Daniel 1:1–21

Whatever the difficulties in the word of God may be, they really arise from a lack of light.

Again and again, warnings came to the people of Israel and the kings of Judah. Their evil and idolatrous ways would bring the chastening hand of God upon them. They took no notice. Then the prophet Isaiah announced plainly that judgment would fall... Despite this message, the evil grew. It reached its height under Hezekiah's son, the wicked Manasseh... At last, in the reign of Jehoiakim, God fulfilled the words He had spoken through Isaiah. The government passed from the Jew to the Gentile. From then on the Jews will be under Gentile rule, until the times of the Gentiles close with the coming reign of Christ.

Daniel 1 opens with a solemn statement. The king of Babylon besieged and took Jerusalem. He carried king and people away captive, and took the vessels of the House of God to Babylon. This is very important to notice, as it gives us the ground on which the prophecies of Daniel proceed. The throne of David was the throne of Jehovah (1 Chron. 29:23), and Jerusalem was the city of God, the city of the Great King (Ps. 48:2, 8). God's intention from the first has been to administer the earth through the people of Israel. Israel is His centre. Jerusalem is His chosen seat of government, and the house of David its earthly rulers.

Here is the startling fact. The government God had set up in Israel was now to continue no longer. With it went the visible sign of His presence. God Himself stripped them of their name as His people. From now on they were "Lo-Ammi," not My people. That was their sentence, as far as He was concerned — whatever His grace might finally intend. For His "gifts and calling" are irrevocable.

Now here began "the times of the Gentiles." Chapter 1 of this prophetic book says that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. In 2 Kings 24 and 25 we read of three separate successful campaigns against Jerusalem by this same Nebuchadnezzar. The last was the complete and decisive one. Since then Israel has been subject to Gentile rule. Its kings have been only vassals.

Look at this state of affairs from nature's point of view. It is quite enough to discourage the heart, dampen the spirit and paralyse all energy. Jerusalem in ruins, the temple trampled down, the Lord's vessels in the house of a false god, and Judah carried away captive. Surely the heart would feel inclined to say there is no use in it. Why hold up the standard of practical discipleship and personal devotion any longer? That would be nature's reasoning, but it is not the language of faith. There is always a path along which the true disciple can run, even if he has to run alone.

The first two verses introduce the Book. They briefly show the ruin of Israel. They show the government of the earth — seen in royal power — passing from the king of Judah to the king of Babylon. These verses describe that solemn act plainly as the Lord's doing, for we read, "The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah" into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

The Lord had given Jehoiakim into Nebuchadnezzar's hand. He had abandoned His house in Jerusalem so completely that He allowed the sacred vessels of the temple to be taken into the land of Shinar. The sins of the kings of Judah had already profaned those vessels. So God's lampstand at Jerusalem was removed for a time. It was removed in judgment, because it had stopped giving out divine light to guide and bless people in the moral darkness of this world.

Sadly we read "some of the vessels of the house of God … he brought them to the land of Shinar" (Daniel 1:2). Precious vessels, set apart for the service of God's house, now found in the house of a pagan's god! Scripture first shows us Shinar in Genesis 10, 11 and 14 as a place marked by rebellion. There man challenges the rights of God and makes a name for himself. It is a kingdom of war and conflict. This is the character of the scene where His people were found, under God's governmental dealings.

At once we see the character of this Gentile king, for we read that he "placed the vessels in the treasury of his god." He has no true knowledge or fear of God. He has no real sense of the sacred character of these vessels. This is a warning sign of the godless character of the Gentile rulers during the times of the Gentiles.

There had been three deportations. The last one did the most damage: the temple was burnt, and very large numbers were led captive. But the seventy years of captivity count from the first one, which we would call relatively unimportant. Why was this first one the important one in God's eyes? Well, it's because of the vessels. Nebuchadnezzar had taken the vessels of the Temple to Babylon. He even put them into the house of his idols. Such a thing had never happened before. True, some kings had taken silver from the treasury, and even from the doors of the temple, to buy off the king of Assyria. Ahaz and Hezekiah did this. But the holy vessels had never been touched.

Blessed be God! There is always a wide space where true devotion can grow. There is always a path the true disciple can walk, even if he has to walk it alone. It does not matter what the outward state of things may be. Faith has the privilege of depending on God, feeding on Christ, and breathing the air of heaven — as fully as if everything were in perfect order and harmony.

When Judah was restored, all these objects came back — 5,400 of them (Ezra 1:9-11). That was the most striking feature of the journey home that brought the remnant of the people back to their land. At the start of these seventy years one thing stands out. The glory of the temple, the glory of its service of worship to the Lord, had itself gone into captivity.

God sent Isaiah to him with this message: "Hear the word of the LORD of hosts… And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon" (Isaiah 39:5-7). The opening verses of our chapter reveal the fulfilment of Isaiah's prediction. But what we want to call attention to is this: in fulfilling His own word in judgment, God remembered mercy. It is out of these very descendants of Hezekiah that He raised up witnesses for Himself in the middle of Babylon's idolatrous corruptions.

One thing prophesied against Israel was that their sons would become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. 2 Kings 20:18; Isaiah 39:7. Daniel and his companions were an instance of this coming true, for they were put in the care of "the master of the eunuchs." Though the word saris means "eunuch," it is often translated "chamberlain" and "officer," because eunuchs held such positions of trust.

