Paragraph # 3 Study # 1
February 13, 2018
Moss Bluff, Louisiana
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1769 Translation:
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which [
are] of your sort? then shall ye make [
me] endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
1901 ASV Translation:
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths that are of your own age? so would ye endanger my head with the king.
11 Then said Daniel to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king's dainties; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he hearkened unto them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths that did eat of the king's dainties.
16 So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.
- I. The Focus: Daniel's Intention.
- A. A determination "in the heart".
- 1. Had a level of intensity that dominated all other considerations.
- 2. Had a focus of attention upon a "dietary" issue that was objectively marginal, but subjectively critical (addressing the issue of faithfulness in a "little" thing: Luke 19:17).
- 3. Had no "in-itself" strength, but was rooted in "faith" in the promise of God through Habakkuk.
- a. This is a "constant" in our understanding of the narrative: the "believers" "believed" and, thus, had a diminished level of "fear" and a heightened "freedom" to think outside of the box.
- b. Since the promise had not already prevented some rather serious difficulties, it was not to be "bled over into" areas it did not cover.
- B. A determination compelling a persistent pursuit of its objective.
- 1. He approached "the prince of the eunuchs" (referenced four times in these nine verses).
- a. This person had been influenced by God to have "loyal love" and "compassion" toward Daniel.
- 1) The process is unexplained, but may well have been related to Daniel's difficulties in Babylon in tandem with his obvious loyalty to his God.
- 2) Interestingly, the "loyal love" and "compassion" only went so far as these two factors only indirectly affected the man's decision in reference to the request. There is a question here as to why Daniel revealed this attitude since it did not directly allow him to not "defile" himself (see 2.c. below).
- b. This person was the one whom Nebuchadnezzar would hold accountable.
- c. At this point there is no indication that Daniel "had a plan"; he simply explained that he did not wish to "defile" himself.
- 2. He then approached the man appointed by the prince of the eunuchs for oversight of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
- a. Daniel, apparently, understood the problem he was creating for the prince of the eunuchs.
- b. He approached the subordinate who was immediately responsible for the food/drink delivery to Daniel and the others.
- c. There seems to be a tacit awareness that, as long as the "prince" had "cover" in respect to Nebuchadnezzar, a workable plan would be acceptable.
- C. A determination underwritten by an alternative plan.
- 1. At issue is the diet enjoined by the king.
- 2. The alternative plan was not sanctioned by the king and risked the very life of the prince of the eunuchs.
- 3. Daniel argued on the basis of "what the king does not know will not hurt him"; the real issue is whether the food will give Daniel and the others the appearance of health required. Apparently Daniel clearly understood the delicate dance that is always required by the dominion of an ego-driven authority who cannot tolerate people even suggesting "alternatives" to his decrees. Also, it was, in the prince's eyes, the appearance of health, or lack thereof, that would trigger the king's reaction.
- 4. Daniel may, or may not, have figured that he only had limited options coupled to a determined, non-negotiable, intention so that if he didn't thrive on the plant-based diet he was, at least, no worse off. The "ten days" was determined by Daniel to produce a sufficient impact to get a good response and the subordinate to the prince of the eunuchs apparently felt like ten days would not jeopardize his own life.
