Daniel Purposed in His Heart - Daniel 1:8

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the master of the eunuchs, Ashpenaz, to bring children from the people of Judah who were good looking, well-skilled, intelligent and able to learn, 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”, and in chapter one and verse eight of Daniel said, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” where we read,

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.

The verse reads, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, ...” Daniel began with the words, “but Daniel” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Daniel whose name means God is my judge” “purposed in his heart” or “set, placed, appointed and directed within his, Daniel's, inner man, mind, will and understanding” “that he would not defile himself” which means “that he, Daniel, would in no way or manner pollute, desecrate or stain his own self” “with the portion of the king's meat” or “by the use of the provision pertaining to the of the royal ruler and leader Nebuchadnezzar's delicacies and food”. Daniel shared how he resolved within his own mind and soul that he would in no way or manner be desecrated and stained by a provision of the dainties from King Nebuchadnezzar. 

The verse continues, “... nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” Daniel added the words, “nor with the wine” which means “no and not in any manner by the fruit of the vine” “which he drank” or “that he, King Nebuchadnezzar imbibed”: “therefore he requested of the prince”which means “then, at that time, wherefore and these things being so he, Daniel, desired, required and sought from the ruler, leader, chief, chieftain and official” “of the eunuchs” or “belonging to the castrated valets or chamberlains” “that he might not defile himself” which means “that he, Daniel, would not in any way or manner pollute, desecrate or stain his own self”. Daniel said he also “purposed in his heart” that he would in no way or manner pollute, desecrate or stain himself with the fruit of the vine that King Nebuchadnezzar imbibed, so he appealed to the “prince of the eunuchs”, Ashpenaz, to allow him not to pollute, desecrate or stain his own self.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he determined he would not allow himself to be desecrated by King Nebuchadnezzar's food or “wine”, and he acted upon his resoluteness by asking the master of the eunuchs to allow him not to consume them. Though this may have cost him, Daniel would not alter his stance. God desires that we take a stand and follow His ways, and regardless of the consequences, we are to obey Him. God loves us, and because He desires the best for our lives, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us so we may be strong and purposed when it comes to obeying His ways. 

Next time Daniel says, “God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs”, 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".