When Nebuchadnezzar first came against Jerusalem, Daniel and his three friends were carried captive among many youths of royal or noble birth. They were counted as men of exceptional intellectual ability — the pick of the nation in wisdom and understanding. The shrewd Babylonian king intended to strengthen his position with the cleverest men of conquered nations. He would work them into the army of magicians — the men who dealt with demon powers, and gave him guidance by their occult practices.

God permitted Nebuchadnezzar to carry them away as captives, and by that He was accomplishing His own purpose. But Nebuchadnezzar, now holding power over them, tried to make them serve his will. So a conflict arose at once between the thoughts of God and the thoughts of the king of Babylon… In one word, he wanted them to stop being Jews and to become Chaldeans, and to mix into their new religion the light they had received from the words of God.

The king of Babylon's efforts to use the people of God for his own ends bring this godly remnant to our notice. He would try to decorate his court with the leaders of God's people — the king's seed, the princes, and those who were good-looking and marked by wisdom, knowledge and science. The religious world will use the people of God for its own glory. But it cannot tolerate their God, their obedience to His word, or their separation from its own evils. So the world would gladly wipe out every trace of their link with the true God.

Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, as God allowed in His governmental ways. Zedekiah was the last of the house of David to sit on his throne, and he was blinded. It looked as if the lamp of David had been put out for good… The royal seed went into captivity in Babylon (Dan. 1:3). No one of the house of David reigned in Jerusalem.

Captive Jews were brought into Babylon, that splendid treasure-house, and among them Daniel and his three companions, as told in Daniel 1:3-6... The great Nebuchadnezzar meant to get out of his captives all the profit and progress that their scientific ability and learning could produce. He was just like the leaders of the nations today.

At Babylon Daniel and his companions had to acquire "the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans," that is, their ancient literature and language. What was that language? In Dan. 2:4 we find that the wise men answered the king in the Syriac language, that is Aramaic... this is held to be not the learned and court language, but the common language of the people.

In both the Hebrew and the Greek the words mean "knowledge," and are usually translated that way. They are rendered "science" only in Dan. 1:4, where "knowledge" and "wisdom" are also mentioned, and in 1 Tim. 6:20, where it is science, or knowledge, "falsely so called." In Daniel this no doubt refers to the speculations of the Magi. In the letter to Timothy it refers to the philosophers or Gnostic heretics, whose "knowledge" had no real foundation.

The world is always ready to make the people of God its servants, and to draw light from their knowledge. But it cannot tolerate them if they stay faithful to their God, obeying His word and keeping a holy separation from evil... He would have them, in a word, stop being Jews and become Chaldeans, and mix into their new religion the light they had received from the word of God. That is where philosophy comes from, even in Christian times — the philosophy Paul earnestly warns us against, as being "according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ" (Col. 2:8).

To conform to their world, the minds of these men are to be trained in the learning of the Chaldeans. Their tongues are to speak the Chaldean language. Their bodies are to be fed with the king's delicacies, and their names changed to those of heathen gods.

Daniel was sent to the Babylonian university to learn and read the language and literature of the Chaldeans. The teens and early twenties are years full of special danger. These youths had been taken captive and were now far from home and from parental control and influence. The educational system of Babel was not designed to train young men to be spiritual, godly men. Its purpose was different: to train men for its own empire and glory, and to make them good Babylonians. Young people need to know that today. The educational system of this world does not exist to make them good Christians.

Nebuchadnezzar was a mighty ruler. But there was something in these men that was morally greater than anything found in Nebuchadnezzar... It is clear that there was moral formation in these men before they reached Babylon.

But that is not all. There was the positive blessing of God in giving them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom... God prepared each of them for what he would afterwards have to fill. God was their teacher, and the trial of their faith was a needed, essential part of their training in His school. Then, when they stood before the king, none was found like them.

"Prepared" does not mean the fish was created specially for this purpose — though that would be an easy matter for the Maker of the sea and the dry land. It simply means the fish was "appointed" for this service. Translators render the same word this way in Daniel 1:5, of the food intended for Daniel and his companions.

The king, therefore, would have these captives fed with his own food and drinking his own wine. Fed from his resources for three years, they might at the end of it stand in his presence (v. 5). He would have them, in one word, stop being Jews and become Chaldeans. They were to mix into their new religion the light they had received from God's own words. This is where philosophy comes from, even in Christian times. Paul gives a serious warning against that philosophy, as being "according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ" (Col. 2:8).

Daniel was sent to the Babylonian university to learn and read the language and literature of the Chaldeans... The educational system of Babel was not designed to train young men to be spiritual, godly men. It had an altogether different agenda. Its purpose was to train men for its own empire and greatness; to make them good Babylonians.

In exchange for their loss of nationality, these captives are offered a most alluring prospect in a foreign land. They shall have a free course of the best education in the land. The king shall pay for the finest provision to meet their daily needs. And in the end they shall have a high position in the king's palace.

"But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank." By nature they would have received such food with thankfulness. But faith acts, and refuses it. The food was connected with the false gods of the country, being part of the daily food of an idolatrous king... Christianity comes in and delivers the conscience from anxiety about such things. "Eat whatever is sold in the meat market," Paul says, "without raising any question on the ground of conscience." The same holds at a feast. But if someone pointed out that certain food had been offered to idols, the Christian was not to eat it — for the sake of the one who said it, and for conscience' sake. The Jew, however, had to keep complete separation.

