Dan 1:8 But Daniel 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: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Dan 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
Dan 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: 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.
Dan 1:11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
Dan 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Dan 1:13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
Dan 1:14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
Dan 1:15 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.
Dan 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
Dan 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Dan 1:18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
Dan 1:19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
Dan 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
Dan 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
When we are desirous of the Lord’s meat as discussed last week, for His words, His truth, His portion, His will in our lives (Eph 5:17) as typified by Daniel not wanting to be defiled with “the portion of the king’s meat (Babylon Isa 3:1)” but rather wanting only to eat what he knew would be healthier for him and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, we are in fact being blessed to be given that hunger and thirst for God, a “hunger and thirst” which is “after righteousness“ that “shall be filled” (Mat 5:6) as we are dragged to Christ whose “flesh is meat indeed” and whose “blood is drink indeed” (Joh 6:44, Joh 6:55).
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
God makes a way where there seems to be none in each of our lives (Isa 43:19) as our sufficiency in God is found in Him through Christ (2Co 3:5, 2Co 9:8, Eph 2:10). God’s purpose for His people is being fulfilled by way of consuming our old Adamic nature, represented by the first temple, and building a new creation that will stand forever (Joh 2:19-21). We are standing healthy before the King when we are granted to fulfill His will which is accomplished by eating His words (1Jn 2:16-17, Rev 19:8, Rev 10:10).
2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
The Hebrew word in the opening verse of our study for “purposed” is H7760 which means “to put.” If we look at the ABP+ we read this: “And Daniel putG5087 unto”G1909 G3588 and then if we go to these new covenant verses that use the number G1909 (Mar 1:10, Mat 4:4, Mat 12:18), we see how God’s will is purposed in every man’s life (Eph 1:11), as every man, not just those who have God’s spirit within them (Rom 8:9, Col 1:27), but every man who lives and moves and has their being in Christ (Act 17:28) is having God’s will purposed in their lives to be exactly what that book was written to be, what He has put upon our hearts (Joh 3:27, Jer 20:9, Jer 29:11) whether that person is one who has become a vessel of honor in God’s house or whether that person remains in a state of dishonor, not having the wood, hay and stubble burned out of them in this life (2Ti 2:20-21, Heb 6:1-3). It is God who purposes and determines these things from the foundation of the world to His glory and for His purpose (Rom 9:22, Mat 20:8).
The difference between God’s will being fulfilled in the lives of those who are called and chosen, and Lord willing, faithful to the end, is that God’s will in the lives of the elect is being “done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Mat 6:10), as opposed to God’s purpose or will for mankind being fulfilled on the earth and in the earth, in carnal minds that are not being transformed or conformed to the image of Christ in this life, and so Paul begs us, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable (Eph 1:6), and perfectG5046, will of God“, which is another way speaking of the fidelity to God’s word that we are always striving for with one mind and one spirit found in Christ (Rom 12:1-2, 1Co 2:16). In type and shadow this verse (Dan 1:8) is telling us the same thing as Romans 12:1-2.
H7760 “Purposed“ śûm śı̂ym soom, seem [untoG1909 G3588 ABP+]
A primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literally, figuratively, inferentially and elliptically): – X any wise, appoint, bring, call [a name], care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, + disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, + name, X on, ordain, order, + paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), + regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, + stedfastly, take, X tell, + tread down, ([over-]) turn, X wholly, work.
Total KJV occurrences: 580
Dan 1:8 AndG2532 Daniel putG5087 untoG1909 G3588 his heart so as in no way he should be polluted in the table of the king, and in the wine of his banquet. And he petitioned the chief eunuch so that in no way he should be polluted. [ABP+]
Mar 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending uponG1909 him:
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live byG1909 bread alone, but byG1909 every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (1Co 15:46). [The natural is represented by the “bread alone” that precedes the spiritual “bread of life” (Joh 6:48) which is “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” That natural experience that precedes the spiritual cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, but is a means to an end [worm to butterfly (1Co 15:50)].
Mat 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit uponG1909 him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
In this section of Daniel we will see how the Lord can preserve His saints in Babylon, and create circumstances for our favor in this life as He did with Joseph in prison (Gen 39:21) and with Daniel who found favor as well with the “prince of the eunuchs” by God’s mercy (Dan 1:9). The lesson to be learned in all of this, both with Joseph and Daniel, is that the word of God was going to be preserved in type and shadow in the lives of those with whom God was working, as it is literally being preserved in the lives of those today who have those words of eternal life (Joh 6:68) given to them by God which are sanctifying us (Joh 17:17-19).
