The Power of Simple Living

Daniel 1:8-16, 19, 20

GOLDEN TEXT: “But Daniel purposed hi his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”—Daniel 1:8

FOR today we have the usual quarterly temperance lesson, and the committee has selected as the Scriptural guide the experiences of Daniel and his three associates who were taken captive to Babylon and drafted into the service of King Nebuchadnezzar. It is a fitting lesson which well illustrates the advantages of temperate living both to the mind and the body. These young captives were about sixteen years of age and the fruit of godly training on the part of their parents is manifest in the course pursued by them as related in the present lesson.

Their intellectual qualities were discovered and they were put into a superior school that they with others might be fitted to constitute a board of wise men, counselors of the king. The young Hebrews were attached to the king’s household and were provided with extraordinary delicacies including spirituous liquors. The policy of the king in providing sumptuously for the students who were from various lands was that, being well nourished, they might be in their best physical and mental condition. This lesson shows that it is a mistake to suppose that high living is essentially conducive to intellectuality—not to mention spirituality.

From the very beginning, under God’s providence, the deportment of Daniel brought him into special favor with the prince of the eunuchs who had in charge the temporalities of these students. There is something in a meek and quiet spirit that is impressive; and as a rule such a spirit comes only from a proper religious training. To this eunuch, Daniel and his associates through him appealed, requesting that instead of the fine food and liquor provided, they might have a plain vegetable diet.

The eunuch said that he would be very glad to comply with the request, but he feared that when examination time came, these four Hebrews, fed upon the plainer fare, would appear to a disadvantage and cause reflection upon himself and possibly cost the loss of his position, if not indeed the loss of his life. Daniel, however, appealed for a trial of the matter for ten days, agreeing to abide by the results. At the end of this short time comparison showed that the four young Hebrews who practiced abstemiousness were fair and fatter in flesh than were those who shared the king’s bounties; so their request was granted.

Of them we read, “Now as for these four children [under the protectorate of the king] God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” (Dan. 1:17) At the end of the period of their preparation, the king communed with the students, “and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. … And in all matter of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in his realm.”—Verses 19,20

What was the secret of this wisdom and understanding? Did it not lie in the blessing of God, and in the fact that these young men sought to devote their lives to the doing of the divine will—the doing of righteousness? Thus we see that our hearts and minds can be free from selfish motives, free from superstition, free from fear, free to do the will of God at any cost. Such minds anywhere at any time are scarce. Such minds always develop wisdom. On the other hand, sensuality, selfishness, the grinding of personal axes, always becloud the judgment.

Daniel and his associates under the influence of the promise made to Abraham and his seed, were looking forward to the glorious Kingdom of the future when Immanuel would be King over the all the earth. We are glad for them, and are sure that when the new dispensation shall open up the higher positions which those ancient worthies will have in the earthly phase of that Kingdom, it will more than compensate them for the little self-denials which then were, no doubt, severe tests of character and heart-loyalty.

Christians throughout this age are in a condition very similar to that of Daniel. The great King of glory has them in the school of Christ. He wishes to select a few to be joint-heirs in the Messianic Kingdom when it shall be established. The examination test will come to each before his schooling is over. Those who will be found worthy will be such as have had the Daniel spirit of devotion to God and to the principles of righteousness—willing to lay down their lives in the service of the truth—followers in the footsteps of Jesus. Of these the Lord speaks, saying, “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels.”—Mal. 3:17

QUESTIONS:

Was the diet adopted by Daniel and his associates altogether responsible for their condition of health and great wisdom? Or did the special favor of God upon them also have something to do with it?

In what way are Christians throughout this age in a condition very similar to that of Daniel and his three associates?

Why is self-denial an essential quality for those who graduate from the school of Christ?

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