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 favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and
cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them" (Dan. 1:4).
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 attained.
Meeting the Test
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" (Dan. 1:8).
Not Narrow or Bigoted
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.
A Faultless Character
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.
God's Approval Dearer Than Life
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.
God Vindicates His Servant
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" (Dan. 1:17). 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 enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians
and astrologers that were in all his realm" (verse 20).
Self-control a Condition of Sanctification
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 honour me I will honour" (1 Sam. 2:30). 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.