Those who are destined for a place as religious leaders in the Babylon-like corruption of Christendom must be trained in the religious schools of this world. They must, as it were, be taught "the learning and the language of the Chaldeans." They must benefit from the resources the world provides — "a daily portion of the king's food." And last of all, they must accept such titles and dignities as the world can give.

This led Daniel and his friends to decline these luxuries and be content with the simplest food and drink. God honoured the separation they practised in this matter, and He "gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom," as we see in verse 17. The knowledge they had came not from man but from God.

The opening verses of our chapter reveal the fulfilment of Isaiah's prediction. But here is what we want to point out: in fulfilling His own word in judgment, God remembered mercy. Out of these very descendants of Hezekiah He raised up witnesses for Himself in the middle of Babylon's idolatrous corruptions.

Hezekiah once received the messengers from the king of Babylon. Their attention flattered him, so he showed them all the treasures of his kingdom. Isaiah was then sent to him with this message: "Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house... shall be carried to Babylon. And some of your own sons... shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon" (Isaiah 39:5-7). The opening verses of our chapter show Isaiah's prediction fulfilled. But note this: in carrying out His own word in judgment, God remembered mercy. Out of these very descendants of Hezekiah He raised up witnesses for Himself in the middle of Babylon's idolatrous corruption.

Daniel means "God is my judge"; Hananiah, "Beloved of the Lord"; Mishael, "Who is as God"; Azariah, "The Lord is my help." These beautiful names were soon changed to names with pagan meaning, to blot out the very memory of Jehovah. Daniel becomes Belteshazzar (Bel's prince); Hananiah becomes Shadrach (lit up by the sun-god); Mishael becomes Meshach (who is like Shach — Venus); and Azariah becomes Abednego (the servant of Nego).

Daniel's name was changed to Belteshazzar, which means "Bel's prince," or "he whom Bel favours." This may have been a snare of Satan. By giving him a name and a place of honour tied to the chief god of the land, it would draw Daniel away from the worship of the one true God — and away from loyalty to the God whose name was woven into the name his parents gave him in Israel. The enemy of God and of our souls is that cunning. By both flattery and force he seeks to turn us from loyalty to Christ, whose blessed name is called on us — "Christians." The enemy tries flattery on Daniel and his friends first. When this fails to seduce them into idolatry, he tries the burning fiery furnace and the lions' den.

The people of Israel were God's witnesses in a world wholly given over to idolatry (Isaiah 43:10). God had set them in a high position to shine for Him, but their unfaithfulness cost them that place. Yet He never lacked a small remnant true to His name and His interests. Here, in the capital city of this king who sat in darkness, four of these lights shine out. The light that was despised in Jerusalem is now radiant in Babylon.

He would seek to decorate his court with the leaders of God's people. He wanted the royal line, the princes, and men who were good-looking and marked by wisdom, knowledge and learning. The religious world will use the people of God for its own glory. But it cannot tolerate their God, their obedience to His word, or their separation from its own evils.

They had lost every privilege of the temple, and the temple itself lay in ruins. They were captives at the mercy of a pagan king, pressed with every sort of alluring temptation. Yet they held the Nazirite's place of true separation through obedience to the word of God. No doubt Daniel's faith and energy acted on his companions and led them to follow him in the path of God's will. But if so, the others were willing to follow. All four are striking proof that God's grace is enough to sustain His servants in the worst circumstances imaginable.

A great statement this! Had he not so purposed, no Book of Daniel would have found a place in our Bibles. Notice first that the Spirit of God in the record disowns his heathen name and uses his original one, which means "God is Judge." The man clearly lived in the light of his name. So notice, second, that he purposed not in his head, the seat of intelligence, but in his heart. The heart is the seat of affection toward God, before whom he walked. This is the kind of purpose that stands firm and does not vary.

What was the secret of his boldness? "Daniel purposed in his HEART." His heart was won for Jehovah. His soul revolted against the blind superstition of idol worship. At all costs he would take his stand. No one can tell how the heart is won like that. We cannot whip ourselves into devotedness. It is good when a young Christian is sorry for his lack of heart for the Lord and turns to Him in prayer for it to be different.

Naturally they would have received such food with thankfulness. But faith is at work, and refuses it. The food was connected with the false gods of the country, since it was part of the daily food of an idolatrous king. Even in their own land, and apart from idols, God insisted on separating clean things from unclean. Much that the Gentiles prized was disgusting to a Jew. The law was strict about these defilements, and Daniel, as a Jew, was under its obligations. Christianity comes in and frees the conscience from worry about such things.

It was a bold stand to make. A tyrannical king might easily have decided to kill the bold youth. He had dared to insult the king's gods and to despise the very food the king himself ate.

He might, very naturally, have said to himself, "There is no use in one poor feeble captive seeking to maintain a place of separation. Everything is broken up... I may as well fit in with the condition of things around me." But no; Daniel was on higher ground than this. He knew it was his privilege to live as close to God in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar, as within the gates of Jerusalem.

He acts with great discretion. He asks the chief of the eunuchs that "he might not defile himself." He does not irritate and antagonise the man by telling him that he had already purposed in his heart that "he would not defile himself."

It is certain that if the request had been refused, they still would not have eaten that meat. But we see in verse 9 that God had already been at work behind the scenes: He had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the chief of the eunuchs. Daniel's heart was right before God, and God moved the eunuch's heart to protect His servants.

