious food on their tables, and when the brain is constantly taxed and there is lack of physical exercise to eat sparingly even of plain food, and this course leads to a rich reward by and by.
Their abstinence made a distinction in every way in appearance between them and youth who indulged appetite, kept their minds clear from the oppression of luxurious food, kept their bodies from sickness and fitted them for study and for taxing labor.
Faithfulness even in little things and obedience to God give strength of thought and memory and vigor to think and work with sound judgment.
Daniel regulated his diet by the knowledge God had given for his benefit, temperate in eating and governing appetite by sound reasoning from Christian temperance and not by impulse.
He refused wine and meat and luxuries from the king's table because they would clog the mind and are difficult of digestion, and he restricted the quantity even of healthful food.
He kept the food placed in the stomach under his own control and cooperated with God in keeping his stomach healthful by not surfeiting himself with overeating or with wine or flesh meats, which are not healthful or necessary for physical strength.
Proper regard for food kept a healthful current of blood flowing through his veins and kept mind and body fit for hard, stern labor, not oppressed with a variety of flesh meats or meat of any kind.
These youth practiced total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks and fermented wines, as demonstrated with most telling results by their ten-day trial while gaining an education, proving the advantage of an abstemious diet over the rich food and wines of the king's table and the advantages of temperance in eating and strict adherence to the principles of health reform.
Their example is abstaining from everything hurtful and being temperate in the use of food that builds the human structure when taken in proper quantities and at proper times, keeping the brain clear, the breath pure, and the stomach strong to do its appointed work.
This requires thorough mastication instead of bolting food down and periods of entire rest for the stomach, to save from disease, suffering and premature death caused by intemperance in eating and drinking at feasts and dinners and late suppers and by indulgence in wine and liquor drinking.
They refused the king's meats and wine because they had been taught that such food would not keep the mind and the physical structure in the very best health to do God's service, and Daniel had been taught from childhood that improper food clouded the brain, so his choice of what was right rather than eating at the king's table made him a light among a crooked generation.
God showed His approval of their conscientious refusal of the stimulus of flesh and wine and their obedience to His will in self-denial, desiring His servants to honor Him by adherence to steadfast principle in all habits of life, with their countenances a certificate of physical soundness and moral purity.
Daniel's refusal of food and drink that would harm the body and his choice of a plain nourishing diet show wisdom, sound judgment and care for body and mind, teaching that temperate choices protect the body and its powers.
Eating wholesome food rather than meat and rich sweets helps preserve health, a clear brain and spiritual understanding, and God gave him superior knowledge and enabled him to gain an education above Babylon's astrologers and magicians.
Faithfulness in eating and drinking is part of health reform, where appetite should not rule and God's provision is meant to sustain physical, mental and moral health.
Daniel's strict adherence to health principles is a lesson in healthful diet and its good result, an example for the young.
Daniel presents purity of tastes, appetite and habits as the standard for comparison for sound bodies presented to God in service, keeping himself from defilement of appetite and passion and preserving every faculty in health to be presented to God, with calm nerves, clear brain and unimpaired judgment.
Those who follow his example keep clear perceptions and may become partakers of the divine nature, fit for God to use, and those who hold firm to such principles are rewarded with health of body, mind and soul, including calm nerves, a clear brain, sound judgment and keen perception.
Sanctification requires bringing appetites and habits of life into conformity to divine and natural law, refusing to indulge appetite and passion at the expense of health and life in order to preserve the full vigor of every faculty for the service of Christ.
Daniel's temperance and self-denial in preserving correct physical habits made him an example to others wherever they are to elevate the moral standard, because indulgence harms the body and weakens the mind and spirit offered in God's service.
Resisting selfish appetite preserves the physical, intellectual and moral powers God has given, and using those powers rightly under God's guidance in youth is a personal responsibility, with Daniel's faithfulness accompanied by wisdom and understanding to care for his body in harmony with God's purposes.
Simple food keeps the body free from disturbance, so students attending school should be provided food that will not cause disturbances in the human organism, and those who do not know how to provide such food must learn how.
Subduing the passions by diet is part of fighting for the kingdom and laboring together with God, and perfecting Christian character here determines whether a person will be shut out of the courts of heaven or enjoy the pleasures of eternal life.
Simple foods such as fruits and grains should be prepared without wine or other harmful elements that can confuse the mind and lead toward sin.
God does not want irritable tempers and disturbed and confused minds, and He wants each person to do for himself what Daniel and his companions did for themselves by letting alone wine that excites and intoxicates, whose harmful results are seen everywhere.
