Dan 1:8
But Daniel 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: therefore he requested of the prince of the
eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Notes:
There were three reasons why these Hebrew children refused
the kings fare.
1. Accepting the kings food was the first step toward
depending on his gifts and favors.
2. The food was offered to foreign gods and eating them
would have defiled them.
3. It was not kosher to eat certain meats, and they had to
be killed and the blood drained in special way.
Daniel was devoted and committed to God. He did not defile
himself. He did not give in to the pressures that surrounded him. He was not moved by what
the king wanted but was wise and
The Book of Leviticus lays down some healthy guidelines
for our eating habits.
Life Application:
Draw your boundries, have specific lines that you refuse
to cross over before the temptation comes at you. And it will come. If you make up your
mind and have strong clear convictions and ideas about what you will and will not do then
it will be easier for you to say "NO" when it comes.
Can you think of a recent temptation where you refused to
give in and remained devoted to God?
Questions:
1. What did Daniel purpose in his heart to do?
2. What two things did Daniel refuse to partake of?
3. Why did Daniel do this?
4. What laws did Daniel follow for his rules of eating?
Daniel 1:9
Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
Notes:
We can walk under the shield of favor with God and man.
God gives us favor.
Psa 5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with
favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
Life Application:
When you submit yourself to God, obey His commands and
keep His statutes there is nothing that He will withold from you. All God's laws are for
your protection. For your own good. When we break them we harm ourselves and bring
conviction upon our heads instead of favor. Choose today to walk in obedience.
God can and will cause things to work out for your good.
Romans 8:28 says... "And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose."
Questions:
1. Can you think of a character in the Bible that was
under the shield of God's favor?
2. Can you think of a person that fell out from under the
shield of favor?
Daniel 1:10
And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath
appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the
children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
Notes:
The eunuch could have been killed for this. God moved upon
the Cheif eunuch and changed his heart. The strong moral convictions of the Hebrew
children made a strong impact on the eunich's life. God promises to be with us through our
trials and when we are tempted. Jesus was tempted by all that we are and sinned not.
Questions:
1. If you had been turned down by your authorities knowing
it was something that God wanted you to do would you be persistent?
2. Can you think of other instances where persistance paid off in the Bible?
Daniel 1:11
Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah,
Dan 1:12
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water
to drink.
Notes:
Pulse = vegetables, beans, legumes, wheat, grains,
berries, etc. Those things that grew from the seed.
The Dietary laws of the Jews were very strict. Search them
out in Leviticus. The SDA and others still follow these dietary laws and have found that
they are much healthier. Dr. Cherry in Houston highly recommends the dietary laws in the
Bible. Stating that the foods cause the body to heal itself in many cases. Food plays a
vital role in our lives and there are to many of us fulfilling the lusts of the flesh by
giving in to our appetites and serving the god of our stomach. Many cancer patients have
been completely cured by eating a high alkaline diet. Live foods give life. Cooked foods
are dead and there is no life in them.
Questions
1. What does the water symbolize?
2. Why should we drink water?
3. Why would vegetables and fruits be good for us?
Daniel 1:13
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children
that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
Notes:
As a child of God our faces should reflect the joy of the
Lord. His light should shine in us and be seen in our faces.
Questions:
1. What do others see in your countenance?
2. Do they see misery, anger, grief, sorrow, or do they
see joy, peace, love, health?
3. What are some things you would be willing to do right
now to change your countenance?
Daniel 1:14
So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
Notes:
Daniel wisely chose to negotiate instead of rebel. We can
adjust to the world which is our culture without compromising God's laws.
Life Application:
Our methods of handling conflicts will often make the
difference between a consent from the opposition or a refusal. Think before you speak next
time you request something and take into consideration how it sounds and what your goal
is.
Questions:
1. Have you ever been in a situation where you negotiated
instead of rebeled?
Daniel 1:15
And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all
the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
Notes:
This was Divine because you cannot get this much of an
effect in just 10 days.
Questions:
1. Think of a time when you ate foods that were good for
you. How did you feel?
2. Are you walking in obedience to God's laws according to
the food you eat or do you compromise with your culture and eat what you want and what
everyone else is eating?
Daniel 1:16
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and
gave them pulse.
Notes:
Remember pulse is vegetables. Natural foods. Grains, which
meant they could eat breads, fruits, beans, and other vegetables.
Question:
1. Would you be willing to submit yourself to this type of
diet that has been proven to kill cancer cells, heal diabetes, high blood pressure and
many other things?
Daniel 1:17
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom:
and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Notes:
Knowledge and understanding is good. God gives us wisdom
if we ask for it. If you think you need more wisdom in your life simply ask God for it. He
gives freely to all who ask. You have not because you ask not.
Questions:
1. Where does wisdom come from?
2. What can we do to gain wisdom?
Daniel 1:18
Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince
of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
Notes:
The Lord will elevate you into the position He wants you
to have. He will promote you. You do not have to promote yourself.
This was a test day. God would not be made a mockery of.
Daniel 1:19
And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
Notes:
If you are God's child you will be found standing out from
the rest of the crowd. You will be different.
Questions:
1. Can you think of a time when God used you in a special
way?
2. Do you think Daniel and the others were nervous going before the king? Or do you think
they were full of confidence knowing that God was on their side?
3. Do you know for sure God is on your side? Then you can walk in confidence as well.
Daniel 1:20
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.
Notes:
God does things right when we allow Him to work through
us.
Questions:
1. Is there an area in your life that God needs to work in
that you are being resistant?
2. Is there something that the Lord is trying to teach you
that you keep having to go through over and again because you won't listen and learn the
first time?
Daneil 1:21
And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
Notes:
Dan 6:28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius,
and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Dan 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing
was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but
the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the
vision.