Moderator
Staff Member
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Daniel 1:8
As one of the gifted Jewish youth taken by Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem to Babylon, Daniel had certain privileges, including a daily supply of meat and wine from the king’s provisions (Daniel 1:5). But Daniel objected, purposing in his heart that he wouldn’t defile himself in such a manner.
Commentators point to three probable reasons why he objected. The Babylonians had no regard for the Law of God and therefore would have eaten ritually unclean animals, as well as animals that had been strangled, and animals that had been offered to Babylon’s false gods. Even in captivity, Daniel wanted to be obedient to God’s dietary laws, and he was determined to remain as pure as possible—even going so far as to request a dietary change while in captivity. This surely came with a risk.
How would have you responded if you had been in Daniel’s position? How determined are you to obey God’s Word, and ultimately God Is it your highest priority? What lengths will you go to in order to remain obedient?
As one of the gifted Jewish youth taken by Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem to Babylon, Daniel had certain privileges, including a daily supply of meat and wine from the king’s provisions (Daniel 1:5). But Daniel objected, purposing in his heart that he wouldn’t defile himself in such a manner.
Commentators point to three probable reasons why he objected. The Babylonians had no regard for the Law of God and therefore would have eaten ritually unclean animals, as well as animals that had been strangled, and animals that had been offered to Babylon’s false gods. Even in captivity, Daniel wanted to be obedient to God’s dietary laws, and he was determined to remain as pure as possible—even going so far as to request a dietary change while in captivity. This surely came with a risk.
How would have you responded if you had been in Daniel’s position? How determined are you to obey God’s Word, and ultimately God Is it your highest priority? What lengths will you go to in order to remain obedient?
