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214
Royalty and Ruin
to renounce their religion and unite with the worship of the Babylo-
nians.
Idolatry and Seductive Temptation
At the very start the young men faced a decisive test of character.
Arrangements had been made for them to eat the food and drink the
wine that came from the king’s table. In this the king thought to
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express his interest in their welfare. But the food from the king’s
table was consecrated to idols, and partaking of it would be seen as
offering worship to the gods of Babylon. If they did this, Daniel and
his companions would deny their faith and dishonor the principles
of the law of God. Nor did they dare to risk the weakening effect
of luxury and wrong habits of living on their physical, mental, and
spiritual development. They were acquainted with the intemperance
of Nadab and Abihu and its results (see
Leviticus 10:1-11
), and they
knew that wine would injure their own physical and mental powers.
Daniel and his associates had been taught that God would hold
them accountable for their capabilities and that they must never
dwarf or enfeeble their powers. The temptations in that corrupt
and luxurious court were strong, but these Hebrew youth remained
uncontaminated. No influence could sway them from the principles
they had learned in early life by studying the Word and works of
God.
Daniel might have found a plausible excuse for departing from
strictly temperate habits. He might have argued that if he held to
the divine teaching, he would offend the king and probably lose
his position and his life. By disregarding the commandment of the
Lord, he would secure intellectual advantages and flattering worldly
prospects.
But Daniel did not hesitate. He determined to stand firm. He
“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.”
His three companions supported him in this.
In reaching this decision the Hebrew youth did not act presump-
tuously. They did not choose to be different, but they would accept
being different rather than dishonor God. If they took the first wrong