DANIEL THE PROPHET (PART 2) – THE BLESSING OF OBEDIENCE

Dear Members in Christ,

Daniel the Prophet (Part 2) – The blessing of obedience 

In today’s world of unbelief and liberalism, faith and obedience are relegated to a back seat passenger in the Christian walk. There is, it seems a spirit of compromise and “give and take” when it comes to issues which demands obedience to God at a cost. That cost may be as trivial as ostracism by friends and colleagues, and in some instances it may be as severe as the loss of a livelihood. In some severe instances such as have been witnessed in church history, where Christians are under persecution, the cost may be as drastic as having to “put one’s neck on the block”, so to speak.

The account of the captivity of the Prophet Daniel in the Old Testament should be a lesson of obedience to us.  In our last article about Daniel the prophet, the man and his three friends were commanded to partake of the food offered by their captors, but they resolutely refused because as Jews, such victuals were considered unclean. This was a great step in obedience to God, as refusal to comply with their overseers could result in severe punishment. But Daniel was firm, and as a consequence,

“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.” Daniel 1:15,16

This act of obedience brought great blessings for Daniel and the three friends. Not only did they escape the wrath of their supervisory captors, but they were able to have their way in establishing their faith towards the one True and Living God.

A. God’s reward and leading for those who are obedient

The obedience exhibited by the prophet Daniel and his company of friends were rewarded. By refusing the king’s portion, and thus obeying the dietary laws, God gave them great physical health. By comparison, Daniel and friends had an appearance which is even fairer and sounder than the others who ate from the king’s portion. The Bible recounts, “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.”

Their reward was not just physical, for God had a higher purpose in rewarding his saints.

“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.” Daniel 1:17

This band of faithful - Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were granted the spiritual gift of knowledge and wisdom. They were given the gift of competency in all kinds of discipline. They exhibited extraordinary wisdom. Truly their obedience to God had become to them a blessing.

Dearly beloved, let us not waver when it comes to obedience to God’s written Word. In the case of Daniel and his friends, the reward was both physical and spiritual. There is a reward for those who choose to obey God. But this is not all there is for Daniel and his friends, read on…

B. God’s blessing - Daniel and his friends honored by their captors

There is an event recorded for us in Daniel 1:18 where the captors were to be presented before the king. This was like an “imperial examination”, a time for the king to evaluate these children of captivity.

During this meeting the Bible tells us that Daniel and his friends outshone all the other candidates in their ability. This was a great surprise. Conventional wisdom teaches that a good diet will bear a sound mind and a healthy body. But as for Daniel and friends who refused the king’s meat, it is written that,

“And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm...” Daniel 1:19,20

This was a wonderful revelation for the king and the supervisory captors of these Jewish captives. It was also great news because it will pave the way for Daniel to be admitted into the corridors of power, and he will become an instrument of God in testifying of God’s goodness and reward for the faithful.

Brothers and sisters, let us not be weary in standing for our faith. When we have to make a decision to which borders upon obeying God or compromise, let us be courageous to do what is right before God. May God help us. Amen.   

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor