Re: Verse reading–Daniel 1 (day six)
“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine.” (v 8) “I am afraid of the King. . . if he should see you in poor condition, it would endanger my head.” (v 10) Questions. WHY did Daniel refuse the palace food? Had he taken a Nazirite vow? (see Number 6:2) Was he concerned with Levitical food laws? (Leviticus 11) The Bible doesn’t say. Was it the idolatry and indulgence associated with Babylonian diet that caused him to commit to a more simple, spiritual path? And WHY was the palace official willing to risk his own safety to help? What was it about Daniel’s life that others found inspiring? (Romans 5:7? “for a good man one might be willing to die.”) And finally, WHY aren’t more of us aware of our choices in an unbelieving culture, how powerful they are, how beneficial to us and to those who are observing our lives. Just asking. Why?