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THE KING’S BUSINESS
Daniel was not arrogant and self-assertive in his fidelity to God and conscience. There was no parade of his conscientiousness: He was very modest and courteous in taking his stand. The trouble with most men who are unbending in their loyalty to God and His Word is that they spoil it all by their Pharisaical parade, of their fidelity to' con science. How seldom it is that a spotless Puritanism and sweet reason go hand in hand, but they did in Daniel. It is no' won der, therefore, that “God brought Daniel •into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” If we are careful to please God, we may safely leave in His hands the matter of our pleasing men (v. 9 R. V .; Prov: 16:7). This great truth is not only illustrated here in Daniel; it was also illus trated in Joseph (Gen. 39:21; Acts 7:10), Ezra (Ezra 7:27, 28), Nehemiah (Neh. 1: 11; 2:4), and is being illustrated every day. It has been well said, “If you are in God’s line, God will bring things into line with you.” All we need to see to is that we please God. Daniel’s suggestion, “Prove thy ser vants, I beseech thee, ten days” was born of faith. He knew God would not leave one of His children to suffer because of his loyalty to Him. Daniel had enough cdnfi- dence in his religion to put it to a practical test. His wisdom was indeed the wisdom that cometh from above (Jas. 3:17). vs. 14, 15. “So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. Arid at the end of ten days their countenances ap peared fairer and fatter in fiesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.” Daniel’s faith was not dis appointed. True faith never is disappointed. Some would see in Daniel’s experiences an argument for a vegetable diet. . What a strange vision some have! It is an argu ment for something far more important^, thpn a vegetable diet, i. e., an argument for obeying God and seeking to please' Him in everything (cf. Ex. 23:25; Deut. 28: 1-14; Ps. 37:16). v. 17. “As for .these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learn ing and wisdom: and Daniel had under-
in his heart decides what the man is. It is the heart that God looks at (2 Cor. 9:7; 8: 12; Luke 16:15); there can never be any steadiness of life and action without steadi ness of purpose (Acts 11:23). Daniel’s pur pose was fixed and unalterable. The carry ing out of his purpose involved great daily sacrifice and great peril, but there Daniel stood, nothing could move him and of course God stood by him. Daniel’s purpose was a good one in itself “not to defile himself.” Every professed follower of the Lord Jesus should determine that he will not defile him self in any way; that he will keep free from all defilement, physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual (2 Cor. 7:1). "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.” The king’s meat and wine were very agreeable to the palate, much more agreeable than plain “pulse,” but they had been offered as a sacrifice or libation to false gods, to beings that were really demons and not gods (1 Cor. 10:18-21, 28-31). To have eaten and drank would have heen to have taken part in devil worship, and Daniel purposed to keep himself free from all false compromise "with devil worship (Deut. 32:38; Ps. 106: 28; 141:4). Daniel would be absolutely clean from any partnership in the whole miserable business. He had a far higher standard than many professed Christians to day who will travel miles to go to an In dian snake dance, which is nothing more nor less than devil worship. What a lesson Daniel gives us in this day of easy-going worldly conformity. He was in Babylon, but he did not do as the Babylonians did. He lost nothing by his unwavering fidelity to God. No one ever loses anything by such fidelity (Ps. 84:11). vs. 12, 13. “Prove thy servants, I be seech thee, ten days: and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let ou,r countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.”
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