RAINING TRUTH WATERING THE GARDEN

Watering the Garden
DANIEL REFUSED THE KINGS FOOD
Scripture:

And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

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. Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And 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.

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse (Pulse means vegetables) to eat, and water to drink. Then 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.

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

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. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 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 enquired of them he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. (Daniel 1:5-20)

An interesting story concerning food is found in this first book of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, requested that certain children he had captured from the tribes of Israel should be prepared for the king’s service by Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs. He was to prepare them by feeding them well, teaching them science and wisdom and also the Chaldean language. Among these was Daniel who refused to eat the king’s rich foods and was physically rewarded for doing so. According to the Strong’s Hebrew Concordance (2235) the word pulse found in these scriptures is vegetables or better described as vegetables with pods.

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We have learned that Daniel was in very good health because he refused to eat the king’s rich foods and ate vegetables or pods instead.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this study of His word, Amen.
Susan