Basic HTML Version
Daniel, a Captive in Babylon
215
step, it would lead to others until, with their connection to Heaven
broken, they would be swept away by temptation.
“God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief
of the eunuchs,” and the request was received with respect. Yet the
chief hesitated. “I fear my lord the king,” he explained to Daniel.
“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.”
Daniel Appeals to Another Authority
Daniel then appealed to Melzar, the officer in special charge of
the Hebrew youth. He asked that the matter be tested by a ten-day
trial, the Hebrew youth eating simple food, while their companions
ate the king’s rich provisions.
Despite his concerns, Melzar consented. At the end of ten days,
the result was the opposite of the officer’s fears. “Their features
appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate
the portion of the king’s delicacies.” As a result, Daniel and his
associates were permitted their simple diet during their entire course
of training.
[172]
For three years the Hebrew youth studied, depending constantly
on God’s power. It was not pride or ambition that had brought them
to the king’s court; they were captives in a strange land. Separated
from home, they wanted to perform well for the honor of their
downtrodden people and for the glory of Him whose servants they
were.
The Lord approved their purity of motive, and He “gave them
knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had
understanding in all visions and dreams.” God fulfilled His promise,
“Those who honor Me I will honor.”
1 Samuel 2:30
. While Daniel
was receiving human instruction in the duties of court life, God was
teaching him to read the mysteries of the future and to record for
coming generations, through figures and symbols, events covering
history till the close of time.