“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8
Have you ever faced a situation where you either had to draw a line, put your foot down, or compromise what you believe? At some point in our lives, we all face a moment where we have to decide whether or not we’re going to do the right thing even if those around us don’t.
Daniel of the Old Testament found himself in similar situations. In 605 B.C., the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and took the people captive. Their largest target was the royal household, including Daniel and three of his friends. The four teenagers and many others were snatched from a strict Jewish upbringing and forced to assimilate into a secular society.
Many of the captives did whatever the Babylonians told them to do. They gave in and conceded their beliefs and ethics so they could fit in or stay out of harm’s way.
But Daniel didn’t. He drew a line in the sand that he refused to cross.
Life in a New Land
The book of Daniel describes a group of friends who were among thousands of Jews taken from their homes and forced to march to Babylon in service of King Nebuchadnezzar. During three long years of indoctrination, the Babylonians changed the boys’ names to honor their gods, forced them to speak an entirely new language, and thoroughly know Chaldean literature, war history, and mythology. With their newfound knowledge, these boys would serve the king in his palace.
The boys were also forced to eat a new diet of daily royal delicacies and wine, but Daniel refused. Learning Babylonian history and speaking another language is one thing, but he drew a proverbial line in the sand, declaring he would not go any farther.
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8
In many ways, Daniel proved his obedience, even if it meant losing most of his Jewish identity. But when it came to defiling himself, Daniel refused to comply. The food the king served did not meet the restrictions Daniel knew would honor God. So, instead of compromising his faith, he drew a line.
Cultural Gods
Too often, in today’s culture, we are willing to set our standards aside. We are willing to compromise what we believe so we can fit in or get ahead.
The world has its own cultural god. It is rapidly becoming a type of Babylon, full of anger and greed and selfishness. And too many Christians are going along with it. They are changing their standards and making deals with God so they can fit in with the world.
The Bible calls people who compromise their faith “lukewarm” Christians (Revelation 3:15-16). The world calls them hypocrites. They go to church on Sunday and appear to be good Christians, but by the time they get in their cars after services are over, they’re already back in the world.
They’re yelling at other drivers, stealing things from the office breakroom or supply room, or fudging their tax forms (because what’s a dollar here or there)? Sometimes, they profess to be Christians but then gossip about what so-and-so did last night. Or they go home every night to someone they sleep with, but they’re not married.
Everyone else is doing it, so what’s the big deal, right?
In these latter days, it’s not hard to see how Babylon is taking over those who follow Christ. We are being led further and further astray by the powers of darkness. And sadly, there are fewer and fewer of us willing to draw a line and stand up for our faith.
Draw a Line Respectfully
But Daniel was different. Though he was in a hostile foreign land under strict authority, he stayed faithful to his teachings and what he believed about God.
In Daniel 1:8, notice that Daniel was respectful when he requested not to defile himself. He did not slam his fists on a table and insist on being allowed to eat different food. No, he requested the eunuch’s permission. As a result, God gave Daniel favor.
“Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” (v9)
God’s favor persuaded the eunuch to agree to Daniel’s request. And sure enough, after ten days of eating vegetables, Daniel and his friends looked healthier than all the other boys (v17). When the eunuch brought them before the king for examination, no one looked in better shape than them.
“And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.” (v10)
God gave Daniel favor, but there was a catch: He only gave him favor after drawing his line.
Daniel knew he had to learn to deal with his “new normal.” He knew things weren’t going to change anytime soon, if ever. So he obeyed orders and compromised some things to keep himself out of trouble.
But then someone told him to do something that wasn’t okay, something he felt would defile him and would profane his soul before God. So he put his foot down. He drew his line. It wasn’t until after he said, “I’ll do this, but I won’t do that,” that God granted him favor.
The Furnace and Den
The Bible describes two other times Daniel drew a line for God.
In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar made a 90-foot statue overlaid with pure gold and ordered everyone to bow down and worship it, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused. The Bible does not tell us if Daniel was involved in the incident, but many scholars believe he was. The king demanded the four now-grown men to be brought before him to command their obedience, but the men responded,
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
Consequently, the king sent the men to the fiery furnace, but a fourth man (Jesus) appeared in the fire with them, saving them from death (v25).
A third time Daniel drew a line for God is found in Daniel 6. Despite the governors’ and satraps’ evil scheme, Daniel refused to stop worshipping God. He held fast to his faith. After catching him in the act of praying, King Darius reluctantly agreed to have him punished by throwing him into the lion’s den. But once again, God protected him, causing the king to abolish his own law and issue a new decree commanding the people to worship God alone (v25-27).
The Bible does not tell us what happened to Daniel’s friends, but it does say that Daniel “prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian (Dan 6:28).” He went on to be a respected statesman by royal appointment and served as a confidant to three kings of two successive empires in addition to being God’s prophet. His obedience to God through his godly character and service earned him the kings’ respect and God’s blessing.
Time to Draw the Line
Too often, Christians ask God for favor in a situation, but they won’t draw their line. They’re doing just fine in the land of Babylon, and the world is pleased because they don’t have an endpoint. There’s no line, no conflict, and everyone’s happy. Yet, they ask for God’s favor if not outright expect it, but they’re surprised when God doesn’t fulfill their request.
Like Daniel, there comes a time when Christians must decide who their god is. Is it a cultural god or the God of all creation? Jesus said we cannot serve two masters (Mathew 6:24). We must make a choice. Either we draw a line and say, “This is how far I will go and no farther,” willing to endure the consequences, or we give in to keep the Babylonians happy.
Are you not seeing God’s favor in an area in your life? Maybe it’s time for you to draw a line for Christ and determine exactly how far you’re willing to go before things have gone too far. In our Christian walk, that should not be too far for the sake of Christ and His love.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
