Moral Risk of Defilement

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 (Daniel 1:8)

The book of Daniel and the faithful

This morning I consider defilement and how we must purpose in our hearts to remain true to what we know is the will of God. I am grateful to start this day, with the book of Daniel. He was a child when handed over to a foreign king. He and three contemporaries were selected to be prepared to serve a conqueror, Nebuchadnezzar:

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans (Daniel 1:3-4)

Children of Israel

The king's seed

The princes

Children in whom was no blemish

Well favoured

Skilfull in all wisdom

Cunning in knowledge

Understanding in science

Ability to stand in the king's palace

Self-aggrandizement 

Dear reader, these job requirements have me look at myself and wondering, would I qualify? Would I be one of the chosen to serve? Nebuchadnezzar knew that those he had taken captive might prove to be most excellent fearless servants in his palace. He was looking for young, bright talent, to train up in the language and knowledge of the Chaldeans. He wanted the very best for himself, and knew that the probability was high, that if he selected from the king of Judah's seed, from amongst the princes, he was likely to get top drawer humans to add to his earthly kingdom. What he didn't know, is they already belonged to a heavenly Kingdom, and could not be appropriated for his self-aggrandizement. 

Let's look again at Daniel, who grew up as an Israelite until he was taken captive. He was a young man that had strength of conviction with matchless integrity and foresight. We know this partially because of his immediate response to the king's orders, as noted in the opening of this writing ... Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. If you choose to read the book of Daniel, you will see evidence that strength of character, intestinal fortitude, and commitment to his God, is demonstrated throughout the telling of this magnificent story. Here were the instructions for preparation of the children selected to serve the king:

And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hannah, Mishael, and Azariah (Daniel 1:5-6)

God's hand

Recall Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself. How would eating the king's meat and drinking the very same wine the king drank, defile him? The Chaldeans worshiped foreign false gods, dear reader. The Israelites, when set free from captivity in Egypt, were given very strict guidelines for living, and Daniel did not want to violate the God of the Hebrews, by conforming to the ways of this king that held him and his people captive. He made a request of the prince of the eunuchs, that they be fed vegetables (pulse), and water instead of the king's rich fair. Daniel was free to choose, despite his current living circumstances. 

We see God's hand in this scenario, and His directing of this play, so to speak. We also see the fearful response that the eunuch in charge gives to Daniel:

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 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 (Daniel 1:9-10)

Challenging the orders of the king puts Daniel, and by association the prince of the eunuchs, potentially at risk. And yet ... You and I both know, dear reader, that blind compliance that runs counter to our discernment, surely puts us at greater moral, and physical risk, as evidenced by what we have witnessed throughout the world in the past two years and counting. Daniel knew right from wrong, because God had given His people specific instructions. Daniel was not about to switch his loyalties out of convenience and ease of living; and neither should we. 

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hannah, Mishael, and Azariah. Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 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 sees, deal with thy servants (Daniel 1:11-13)

Ten days. Ten days of eating produce and drinking water, compared to the meat and wine proffered by the king. Daniel knew something that we too, know quite well. What we consume: drink, read, watch, engage in, becomes a part of us, impacting our countenance. What we look like, how we present ourselves, is a direct result of our consumption. The whole, you are what you eat, drink, and think concept, is pragmatically tested in this story. And there is a bench mark set: the countenances were compared, and those that ate and drank from the king's table, did not look as good after ten days, as the four Israelites. 

Since it is Monday, I ask you, did you eat and drink things that today, make you look a little dull, and feel somewhat sluggish? Perhaps pizza and beer every Saturday isn't such a great idea? Back to the story ... 

So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 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 (Daniel 1:14-15)

The story clearly doesn't end here, but for our purposes, we will come to a conclusion to wrap up this piece of writing. 

There is a wicked king and he likes compliance. He mandates and gives orders, demanding they be followed. He knows that no is in our vocabulary, because he has heard it more times than he cares to count. He is not the king of God's castle, but he sure does pretend to be, and he wants you and I to believe he is. Out of fear, over the centuries, people have fretted about losing their heads, or their careers and income, if they did not give in to the wiley one: and yet, we have evidence all around us, that no is a powerful position and stance to take. We can purpose in our hearts to remain unblemished when the devil desires our defilement. So many have said no, and this is being reflected in their countenances. 

God brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the eunuch that purportedly was in charge of him. God placed Daniel strategically, knowing that within this young man, beat the heart of a loyal prince that would not betray the living God, in favour of a fragile and frivolous worldly king. 

Now, dear one, it is your turn. Your body, if you belong to Jesus Christ as Saviour, is the temple of the living God:

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, Andy are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1Corinthians 6:19-20)

In the case of Daniel, his ancestors were redeemed, delivered from the Pharaoh that kept them in bondage. Daniel refused to return to this kind of entrapment, despite the net the enemy lay for him. Now, as I stated above, it is your turn. What about you?

Do you follow and bow down to Pharaoh, or to the Sovereign of the universe?

How, dear one, is anyone to know?

You are at a crossroads and can choose to go the way of the world, making your life a little easier in the moment. Or ... you can go the way of those that trust in the living God, aligning with His power, His will, His might and righteousness. 

Earthy kings are, and then they are no more. God is forever, and where you and I go, is directly related to whom we choose to take our orders from, in this one life we are given.