Daniel 1:8 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… The food provided probably contained articles interdicted by the Divine law. Portions of it were polluted with blood — forbidden to every Jew. And both meat and wine were probably offered as a libation to other gods. A great principle was therefore at stake. Daniel knew the worth of what some people call "a mere abstraction," "an idea." Is it objected that this was a small matter? Perhaps it was, but the battle of great principles is often fought on some small field, while the clang of swords and the trump of victory resound against the vault of Heaven itself. We are sent into this world not to evade contempt, not to "get on" (as the phrase goes), not even to avoid calamity, not even to "account life dear" unto ourselves; but to finish our Divinely marked course, the particular "ministry we have received," to "testify the gospel of the grace of God." We have no hesitation in quoting such expressions as these when speaking of Daniel; for that he had a course to run, a service to humanity and God to perform, a testimony to bear, is at once evident the moment we think of his history, and his singularly elevated position as an evangelical prophet, a harbinger to prepare the Saviour's way. And so, whatever might betide, come what may, alone, as it would seem, without concert at this stage with his three associates, "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat." That resolution was one of God's moral inspirations. There was an ardour about it that fired the souls of the other three. It was the germ of great results, the parent of other heroisms, the one event that gave form and colour to all their lives. In executing the resolve, gentleness was wedded to fortitude. The conduct of Daniel is a good illustration of the motto, "fortiter in re, suaviter in modo," strong as to the matter, gentle as to the manner. He was too wise openly to resist the ordinances of the king. (H. T. Robjohns, B.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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