Daniel in the courts of Babylon kept his mind clear and composed by abstaining from stimulating narcotics such as tobacco and liquor.
This clear-minded temperance is the pattern and standard for men with grave responsibilities in safeguarding their fellow men from accident and harm, in contrast to those who by indulgence becloud the brain, temporarily lose their reasoning faculties, become untrue to their trust, and cause terrible accidents and shipwrecks.
Daniel controlled appetite and refused to defile himself with the king's meat and wine, making him a bold representative of pure hygiene.
His conduct in Daniel 1:8-16 is held up as an example of strict temperance as a model for people entrusted with responsibility.
Witness to Heathen Nations
The favor was part of God's purpose to bring a knowledge of God and the truth before the king and before Daniel's associates and the great men of Babylon. God deliberately placed Daniel in favor with the leaders of Babylon to connect him and his companions with those great men so they might become acquainted with the religion of the Hebrews and know that God reigns over all kingdoms. That success followed the strict temperance in all things in which Daniel and the other youths had been educated for their present and future good, especially in what they ate and drank, because their intelligence and their ability to stand high in clear intellect and in clear presentation of truth depended on refusing the wine and rich foods the king had appointed. God designed to show the Babylonians through them that there was a King above the king of Babylon, the God the Hebrew youth worshiped, whom they exalted by carrying out the principles of truth and refusing the meat from the royal table and the wine from the royal cellar. Their abstinence made a distinction in every way between their appearance and the appearance of youth who indulged appetite, kept their minds clear from the oppression of luxurious food, kept their bodies from sickness and fitted them for study and for taxing labor, and proved that faithfulness even in little things and obedience to God give strength of thought and memory and vigor to think and work.
God used loyal captives in Babylon to show His supremacy, the holiness of His requirements, and the sure results of obedience, even as Israel's departure from Him had brought humiliation. In that favored position God worked together with the youth, sustaining their knowledge of God and interest in the religion of the Bible amid idolatrous literature and practices and giving success to their faithful service so Babylon could see their God as a living God and not an image. God in His wise purpose permitted Daniel to be taken captive to wicked and corrupt Babylon and gave him compassion and favor there. Daniel was among the children of Israel carried captive at the beginning of the seventy years' captivity, a patriot true as steel to principle and uncorrupted by selfishness, who would honor God at the loss of all things, and because he honored God in prosperity and adversity God honored him and gave him favor.
In the land of captivity he was to carry out God's purpose by giving to heathen nations the blessings that come through a knowledge of Jehovah, to be God's representative never compromising with idolaters, bearing his faith and his name as a worshiper of the living God as a high honor. Daniel and his companions represented the true God without compromising their faith, and God honored their faithfulness by giving them wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Their steadfastness to religious principle and close connection with God made them His representatives among heathen nations, and God's providence at work gave him favor with the Babylonian official, helping him remain loyal to God among an idolatrous people. Their experience makes them models for institutions serving the world while remaining faithful to God.
That compassion demanded unselfish service from Daniel and his three companions as God's representatives, keeping their religion and true worship in a foreign land, refusing complaint, remaining cheerful and faithful in all business transactions, and choosing wisdom that vindicates God's honor and permits no slur to be cast upon Him. God rejoices to give His Spirit to those who cooperate with Him, and blessed them to reveal Him to the idolatrous nation with which they were connected. Favor with the prince of the eunuchs did not excuse compromise, and Daniel and his companions refused in the least degree to yield the light God had given them on the king's food and demands. They saw a vital principle involved and determined to be true to God whatever the consequences and however men might judge them, because God is the great Judge over all, and to comply with the king and his officers would have meant surrender of principle, compromise of truth, and apostasy from God, so no influence could come between them and their Maker.
That firm stand was the turning point in their life, leading in later years to open disregard of royal requirements even in the face of death, but God vindicated His servants and was honored by their faithfulness, spreading the knowledge of the true God throughout the empire of Babylon and accomplishing His purpose in permitting their captivity as heathen captives. The lesson is never to sacrifice principle even in the slightest particular, for it is better to incur the displeasure of men than to surrender loyalty to God. God worked in them and enabled them to develop their abilities for His service as they treated His will as supreme, practiced strict temperance to preserve their faculties, sought knowledge so they could serve God and represent true religion, and yielded to divine guidance to fulfill His purpose through them. Their strict adherence to principle exerted a good influence in Daniel's time, and his life and conduct honored God's name, showing that steadfast devotion can make God's truth evident. Their refusal to compromise with heathen religion was met by God's support and honor, for they honored God by standing firm in principle, and God honored these faithful witnesses.
