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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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Daniel 1:14
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So he consented and at the end of the test period they were obviously carrying more muscle and flesh than the other youths who had been partakers of the portion of the king’s meat, and therefore Melzar lets that be a permanent arrangement for them. So they passed the test, the great test of faith. It’s an up-and-down situation: seized, taken away into captivity; suddenly discovering they have got tremendous opportunities before them if they can only accommodate themselves to being in the service of Babylon. Then for those who are the godly ones take a tremendous risk: they obey the Lord and risk humiliation or even death, and they come through it all. God gave deliverance to them because they had made resolutions, run risks, opted for less satisfactory diets for his sake. What about their rivals who would gloat at their expected failure? Would the Jewish boys lag behind? No, they did what was right and were rewarded.
Application
There is a test of faith for everyone who is a believer in Christ. Early on in the Christian life, and at intervals afterwards, some great test of faith will come. We are not likely to stand if we are not resolved in our hearts to obey the Lord no matter what, and to serve him no matter what. If I should be a limp sort of Christian, then when the test comes I'll fall all the more easily and quickly, and this was a massive test.
God gave them knowledge beyond their own. We have seen it in the church. People are converted; they are naturally quite simple, not endowed with intellect, and yet God gives understanding beyond their natural gift, the ability to see through things and to see deep things, new aptitudes.
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