Aloha Dearest Family,
God
rewards the faithful. Nowhere is this truer than in our next story. Today we
will look at the record of 4 young Hebrew men who were taken to Babylon as
slaves. This story is often overlooked, but it proves that God rewards those
who choose to remain faithful to Him and who choose to honor Him – even to the
point of death.
This record begins when the kingdom of Judah is being overthrown by
Babylon and many of the inhabitants in Jerusalem are carried away into slavery.
What I have always found remarkable is that they didn’t just kill the strongest
and wisest that Judah had, in fear that the conquered people would rebel
against them. But in Babylon, they would incorporate the best and brightest
into their own kingdom – making them stronger. And this is how 4 Hebrew teens
wound up in the royal city with many other promising young men of the nation.
“Then
the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the
children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles,
young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom,
possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the
king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the
Chaldeans.” (Daniel 1:3 and 4)
It
is interesting to note that these men were already gifted in wisdom and quick
understanding, well favored and without blemish. Ashpenaz, the master of the
eunuchs, also changed their names. Daniel became Belteshazzar, and his
companions became Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These men were among the best
and brightest in the nation.
“And
the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of
the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the
end of that time they might serve before the king.” (Verse 5)
These men, with the others, were specially chosen to be
nourished with the king’s meat and drink for three years and then they would be
brought before the king to serve him. It would be understandable if they chose
to “go along to get along”. It would be easier for them to just follow their
instructions – they might live longer. But Daniel, in reverence to God, chose
to not eat of the king’s food, for he felt it would defile him. Remember that he and
his companions are slaves in a foreign land. They have no rights. This decision
could very well cause their death. But God honored their commitment and gave
them special favor in the eyes of their overseers.
“God
had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.”
(Verse 9)
God is so good. Even here in slavery, God is able to work
on their behalf. But Ashpenaz is unsure about their decision in refusing to eat
the king’s food. This could cause him to lose HIS head.
“And
the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has
appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse
than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the
king.” (Verse 10)
He explained that if they brought them before the king
and they appeared to be “unhealthy," that he could be in trouble. But Daniel
set before him a test. He and his companions would only eat vegetables and
water for ten days. And then after ten days, if they didn’t appear looking
healthier than the rest, then he could do with them as he saw fit.
“TEN
DAYS?? I don’t care what kind of diet you try. You’re not going to be able to
see noticeable results in just ten days. The idea for this test came from God.
That’s the only way this was going to work. Their life depended upon it, for
they were determined that they would NOT eat the king’s food.
“So
he consented with them in this matter and tested them ten days. And at the end
of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the
young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward took
away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave
them vegetables." (Verses 14-16)
This was surely a miracle. I’m not sure how God
accomplished this or what the overseer saw in our heroes that made him change
his mind. The difference between them and the rest of the men must have been
quite drastic. But whatever he saw impressed him enough to take away the king’s
food and just give them their requested vegetables and water from now on. Furthermore,
God continued to bless them with wisdom and knowledge, and more.
“As
for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature
and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” (Verse
17)
After three years they were brought before the king and
interviewed.
“Then
the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel,
Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednego);
therefore they served before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and
understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times
better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.”
(Verses 19 and 20)
These 4 men continued to be blessed by God and became
respected advisors to the king. And because of their unswerving devotion to
God, they were appointed to high positions in the kingdom. Their exploits were
well known throughout the land as well as their complete trust in their God -
which was legendary. (And we are still reading about them thousands of years
later).
God has NOT CHANGED. He is STILL able to do the
impossible for those that love and honor Him. If He can do it for them, He can
do it for you as well. The situations we may find ourselves in makes no
difference. God can still cause you to prosper right where you are. Remember there
is nothing too hard for God.
Love Always, Ray
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