Daniel 1:16

Letters to the Faithful - Daniel 1:16

Berean Standard Bible

So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead.

King James Bible

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

Hebrew:

וַיְהִ֣י הַמֶּלְצַ֗ר נֹשֵׂא֙ אֶת־פַּתְבָּגָ֔ם וְיֵ֖ין מִשְׁתֵּיהֶ֑ם וְנֹתֵ֥ן לָהֶ֖ם זֵרְעֹנִֽים׃

Transliteration:

Vayehi hamelzar nose et-patbagam veyein mishtaihem venoten lahem zeronim.

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So the steward continued to withhold their choice food

The steward, likely under the authority of Ashpenaz, the chief official, was responsible for the daily provisions of the young men in training. The "choice food" refers to the royal diet from King Nebuchadnezzar's table, which included meats and wines. This diet was considered luxurious and was meant to prepare the young men for service in the Babylonian court. The withholding of this food was a result of Daniel's request to avoid defiling himself with food that may have been offered to idols or not prepared according to Jewish dietary laws (Leviticus 11). This act of withholding demonstrates the steward's compliance with Daniel's faith-based decision, highlighting the favor Daniel found in the eyes of his overseers (Daniel 1:9).

and the wine they were to drink

Wine in ancient Babylon was a common part of the diet, often used in religious rituals and feasts. Daniel's abstention from the wine, like the food, was likely due to its association with idolatrous practices. This decision reflects a commitment to maintain purity and obedience to God's laws, even in a foreign land. The refusal of wine also prefigures the Nazarite vow, which included abstaining from wine (Numbers 6:1-4), and can be seen as a type of Christ, who also abstained from worldly indulgences to fulfill His mission (Matthew 11:19).

and he gave them vegetables instead

The term "vegetables" here can be understood broadly to include grains, legumes, and other plant-based foods. This diet aligns with the Jewish practice of eating foods that are clean and not associated with pagan rituals. The success of Daniel and his friends on this diet (Daniel 1:15) serves as a testament to God's provision and blessing. It also echoes the dietary laws given to Israel, emphasizing reliance on God rather than the opulence of Babylon. This choice of diet can be seen as a precursor to the spiritual discipline and fasting that Jesus practiced and taught (Matthew 4:2, Matthew 6:16-18).

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The verse of Daniel 1:16, which states, "Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse," marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Daniel and his companions’ steadfast faith amidst the trials of exile in Babylon. Set within the opening chapter of the Book of Daniel, this passage concludes the account of the young Hebrews’ resolve to remain undefiled by the king’s provisions, revealing the triumph of their fidelity to God’s law over the allure of royal indulgence. The verse, though brief, carries profound theological and moral weight, illustrating the power of obedience, the providence of God, and the vindication of those who trust in Him. To delve into its meaning is to uncover a testimony of faithfulness that resonates across the ages, speaking to the call of God’s people to live with integrity in a world that often opposes their convictions.

The context of Daniel 1:16 is essential to its significance, for it follows the narrative of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who, as captives in Babylon, are selected for service in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. These young men, of Judah’s nobility, are offered the king’s delicacies—meat and wine from the royal table—as part of their assimilation into Babylonian culture. Yet, Daniel resolves not to defile himself with such provisions (Daniel 1:8), likely due to the food’s association with idolatrous practices or its violation of Mosaic dietary laws (Leviticus 11). Instead, he proposes a test, requesting a diet of pulse—vegetables or legumes—and water for ten days, trusting that God will sustain them. The outcome, as recorded in verses 12-15, is striking: the young men appear healthier and more robust than their peers who partook of the king’s fare, a divine vindication of their obedience. It is in this context that Melzar, the steward overseeing their care, takes the decisive action described in verse 16, permanently replacing the royal provisions with pulse.

The action of Melzar, who "took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink," signifies more than a mere administrative decision; it represents the culmination of a spiritual contest between fidelity to God and conformity to the world. The "meat and wine" symbolize the opulence and cultural norms of Babylon, a kingdom that stands in opposition to the covenant values of Israel. By removing these, Melzar acknowledges the superiority of the Hebrews’ way, a tacit admission that their God has prevailed in this trial. The phrase "took away" suggests a deliberate and final act, underscoring the steward’s recognition that the young men’s health and vigor are not the result of chance but of divine favor. This act of replacement with pulse—a simple, unadorned diet—further emphasizes the contrast between the extravagance of Babylon and the humility of those who rely on God’s provision.

The giving of pulse, described as a staple of simplicity, carries rich symbolic meaning. In the ancient Near East, such a diet was associated with austerity, often the fare of the poor or those in mourning. Yet, in the hands of God, this humble sustenance becomes a means of divine blessing, demonstrating that true strength and vitality come not from worldly abundance but from obedience to the Lord. The choice of pulse aligns with the biblical theme of God’s sufficiency, seen in the manna provided to Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 16:31) and the widow’s oil multiplied through Elisha (2 Kings 4:1-7). For Daniel and his companions, pulse becomes a sacrament of their covenant fidelity, a tangible reminder that their sustenance flows from God’s hand, not the king’s table.

