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Pastor's Pen
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The Trial of the Individual
I am separating the ten trials of Daniel into two categories: The first six trials are focusing upon the individual. The last four trials are corporate trials - blanket trials that will affect all of God's people.
When a person is being tested, it generally involves other people as well. Everyone is being tried with the contestant, even if it is only something that they are thinking in their heart. May we always bear this in mind when a fellow-saint is in the fire.
The Devil's Dainties
The First Trial - Chapter 1
The opening trial in chapter one sets the stage for all of the future events concerning Daniel and his friends. Daniel and his companions are being subjected to an alien diet - a diet which was in direct violation to the dietary laws of the Jews. These four young men distinguish themselves from all the other candidates by refusing the Babylonian diet and adhering to the sanctity laws that they had been taught.
If Daniel and his friends had failed this first test, then I doubt whether there would be a book of Daniel. This first trial proves the sterling quality of these young Hebrews that holds true though out the book. Daniel's band proves to be ten times wiser than all the other contestants; and God imparted special prophetic giftings to Daniel that resound over the next seventy years, and to this very day!
"And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; 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. 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. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah" (Daniel 1:3-6).
Daniel and his friends have convictions
Daniel and his teenage friends were among the first captives to arrive in Babylon circa 606 BC. Because they were exceptionally precocious, they were singled out to serve in the king's palace. They began their induction into the king's service by being emasculated. This had to be one of the most degrading or humbling experiences that any young man could ever know.
There first big test began with their new diet. Now we are not told precisely what this diet consisted of, only we know that the Jews were very diet conscious. (The word meat covers a wide variety of food; it also translates - "dainties.") The Levitical diet was very comprehensive as to what was or was not acceptable. Although the Jews may not have understood some of the spiritual significance of the touch-nots, they did know that God's law forbade partaking of them.
The human rationale always makes concessions for such cases as these: "Well, if we don't eat this food, this could mean our lives…may the Lord understand this…" Daniel and his friends had convictions that ran a bit deeper than this. We are told in verse eight: "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."
Even their tutor was taking a risk by consenting to Daniel's request. Daniel suggested that they be proven for ten days and be allowed to eat their own food. At the end of ten days, their master could judge their appearance and deal from thence.
Now this may sound very trivial - making an issue over their diet - and yet this was a very serious matter to these young men. These were young men that were very conscientious about God's laws and did not take any of them lightly. May we recall from the book of the Acts an account where Peter is requested to eat some meat that is dubbed "unclean." Peter's response was: "I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean" (Acts 10:14). This undoubtedly is one of the reasons that Peter was chosen as one of the twelve. Peter took God's laws seriously.
I have often mused over this account in Daniel from the standpoint of a minister. These young men were being groomed to stand in the king's palace. Is this not the role of the minister - to groom his congregants through the Word and by the Spirit that they might stand in the King's palace at the end of days? As the account in Daniel ends, the appearance of these young men appeared far brighter and healthier than all the other candidates.
Present day diet
Let us now bring this into 21st century relevance: The king of Babylon represents Satan; and this 21st century king of Babylon also has a diet with which he would like to entice today's Christian youth. Let us consider some of this appealing meat. I have often said that when I get into some serious meditation of the Word, or if I am listening to a message that has some depth or substance, I find my mouth watering. In fact, I have found myself drooling as I was in deep contemplation of the Word. There are a few verses in Scripture that substantiate this strange behavior.
What kind of meat attracts you? The word meat is often a metaphor of one's desire. Jesus said that His meat was to do the will of God. He also promises meat in due season to the faithful. Christ is not talking about steak; he is talking about the desire fulfilled. As previously mentioned, the word meat also translates dainties. Let us use Israel as an illustration - the children of Israel were often lusting for the dainties and delights of Egypt. The psalmist also puts this into perspective when he says: "Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties" (Ps. 141:4).
The 21st century king of Babylon offers dainties and delights from his table that no other generation has been tempted with. He is like the Pied Piper, alluring the simple ones through his enchantments: through the internet; through the gadgets that can literally tap into anything that delights the soul and takes away the heart.
