SUNDAY, JANUARY 17
Scripture: Daniel 1:17-19

Daniel and his friends came out of their 10-day trial period looking superior, and went on to complete their three year training. But why did they refuse the portion from the King’s table in the first place? Was it specifically anti- Levitical? Were pork and shellfish staples in Babylon? Or was the meat prepared for the King’s table offered up to idols? A possibility is that accepting food from the King’s table implied a loyalty to the King, similar to the unspoken covenants created by ‘breaking bread’ with someone. If this possibility were the case, it is unlikely that Daniel and his friends would have accepted the training to join the royal court, either. More likely, Daniel knew without any doubt that accepting food from the king’s table. More likely is that Daniel and his friends wished to serve their people and 6 their God at the highest levels possible, and recognized the opportunity that being high advisors to Nebuchadnezzar provided. They accepted the training they would need to perform their jobs, but separated themselves as much as they could from the culture they were in! Rejecting cultural norms may result in personal rejection and isolation but that was a small price for acceptance from God.