Theologically, Daniel 1:16 underscores the sovereignty of God in the midst of exile. The Babylonian captivity, a time of profound dislocation for Judah, might have suggested to some that God had abandoned His people. Yet, this verse, through the success of Daniel’s test, proclaims that the Lord remains active, working through the faithfulness of His servants to display His power. The health of the young men, sustained by pulse, is a miracle of divine provision, akin to the preservation of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3) or Daniel in the lions’ den (Daniel 6). This act of providence also foreshadows the greater deliverance promised in Daniel’s later visions, where God’s kingdom triumphs over the empires of the world (Daniel 7:14). Thus, the verse serves as a microcosm of the book’s overarching message: God is faithful to those who honor Him, even in the heart of a hostile empire.

The moral implications of Daniel 1:16 are equally profound, offering a model of principled resistance to cultural assimilation. Daniel and his companions, though captives, exercise agency by choosing to uphold their faith in the face of pressure to conform. Their example challenges believers to discern where worldly systems conflict with God’s commands and to stand firm, trusting that obedience will be honored. The verse also highlights the power of collective faithfulness, as the four young men act in unity, supporting one another in their resolve. Their success is not merely personal but communal, demonstrating that God’s blessing extends to those who together uphold His truth.

In its historical setting, Daniel 1:16 speaks to the exilic community, encouraging them to maintain their distinct identity as God’s people despite their displacement. For the original readers, the verse would have been a source of hope, affirming that fidelity to God could yield tangible results even in a foreign land. For later Jewish and Christian audiences, the narrative has served as a paradigm of faithfulness under persecution, inspiring figures like the Maccabees, who resisted Hellenistic defilement, and early Christians, who faced Roman pressures to compromise. In the New Testament, the principle of living undefiled resonates in calls to be "in the world, but not of it" (John 17:14-16) and to present one’s body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1).

For the modern reader, Daniel 1:16 remains a powerful exhortation to integrity and trust in God’s provision. In a world that often equates success with wealth, power, or conformity, the verse invites believers to embrace simplicity and obedience, confident that God can sustain them through seemingly inadequate means. It also challenges the faithful to consider how their choices—whether in diet, lifestyle, or ethical conduct—reflect their allegiance to God. The example of Daniel and his companions reminds us that small acts of faithfulness, undertaken with courage and trust, can yield profound outcomes, as God works through them to display His glory.

Thus, Daniel 1:16 stands as a testament to the triumph of faith over worldly temptation, the sufficiency of God’s provision, and the enduring call to live as a holy people in an unholy world. Through the simple act of replacing meat and wine with pulse, the verse unveils a divine truth: that obedience to God, though costly, leads to life and blessing. It beckons the reader to trust in the Lord’s faithfulness, to stand firm in conviction, and to find in Him the strength to navigate the challenges of a world that seeks to sway the heart from its true allegiance.

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Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, dearly beloved, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, who has called us with a holy calling and granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. I write to you, not as one who presumes to know all mysteries, but as a servant of the Word, seeking that you may be established in steadfastness and hope.

It is written in the Book of the Prophet Daniel: “So the steward took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.”

Beloved, this passage, though simple in appearance, bears a testimony that is rich for our instruction. Let us therefore receive it with open hearts, that we may be built up in wisdom and strengthened in our resolve to walk blameless before our God.

Consider the young men—Daniel and his companions—taken from their homeland, brought into the court of a pagan king, surrounded by the splendor and temptations of Babylon. They were youths of noble birth, endowed with wisdom and understanding, yet strangers in a foreign land, subject to rulers who knew not the God of Israel. Yet in the midst of such circumstances, they purposed in their hearts that they would not defile themselves with the king’s delicacies nor with the wine which he drank.

Herein lies a lesson for all who are called to live as pilgrims and sojourners in this present world. We, too, find ourselves in a land where the customs and pleasures of the age are contrary to the commandments of our God. The allurements of the flesh and the pride of life lie ever before us. Yet as Daniel and his friends purposed in their hearts to remain undefiled, so must we also set our hearts to holiness. For it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Mark well, brethren and sisters, that their choice was not an act of arrogance, nor of rebellion against authority, but of humble fidelity to the Lord. They requested that they might be given food that would not violate their conscience before God. They trusted not in their own strength but in the providence of Him who judges righteously. And behold the kindness of God, for He caused the steward to look favorably upon them. He who holds the hearts of kings in His hand inclined the heart of the steward to grant their request.