I think of the pilgrims going through Vanity Fair in the book, Pilgrim's Progress. As the story goes, the fair had been in operation for over 5000 years, seducing simple minded pilgrims through their wares. The venders in the fair offered anything that the soul lusts after. One could buy a title or a preferment. The fair offered every amusing trifle known to man, all to entrap the pilgrim in the fair.
Beware of the deceitful meat
"When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee… Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat" (Pro. 23:1-3).
I think that many of these kinds of tests are preparing us, at least in some way, to withstand the temptations of the ever increasing antichrist spirit. I am reminded of another illustration from the Pilgrim's journey (Pilgrim's Progress), where the pilgrim is given a vision of two youths who are being offered the kinds of trinkets that delight the young. The condition was thus: if they took the little inheritance of delights and dainties, it would disqualify them from a much larger inheritance in the future.
In the vision, the one lad takes the bait. He is squealing with delight as he relishes in his bag of tricks and delights. He then turns and mocks the other lad who had determined in himself to wait for the better things. In the end of the vision, the lad who had taken his good things "now" was very despondent and unhappy. The boy who was waiting for his good things was very joyful and confident.
Gadgets, internet, cell phones…
Undoubtedly, one of the major flaws in our generation is the lack of strength to deny self; and we of the older generation must claim some of the responsibility for that. The older generation wanted their children to have it better than they did; so they lifted many of the standards and disciplines that they had known. Now it seems that children's rights are more important than parent's rights. Society views the parent who interferes with their children's activities as the villains. Young people think that they can conduct their private affairs and the parents have no right to interfere. "You have no right to read my diary…You have no right to check my cell phone messages…You have no right to check my internet friends…"
As our church services begin, we tell our congregants to shut off their cell phones. Yet, we see some of our youth jump up during the service and make a mad dash to the rest room - sometimes three times during the service. Our younger generation is obsessed with their friends, with their gadgets, and with the little dainties with which the king of Babylon allures them. I saw a documentary of a camp that was to rehabilitate young people who were obsessed with their gadgets. They were like lost sheep. They were like people that had lost their hands.
The Day of Special Effects
When I was a lad, the big thrill was to get some prize in the cereal box - or if you were really fortunate, to get one of those Captain Midnight walky-talkies. They were good for about 75 feet - if you held the string real taut. Today the world is at your fingertips.
I was talking to a young boy whom I had not seen in Sunday school for a while. I said, "Why haven't you come?" He said: "Sunday school is boring!" Yes, Sunday school is boring because we can't offer the special effects or the pseudo thrills that Babylon offers. When our young people feed upon the super powers of the Hollywood hero, how can we compete? Why on the big screen people can jump off buildings, run through explosions, or can evade or counter any opposition without a scratch! I told this young boy that hell was boring, too! One sits in the dark, in his torments forever without any hope of getting out.
The Wine of Babylon
As we return again to one of our theme verses, we must note that Daniel and his friends not only refused the dainties of the Babylonian table, but Daniel also refused the wine of Babylon: "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:..." (Dan. 1:8).
Again, Daniel was well aware of who he was and of the commandments concerning wine and strong drink. Let us recall chapter one, verse three of Daniel: "And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes..." Daniel had royal blood in his veins - he was a prince. And, may I remind us that we are also called to be kings (Rev. 5:9-10).
As a prince, Daniel was purposed to keep the proverb: "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted" (Pro. 31:4-5).
The wine of Babylon could actually incorporate quite a study; but let us first consider the natural application here. We are talking about alcoholic beverages that delude the mind and cause people to do bizarre things. Let us also bear in mind that this trial was geared to four teenagers. It is amazing how many of today's Christian youth have no qualms about drinking. In fact, one young man was telling me of a certain bar where many "Christian" teenagers would hang out… I guess I missed something here! When I was young, I was taught that when you become a Christian there were certain things that you did not do. One of them was drinking alcoholic beverages.
On this subject I should not have to spend a lot of time. The world is filled with unwanted children and poverty, accidents and premature death, broken homes and many ruined lives, because of wine and strong drink. This should be one area that defines the children of the kingdom from the children of the world. Yet, the worldly youth mock those who do not partake of their delusion, and the simple bow to it. "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:..."
