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Four Boys in Babylon, August 28
Daniel 1:1-15
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all
learning and wisdom.
Daniel 1:17
.
Daniel and his companions enjoyed the benefits of correct training and
education in early life, but these advantages alone would not have made them
what they were. The time came when they must act for themselves—when their
future depended upon their own course. Then they decided to be true to the
lessons given them in childhood
What a lifework was that of these noble Hebrews! As they bade farewell to
their childhood home, how little did they dream of their high destiny! Faithful
and steadfast, they yielded themselves to the divine guiding, so that through
them God could fulfill His purpose
Daniel and his companions in Babylon were, in their youth, apparently more
favored of fortune than was Joseph in the earlier years of his life in Egypt;
yet they were subjected to tests of character scarcely less severe. From the
comparative simplicity of their Judean home these youth of royal line were
transported to the most magnificent of cities, to the court of its greatest monarch,
and were singled out to be trained for the king’s special service. Strong were the
temptations surrounding them in that corrupt and luxurious court.... The direction
that their food should be supplied from the royal table was an expression both of
the king’s favor and of his solicitude for their welfare. But a portion having been
offered to idols, the food from the king’s table was consecrated to idolatry; and
in partaking of the king’s bounty these youth would be regarded as uniting in his
homage to false gods
The history of Daniel and his youthful companions has been recorded on
the pages of the inspired word for the benefit of the youth of all succeeding
ages. Through the record of their fidelity to the principles of temperance, God is
speaking today to young men and young women, bidding them gather up the
precious rays of light He has given on the subject of Christian temperance, and
place themselves in right relation to the laws of health
[247]
44
Messages to Young People, 243
.
45
Education, 57
.
46
Ibid., 54, 55
.
47
Messages to Young People, 243
.
255