The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 77

1. It wae a rea~onable suggestion, The question at issue was one that could be brought to Lhe test of practical demonstration, aud controversy would be saved by such an appeal. An hour of experiment is more fruitful than years of speculative reu.srmin". The eye is not always II safe arbitrator. No organ is so easily deceived. But in thia c~se the eye was a competent judge. A competition was instituted between se\f- indulgenoe and self-'restraint. 'l'he virtue of abstemiousness was placed upon its trial, 11nd we do well to note the result, 2. Nor can we close our eyes to the fact that Vnniel regarded this self-abstinence as a branch of religious duty. No department of our daily life is beyond the reach of conscience. As each ray of sunshine, and each !lake of snow, contributes its quota to the autumnal harvest; so each act in a man's life, even the most trivial, produces its effect upon his interior nature-contributeR either to his nobleness or to his degradation. There are occasions when men use this plea of conscience dishonestly. They make conscience a mask wherewith to hide inclination and self-will. But Daniel was a true man. Transparency of motive was 11 jewel that glittered on his brow. 3. Daniel proposed this ordeal in the exerci8e of full confidence in God. He had, without doubt, already proved in himself the benefit, bodily and mentally, of simple diet. Never, until now, had he been brought into the circle of such fascinating temptation; and now it was to be seen whether his faith in God would bear the trial. Yes I his faith was not only food-proof, but even fire-proof. Full sure was be that "mau did not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." One wiser than himself, and kinder than any human friend, had, with blended authority and love, decreed what might and what might not be ea.ten, and Daniel knew that devout obedience would secure a certain bleesing, " He that dou bteth is condemned if he eat." VI. 0BBEBVE THE succEBBFUL RESULT. The experiment terminated favourably on their .health. They were both "fairer and fatter in flesh" than their competitors. Physical beauty, as well as physical strength, is to be adequately nlued. Both are gifts of God ; their possession ought to awaken thankfulness. Both may lead to sin. We must distinguish between natural appetites and acquired depraved tastes. To satisfy natural appetite is to do the will of God; to pander to needless cravings is to violate Divine authority. There is a large amount of pleasure arisiDg from robust health, although the quality of this pleasure is none of the highest. To make the development of the body-the attainment of physical perfection--a study, during the growing years of youth, is a religious duty, The possession of perfect health, and the enjoyment arising therefrom, are within the reach of the poorest born. The iainties and .effeminacies prevalent in marble palaces binder, rather than help, the perfection of physical beauty. Daniel's simple pulse had more worth than the king's delicacies. Real hunger furnishes the best condiments. 1. The prizes of virtue are mam:ifold and cumulative. Daniel's frugal diet brought its own inward satisfaction. Ten days' trial showed a perceptibl,; advantage over the self-indulgent. That advantage increased during every succeeding day, until, at the end of three years, the results in health and strength and comeliuess were incalculable. Meanwhile, the power of self-control over other inclinations and passions had largely increased, and this brought new delight.. The consciousness that their God was right and kind in requiring this discipiine of the appetites, increased their reverence and love, made them more resolute in their heavenly allegiance. They felt they were on the ascent to true nobleness nnd final honour, whatever temporary obscurity might arise. Their knowledge grew. Their wisdom ripened. Even foreigners and rivals rendered them real respect. Conquests over the difficulties of Cha.ldean learning were daily acquired, and they hailed, with glad anticipation, the approach ofa royal test. They held their heads aloft, with a sense of manly greatness, when summoned into the presence of their king. "Better is he that ruleth his own spirit than he who taketh a city." 2. 'fhen over and above this natural success and joy there was a special reward conferred by the hand of God himself. He who constructed the human mind knows well the avenues by which to gain access to all its chambers, and is able to enrich, illumine, and beautify any part. To doubt this would be infidelity, To these four young men God gave "skill in all learning and wisclom;" to Daniel in particular he gave s~ecial inspiration, a royal imagination, power to unravel dreams. \Ve are prone to think that in the shadowy, weird territory of dreamland the reign of law is not 86 THE BOOK OF DANIEL. [en. r. 1-21.