In the beginning of Daniel we read about the Israelite captives who were part of the Babylon captivity. The king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, called for the children of Israel who were good-looking, gifted in wisdom, without blemish to be trained for a period of time so that, in turn, they could serve the king and help teach the Chaldeans. He also called for them to be fed from the king's delicacies and drink the wine of the king. But Daniel and his friends knew that this food and drink was considered unlawful by God and would be a violation of the dietary laws given to Moses. Read the passage below:
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 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.” So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 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. 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. Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; 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. Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.
Now we know that Daniel and his friends were not the only Israelites to be brought into this training program. But we only read of 4 of them who were willing to not conform to the world around them. They stood firm in their devotion to the living God. The peer pressure was probably great. And these were young men, probably between 16-20 years of age. For young men at that age not to succumb to the pressure and temptation to disobey God is remarkable. I mean they had all the excuses in the world, "well my friends are doing it..." or "well we're really hungry....." or "I don't think God would mind....." (That last one always makes me wonder, why would you think you could lower God to what you think He would mind or not mind.) But no, Daniel and his friends knew God's law and resisted any temptation to disobey God, stood out from the crowd, didn't conform to the idolatrous world around them and stood firm in their convictions. I just find this sort of faith to be such a breath of fresh air.
I like to share this story with my children so that they can see that in the midst of peer pressure you can be a leader and put God first. It's more important to seek God's praise than the praise of man.
Daniel and his friends also demonstrated great faith. They were convinced that God would honor them if they did not defile themselves with the kings delicacies and his wine. And God was faithful to cause these boys to have plump and better looking faces than their companions! And just from eating vegetables! And as a result God gave these boys knowledge and skill and wisdom. He also gave to Daniel understanding in all visions and dreams. Plus He gave them favor and these four boys stood out amongst their companions in excellency and were chosen to serve before the king. In fact, the king found them to be ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in hi realm.
This is so amazing and encouraging. In a world that is constantly tempting us to partake in it's delicacies, may we also stand firm in our love and devotion to the Lord, who paid for us with His blood. We are not our own, but have been purchased by Him and belong to Him. In Romans 12:2 we read, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." When we decide not to fashion ourselves after the pattern of this world, we, in turn, demonstrate to the world His will. That word "transformed" is metamorphusthe, where we get the word metamorphosis. We are to be so different from the world, that we are to actually be totally changed, and morphed into something else- Christ's image (2Cor 3:18). And this is possible because we have the Holy Spirit living inside us.