In a word, Daniel is faithful in all that makes up a complete separation from the world... and this conduct of faith, which looked blameworthy on the surface, meets the approval of God. The personal behaviour of Daniel is the basis of and introduction to the revelation of the whole book. It is the same with us. Separation from the world means a decided refusal to take our portion in what it offers. That puts us in a position to receive those communications from God.

The king is a fitting picture of the one who wants to feed your mind with the food of this world... Today the god of this world sets his food before us through every kind of media. Satan wants to feed the mind with trash and filth.

It is certain that even if the official had refused, they still would not have eaten that meat. But we see in verse 9 that God had already been at work behind the scenes: "God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs." Daniel's heart was right before God, and God moved the eunuch's heart to protect His servants.

Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will." Even Nebuchadnezzar himself had to experience that.

We think again of the similar case of Joseph. Sold into Egypt, and living in Potiphar's house, "he found grace" in his master's sight. But, like Daniel, he refused the world's food and wine. Unlike Daniel, he was thrown into prison. There the Lord also "gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison." "When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." And so the prince of the eunuchs granted Daniel's request, despite his fear of his lord the king and the possible danger to his own life.

Such arguments, if used, carried no weight with these godly men. The test only makes their devoted character clear. They refuse to let expediency or human reason direct them, and they will make no compromise. They do not forget who they are. Israel has failed, and they suffer under the chastening of God. Yet they are still the people of the true God, and they owe Him whole-hearted allegiance. They are ready to submit to the Gentile king, and rightly so. But they will not disobey the word of their God.

There was in him not only great firmness of purpose but also a wise and humble spirit in making it known. God had acted on his behalf, bringing him into favour with the prince of the eunuchs and with Melzar his subordinate, yet he did not presume on this and speak proudly. Instead he stated his desire. He asked that he and his friends be given the plainest food for ten days as a test, and that the result settle the matter.

God prepares and orders everything for the well-being of those who walk faithfully, whatever their circumstances. He turned the heart of the chief of the eunuchs in favour of Daniel and his three companions. The eunuch, who had them in his charge, came to have a great regard for them... Daniel refused to eat meats from the table of a pagan monarch, and this act of faith, which looked wrong, meets the approval of God. Daniel's personal behaviour is the basis of and introduction to the revelation of the whole book. It is the same with us. Separation from the world means a settled refusal to take our portion in what it offers. It puts us in a position to receive those communications from God. Their fullness is in the written word, yet we never receive them except through His direct teaching.

These captives, whatever it cost them, are determined to obey God rather than men. Defying the king like this might have cost them their heads. That would surely have been their fate if word of it had reached the king. Nothing but the direct intervention of God could have saved them. But their minds were made up. They agreed completely that it was better to lose their lives than to break the clear commandment of the living God. Besides all this, when the day came for the four to stand before the king, the men answerable for their healthy appearance might have faced a death sentence.

Some interpreters have lowered this noble stand of Daniel to mere natural morality. He was "refusing," they say, "to indulge himself in the delights of the table, or touch the intoxicating cup." Countless lectures and sermons against drink have been built on it, and that hides the deep spiritual meaning of what he did. We believe Daniel refused the king's food and wine, not because there was anything wrong or dangerous in them, but because pagan kings usually offered them to their idols.

Again we are reminded of the similar case of Joseph. He was sold into Egypt and became a member of Potiphar's household, and there "he found favour" in his master's sight… "When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." So the chief of the eunuchs granted Daniel's request through Melzar, despite his fear of his lord the king and the possible danger to his own life.

It is important to see that although the request was made to the chief of the eunuchs, it was God who caused that request to be granted.

The eunuch was unwilling to lose his life on their account. But when faith is at work, grace opens a way forward for it among the obstacles. Melzar is approached and agrees to give them vegetables for a trial period. Daniel was a righteous man who lived by faith and trusted his God to vindicate him in this matter.

A difficulty may be a real one. But if we are on the path of God's will, it becomes an obstacle only to the unbelief of our hearts. Faith counts on God and does what He wills, and difficulties are nothing before Him. Unbelief can always find excuses, and excuses that look well founded too. They have only this one fatal defect: they leave God out.

There was in him not only great firmness of purpose but also a wise and humble spirit in making it known. God had acted on his behalf, bringing him into favour with the prince of the eunuchs and with Melzar his subordinate, yet he did not presume on this and speak with pride. Instead he stated his desire, and asked that he and his friends be given the plainest food for ten days as a test.

They were in the hand of God, who took care of their bodies. He had a purpose in their being in Babylon, and until that purpose was fulfilled they were as safe from harm as the elect angels in heaven. God filled the vision of their souls, not Nebuchadnezzar. The king's anger may be like the roaring of a lion. But when the question lies between him and the living God, the faithful believer's soul does not hear the king's roar.

One under whom Daniel and his companions were placed in Babylon, Daniel 1:11–16. The Hebrew has the article, and it is thought to be a title, such as 'the steward', rather than a proper name.

The eunuch was unwilling to lose his life on their account. But when faith is at work, grace opens a way forward for it through the obstacles. Daniel approaches Melzar, and he agrees to give them plain food for a trial period. Daniel was a righteous man who lived by faith and trusted his God to vindicate him in this matter.

The secret of Daniel's strength was that his heart was right with God. As we read, "Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food." He acts, however, with great discretion. He asks the prince that "he might not defile himself." He does not irritate and antagonise the man by telling him that he had already resolved in his heart that "he would not defile himself."

