What Are Others Going To Say?

By Amitabh Singh

"But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods." - Daniel 1:8, NLT.

Pleasing God was the most important thing for Daniel. He was not afraid to stand up for his values.

In Daniel’s days, King Nebuchadnezzar had a scholarship program. Historians tell us that the king had a beautiful palace. The royal park was breathtakingly attractive. The flowers sent a fragrance up to half a mile. The hanging gardens was one of the seven wonders of the world. King Nebuchadnezzar demanded the best.

Daniel was invited to such a powerful Babylon. He was living in the palace, and was invited to eat at the kings table. The best of food and wine in the world was available to him.

Daniel was faced with a dilemma.

To eat or not to eat.

To drink or not to drink.

To eat the food that had been offered to idols would be to defile himself.

Today, we would laugh at Daniel.

You are an intelligent young man. Look at all that you can gain by just going along. You have been given an amazing opportunity. Grab it.

The food being offered is part of the program. This is the system. Everyone is doing it. You cannot fight this. This is the best food in the world. The King is powerful.

Look at the delicacy that is in front of you. Brains of a peacock that has come all the way from India. Fish from the Mediterranean Sea. Rare fruits from Africa.

 You are far from your home. No one is watching you. Jerusalem has fallen. Your country is ruined. You are wanting a brighter future. Don’t be a fool.

In Rome, do as the Romans do. In Babylon, do as the Babylonians do. Have you not heard of the phrase, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Perhaps not. It’s ok. Let loose and have fun without worrying about the consequences. Why does it matter? What are others going to say?

The Bible says that all of these considerations did not move Daniel. He resolved not to defile himself with the meat that was in front of him. We find a young man with unparalleled character and conviction.

“Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel.” - Daniel 1:9, NLT.

The “chief of staff” was like the Dean of Students. He was calling the shots at the University. Instead of reporting Daniel, we find that that the official gave Daniel a brand new rule book.

Everyone was studying Babylonian 101. Daniel was allowed to study Hebrew 101. Everyone was eating the Kings food. Daniel was served vegetables and water.

Daniel’s determination not to defile himself gave strength to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to also say “no”.

I love this quote from the movie Soul Surfer:

Reporter: “Bethany! If you could go back to that day, would you not go surfing?

Bethany Hamilton: “No, I wouldn't change a thing, because then I wouldn't be here talking to you. I can embrace more people now than I could with two arms."

It is because of the stand which Daniel took, that the story ends with the King’s officials watching in wonder as they saw three men in the middle of the blazing furnace and a fourth figure like the Son of Man Himself. But that is another story for another blog.

For this blog, here is the line to reflect on:

You will never know how your point of view can show the way and give strength to someone else.

Daniel was true to God. His decision helped and encouraged others. God was #1 in Daniel’s life. He was #1 in Jerusalem. He was #1 in Babylon.

That’s the secret. It is not the place that makes us decide our stand. It is our relationship with God Almighty.