DETERMINED TO REMAIN TRUE TO JEHOVAH

The Babylonian names, the reeducation program, and the special diet, all of this was an attempt not only to assimilate Daniel and the three young Hebrews into the Babylonian way of life but also to alienate them from their own God, Jehovah, and from their religious training and background.  Confronted with all this pressure and temptation, what would these young people do? 

the inspired account says:  "Daniel determined in his heart that he would not pollute himself with the delicacies of the king and with his drinking wine." (Daniel 1:8a) Although Daniel was the only one mentioned by name, it is evident by what followed that his three companions supported his decision.  The words "determined in his heart" show that the instruction provided by Daniel's parents and others back home had reached his heart. Similar training undoubtedly guided the other three Hebrews in their decision-making.  This amply illustrates the value of teaching our children, even when they may seem to be too young to understand. -Proverbs 22:6; 2 Timothy 3:14, 15.

Why did the young Hebrews object only to the delicacies and the wine but not to the other arrangements?  Daniel's reasoning clearly indicates why:  "He would not pollute himself."  Having to learn "the writing and the tongue of the Chaldeans" and being given a Babylonian name, objectionable though this might be, would not necessarily pollute a person.  Consider the example of Moses, nearly 1,000 years earlier. Although he was "instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians," he remained loyal to Jehovah.  His upbringing by his own parents gave him a solid foundation.  Consequently, "by faith Moses, when grown up, refused to be called the son of the daughter of Pharaoh, choosing to be ill-treated with the people of rather than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin." -Acts 7:22; Hebrews 11:24, 25. 

In what way would the Babylonian king's provisions pollute the young men? First, the delicacies may have included foods prohibited by the Mosaic Law. For example, the Babylonians are unclean animals, forbidden to the Israelites under the Law.  (Leviticus 111:1-31; 20:24-26; Deuteronomy 14:3-20) Second, the Babylonians were not in the habit of bleeding slaughtered animals before eating their flesh. eating unbled meat would be in direct violation  of Jehovah's law on blood.  (Genesis 9:1, 3, 4; Leviticus 17:10-12; Deuteronomy 12:23-25) Third, worshipers of false gods customarily offer their food to idols before eating it in a communion meal.  Servants of Jehovah would have none of that! (Compare 1 Corinthians 10:20-22) Finally, indulgence in rich foods and strong drink day after day would hardly be healthful for people of any age, let alone for the young. 

It is one thing to know what to do, but it is quite another to have the courage to do it when under pressure or temptation.  Daniel and his three friends could have reasoned that since they were far away from their parents and friends, such individuals would not know what they did.  They could also have rationalized that it was the king's order and that there appeared to be not alternative. Besides, other young people no doubt  readily accepted the arrangements and counted it as a privilege rather than a hardship to participate. But such faulty thinking could easily lead to the pitfall of secret sin, which is a snare for many young people.  The Hebrew youths knew that "the eyes of Jehovah are in every place" and that "the true God himself will bring every sort of work into the judgment in relation to every hidden thing, as to whether it is good or bad." (Proverbs 15:3; Ecclesiastes 12:14) Let all of us take a lesson from the course of these faithful young people. 

Next time: COURAGE AND PERSISTENCE WERE REWARDING

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999