Verses 1-16
-
After one of his three sieges on Jerusalem, King Nebuchadnezzar took a number of Israelites as captives to Babylon. Among the captives, Daniel and his three friends were selected to be servants to the king. This required them to be more or less indoctrinated.
-
During the three years that they were to be trained, they were fed a sumptuous diet that was likely gluttonous. Daniel and his friends sanctified themselves by eating a healthy diet, and in the end they became stronger than the other servants who ate the sumptuous diet.
-
On matters of diet alone, keep in mind that a truly healthy diet must always include fruits and vegetables. Eat these daily for the best results for both your vigor and your appearance.
-
-
The secular world will always try to indoctrinate us with its lies, and it will try to force feed us its garbage. It tries to give the impression that it's for our betterment, but it's not. To this day, many unbelievers dismiss biblical teaching because they believe that it's religious nonsense that won't actually help them.
-
But just as Daniel and his friends proved that following the Word made them stronger and healthier, we will prove by our obedience to the Word that following Jesus brings the greatest health and wellness, making it desirable even to unbelievers. Unbelievers need to see the fruit that believers have from their obedience to the Word, and then they will take interest in the gospel.
-
-
Whenever you are faced with a choice to obey or disobey what the Word says, remember that obeying the Word will always be better for your own wellbeing. And as a result, your faith will be more attractive to unbelievers.
Verse 17
-
Knowledge and skill comes from God! And understanding of dreams and visions, in particular, is a gift of the Spirit that must be given by the will of God (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
-
Interpreting dreams is not something that just anyone can do whenever they want. It is a gift from God, and it is part of the gift of interpretation (1 Corinthians 12:10). Those who are gifted to interpret tongues can also interpret dreams. This makes Daniel, and others who could understand dreams (like Joseph in Genesis), interpreters.
-
Verses 18-21
-
Because of our obedience to the Word, we ought to be “ten times better”, in our wisdom, skills, and abilities, than any unbeliever. This is not for our own promotion or pride, but for the glory of God.
-
Being skilled in matters of the practical life is important. It brings glory to the kingdom and enhances the reputation of the gospel.
-
-
In everything you do, do it to your fullest ability and to glorify God! Desire to be excellent and greatly skilled in what you do!