boys were in a heathen land far from home, yet they did not forget the God whom their parents had taught them to know and honor. As might be expected, these names did not please the prince of the eunuchs, who proceeded to confer new ones on Daniel and his companions. Daniel himself was named “Belteshaz- zar,” a word which means “Bel’s prince.” Bel was one of the heathen gods worshipped by the Babylonians. Hananiah was given the name of Shadrach (“inspired by the sun- god” ). Mishael’s name was changed to Meshach (“who is comparable to Shak” — Shak being the name under which the Babylonians worshipped the godess Venus). Azariah was named Abednego (“servant of the shining fire,” an allusion. to the fire-god). From these new names it is easy to detect that the prince was an idolater who cared nothing for the true God; indeed the very name of the Lord Jehovah was evidently distasteful to him. This fact makes even more miraculous the working of God in such a man’s heart so as to cause him to have tender love for godly Daniel. Lange, “Verse 8 is one of the truly great verses of the entire Bible. A life devoted to God begins with purpose of heart. If the child of God has from the very beginning such purpose of heart, then when tests come he will be ready, by God’s help, to stand for Him. Doubtless this is why some be lievers fail in the hour of testing. There was not a previous determina tion to do the will of God regardless of the cost.” Evidently this conviction originated with Daniel, but when he revealed it to his friends, the three determined to stand with him. The faithful life of an earnest believer, can be a source of great encouragement to others. It is specifically stated that Daniel purposed not to defile himself. His masters could change Daniel’s name but not his nature. Though far from his own land and in a heathen idola trous country, he nevertheless deter mined to maintain his separation unto God. While this aspect is not the
whole, it is nevertheless an important part of the life of a child of God. Psalm I first speaks of what the blessed, or happy, man does not do, and then of what he does do. Many other Scripture passages do the same. There is evidently both a negative and a positive side to the Christian life. There are certain things the'believer should do if he is faithful to God; there are other things he should not do.
ON LY A LITTLE W H ILE
Only a little while,
A moment it may be. Ere I shall see Him face to face, Who died, who lives for me.
Only a little while,
The wilderness to roam, And then the Father's house above M y dwelling-place, my home.
Only a little while,
To walk by faith alone, And then without a veil to see, And know as I am known. Only a little while, To tread the path He trod, And then the Home of rest and joy. The dwelling-place of God. Only a little while, O, precious, cheering word! It may be 'ere this day shall close I shall behold my Lord. Then not “a little while," But through eternal days. To sing the never-ending song Of tribute to His praise!
Stevens, “It is further stated that Daniel determined not to defile him self with the king’s meat and wine. The Jews had strict dietary laws. Possibly Daniel knew that swine’s flesh or the flesh of things strangled would be offered to him (cf., Acts 15:20). Authorities tell us that usual ly such meat was also dedicated first of all to an idol. As for wine, many warnings against it are to be found in the Old Testament, •particularly in the Book of Proverbs, which was writ ten long before Daniel's time. Daniel 31
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