Character and Spiritual Lessons
The account to which the verse belongs is an inspired illustration of what constitutes a sanctified character, presenting a lesson for all and especially for the young. In the experience of Daniel and his companions is an instance of the triumph of principle over temptation to indulge the appetite, showing that through religious principle young men may triumph over the lusts of the flesh and remain true to God's requirements even though it cost them a great sacrifice. Their integrity and firmness provide the example of Christian temperance and of daring to stand by a true purpose, for strict compliance with the requirements of God is beneficial to the health of body and mind, and to reach the highest standard of moral and intellectual attainments it is necessary to seek wisdom and strength from God and to observe strict temperance in all the habits of life.
While in favor with the prince of the eunuchs they were pressed by heathen officers to eat and drink as the Babylonians did, and their refusal to compromise kept them true to principle. That steadfastness preserved their sense of right and abhorrence of wrong, their physical vigor, clearness of intellect, and spiritual power, and kept their connection with Heaven unbroken. A single departure in appetite would have weakened conscience and sacrificed health of body and mind and spiritual strength, and one wrong step would have led to others until separation from Heaven left them swept away by temptation.
Favor with the prince did not excuse compromise, and they refused in the least degree to yield the light God had given them on the king's food and demands. They saw a vital principle involved and determined to be true to God whatever the consequences and however men might judge them, because God is the great Judge over all. To comply with the king and his officers would have meant surrender of principle, compromise of truth, and apostasy from God, so no influence could come between them and their Maker. That firm stand was the turning point in their Christian life, leading in later years to open disregard of royal requirements even in the face of death, but God vindicated His servants and was honored by their faithfulness, spreading the knowledge of the true God throughout the empire of Babylon and accomplishing His purpose in permitting their captivity as heathen captives. The lesson is never to sacrifice principle even in the slightest particular, for it is better to incur the displeasure of men than to surrender loyalty to God.
Daniel is the pattern for all in responsible positions. He sought the power that comes alone from God so he could represent not himself and not his imperfections in selfish and fraudulent practices, but the truth in righteousness. Because of this he had no vestige of pride or self-importance, was filled with the Spirit of wisdom from God, represented the sacredness of the work, magnified the truth, and ever presented before men and angels the holy perfume of the character of Christ, which is the sacred fire of God's own kindling. No one with greater responsibilities is above his fellow workers. His firm stand for what was right influenced his companions and helped them remain faithful, showing his strong influence as their leader, so that if he had failed to stand firm his companions would have failed too. His faithfulness in small matters prepared him for greater responsibilities and marked his whole life, and that faithfulness with his companions brought them honor from God.
Daniel's faithfulness in doing the small duties entrusted to him gave character to his whole life. God will give encouragement like this favor to all who follow his example by not only professing truth but living truth, acting on temperance principles, and standing distinct from the world while living in the world to witness for Him with purity of character, honesty in dealing, and faithfulness, truthfulness and uprightness in small as well as great acts as sanctified sons and daughters of God, children of the heavenly King. The verse shows God protecting one brought into temptation while doing duty in the king's court and facing a trial of faith, keeping and defending those in testing because duty placed them there. Safety belongs to trial met in duty, while choosing association with the servants of Satan and placing oneself under temptation leads to falling sooner or later.
The brief record to which the verse belongs presents Daniel as an example of what a person may become when united with the God of wisdom and of what God's grace can make of people fallen by nature and corrupted by sin. His experience is encouragement for those facing trial and temptation to resist and stand firmly for what is right, even under severe trial. He and his companions valued God's favor above the praise of princes, and their integrity and refusal to compromise God's honor led the Lord to protect and honor them before others. His honor was joined to his choice to remain true to God and to maintain moral dignity, purity, and righteousness, showing that respect is earned by a life faithful to God, not claimed as a matter of status.
He stood firm against the influence around him and would not yield in his resolve not to eat the portion allotted to him. His example shows that every ability can be used faithfully and earnestly in God's work, even in a hostile heathen Babylon. His faithfulness and cooperation with God were part of a life that preserved his close relationship with God and his mental and spiritual faculties, and that faithfulness was accompanied by favor and tender regard with the prince of the eunuchs.
Application for Youth Today
The history was recorded for youth of all succeeding ages to prove that what men have done men may do, and its self-denial, earnestness, diligence and steadfastness show that young people who follow this temperance example amid temptation may enjoy God's favor and blessing like Daniel even under circumstances as unfavorable. The experience teaches students the gains of self-denial in eating and drinking, calling them to care wisely for diet and blood-making organs. God's blessing did not substitute for taxing effort, but through grace destiny depended on will and action, requiring diligent study, full use of ability and making most of opportunities, with God working with effort rather than replacing it.
