Daniel Rejected The Secular Approach

Daniel 1

8But 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.

9Now G-d had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

10And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

11Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

13Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

14So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

15And 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.

16Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

17As for these four children, G-d gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.



From the start, Daniel had decided that his highest
priority was to worship the Lord. From this passage
it's implied that he and his friends were aware that
their worship had to satisfy the dietary requirements
that were given to Moses. Even though the diet of
the Babylonians was different from their own, Daniel
and his friends decided that it was better the honor
the teachings of scripture and risk offending the king
rather than to offend G-d. Even though they were
children, they already had a clear understanding of
the teaching of scripture and they had the desire to
serve G-d, more than anything else. It says something
about the quality of character that Daniel and his
friends possessed. And they understood that it was
not acceptable to compartmentalize their public and
private lives. They had clear priorities, and knew
the meaning worship.

This illustrates one of the popular notions of our
times. There is the idea that secularism provides
an equal basis for all faith. In fact, secularism
as it is put into practice, is the denial of all
religious faith. Another way to put it is that
secularism promotes another form of worship. Daniel
understood that worship is not just a ceremony, but
a way of life. He knew that the essence of life is
worship. It was then, and it is now. The popular
notion is based on complete ignorance or a willful
distortion and corruption of the meaning of worship.

Look at the life of Daniel as an example of the
benefit of living a righteous life, in the midst of
a secular/pagan culture drenched in excess.

========
Note ===
========
Until technical issues are sorted out, posting will
remain sporadic. The Jesus Bus is experiencing
technical difficulties. Regular programming will
resume once they are resolved.