In the previous articles, we found that Daniel (along with three other Israelite men who had been exiled from Jerusalem) was presented with a chance to make an “easy” choice to do the wrong thing, or a more difficult choice to do the right thing. (That usually seems to be how it works, doesn’t it? Sin, evil, passivity, laziness, and comfort are often simple. Good things – especially those that make a big difference – are often much harder.)
Daniel suggested a 10-day test, where he – and apparently at least three of his fellow Israelites – were fed only vegetables and water, so that those running the “program” that they were participating in (i.e., training – and probably indoctrination – to serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon) could observe the results.
At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
Daniel 1:15-16 NIV
Of course, if you know this account already, you knew how it was going to end. With this diet, not only did these four guys not fall behind the other participants, but they were actually better off.
While we might credit this result to healthy eating (and that probably played a part – God’s instructions aren’t just morally sound; they are healthy guidance for our body, mind, heart, and soul), it also seems like God was working through all of this specifically, honoring Daniel’s commitment to Him.
Based on the favorable results of this experiment, these four Israelites were allowed to continue with their alternate diet. While the chief official may have been reluctant to change the rules of this program at first (see Daniel 1:9-10), making an exception paid off this time.
By the way, we may know about the Bible telling us not to put God to the test, but I think that there is an open invitation for people to seek out God. Jesus told us to ask, seek, and knock (see Matthew 7:7-12), and sometimes all that a person must do to find God is to trust Him enough to reach out and look for Him. How many people have started a lifelong walk with Jesus by simply giving Him a chance?
Like the chief official, some people might not be sure that following Jesus is a good idea, but once they try it out, they find that it’s much better than whatever they were doing before!
Per verse 17, not only did these self-selected Israelite “test subjects” look better physically than others in the program, but they also excelled in the other goals of the program. They don’t get all of the credit, though: verse 17 confirms that God was the one who gave them this ability. In fact, the special ability of Daniel to interpret dreams was something that he clearly couldn’t do on his own. (This point is emphasized later in Daniel, as well.)
God gives us abilities, too. When we follow only our own preferences and human desires, we will find ourselves fighting an uphill battle. However, when we follow God’s plan for our lives, there will still be challenges and trials, but we’ll get to see Him in action as we live out our God-given purpose.
And, per verses 18-20, graduation from this three-year program didn’t just end with a handshake and a diploma. These four Israelite men had to talk with the king himself, but thanks to God’s help (and, I think, their willingness to follow God’s direction), they were far better than the others who the king might have consulted elsewhere.
That’s not bad for exiles from another country who had just 3 years to take this “crash course”!
So, what can we learn from these events, as the past few articles have looked at Daniel 1?
When God calls you to speak up, trust Him for the outcome. Don’t live in fear of what the other person might say. Trust that God may have already prepared that person’s heart for what you’re about to share.
When God calls you to take what you perceive as a risk (although there’s no risk from His point of view, since He already knows the outcome), it’s good to have friends who will stand with you. Maybe you are the one stepping out of society’s expectations, or maybe you are the one who needs to stand up with someone else who is being brave and doing the right thing when others aren’t.
When God calls you to trust Him, give Him a chance. It’s better to follow Him on a path that doesn’t turn out the way that you expected, versus being too afraid to take a step where He directs you…and potentially missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime.
When God calls you to a particular path in life, embrace it fully. When you are living how God has called you to specifically, I think that we can safely say that you are easily ten times better (see Daniel 1:19-20) for your role in God’s plan than anyone else, and that you’ll be ten times better off than if you follow your own plan away from God.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for June 2, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, June 2, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Esther & Daniel, by Mark Mangano. © 2001 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 
With our challenges, lately I’ve been seeing and saying, “Our Lord’s provision runs ahead of our perception of our need.” Daniel and his companions trusted this point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great point. God is not playing catch-up with our situations; He is way ahead of them
LikeLiked by 1 person