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o Daniel the name of Belteshazzar； and to Hananiah； of Shadrach； and to Mishael； of Meshach； and to Azariah； of Abednego。〃
The king did not compel the Hebrew youth to renounce their faith in favor of idolatry； but he hoped to bring this about gradually。 By giving them names significant of idolatry； by bringing them daily into close association with idolatrous customs； and under the influence of the seductive rites of heathen worship； he hoped to induce them to renounce the religion of their nation and to unite with the worship of the Babylonians。
At the very outset of their career there came to them a decisive test of character。 It was provided that they should eat of the food and drink of the wine that came from the king's table。 In this the king thought to give them an expression of his favor and of his solicitude for their welfare。 But a portion having been offered to idols； the food from the king's table was consecrated to idolatry； and one partaking of it would be regarded as offering homage to the gods of Babylon。 In such homage； loyalty to Jehovah forbade Daniel and his companions to join。 Even a mere pretense of eating the food or drinking the wine would be a denial of their faith。 To do this would be to array themselves with heathenism and to dishonor the principles of the law of God。
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Nor dared they risk the enervating effect of luxury and dissipation on physical； mental； and spiritual development。 They were acquainted with the history of Nadab and Abihu； the record of whose intemperance and its results had been preserved in the parchments of the Pentateuch； and they knew that their own physical and mental power would be injuriously affected by the use of wine。
Daniel and his associates had been trained by their parents to habits of strict temperance。 They had been taught that God would hold them accountable for their capabilities； and that they must never dwarf or enfeeble their powers。 This education was to Daniel and his companions the means of their preservation amidst the demoralizing influences of the court of Babylon。 Strong were the temptations surrounding them in that corrupt and luxurious court； but they remained uncontaminated。 No power； no influence； could sway them from the principles they had learned in early life by a study of the word and works of God。
Had Daniel so desired； he might have found in his surroundings a plausible excuse for departing from strictly temperate habits。 He might have argued that； dependent as he was on the king's favor and subject to his power； there was no other course for him to pursue than to eat of the king's food and drink of his wine； for should he adhere to the divine teaching； he would offend the king and probably lose his position and his life。 Should he disregard the commandment of the Lord he would retain the favor of the king and secure for himself intellectual advantages and flattering worldly prospects。
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But Daniel did not hesitate。 The approval of God was dearer to him than the favor of the most powerful earthly potentatedearer than life itself。 He determined to stand firm in his integrity； let the result be what it might。 He 〃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。〃 And in this resolve he was supported by his three companions。
In reaching this decision； the Hebrew youth did not act presumptuously but in firm reliance upon God。 They did not choose to be singular； but they would be so rather than dishonor God。 Should they compromise with wrong in this instance by yielding to the pressure of circumstances； their departure from principle would weaken their sense of right and their abhorrence of wrong。 The first wrong step would lead to others； until； their connection with Heaven severed； they would be swept away by temptation。
〃God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs；〃 and the request that he might not defile himself was received with respect。 Yet the prince hesitated to grant it。 〃I fear my lord the king； who hath appointed your meat and your drink；〃 he explained to Daniel； 〃for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort？ then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king。〃
Daniel then appealed to Melzar； the officer in special charge of the Hebrew youth； requesting that they might be excused from eating the king's meat and drinking his wine。 He asked that the matter be tested by a ten days' trial； the
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Hebrew youth during this time being supplied with simple food； while their companions ate of the king's dainties。
Melzar； though fearful that by complying with this request he would incur the displeasure of the king； nevertheless consented； and Daniel knew that his case was won。 At the end of the ten days' trial the result was found to be the opposite of the prince's fears。 〃Their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat。〃 In personal appearance the Hebrew youth showed a marked superiority over their companions。 As a result； Daniel and his associates were permitted to continue their simple diet during their entire course of training。
For three years the Hebrew youth studied to acquire 〃the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans。〃 During this time they held fast their allegiance to God and depended constantly upon His power。 With their habits of self…denial they united earnestness of purpose； diligence； and steadfastness。 It was not pride or ambition that had brought them into the king's court； into companionship with those who neither knew nor feared God； they were captives in a strange land； placed there by Infinite Wisdom。 Separated from home influences and sacred associations； they sought to acquit themselves creditably； for the honor of their down…trodden people； and for the glory of Him whose servants they were。
The Lord regarded with approval the firmness and self…denial of the Hebrew youth； and their purity of motive； and His blessing attended them。 He 〃gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom： and Daniel had understanding
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in all visions and dreams。〃 The promise was fulfilled； 〃Them that honor Me I will honor。〃 1 Samuel 2：30。 As Daniel clung to God with unwavering trust； the spirit of prophetic power came upon him。 While receiving instruction from man in the duties of court life； he was being taught by God to read the mysteries of the future and to record for coming generations； through figures and symbols； events covering the history of this world till the close of time。
When the time came for the youth in training to be tested； the Hebrews were examined； with other candidates； for the service of the kingdom。 But 〃among them all was found none like Daniel； Hananiah； Mishael； and Azariah。〃 Their keen comprehension； their wide knowledge； their choice and exact language； testified to the unimpaired strength and vigor of their mental powers。 〃In all matters of wisdom and understanding； that the king inquired of them； he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm；〃 〃therefore stood they before the king。〃
At the court of Babylon were gathered representatives from all lands； men of the highest talent； men the most richly endowed with natural gifts； and possessed of the broadest culture that the world could bestow； yet among them all； the Hebrew youth were without a peer。 In physical strength and beauty； in mental vigor and literary attainment； they stood unrivaled。 The erect form； the firm； elastic step； the fair countenance； the undimmed senses； the untainted breathall were so many certificates of good habits； insignia of the nobility with which nature honors those who are obedient to her laws。
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In acquiring the wisdom of the Babylonians； Daniel and his companions were far more successful than their fellow students； but their learning did not come by chance。 They obtained their knowledge by the faithful use of their powers； under the guidance