The Wine of Fornication & Violence
In the natural, wine dulls the senses and can be quite addictive. The same is true in the spiritual sense. The (spiritual) wine of Babylon has similar intoxicating effects. The Scripture brings this into spiritual perspective when it speaks of "the wine of her fornication" (Rev 17:2). This is not only referring to the immorality of Babylon, but also the deluding effects of her counterfeit religion. Wine in Scripture can also allude to violence (Pro. 4:17), which often times is the case in domestic violence, or in a pub.
The intoxicating effects of fornication (or pornography)
In the Proverbs, fornication is pictured as having the same effects as of one intoxicated - who then sleeps off his drunk, and then returns to seek it yet again: "...When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again" (Pro. 23:30-35). May I also add pornography to this scenario; as one man described his delirium, he said that he accidentally clicked on an internet site (which is easy to do). He described the scene as intoxicating. It was like a narcotic that kept compelling him to come back. He finally had to go to his pastor to help break the grip of the "Babylonian wine."
Do we understand the seduction of today's youth? The king of Babylon allures many Christian youth to his table. They become drunk with the wine of fornication. The world suddenly becomes different; they can no longer worship the Lord. Their parents become the enemy and the church has now lost all of its attractiveness… But Daniel and his friends purposed in their hearts that they would not drink the wine of Babylon. "
"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils" (1 Cor 10:21).
The Wine of Violence
The Proverbs also picture violence as having intoxicating effects. When we consider history, the crowds in the Coliseum were described as being "intoxicated with a lust for blood!" In fact, it came to the place where the crowd could no longer be satisfied with just ordinary gladiatorial events; they wanted something spicier, such as dwarfs fighting with woman or different animals fighting each other - all to satisfy the thirst for blood.
We may think this a bit abstract to the here and now, but in actuality we can now bring the coliseum into our front room. And the king of Babylon still entices Christian youth with his wine of violence. The world has come to the place (spiritually) where just ordinary killing does not incite the crowd. It becomes more and more bizarre, more and more graphic until our sensitivity is gone. As one man described the beheadings in China after the communist regime took control, he said: "At first, little children would become sick watching the graphic ordeal; but as time went on, these same children could bring their lunch with them and eat it as the victims were beheaded." (The wine of violence dulls the senses.)
The Benefits of Having Godly Convictions
As we have previously noted, there are some wonderful benefits granted to the faithful contestants. In this first test, because Daniel and his friends wanted to keep the Lord's commandments, the Lord imparted some tremendous gifts. We read in Daniel 1:17: "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." God granted tremendous understanding to these holy young men.
Daniel later makes this observation: "...He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding" (Dan. 2:21). Because these young men were wise and prudent in keeping the commandment, God gave them more wisdom and understanding. Herein is a principle that runs throughout the Word. God gives more to those who utilize what they have. In fact, Jesus Himself made this statement: "For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him" (Luke 19:26).
Nine hundred years earlier, Moses gave Israel a promise concerning wisdom. This was just prior to their possession of the Promised Land. Moses said (in essence), "If you will keep these commandments that I am giving you today, they will set you apart from all other nations." Let us pick up at Deuteronomy 4:5-6: "Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."
Moses went on to say that they were to teach their children to teach their children to teach their children these statutes that they might dwell in the land, and that the nations might marvel at their power with God. As parents/pastors, we must instill the kind of principles that that incite holy convictions. As Charles Wesley wrote in song:
"I want a principle within of watchful, godly fear,As the first test of Daniel concludes, the king finds Daniel and his friends ten times wiser than all the other wise men in the realm: "And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm" (Dan. 1:20). So what are the benefits of keeping the commandments? They will set us apart from the world and give us understanding of things that confound and baffle the world.
A sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire,
To catch the wandering of my will, and quench the kindling fire."
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When we consider our nation (the USA 2010), we are a nation that has lost our sense of direction. We elect officials that are corrupt; we pass law after law that favors sin or gives our enemies another chance to strike us again. In short, we can't speak out against evil because we have become evil. And why is that? Because as a nation we have rejected The Ten Commandments, we have rejected the Word of God and the Crucified Christ. We have turned to secular humanism for our answers. Yet, God still has his "Daniel's band" here and there, and they shall make the difference in the days to come.
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried;
but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked
shall understand; but the wise shall understand (Dan 12:10).
More chapters will be posted in the future. In the meantime, if you are interested, the book is available for purchase here.
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