Daniel's Shrewd Step
Daniel’s shrewd Steps
Daniel 1
Life tends to have many cycles of seasons. Some seasons are annual, but there are some that come unexpectedly and are unwanted. The book of Daniel starts off with the latter. The tribe of Judah is besieged, and many are taken captive by the Chaldeans, and the young, prized and talented youths are taken to be indoctrinated with new customs and knowledge. While being ruled by a new authority, Daniel resolves not to defile his body with King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 1:8). Through small, shrewd steps, Daniel negotiated a way for himself and his friends to honor God with their lifestyle.
Daniel was given favor and compassion by God in the sight of Ashpenaz, the chief of the eunuchs; then, Daniel's initial request to refuse the food portioned by the king was denied by the chief of the eunuchs. Daniel adds some shrewdness to his boldness to honor God with his lifestyle. After he was denied by Ashpenaz, Daniel tempers his request for total refusal of the king's food by seeking the steward of Ashpenaz. Daniel asked that they be tested for ten days and then compare their physiques to those who were eating the king's portion.
After ten days, the steward saw that their physiques were better than their peers’, so the steward took away their portion of the king's food. The food standards for Israel can be found in Leviticus 11:1-23. The standard that you will not see mentioned is a restriction of alcohol, yet Daniel still refrained from drinking it. There is no clear reason given for Daniel’s decision, but what we can gather is that Daniel did not want anything to hinder his honoring the Lord. Because of Daniel’s boldness and shrewdness to honor God, he adapted to the new circumstances and authority given to him.
At the end of the three years, Daniel and his friends were held in the highest esteem by the king and were given positions of influence with the king. As we live each day, we take steps to be seen as faithful in God’s eyes, regardless of who else can see us.
Daniel 1
Life tends to have many cycles of seasons. Some seasons are annual, but there are some that come unexpectedly and are unwanted. The book of Daniel starts off with the latter. The tribe of Judah is besieged, and many are taken captive by the Chaldeans, and the young, prized and talented youths are taken to be indoctrinated with new customs and knowledge. While being ruled by a new authority, Daniel resolves not to defile his body with King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 1:8). Through small, shrewd steps, Daniel negotiated a way for himself and his friends to honor God with their lifestyle.
Daniel was given favor and compassion by God in the sight of Ashpenaz, the chief of the eunuchs; then, Daniel's initial request to refuse the food portioned by the king was denied by the chief of the eunuchs. Daniel adds some shrewdness to his boldness to honor God with his lifestyle. After he was denied by Ashpenaz, Daniel tempers his request for total refusal of the king's food by seeking the steward of Ashpenaz. Daniel asked that they be tested for ten days and then compare their physiques to those who were eating the king's portion.
After ten days, the steward saw that their physiques were better than their peers’, so the steward took away their portion of the king's food. The food standards for Israel can be found in Leviticus 11:1-23. The standard that you will not see mentioned is a restriction of alcohol, yet Daniel still refrained from drinking it. There is no clear reason given for Daniel’s decision, but what we can gather is that Daniel did not want anything to hinder his honoring the Lord. Because of Daniel’s boldness and shrewdness to honor God, he adapted to the new circumstances and authority given to him.
At the end of the three years, Daniel and his friends were held in the highest esteem by the king and were given positions of influence with the king. As we live each day, we take steps to be seen as faithful in God’s eyes, regardless of who else can see us.
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