Daniel Chapter 1B

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

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Today, we cover the remainder of the first chapter of Daniel 1:8-21. We’ll break it down by sections and then be prepared to get into Daniel 2 next time; a chapter that has a great deal to it.

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.” 11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”

This section covers a number of things that we should take the time to notice because it not only applies to Daniel and his three friends, but in truth, sets an example for us to follow. We will see how Daniel and friends’ commitment to the LORD brought about God’s blessing onto their lives.

Daniel had already decided in his heart NOT to eat the king’s food, but…at the same time, he did not want to offend God or the king by eating the king’s food. So, Daniel asked the steward (chief of eunuchs), if he could refrain from eating the king’s delicacies. Of course, this caused a bit of consternation with the Steward who thought that it might up being his head if Daniel and his friends looked so much worse than all the other young men in the same program.

To this Daniel suggested that they be allowed to put the matter to a test for 10 days and then whatever the Steward determined based on that would be what they would do. The steward acquiesced to Daniel and tried it for 10 days to see how things would go and Daniel was allowed 10 days to test the matter. An important note here is that God honored Daniel’s heartfelt request to remain true to God by not eating of the king’s food, which was very likely sacrificed to idols and in particular, Marduk.

14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. (Daniel 1:14-16)

So the test was on and as we can see in the text, Daniel and his friends were given other types of food. The text says they were given “vegetables” instead of the meat and wine the king wanted the young men to have. The Hebrew here word translated “vegetables” means:

• –things sowed (from seed), including
• Fruits, grains, vegetables and bread

The success of the test is seen in the results so clearly, three possible things are in play. Either the food they were given was wholesome enough to give them the appearance of good health, God worked to make them healthier or both occurred.

Interestingly enough, in spite of the many people who swear by a vegan diet, modern science tells us that just eating vegetables does not provide excellent health. There are things missing in an all-vegan diet that can only be gained from meat sources. This passage should not be taken as proof text for a vegetarian diet. If someone wants to be vegetarian with their food intake, that is certainly up to them, but this section of Scripture is not a proof text for veganism.

Daniel & friends probably relied on God’s hand to make them healthy and again, were blessed because they wanted to honor God even if it meant offending the king, which they did not set out to do. The issue is loyalty to God under circumstances where meats were likely offered to idols.

17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21 Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus. (Daniel 1:17-20)

I believe because of Daniel’s (and his three friends), loyalty to God, God provided them with the ability to master the subjects they were taught. Beyond this they were given wisdom and God also gave Daniel the ability to understand and interpret dreams and visions. Visions are revelations while awake, while dreams are revelations while asleep. Visions were the primary means God used to express His will to prophets of the Old Testament because His Word had not been written yet. However, much of what He gave to the prophets was eventually written down and makes up what we call the Old Testament portion of Scripture. The New Testament offers more visions, dreams and revealing of mysteries for us as well.

God appears to have been positioning the four young men, including Daniel, for a specific purpose and His glory. They would become voices in the unfolding drama of redemption that will ultimately effect all of humanity throughout the globe.

You’ll recall that these young men brought from Jerusalem to captivity in Babylon were to enter into a training program for three years to determine who was fit to be part of Nebuchadnezzar’s administration. At the end of 3 years, the four men were tested by Nebuchadnezzar himself and passed at the head of their class (1 Samuel 2:30). By this time, the young men were probably about 20 years old.

Because of how well they were able to respond to Nebuchadnezzar, they were given important positions within Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom. This also proves to us that Nebuchadnezzar himself was no slouch and was very wise himself. Obviously someone doesn’t become a king with staying power who has zero wisdom and insight.

The phrase “ten times better” (v20) may be an idiom meaning heads above the rest or noticeably superior when compared with all the other young men in the same training program. Daniel and his three friends excelled in offering excellent advice to Nebuchadnezzar. I can see the seeds of jealousy starting in some of the others because of how Daniel & friends are perceived by Nebuchadnezzar. Imagine being in the king’s inner circle for some time and then noticing several younger men who were Jews no less, given authority in that same administration. It was probably galling to them.

Because Daniel was given insight into dreams and visions, he would have had more understanding of future events over the other astrologers and diviners already within Nebuchadnezzar’s administration. Daniel continued under various kings from
–Nebuchadnezzar, to –Cyrus (586 BC), for a total of 65 years.

Two dates bracket this chapter:

• Daniel went into captivity in 605 BC
• His government career ended in 538 BC

The content of Chapter 1 focuses on:

• –The key to Daniel’s remarkable career, and
• His faithfulness to God

Ultimately, one of the main points of Daniel 1 is that God blessed Daniel’s commitment even in a seemingly minor manner and even though it seems clear Daniel was already wise, God increased Daniel’s wisdom in response to Daniel’s faithfulness and loyalty and did so for His purposes. Daniel and his three friends are models of how to be and remain faithful to God in difficult times. When the world wants us to go their way, God wants us to remain faithful to Him regardless of the cost to us. In truth, this is the difficult part of being a Christian because the world is always pulling us one way (toward sin), while the Holy Spirit within us is always prompting us to follow God more closely.

Next time, we’ll begin looking at Daniel 2.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective