In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “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 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”, and in chapter one and verse sixteen Daniel shared how, “Melzar took away the portion of their meat” where we read,
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat,
and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
The verse reads, “Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, ...” Daniel began with the words, “thus Melzar”which means “therefore, then and on this account Melzar whose name means guardian and was an officer of the court” “took away the portion” or “removed the part and allotment” “of their meat” which means “pertaining to their, the other chosen children's, food and dainties provided by King Nebuchadnezzar”. Daniel shared how “Melzar” removed King Nebuchadnezzar's food from the other children who were chosen.
The verse goes on to say, “... and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.” Daniel continued with the words, “and the wine” which means “and the fruit of the vine” “that they should drink” or “that they, the other chosen offspring and progeny, were to imbibe”; “and gave them pulse” which means “and granted, bestowed and assigned to the other children vegetables”. Daniel shared how “Melzar” also removed the fruit of the vine from the other chosen children and provided vegetables to them.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how “Melzar” was so affected by the difference he observed in the appearances of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azaraiah that he removed King Nebuchadnezzar's dainties and “wine” from the others and gave them vegetables and fresh water instead. God's plan of salvation for mankind was coming together step by step, and even the purposing within the heart of Daniel was part of this process. When God 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, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit if we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”. God loves us, and even the small details like the removal and assignment of vegetables and water become important in His eternal plan.
Next time Daniel shares how, “God gave them knowledge and skill”, 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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