In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “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 has 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 you 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 your servants, I beseech you, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before you, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as you see, deal with your servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days”, and in chapter one and verse fifteen of Daniel told what happened, “at the end of ten days” where we read,
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.
The verse reads, “And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh ...” Daniel began with the words, “and at the end of ten days” which means “and at the conclusion and finish of the ten sunrises to sunsets for proving” “their countenances” or “their, Daniel and the children of Judah's, faces and appearances” “appeared fairer and fatter in flesh” which means “looked and were considered more pleasant, agreeable and excellent and plenteous or plump within their pudenda, body or skin”. Daniel said at the conclusion of the “ten days” of testing, the appearances of Daniel and the Hebrew children were more pleasant and plump in their faces compared to the following.
The verse continues, “... than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.” Daniel added the words, “then all the children” which means “compared to each, every, the whole and everyone of the offspring and progeny” “which did eat the portion” or “who devoured and consumed the allotment” “of the king's meat” which means “pertaining to the royal ruler and leader's dainties and food”. Daniel said his face and the faces of the other Hebrew children looked more excellent than any of the other “children” who were eating the food that king Nebuchadnezzar provided.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel that his face and the faces of the other Hebrew children were more pleasant than the others who consumed the royal ruler's dainties. Daniel and the other Hebrew children ate vegetables and refreshing water, and as they devoted themselves to God in their purpose, they were seen as more pleasant compared to the others. God wants the best for us, and because we have sinned against Him, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He raised Jesus from the dead after three days, and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will empower us with the ability and willingness to “purpose in our hearts” not to sin against Him.
Next time Daniel shares how, “Melzar took away the portion of their meat”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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