March 8th, 2026: Watching our Consumption | Daniel 1:8-17, 1 Timothy 4:7-8

The lesson this week takes us into the book of Daniel.  Daniel is a young man taken into captivity by the Babylonians during their overthrow of Jerusalem in 597 BC.  The book covers Daniel’s lifetime; he is an old man when it ends. Daniel is best known for his faithfulness and dedication to the one true God. 

The relationships in this lesson are of key importance. There is more to our consumption than just food.  As you study, think about your responsibilities, your relationships, and your commitments.  What do you profess?  What do you do when trouble shows up? Are you bold enough to stand for truth when no one else does? 

Daniel 1:8-17

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.

 Many false prophets had been reassuring the residents of Jerusalem that God would never allow any harm to come to this great city. Solomon’s temple was there!  God’s chosen people were here!  It sounded logical; however, it is not what God said. The true prophets, including Isaiah and Jeremiah, had been warning for many years that a horrible overthrow of Jerusalem was going to happen. This was God’s punishment for the nation of Israel’s long history of unrepentant disobedience.  They forgot who they were and to whom they belonged. The children of Israel had allowed the worship of pagan gods, neglected and took advantage of the poor, and lived lives of open sin focused on personal pleasure rather than having reverence for the law of God. God could not be just and not punish their actions. God was long-suffering. Isaiah prophesied about 150 years before the actual overthrow of Jerusalem.  Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. (Isaiah 39: 6-7).

God even gave the prophet Jeremiah the length of time the nation of Israel would be captive, as well as giving them advice on how to handle their time in a foreign country. Notice that He specifically calls out the false prophets for being liars.  The people were divided.  They had fallen so far that they preferred to believe the false prophets rather than remember their history and the Laws given to Moses. 

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord. For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. (Jeremiah 29: 4-10).

This does not mean the overthrow of Jerusalem was easy; in fact, it was just the opposite. Many people and families were killed. Others were marched between 500 and 600 miles to the pagan city of Babylon. They lost their homes, their families, and all connection to the Promised Land God had given them. There would be a total of three deportations to Babylon, leaving the city to the poorest and most feeble. 

Many of the Kings during this time would gather from among the people they conquered, the strongest and wisest to train as servants. Such was the case with Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon.  In the first event of deportation, he rounded up Daniel and his three friends, Hannaniah, Mishael and Azariah. These were of the seed royal, or in our words, from the lineage of David. They were to be trained in the King’s court as they learned the history, philosophy, sciences, and culture of the Babylonian Empire. It is important to note that all four of these young men had their identity taken away.  They were given new Babylonian names.  They were more than likely made eunuchs although the bible does not say that directly, it can be implied by the prophet Isaiah.  

Daniel, Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah have lost home, family, and their identity - they are captive slaves with an ungodly culture thrust upon them. They are to be fed food from the King’s table. From the Babylonia perspective, this was an honor.  From the Jewish perspective, it was another removal of who they were. These young men asked to be exempted on religious grounds from eating the King’s meat. There is much debate about whether this was due to Kosher rules for preparing foods or whether the meat was forbidden and/or even if the meat had been offered to idols.  It possibly could have been all three. Regardless, these young men determined that they had to at least try not to assimilate completely and fall into a total disregard for the laws given by God.  

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. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, 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 seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

It is important to notice HOW these young men asked for this exemption.  They were not rude or demanding. They were not disruptive or condemning. They had God on their side, bringing them into favor with their overseer. When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7). The chief eunuch's concern was for his own life. If they were not healthy and learning, He was in danger of the wrath of the King. 

Daniel suggested a trial, a testing, if you will.   Feed us for 10 days with pulse and water, and see how we look and act at the end of that time. After all, they would be there for 3 years learning the ways of Babylon.  Ten weeks was a mere drop in the bucket. Pause for a minute here.  It wasn’t to lose weight.  It wasn’t to show how holy they were. What is the motive? To remain loyal and dedicated to God. It is to keep the commandments that were given to Moses.  It would show that they could be different, keep this small piece of their identity, and not cause harm to anyone else.  The chief eunuch and Melzar agreed to the test. 

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. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

How were they rewarded for their faithfulness?  God allowed them to look fairer and fatter than all the others eating the King’s food.  Think about that a minute.  Have you ever known anyone to look fatter after 10 days of water and vegetables?  God, in the midst of the captivity, was present to hear and help his own.  He honored their petition of faithfulness, not to be defiled,  and went even further to bless them with knowledge and sill in all learning and wisdom.  Just for extra measure and because God knew Daniel would need it, He threw in some understanding of all visions and dreams!

1 Timothy 4:7-8

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

So, in writing to Timothy, Paul reminds his young protege to put no thought or worry into old wives' tales, superstitions, etc. Why?  Because God is able to do anything, anywhere, with anyone, at anytime. Fearfulness does not make a good steward.  Daniel shows us that there is more to life than just our physical stature and health.  This is about the heart of the matter.  That is not to say that we shouldn’t take care of the body God has given us.  That is to say, that our spiritual consumption, and our motivations are more or just as important as our physical abilities.  Godliness, Paul says, is profitable unto all things. We have to take care of the body for living in the here and now, and we also have to prepare spiritual strength and stamina for the promise of our lives yet to come. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? (Luke 16:10-11).

In summary, there were many things that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah had no control over as captives in a strange land.  The things they could control were knowing who they were and being faithful to God. Yes, the Babylonians changed their name, but a name is just a name.  Who cares what the world calls you?  Do you know who you are?  Who are you in relation to Jesus?  That’s really all that matters.  Despite all the hardships and discouragements, they chose to stand faithful to what they knew to be the truth. Don’t get sidetracked.  It is ok to be different-minded.  It is ok to not follow the crowd.  Is God on your side? Keep your heart and mind in the right priority. 

 What you consume is more than just your food.  It is who you are, what you do, who your friends are, how you talk,  what you listen to, and the parts of the culture you subscribe to.  Put God first!

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!