There was in him not only great firmness of purpose but also a wise and humble spirit in making it known. God had acted on his behalf. He brought Daniel into favour with the prince of the eunuchs and with the steward under him. Yet Daniel did not presume on this and speak proudly. Instead he stated his desire. He asked that he and his friends might eat the plainest of food for ten days as a test, and that the result should settle the matter.

Let us learn a lesson from this incident. Separation from defilement is always God's path for His saints, but much depends on the spirit they show as they take it. If they take it in a harsh or proud spirit, rather than a gentle and humble one, their testimony to others will count for nothing. Daniel and his friends sought their separation, and kept it, in the right spirit.

We see in verse 12 that these men, these sanctified vessels, were prepared to face the test. "Test your servants for ten days." There certainly was a risk in this. It says of Barnabas and Paul that they "risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:26). These men had enough courage and trust in God to take the risk. Give us ten days for the matter to be proved. They had wonderful faith in God. They were bold enough to propose the terms, and their terms were accepted.

It is certain that even if they had been refused, they still would not have eaten that meat. But we see in verse 9 that God had already worked behind the scenes: "God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs." Daniel's heart was right before God, and God moved the eunuch's heart to protect His servants.

If we feed on the things of this world — its amusements, politics, television and so on — our spiritual health will be poor.

The prince explains the difficulty and danger in granting Daniel's request. At once Daniel proposes a ten days' test of a diet in accordance with their law. This suggestion is a striking proof of Daniel's faith in the living God. The result proves that his faith is not in vain.

He had not only great firmness of purpose but also a wise and humble spirit in making it known. God had acted for him. He had brought him into favour with the prince of the eunuchs and with Melzar, the officer under him. Yet Daniel did not trade on this and speak proudly. Instead he said what he wanted, and asked that he and his friends might eat the plainest food for ten days as a test.

By nature they would have received such food with thanks. But faith is at work, and so they refuse it. It was connected with the false gods of the country, being a part of the daily food of an idolatrous king. Even in their own land, and apart from idols, God insisted on a division between clean and unclean things. Much that the nations valued was detestable to a Jew. The law was strict about these defilements, and Daniel, as a Jew, was bound by it. Christianity comes in and delivers the conscience from anxiety as to such things.

Not fine food, but food that spoke of humbling themselves before God, was what a true heart felt to be suited to them. It was the kind of food that the lowest person in that proud and luxurious city might have looked down on.

We see in verse 12 that these men, these Sanctified Vessels, were prepared to face the test. "Test your servants for ten days." There was a venture in this. It says of Barnabas and Paul that they "risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:26). These men had enough courage and trust in God to make the venture. They had wonderful faith in God. They were bold enough to propose the terms, and their terms were accepted.

Daniel asked that he and his companions might eat vegetables and drink water for ten days as an experiment. The prince of the eunuchs agreed to it. Ten days was not a long time for a food experiment to show much result. But at the end of the ten days Daniel and his three companions looked "better in appearance and fatter in flesh" than those who ate the king's food and drink.

The vegetables and the water speak of feeding on Christ in the power of the Spirit. The food would look the same day after day, yet we need never grow tired of it. Christ taken in by us in the power of the Spirit will produce what is morally "ten times better" (v. 20) than anything the world can show.

If we, too, are to understand the Scriptures, I believe that we must travel the path of separation from the world. Nothing destroys spiritual understanding more than simply drifting along with the stream of men's opinions and ways.

The secret of Daniel's strength was that his heart was right with God. We read that Daniel had settled it in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's food. He acts, however, with great care. He asks the official only that he might not defile himself. He does not irritate or provoke the man by telling him that he had already settled it in his heart that he would not defile himself.

He had great firmness of purpose, and also a wise and humble spirit in making it known. God had acted on his behalf. God brought him into favour with the chief official and with Melzar, the man under him. Yet Daniel did not trade on this or speak proudly. Instead he stated his desire and made his request: that he and his friends be given the plainest of food for ten days as a test, and that the result should settle the matter. God was with them, and so He kept them from the defilement that would otherwise have been theirs.

We see in verse 12 that these men, set apart for God, were ready to face the test: test your servants for ten days. There was a real venture in this. Scripture says of Barnabas and Paul that they "risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:26), and these men had enough courage and trust in God to take that venture. Give us ten days to prove the matter. They had wonderful faith in God. They were bold enough to propose the terms, and their terms were accepted.

The official explains the difficulty and danger in granting Daniel's request. At once Daniel proposes a ten-day test of a diet that keeps their law. This suggestion is a striking proof of Daniel's faith in the living God. The result proves that his faith is not in vain.

They were also completely sure that the food they asked for would produce the right results. We need to take that to heart. They did not question what they should eat. They said plainly: give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

It is important to see that although Daniel made the request to the chief official, it was God who caused that request to be granted.

They needed food if they were to say, at the end of the ten days in which they had refused the king's food, "let our appearance ... be observed by you". For us the food we need is the Word of God.

Feeding on Christ in the power of the Spirit is what the vegetables and the water picture. The food may look the same day after day, yet we never need to grow tired of it. Christ taken in by us in the power of the Spirit will produce a moral result "ten times better" (v. 20) than anything the world can show.

It is certain that they still would not have eaten that meat, even if the answer had been no. But verse 9 shows that God had already worked behind the scenes: "God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs." Daniel's heart was right before God, and God moved that official's heart to protect His servants.

