The prophet Daniel was an illustrious character. He was a bright example of what men may
become when united with the God of wisdom. A brief account of the life of this holy man of God
is left on record for the encouragement of those who should afterward be called to endure trial
and temptation.
When the people of Israel, their king, nobles, and priests, were carried into captivity, four of
their number were selected to serve in the court of the king of Babylon. One of these was Daniel,
who early gave promise of the remarkable ability developed in later years. These youth were all
of princely birth, and are described as "children in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and
skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had
ability in them." Perceiving the superior talents of these youthful captives, King Nebuchadnezzar
determined to prepare them to fill important positions in his kingdom. That they might be fully
qualified for their life at court, according to Oriental custom, they were to be taught the language
of the Chaldeans, and to be subjected for three years to a thorough course of physical and
intellectual discipline.
The youth in this school of training were not only to be admitted to the royal palace, but it was
provided that they should eat of the meat, and drink of the wine, which came from the king's
table. In all this the king considered that he was not only bestowing great honor upon them, but
securing for them the best physical and mental development that could be obtained.
Among the viands placed before the king were swine's flesh and other meats which were
declared unclean by the law of Moses, and which the Hebrews had been expressly forbidden to
eat. Here Daniel was brought to a severe test. Should he adhere to the teachings of his fathers
concerning
meats and drinks, and offend the king, and probably lose not only his position but his life? or
should he disregard the commandment of the Lord, and retain the favor of the king, thus securing
great intellectual advantages and the most flattering worldly prospects?
Daniel did not long hesitate. He decided to stand firm in his integrity, let the result be what it
might. He "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."
There are many among professed Christians today who would decide that Daniel was too
particular, and would pronounce him narrow and bigoted. They consider the matter of eating and
drinking as of too little consequence to require such a decided stand,--one involving the probable
sacrifice of every earthly advantage. But those who reason thus will find in the day of judgment
that they turned from God's express requirements, and set up their own opinion as a standard of
right and wrong. They will find that what seemed to them unimportant was not so regarded of
God. His requirements should be sacredly obeyed. Those who accept and obey one of His
precepts because it is convenient to do so, while they reject another because its observance would
require a sacrifice, lower the standard of right, and by their example lead others to lightly regard
the holy law of God. "Thus saith the Lord" is to be our rule in all things.
Daniel was subjected to the severest temptations that can assail the youth of today; yet he was
true to the religious instruction received in early life. He was surrounded with influences
calculated to subvert those who would vacillate between principle and inclination; yet the word
of God presents him as a faultless character. Daniel dared not trust to his own moral power.
Prayer was to him a necessity. He made God his strength, and the fear of God was continually
before him in all the transactions of his life.
Daniel possessed the grace of genuine meekness. He was
true, firm, and noble. He sought to live in peace with all, while he was unbending as the lofty
cedar wherever principle was involved. In everything that did not come in collision with his
allegiance to God, he was respectful and obedient to those who had authority over him; but he
had so high a sense of the claims of God that the requirements of earthly rulers were held
subordinate. He would not be induced by any selfish consideration to swerve from his duty.
The character of Daniel is presented to the world as a striking example of what God's grace
can make of men fallen by nature and corrupted by sin. The record of his noble, self-denying life
is an encouragement to our common humanity. From it we may gather strength to nobly resist
temptation, and firmly, and in the grace of meekness, stand for the right under the severest trial.
Daniel might have found a plausible excuse to depart from his strictly temperate habits; but
the approval of God was dearer to him than the favor of the most powerful earthly
potentate--dearer even than life itself. Having by his courteous conduct obtained favor with
Melzar, the officer in charge of the Hebrew youth, Daniel made a request that they might not eat
of the king's meat or drink of his wine. Melzar feared that should he comply with this request, he
might incur the displeasure of the king, and thus endanger his own life. Like many at the present
day, he thought that an abstemious diet would render these youth pale and sickly in appearance,
and deficient in muscular strength, while the luxurious food from the king's table would make
them ruddy and beautiful, and would promote physical and mental activity.
Daniel requested that the matter be decided by a ten days' trial, the Hebrew youth during this
brief period being permitted to eat of simple food, while their companions partook of the king's
dainties. The request was finally granted, and then Daniel felt assured that he had gained his case.
Although but a youth, he had seen the injurious effects of wine and luxurious living upon
physical and mental health.
At the end of the ten days the result was found to be quite the opposite of Melzar's
expectations. Not only in personal appearance, but in physical activity and mental vigor, those
who had been temperate in their habits exhibited a marked superiority over their companions
who had indulged appetite. As a result of this trial, Daniel and his associates were permitted to
continue their simple diet during the whole course of their training for the duties of the kingdom.
The Lord regarded with approval the firmness and self-denial of these Hebrew youth, and His
blessing attended them. He "gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and
Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." At the expiration of the three years of
training, when their ability and acquirements were tested by the king, he "found none like Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore stood they before the king. 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."
The life of Daniel is an inspired illustration of what constitutes a sanctified character. It
presents a lesson for all, and especially for the young. A strict compliance with the requirements
of God is beneficial to the health of body and mind. In order to reach the highest standard of
moral and intellectual attainments, it is necessary to seek wisdom and strength from God, and to
observe strict temperance in all the habits of life. In the experience of Daniel and his companions
we have an instance of the triumph of principle over temptation to indulge the appetite. It shows
us that through religious principle young men may triumph over the lusts of the flesh, and remain
true to God's requirements, even though it cost them a great sacrifice.
What if Daniel and his companions had made a compromise
with those heathen officers, and had yielded to the pressure of the occasion, by eating and
drinking as was customary with the Babylonians? That single instance of departure from
principle would have weakened their sense of right and their abhorrence of wrong. Indulgence of
appetite would have involved the sacrifice of physical vigor, clearness of intellect, and spiritual
power. One wrong step would probably have led to others, until, their connection with Heaven
being severed, they would have been swept away by temptation.
God has said, "Them that honor Me, I will honor." While Daniel clung to his God with
unwavering trust, the spirit of prophetic power came upon him. While he was instructed of man
in the duties of court life, he was taught of God to read the mysteries of future ages, and to
present to coming generations, through figures and similitudes, the wonderful things that would
come to pass in the last days.--Signs of the Times, Sept. 28, 1882.