Knowledge and Skill
The
palace master gave them other names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar,
Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael
he called Meschach, and Azariah
he called Abednego.
But Daniel resolved that he
would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked
the palace master to allow him not to defile himself. Now God allowed Daniel to
receive favor and compassion from the palace master. The palace master said to
Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king; he has appointed your food and your
drink. If he should see you in poorer condition than the other young men of
your own age, you would endanger my head with the king.” Then Daniel asked the
guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah:
“Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and
water to drink. You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the
young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to
what you observe.” So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days.
At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter
than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations. So the guard
continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink, and
gave them vegetables. To these four young men God gave knowledge and skill in
every aspect of literature and wisdom; Daniel also had insight into all visions
and dreams.
Daniel 1:7-17
Daniel
was a captive in a foreign land, but he did not forget his religious
principles. He could not in good conscience eat meat that had been dedicated to
a pagan god and had not been slaughtered in accordance
with Hebrew laws. He asked for a simple fare of vegetables and water, and the steward
risked his life to honor his request. It is possible that the steward did this
because of Daniel’s noble conduct.
The
world looks with disdain on Christians who do not live what they say they
believe.
That’s why we should remain true to our convictions.
Consistency of character is what gains the respect of
others.
If you are living for Christ you may lose some friends,
but you won’t
lose their respect.
Our Daily Bread –