Joseph's case is similar. He was sold into Egypt and joined Potiphar's household, where "he found favor" in his master's sight... And so the chief of the eunuchs granted Daniel's request through Melzar, that he and his companions be tested for ten days. He did this despite his fear of the king his master, and despite the danger to his own life.

He acts with great discretion. He asks the chief official that "he might not defile himself." He does not irritate or provoke the man by telling him that he had already decided in his heart that "he would not defile himself."

He did not say he would not eat. He asked that he might not. It was not will but conscience. Sometimes we come to such tests with our own will at work, and then we have to go through God's discipline. If we came to them along the line of conscience, God would stand by us. The matter in question was not necessarily evil, but something that did not fit their position as Israelites. In those eastern courts there were many evil practices, but it was not from such things that they were seeking deliverance; it was from things that did not suit a Sanctified Vessel.

We see in verse 12 that these men, these Sanctified Vessels, were ready to face the test. "Test your servants for ten days." There was a real venture in this... these men had enough courage and trust in God to make the venture. Give us ten days to prove the matter. They had wonderful faith in God. They were bold enough to propose the terms, and their terms were accepted.

Ten days was not a long time for a food experiment to show much result. But at the end of the ten days Daniel and his three companions looked "better in appearance and fatter in flesh" than those who ate the king's food and drink.

God prepared them, each for the place he would later fill. God was their teacher, and the testing of their faith was a needed, essential part of their training in His school.

This exercise touches more than the food we eat. It raises the question of what we are feeding on for our souls. If we feed on the things of this world — its amusements, politics, television and the rest — our spiritual health will be poor.

Separation from what defiles is always God's path for His people, but much depends on the spirit they show as they take it. If they take it in a harsh or proud spirit, instead of a meek and humble one, their testimony to others counts for nothing.

We see in verse 12 that these men were prepared to face the test. "Test your servants for ten days." There certainly was a venture in this. It says of Barnabas and Paul that they "risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:26). These men had enough courage and trust in God to make the venture. They had wonderful faith in God. They were bold enough to propose the terms, and their terms were accepted.

And see how God came in and supported Daniel. Ten days was not a long time for a food experiment to have much result. But at the end of the ten days the faces of Daniel and his three companions were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than those who took the king's food and drink.

"When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." So the chief of the eunuchs granted Daniel's request, in spite of his fear of the king and the possible danger to his own life. God had sustained and prospered His servants in their path of faithfulness to His will. They had kept themselves undefiled among the Babylonian temptations and corruptions around them. Even the steward could not deny that they had flourished on their simple diet, and from then on he gave them vegetables.

From this incident let us learn a lesson. Separation from defilement is always God's path for His saints. But much depends on the spirit they show as they take it. Take it in a harsh or proud spirit, instead of a meek and lowly one, and the testimony to others is cancelled out. Suppose our spirit in taking it is marked by "Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you." That was the spirit of the Pharisees in our Lord's day. Then we shall be helping on the evil we claim to be separating ourselves from. Daniel and his friends sought their separation, and kept it, in the right spirit.

Daniel passed the test of the ten days and God made him and his friends succeed in their purpose. The truth of that Scripture, "those who honor me I will honor" (1 Sam. 2:30), received another triumphant illustration. Daniel's godliness was great gain — in fact he was ten times better (v. 20). Of course there was responsibility and dedicated hard work in his studies. But in everything he looked to his God to sustain him.

If we, too, are to understand the Scriptures, I believe that we must travel the path of separation from the world. Nothing destroys spiritual understanding more than drifting with the stream of men's opinions and ways.

Feeding on Christ in the power of the Spirit is what the vegetables and the water would speak of. The food may look the same day after day. Yet we need never grow tired of it. Christ taken in by us in the power of the Spirit will produce what is morally "ten times better" (v. 20) than anything the world can show.

Any species of grain or seeds used for food. Daniel 1:12, 16.

One under whom Daniel and his companions were placed in Babylon, Daniel 1:11-16. The Hebrew has the article, and it is supposed to be a title, such as 'the steward,' rather than a proper name.

They could naturally have received such food with thanks; but faith acts, and they refuse it. It was connected with the false gods of the country, since it was part of the daily food of a king who worshipped idols… The law was strict about these defilements, and Daniel, as a Jew, was under its obligations. Christianity comes in and frees the conscience from anxiety about such things.

Daniel at once shows himself decided for the true God. The question for him was not whether to do in Babylon what Babylon did, but what the will of God required of Israel… A true heart felt that their right food was not "pleasant bread," but food that spoke of humbling themselves before God — such food as the lowest person in that proud and luxurious city might have looked down on.

"When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." So the prince of the eunuchs granted Daniel's request through Melzar, despite his fear of his lord the king and the danger to his own life… God had sustained and prospered His servants in their path of faithfulness to His will, as they kept themselves undefiled among the seductions and corruptions of Babylon around them. Even Melzar could not deny that they had flourished on their simple diet, and from then on he gave them pulse.

At once Daniel proposes a ten days' test of a diet in line with their law. This suggestion is a striking proof of Daniel's faith in the living God. The result proves that his faith is not in vain.

Separation from defilement is always God's path for His saints, but much depends on the spirit they show as they take it. If they take it in a harsh or haughty spirit instead of a meek and lowly spirit, their testimony to others will be ruined. Suppose our spirit in taking it says, 'Stand by yourself, do not come near me, for I am holier than you.' That was the spirit of the Pharisees in our Lord's day. With it we shall be helping along the very evil we claim to be separating from. Daniel and his friends sought their separation, and kept it, in the right spirit.

