Integrity on Purpose
“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)
God had let Judah be taken captive by the Babylonians because of Judah’s persistent, unrepentant sin. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had his servant choose certain Israelites, “Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.” (Daniel 1:4)
No doubt the king wanted to put that brainpower to good use. The chosen captives would be educated in the ways of Babylon and then go on to serve the king. Four of those chosen were Daniel and his three friends: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, whom the king renamed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
The chosen Jews were also given a special diet: “And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.” (Daniel 1:5) This place of privilege was also a place of temptation. God had laid out certain dietary laws for His people, and the king’s meat and wine were in violation of God’s law.
No doubt there were many Jews who didn’t care about obeying God’s laws, dietary or otherwise; which was why Judah was in captivity to begin with. For such people, being one of the king’s chosen may have seemed like a treat. They would receive an education, eat and drink like a king, and get a government job. Yet Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were determined to obey God, even in Babylon.
Even in their captivity, God was still with them. Daniel 1:9 says, “Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” When Daniel asked to decline the special diet, the prince replied, “I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort [the Jews who took the king’s meat and wine]? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.” (Daniel 1:10)
Daniel made this proposal: “Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse (possibly seeds or vegetables) to eat, and water to drink. Then let our 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.” (Daniel 1:12-13)
The man who was over the four friends agreed to this proposal. Ten days later, Daniel and his friends appeared healthier than those on the king’s diet. God blessed their obedience.
No doubt the Jews who took the meat and wine were not pleased with Daniel and his friends. Yet the four were not concerned with pleasing people, but pleasing God: “…or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10) If you are a Christian, don’t let people snare you into doing wrong: “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
Finally, are you 100% sure you will be in heaven when you die? The Bible says you can be sure: “…that ye may know [not think or hope] that ye have eternal life,” (1 John 5:13) Please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?” to learn more.
Brian Miller 5/6/2025