A Lesson From Daniel

A LESSON FROM DANIEL

     Do you ever feel like you can’t resist the temptations and offerings of the world?  How do you respond when tempted to do something you know is wrong and sinful?

In Daniel 1:1-7 Daniel and his friends were in captivity in Babylon.  Nebuchadnezzar, the king had instructed his servant  to choose young men from the children of Israel, his own family and from the noble families to be special servants in the kings palace.  The qualifications were; good looking, wise, educated, and quick to learn the language of the Chaldeans.  The benefits were; A daily provision from the kings delicacies, the kings wine and three years of training before they could serve before the king.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshack and Abed-Nego were chosen from the  children of Israel.  It was a great honor to be chosen to serve the king and enjoy the pleasures of the kings palace.  But Daniel and his friends refused the kings offer.  Why?  Here is why.

The delicacies contained unclean animals which were forbidden by God’s law.  Leviticus 11:4-6.  They were not properly bled which was also forbidden by God’s law.  Leviticus 17:14; Deuteronomy 12:16.  They were offered as sacrifices to idols which was forbidden by God’s law.  Exodus 20:3-5.  And they refused to drink the kings wine because they knew the folly and evil of strong drink.  Proverbs 23:29-35.  They chose to obey God instead of worldly pleasure.

How did it all turn out?  In Daniel 1:11-16 we read that these young men were stronger, healthier, and more fit for the business of the king than all the others and they did serve the king.  Making right choices is not always easy, but in the end, God will bless those who do.  The lessons we learn from Daniel are many, but the most important lesson is this… obey God and keep His commandments.