If we are not feeding on Christ, the world will attract us. There is no vacuum. If we are not feeding on spiritual food, that is, on Christ, we shall find ourselves feeding on things in the world, and spiritual leanness will follow. The substance formed in these men as a result of the food they fed on was obvious to everyone around them.

If we too are to understand the Scriptures, I believe we must travel the path of separation from the world. Nothing destroys spiritual understanding more than drifting along with the stream of men's opinions and ways. Daniel was separated from what, for a Jew, dishonoured God, and God blessed him with wisdom and understanding.

The middle verses of Daniel 1 show that their education and technical training lasted three years — very like a university course today. It included eating rations from the king's table. That food was no doubt connected with the idol worship the king practised. This led Daniel and his friends to decline these luxuries and be content with the simplest food and drink. God honoured the separation they practised in this matter, and He "gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom," as we see in verse 17. The "science" they had came not from man but from God.

Obedience to the word of God, faith in the living God, and separation from the defilements of Babylon are the outstanding marks of these godly men. Such men have the understanding of the mind of God. It is true that the Lord had given them into the hands of the king of Babylon. But that did not stop Him from giving understanding of His mind and purpose to those who were faithful to Himself.

It is very clear that God gave these four "children" knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom because of their separation in heart and life from the defiling evils around. It is always true that the closer we walk with the Lord, the more fully He shares His mind with us. And notice: this is not only what people usually mean by "His mind." It is in all learning and wisdom. Students today, even Christian students, are too often misled. They think that for gaining human "learning and wisdom" they depend on their own effort and power. The result is that their student years are often marked by spiritual decline, if not by openly turning away.

God prepared them, each for the place he would later fill. God was their teacher, and the trial of their faith was a needed, essential part of their training in His school.

All the equipment needed for the service entrusted to them came from Himself. … By divine teaching these servants of the living God left far behind, in wisdom and understanding, all the magicians and astrologers in the whole realm of the king.

At the close of the verse Daniel stands out from his companions. We are told — no doubt because of his special work and mission — that he had understanding in all visions and dreams. This also teaches us something. In all the circumstances and experiences God leads His people through, He is forming them as vessels for His service. On the human side, a disaster had struck Daniel. On God's side, as He plainly shows, this seeming disaster was simply the tool He had chosen. By it He formed Daniel for his mission: to carry His testimony into the court of the mighty Gentile king.

If we too are to understand the Scriptures, I believe we must travel the path of separation from the world. Nothing destroys spiritual understanding more than drifting along with the stream of men's opinions and ways. … Faith is the only means and power of spiritual understanding. Faith puts us and keeps us under the Lord's authority, and separate from this evil age. Daniel kept himself separate from what, to a Jew, dishonoured God, and God blessed him with wisdom and understanding.

We meet with examination days when we least expect them. Where my soul is, and what I have been busy with, is declared then. The place these captive students get is a great encouragement. The world is before you, and I know very well how tempting it is for Christian young men and women to fall in with its ways. Sometimes they think they must do so to get on in the work they are doing. I am glad to see that the godliest of them all were at the top of the class in Babylon.

There was the positive blessing of God, in giving them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom. And of Daniel we are told that he was given understanding in "all visions and dreams." God prepared each of them for the work he would later fill. God was their teacher, and the trial of their faith was a needed, essential part of their training in His school.

On the human side, a calamity had fallen on Daniel. On God's side, as Scripture makes plain, this calamity was only the instrument He had chosen to shape Daniel for his mission. That mission was to carry His testimony into the court of the mighty Gentile king. But faith alone can rise above all secondary causes. Faith alone ties everything to the hand of God and rests quietly in Him. Faith is sure of His infinite wisdom and love, and sure that every outcome will be according to His own perfect will.

The day came when they and others were brought in before the king to have their learning tested. Nebuchadnezzar found them "ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom." Much of Babylon's "learning" came through arts by which men dealt with demonic powers. So Daniel and his companions were up against a "learning" that comes from Satanic sources, as well as against what clever men had worked out. And the verdict, given by the pagan king himself, was that the knowledge and learning and wisdom that comes from God was ten times better.

As a result, these faithful men became witnesses for God. We read that they stood "before the king." God was true to His own word: "those who honour Me I will honour" (1 Samuel 2:30).

Of course his studies took responsibility and dedicated hard work. But in everything he looked to his God to hold him up where he was. God approves the faithful conduct of the four young men. They prove superior to all the king's servants, who had learned the dark sciences of this world.

"Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams," and at the end of the three years at college he is tested. The examination day came, and these four young men came out at the top of the class. When they came in, the king spoke with them. They had apparently to go through an examination before the king.

They might each have used the language of the Psalmist: "Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts" (Psalm 119:98-100). May all the young Christians of today take this lesson to heart!

Obedience to the word of God, faith in the living God, separation from the defilements of Babylon are the outstanding marks of these godly men. Such have the understanding of the mind of God. We read, "As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams" (v. 17). It is true the Lord had given them into the hands of the king of Babylon. Even so, He still gave understanding of His mind and purpose to those who were faithful to Himself.

There was the positive blessing of God, in giving them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom. And of Daniel we read that God made him understand "all visions and dreams." God prepared them, each for the place he would later fill. God was their teacher, and the trial of their faith was a needed, essential part of their training in His school.

