Daniel 1:8 "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."
This meat no doubt included food
prohibited to the Jews. The pagan food and drink was devoted to idols. To
indulge was to be understood as honoring those deities. Daniel made up his mind
not to engage in compromise by being untrue to God’s call of commitment- to
partake entailed direct compromise.
We see from this,
that Daniel's faith in God made him know that God would protect him. He
remembered the dietary laws that were given in Leviticus. Daniel did not want
to anger God by eating unclean food. This defilement would have been because of
the law in Leviticus.
Leviticus 11:47
"To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the
beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten."
Daniel would rather
die than break the Levitical law. This is not true now, since Jesus fulfilled
the law. Food is cleansed by prayer.
I Timothy 4:5 -
"For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."
The prince of
eunuchs was over Daniel. This is a bold request of Daniel. It might even cost
him his life.
Daniel 1:9 "Now God had brought
Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs."
We see this very same thing happened
to Joseph, when he was captive in
Genesis 39:21
"But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour
in the sight of the keeper of the prison."
You see, God
ultimately is in control of everyone. God made tender the heart of the prince
of the eunuchs, so that he loves Daniel.
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