8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[c] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
Jerusalem was besieged; people and articles were taken to Babylon. Among those that were taken were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, there names were changed to Belteshazzer, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These boys were to be fed well so that they can be useful and fit for the king’s service. The king ordered that they must be fed with royal food and wine for them to look good as “royal servants." Daniel refused to defile himself with the royal food, so he told the guards to be giving him vegetables and water (Daniel 1:8-14).
He was tested for ten days eating only vegetables and water. After ten day he came out more nourished and healthier than those that ate the royal food and wine.
Daniel deprived himself because of the love and respect he has for God. Daniel and his friends did not stop loving God because of the situation they were in. Some people would have given up on God saying “why should God allow me to be taken into captivity in a strange land?” their faithfulness earned them what nobody in the nation had. “To these four men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.” (V: 17) these boys were not the only people taken to Babylon, but because they stood their ground in the Lord and refused to defile themselves, God endowed them with an exceptional knowledge and understanding that singled them out for promotion. “At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, so they entered the king’s service.” (V: 18-19).
The price they paid made them to become household name in the bible, the rest of the people that ate the royal food have long been forgotten, and their names were not even known.
If you pay any price because of God; He will reward you bountifully.
Nobody will walk with God and have nothing to show for it, if you deprive yourself from any “unhealthy enjoyment” because you don’t want to sin against God, He will reward you in return. People may think you are not being sensible by refusing that “royal offer” Don’t worry stand your ground and see God blessing you. Daniel and his friends did it and till today we are still talking about them. The heaven will celebrate you as you refuse to defile yourself in Jesus name. Amen.
