May 10: FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE
And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.” Daniel 1:10
The chief of the eunuchs, who looked upon Daniel with favor, expressed his thought process honestly following Daniel’s request not to defile himself (v.8) with the king’s food and drink. As an experienced servant of King Nebuchadnezzar, he was not exaggerating in saying to Daniel that his own head could be endangered if the young captives are not looking equally well.
There was a misunderstanding about diet in those days, just as there is today. In the Babylonian culture, it was the sincere belief that a rich diet including meats and heavy, fat-based sauces was healthy. Accompanied by aged wines, the illusion was boosted even further, for alcohol has a way of making people “feel smarter”. But that isn’t the reality, and the deceptive sensation is very short-lived.
Having just completed the arduous, four-month journey, the captives were weak and exhausted. In all likelihood, they had not had much to eat along the way, so they were thin. It is only natural to compare the young men of their age group with each other, and the comment of the chief of the eunuchs makes it clear that the weary travelers are all looking pretty rough after the journey. The rich food and wine were intended to build them up quickly. If four of these boys did not partake, they would surely be looking worse than the [other] young men [their] age.
Why would a book about prophecy begin by leading its readers to the subject of diet? Daniel’s life and ministry bridge the entire seventy-year period of Babylonian captivity, a lifetime as it were, of Babylonian influence. This is actually a miniature picture of what is happening today. God’s word teaches that the entire world is engulfed with the ungodliness that has been thrust upon it through confusion and false messages about the character of God Himself, therefore Babylon is now a symbolic term. God’s people, in order to survive the negative spiritual influence themselves, as well as become effective witnesses for the sake of others, benefit greatly by being healthy and clear-minded. It is very purposeful that Jesus pointed His followers to the book of Daniel for preparation in the end times (Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14).
In Revelation 14:7, a message comes with a loud voice to “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth …” This last-day message points us to our Maker. As Creator, His design for our bodies is fantastic. Satan works especially hard to cause us to forget our loving Creator, as well as His “owner’s manual” for excellent stewardship. An important part of our worship is obedience in the area of caring for our bodies. Our enemy would have us to misunderstand the health message, for then he can more easily lead us astray.
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
For further study: Genesis 1:29; Leviticus 3:17; 7:22-27; Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 7:15; Psalm 139:14; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20