Success in education is not chance or destiny but comes from God, for He read Daniel's heart with pleasure upon purity of motive and determination to honor the Lord, and because Daniel did not walk in sparks of his own kindling but made the Lord his wisdom, made divine philosophy the foundation of education, and welcomed divine counsel and submitted to divine discipline, God brought him into favour. That course revealed heavenly wisdom as superior to the learning of Babylon's highest schools. God was in that education as much as in the present school, seeking continual cooperation, wanting each person to keep reaching the highest standard in His presence, to glorify God on earth, learn His lessons, glorify Him in heaven, and receive the crown of everlasting life.
Daniel qualified himself for higher work by bringing all habits, appetites and passions into conformity to God's requirements, putting from the mind all that is cheap and frivolous and discarding nonsense and amusement-loving propensities as out of place in those living by faith, and young men and women who follow him in this conformity will qualify as laborers for God, constantly receiving light to be channels of communication as they seek earnestly to acquire in order to impart. God's favor rests on firmness in resisting temptation and maintaining integrity, refusing to associate with those who walk in paths of sin and refusing to be charmed by their society, and discarding unprofitable amusements and indulgence of appetite. The same favor belongs to college students and youth who do as Daniel did, giving clear minds for pursuit of knowledge and moral power to remain unmoved when assailed, so that when proved and tested they reflect honor to God by firm adherence to right, with victory after victory over self and darkness repaying continual alertness, and students who avoid sinful companions and maintain integrity can likewise enjoy that favor.
God gives favor with school authorities to youth established, rooted and grounded in truth who enter worldly schools and colleges as students to live the truth as Daniel did. They make no pretensions but live out belief, never sacrifice principle, respect all rules and regulations, study the situation to represent truth so light shines, start no open controversy, and let the power of God seen in the life work as leaven more than words spoken. When inquiry is aroused they tell inquirers in simple language the simple Bible doctrines, keeping living principles of truth and observing the Sabbath, and under the Holy Spirit the seeds dropped spring up to bear fruit for God's glory in saving souls.
God worked through their firm adherence to self-denial to cause them no loss and to work out lessons of value for the present stage of history. That favor calls young men to diligently study these lessons from the highest standpoint, calls every gospel minister to proclaim the thrilling truths appropriate for this time, and calls all to be as Daniel and his fellows, light-bearers gathering rays from heaven and shedding them abroad, because the Lord calls for workers now. Those who resolutely follow God's guidance in diet and deny appetite receive strength, wisdom and sound judgment, including help to endure trial through obedience to strict temperance and diligent learning, and conforming life to God's Word through temperance brings mental and spiritual help and blessing for faithfulness to healthful living.
Daniel in Babylon as a youth in probationary time was tried and proved and stood firm to principle, and God gave him favour, making him a representative man and pattern of integrity forming character to stand the judgment. Students must imitate him by building such character, because each decides eternal destiny now and there is no second probation. Youth in the last days will face tests just as severe as his, for he had been carefully trained at home in the hills of Judea and his faith was tried by demands to sacrifice life rather than apostatize and break God's commandments, especially over idolatry and the Bible seventh-day Sabbath versus a man-made spurious sabbath. They must now use granted probation to prepare by forming a loving Christlike character firm to right, refusing evil and delighting in good, with intelligent faith that cooperates with God by refusing the first wrong step and watching unto prayer so as not to enter temptation, keeping a faith nothing can change, principles none can corrupt, and affections nothing can separate from God, unafraid even if earth shakes.
God blesses those who educate themselves in kindness, tenderness and Christian politeness, which wins more friends than opposite conduct, and Daniel's courteous conduct, kindness and faithful obedience where God was not dishonored helped win goodwill and tender regard. Daniel's integrity is the pattern for gaining favor with human authorities so true hygienic principles can gain influence over drug medication, as when integrity is maintained God gives favor among people. His close connection through love and fear of God led him to train all powers and make good use of time with willing hearts and ready minds, showing Christian youth can reach a high standard through devotion and diligent effort, and workers guided by the Spirit receive grace, clear thought and knowledge with pure, correct, temperate habits evident even to unbelievers.
