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A Marvelous Experiment

Pastor Bill Farrow

Daniel 1:16

[16] Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.  

(Verse 16) - Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat… This was an experiment, for both of these parties, wasn't it?  For Melzar, it was an experiment in seeing what foods and drinks would give good benefit and what ones wouldn't.  It was an experiment in seeing if Daniel's God could and would answer and supply.  It was an experiment in seeing if it was worth the self-denial that Daniel and his three friends were willing to undergo in the service of their God.  He was watching them, and not just to see if they were as robust and healthy at the end of the 10 days as the rest of the group.

For Daniel, it was an experiment as well; an experiment in obedience.  It seems certain that this was not Daniel's first experiment in obeying God, but it was certainly one that had some special and very new circumstances for he and his friends!  It seems as if it was the habit of Daniel's life to obey God, and to obey God completely, even when it was difficult.  He had already had some very hard times in his young life.  He had shown himself to be faithful and to able to keep to the “straight and narrow” so to speak.  In a way, this was just another time when he needed to follow after God and obey from the heart what God had told him to do.

But in another sense, this was a radical and new experience for Daniel.  This situation was different than any other he had ever experienced.  We ought to think about this:

The stakes were high and the temptations were greater than those he had faced before. Daniel's personal circumstances were very different than any he had dealt with before. He was being groomed to serve in an affluent and ego-boosting position that would put him in the public eye and exalt him above others around him. There was a lot to gain if he went along and a lot to lose if he failed in any way. Those are huge and tempting stakes for one so young.

	What he was considering doing would affect the entire rest of his life. This was not a temporary or even short-term solution to a problem. The changes Daniel was suggesting would be in place for the rest of his life. It was just vegetables only for 10 days - it was vegetables only forever! That is an entirely different matter! The self-denial that Daniel was suggesting for he and his friends was permanent. There would never be a lifting of these strictures. This makes the suggestion of Daniel all the more amazing!
	What he was suggesting would set him completely apart from the rest of his people, as well as all of the Babylonians among which he lived.  No one likes to be different than wagons else... at least not in this regard. This is especially true of young people. Nothing against youth, but it is characteristic of the young to want to conform and not stand out.
	What he was considering might, indeed precipitate a situation that could get him in grave trouble with the authorities.
	What he was suggesting put others at risk.
	What he was suggesting cold and did lead to great use and blessing by God.