It is striking that they take their place among those who stand before Nebuchadnezzar (verse 19). Their moral superiority over all the king's magicians and astrologers is clear. And the record gives them their names according to Israel... As the king spoke to them, he would no doubt use the names given to them by the prince. But when the Spirit of God points out their superiority, He gives them their names according to the stock of Israel.

Men in Babylon gained a great deal of their "science" through various arts that dealt with demonic powers. So Daniel and his companions were in competition with a "science" that comes from satanic sources, as well as with what clever men had worked out. And the verdict, pronounced by the pagan king himself, was that the knowledge and science and wisdom that comes from God was ten times better.

I believe we meet with examination days when we perhaps least expect them. That is when it becomes clear where my soul is and what I have been occupied with. The place these captive students get is a great encouragement. The world is before you, and I know very well how tempting it is for Christian young men and women to fall in with its ways instead. Sometimes they think it is necessary to get on in the business they have in hand. To me it is very good to see that the godliest of the lot were at the top of the class in Babylon.

In Daniel 1:20; 2:2, 10, 27; 4:7; 5:7, 11, 15 the Hebrew word is ashshaph, meaning "enchanter, magician" — someone who practised occult arts. This word occurs nowhere else.

The day came when the king called them in with others to test their science. Nebuchadnezzar found them "ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom." Much of Babylon's "science" came through various arts by which men trafficked with demonic powers. So Daniel and his companions were competing with a "science" that comes from satanic sources, as well as with what clever men had worked out. And the verdict, pronounced by the heathen king himself, was that the knowledge and science and wisdom that comes from God was ten times better.

The middle verses of Daniel 1 show that the educational and technical training lasted three years — very like a university course today. It included eating rations from the king's table, and those rations were doubtless connected with the idolatrous rites he practised. This led Daniel and his friends to decline these luxuries and be content with the simplest food and drink. God honoured the separation they practised in this matter, and He "gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom," as we see in verse 17. The "science" they had came not from man but from God.

I believe we meet examination days when we least expect them. What comes out then is where my soul is and what I have been occupied with. The world is before you, and I know very well the temptation it is to young Christian men and women to fall in with its ways. Sometimes they think it is necessary to get on in the business they are in. To me it is very good to see that the godliest of the lot were at the top of the class in Babylon... Give me a saint who is devoted through and through. In the long run you will find he is ten times better than the most instructed worldly man, because he has light from God.

As a result, these faithful men became witnesses for God, for we read that they stood "before the king." God was true to His own word, "Those who honour Me I will honour" (1 Samuel 2:30). So it came about that in all matters of wisdom and understanding the king found these faithful men ten times better than all the men of the world.

Compared with the magicians and astrologers, the four men, taught of God, were ten times better. There is nothing surprising in this. The same thing meets us in stronger form in 1 Corinthians 2. There we read that the rulers of this world knew nothing of God's wisdom, so much so that they "crucified the Lord of glory." But the simplest believer, indwelt and controlled by the Spirit of God, judges, or discerns, "all things."

The vegetables and the water speak of feeding on Christ in the power of the Spirit. The food may look the same day after day, yet we need never grow weary of it. Christ taken in by us in the power of the Spirit will produce what is morally "ten times better" (v. 20) than anything the world can show.

So he lived to see the fall of the huge empire that Nebuchadnezzar ruled. He served under Darius the Mede, and he saw the arrival of Cyrus. More than one hundred and fifty years earlier, Isaiah had prophesied of Cyrus (see Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1-3) as the one who would be the means of restoring Jerusalem and the temple.

It is not merely an account of certain circumstances, set down before the book introduces the various revelations or facts it gives one after another. Here we have the preparation for the place Daniel was to keep. And then the book carries us, as it were, on to the end. It shows Daniel continuing through the whole term of the Babylonian monarchy, and even into the beginning of the Persian. It does not mean that Daniel only lived to the first year of king Cyrus, because the latter part of the book shows us a vision after that date.

This prophet was taken to Babylon nearly twenty years before the last Babylonian attack on Jerusalem and the sack of the city. He outlived the captivity, which lasted seventy years, and went on to the third year of the reign of Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire (Dan. 10:1). So he must have been taken captive when very young, and could not have shared the nation's guilt to any great extent. But this very fact gives weight and solemnity to his confession of national sin (Dan. 9).

And God maintained the rights of His servant. When other kings died, Daniel continued and prospered (5:31, 6:1-3). The change of the ruling dynasty made no difference at all to Daniel's life; he went on smoothly, continuing to do the things that pleased God. What a man he was! This again was the result of his prayer life, the righteousness in his life, and his desire for the furthering of the interests of God.

It is very beautiful to see Daniel alone in the first chapter, and Daniel alone in the last chapter of his book. All the glory of this world passes before us, but the man who stands for God alone at the beginning is the man who will be alone at the end. "But go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and stand in your lot at the end of the days." The world is triumphing now, in this brief day of man. But those who are separate to God now will stand alone in that day of blessing.

This calls for spiritual stamina. We cannot flee from what is wrong. We cannot pursue what is right. Neither is possible without the spiritual strength that comes from a purpose of heart to refuse everything that is not of Christ Himself. Paul could say, "I have finished my course." And we read that "Daniel continued even unto the first year of King Cyrus" (verse 21). The last verse of the book says of him, "you… shall… stand in your lot at the end of the days".