Daniel and companions as health reformers provide true education where steadfast principles develop well-rounded characters whose influence reaches the world. Their choice of habits believed to protect physical, mental and moral development to glorify God prepared them under God's guidance to use all faculties in service, showing the value of caring for the body and preserving a clear mind while preparing for service and resisting temptation through disciplined living. The verse teaches each to do for himself what they did by letting alone exciting, intoxicating wine whose harmful results are seen everywhere, proving Daniel's plan personally, for God wants each to subdue passions by diet as part of fighting for the kingdom with Him, determining not to indulge extravagance in luxuries that tempt appetite but weaken moral and physical power.
Daniel's self-denial and sacrifice show God's people can resist hereditary and cultivated tendencies, making appetite, passion, habits, circumstances and surroundings servants not rulers by inwrought principle learned of the greatest Teacher, a principle to pass like a plowshare through excuses in all with Christ's attributes. Depending on God for grace to overcome and for strength and skill in work can make one mighty, and because he made a friend of God instead of companionship with harmful minds and influences he came off triumphant with victory over darkness, wandering from self-denial, warped character and enemy temptations, fighting bravely to be more than conqueror with influence for truth. His faithfulness made lasting impressions never to be effaced, reaching far beyond his setting throughout the world, and those relying on grace and overcoming wrong tendencies likewise leave lasting impressions, gaining through Christ ruling within strength of principle to stand as faithful sentinels and true reformers in thorough cooperation with Jesus, reforming themselves by God-given faculties and gaining victories by self-denying action.
God helps those surrendering wills to Him and valuing opportunities to grow in understanding, giving wisdom, knowledge, unselfishness, hope and courage for service. His providence while they lived among the impure could bring them into association with others and give strength to resist temptation as they cooperated, kept pure and honored Him, and their faithfulness can lead others into right paths, with trust and humble faith helping to stand firm in difficulty. God sets Daniel and fellows as the pattern for students to see God behind the teacher with teacher cooperating, to be established in faith, bear witness, acquire knowledge by diligent persevering effort, and by self-denial and strict temperance prepare to endure trial, acting faithfully, using influence for good, avoiding selfish motives and amusement waste, and cultivating themselves.
Daniel remained unsullied by surrounding evil, demonstrating the value of religious principle and careful upbringing amid temptation. His loyalty and steadfastness as servant of the Lord of hosts form the standard young men in whom God's word abides and who have overcome the wicked one are to reach by elevating the soul, being sober-minded, standing on holy ground with angels about them, pondering the path, climbing the highest round of the educational ladder with philosophy, history, science and literature counting for God and humanity, keeping heaven and immortal life before them with Jesus as daily teacher. His example teaches forming habits of faithfulness and accuracy in learning and serving in a foreign court that shape later life, using every ability faithfully with reverent zeal, purposeful industry and willingness to toil in dependence on God, and with Joseph, Samuel and his companions shows what God expects and reveals to children and youth.
Serving the Lord with undivided heart under all circumstances means being kind and faithful to earthly authority and complying where it does not conflict with Christ, letting none interpose between soul and God, praying much, remaining faithful under opposition, holding duty to observe the Sabbath and keeping it best under all circumstances, loving the Lord fully without swerving, so as to influence for good where placed. His life and conduct honored God's name, showing steadfast devotion can make truth evident, and he and his companions are held up as faithful models of excellence whom God's people should follow by following given light and taking up work for themselves and others, to whom God will give wisdom, skill and understanding. Those who honor God as Daniel did by refusing defilement and dedicating themselves without reserve with earnest prayer are honored with favor and clear mind, so no human testimony for meat diet or great variety should weigh against this history, for their countenances stand as certificate of physical soundness and moral purity, and God desires servants to honor Him by steadfast principle in all habits.
God blesses and strengthens minds of those placing themselves where He can bless, and wherever they hold communion with Him they may enjoy sanctified science with minds strengthened even as Daniel's was, for from the first in court they gained clearer comprehension and sounder judgment than all Babylon's wise men because they ate only what would not cloud minds and followed life rules giving strength of intellect for study of God's Word. His godliness came from inward principles not favorable circumstances, and grace enabled faithfulness and resistance even in a dangerous corrupt setting brought about by providence. His close connection through prayer, reverence and diligent use of abilities enabled meeting duties under God's care without selfish motives consuming time, and love and fear of God leading to training all powers and good use of time with willing hearts reaches a high standard through devotion and effort. His temperance in eating and drinking as part of honoring God preserved physical powers to support mental strength, with God blessing him and companions with knowledge, skill, wisdom and understanding, calling parents to educate children for this age's earnest work and young men to gain solidity of character as youths of firm principle whom God could use.