See then the faithfulness of God toward those who honor Him. It was no small thing to refuse the king’s provision; it was no light matter to risk disfavor in the court of the mighty. Yet the Lord, who sees in secret, rewarded them openly. The steward took away the rich food and the wine and provided them with that which was simple and pure. And behold, at the end of the appointed time, their countenances appeared better and healthier than all who had eaten the king’s fare.

What then shall we learn from this, beloved? First, that the favor of God is better than the favor of men. The approval of princes is fleeting; the approval of the Most High endures forever. Let your hearts be set not upon the praise of this world but upon the well-done of your heavenly Father.

Secondly, that obedience brings blessing. Though the path of righteousness may appear hard and the provision plain, yet the Lord delights to uphold those who walk in integrity. The choice food of Babylon may dazzle the eye, but the bread of heaven nourishes the soul. Be content, therefore, with such things as the Lord provides; trust that His hand is sufficient for you.

Thirdly, that we are called to live by principle, not by expediency. The young men could have reasoned that outward conformity would secure their place in the king’s court, yet they chose rather to suffer loss than to compromise their devotion. In like manner, let us not be moved by the shifting winds of the age, nor yield to pressures that would turn us from our course. Hold fast that which is good; cleave to the Word of truth.

Finally, let us remember that in all things God is sovereign. He who opened the way for Daniel and his friends is able to make a way for you. Trust not in the devices of men nor in the strength of your own hand, but commit your way unto the Lord. He will direct your paths; He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday.

Therefore, beloved, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Guard your hearts with all diligence; let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and evermore. Amen.

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O Lord God of heaven and earth, the eternal and sovereign One, whose throne is established in righteousness and whose dominion is from generation to generation, we bow before Thee in humble reverence and grateful praise. Thou art the Creator of all things, visible and invisible; the sustainer of life and the giver of every good and perfect gift. From Thee comes wisdom; from Thee flows strength; in Thee is all sufficiency. Blessed be Thy name forever and ever.

O Lord, we draw near in the name of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, who ever lives to make intercession for us. Through Him we come boldly to Thy throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hear us now, O merciful Father, as we lift our voices in prayer and supplication.

Thy servant Daniel and his companions were taken from their land and set in the court of a foreign king. They were offered the delicacies of Babylon, the food and drink of the king’s table. Yet in the midst of a strange land and among a people who knew not Thee, they purposed in their hearts that they would not defile themselves. They sought to walk blamelessly before Thee, preferring the plain fare of vegetables and water to that which would stain their conscience.

O Lord, grant us such a heart as this. In this present world, which lies under the sway of the evil one, where many allurements call us to compromise, where the voice of the multitude entices us to conformity, grant that we may purpose in our hearts to honor Thee above all. Teach us to discern that which is pure and that which defiles; to choose the narrow path of obedience rather than the broad way of indulgence.

We confess, O Lord, that our hearts are prone to wander, our flesh is weak, and the temptations of this age are many. The delicacies of Babylon glitter before our eyes—comfort, power, recognition, the pleasures of sin for a season. Yet these things cannot satisfy the soul; they cannot cleanse the heart; they cannot endure in the day of judgment. Have mercy upon us, O God. Forgive us where we have yielded to the passing things of this world; cleanse us anew by the blood of the Lamb; and renew within us a steadfast spirit.

As Thou didst grant favor to Daniel before the steward, so too grant us favor, O Lord, that we may walk blameless in our generation. Cause those in authority to look with kindness upon Thy people; grant us peace in the land and freedom to live according to Thy Word. Yet should favor be withheld, should we be called to suffer for righteousness’ sake, grant us the courage to stand firm, the grace to endure, and the joy that cannot be taken away.

We thank Thee, O Father, that when Daniel and his friends chose the way of obedience, Thou didst sustain them and honor their faith. Their countenances were brighter, their health was preserved, and their wisdom surpassed that of their peers. So too, we trust that as we seek first Thy kingdom and Thy righteousness, Thou wilt supply all our need. Teach us to live not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from Thy mouth.

O Lord, make us a people of conviction and of compassion—conviction that we may not waver in the truth; compassion that we may bear witness of Thy love to a world in darkness. May our lives, like those of Daniel and his companions, shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. May others see in us not the adornment of this world but the beauty of holiness and the peace that comes from walking with Thee.

Strengthen us in the inner man by Thy Spirit. Guard our minds from the subtle lies of the enemy. Fill our hearts with Thy Word, that we may meditate upon it day and night. Lead us by Thy counsel, and afterward receive us to glory.

We pray for Thy church throughout the earth. Where she is weak, strengthen her. Where she is compromised, purify her. Where she is persecuted, uphold her. May she be as Daniel—faithful though few, steadfast though surrounded, radiant though tested.

And now, O God of all grace, establish us in every good word and work. Keep us from stumbling, and present us faultless before the presence of Thy glory with exceeding joy. To Thee be glory, majesty, dominion, and power, both now and forevermore.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray, and all the people of God say, Amen.