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Joh 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
Joh 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Christ is directing us (Php 2:12-13) as our head, the author and finisher of our faith who we are told to confidently believe will finish this work of faith within us (Php 1:6). That work involves purifying those words of life in this age (1Pe 1:7). A type and shadow of that purifying process is being shown throughout the chapters of Daniel and admonishes us today to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (Act 14:22, Luk 22:32, 1Pe 5:7-11).
Dan 1:8 But Daniel purposedH7760 in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
What Daniel purposed in his heart to do was of the Lord, as we read in Proverbs 16:1 which says, “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.” ‘Coming out of her my people’ is accomplished by savoring the things of God and not the “king’s meat…nor with the wine which he drank” (Mat 16:23, 2Co 2:14). God prepared Daniel to make this request “of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself“, and it symbolizes our resisting the devil (Jas 4:7) and tearing down the spiritual strongholds, through Christ, in our lives (Eph 6:11-12, 2Co 10:4-5) so that we can, like Daniel, “not defile [our]self with the portion of the king’s meat.” As mentioned, the positive example of meat and drink is symbolized by the body and blood of Christ which represent the undefiled word of God, the altar that we are blessed to eat at in advance of the world who serve us in their unbelief (2Co 4:15, Heb 13:10).
2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
2Co 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.Heb 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Dan 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
God’s work moves forward because of God’s favor, as demonstrated with this verse where we read, “God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” There was a softening of hearts happening here so that this dialogue and relationship could even begin to bear the fruit of which we are going to read in the following few verses. This reminds us again that all things are for our sakes and that God will not withhold anything from us that is not for our good, and the goodness of God is working a work in Christ’s body that is leading to salvation (Eph 1:7, Eph 3:16, Php 4:19).
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Dan 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: 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 having a friendship with this prince of the eunuchs who knew that the king’s meat and drink would not be good for him was God’s way of preserving Daniel. This preservation by way of taking on the food that Daniel would eat, as opposed to eating the king’s meat and drink typifies for us what we read in Hebrews 13:10, which states, “We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.” God miraculously changes the circumstances in our lives so that we don’t defile ourselves “with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”
Heb 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Those who are moved to labor and serve the tabernacle represent the churches of Babylon, as does this “prince of the eunuchs“, and it is God who gives Babylon the wisdom they have that ends up benefiting the body of Christ at an appointed time. The prince of the eunuchs in this story is like the unjust steward in Luke 16:8 who is commended by Christ “because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” In this case, the “prince of the eunuchs” was saving both his own life and helping his friend Daniel by making that wise observation about the king’s food.
Luk 16:7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
Luk 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light [1Co 1:26-27].
Luk 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
As the story goes, the prince of the eunuchs believed that the king would kill him if the health of Daniel or Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego was to fail, and not compare to that of their own people. This story reminds God’s elect how “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28). This story reveals how Daniel, like ourselves, had to be shown favor with God in order to “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.“
Dan 1:11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
Dan 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
The ten days period of proving the servants represents our carnal fleshly minds that need to be put off, and that is done by staying in the word of God, or walking in the spirit and not making provision for the flesh (Rom 8:1, Rom 8:4, Gal 5:16, Gal 5:25-26, Joh 6:63). The pulse and water represent the true nourishment that can only come from God’s word. The pulse and water in this instance are the starting source of nourishment, the sincere milk of the word that we are to desire and grow thereby (1Pe 2:2).
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Melzar, like Babylon, is set over us as he was over “Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah” and is going to witness a transformation that will take ten days, which also parallels the thought that we bring in the whole tithe, the tenth that represents our whole life, in order to lay up store in God’s house through this proving process (Mal 3:10).
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Babylon does not know that God is preparing to take us from being a servant to an heir of God, who is a mature son (G5206: uihothesia hwee-oth-es-ee’-ah Gal 4:1-5, Rom 8:21), but it is happening, and the nourishment is making its way to us by God opening our heavens to begin to start growing in faith which comes from hearing the word in ears and eyes that are being blessed to do just that (Rom 10:17, Mat 13:16). He sets a table in the presence of our enemies that they cannot see and partake of at this time as was the case with “Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah” (Heb 13:10, Psa 23:5).
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Heb 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Dan 1:13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
Dan 1:14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
Dan 1:15 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.
Dan 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
God accomplishes what He does through His children so we can be the light of the world, which is what this verse is a shadow of. It is after we have done all that we can that we can stand (Eph 6:13) and be a witness for Christ in this life as He prepares the bride for that very reason to “let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.“
A tree is known by its fruit and after “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.” This came by way of the miraculous relationship God created so that Melzar would take “away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
Dan 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
These four children have been given everything they have from God who is the giver of “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” The gift of learning and wisdom and the understanding of visions and dreams are purposed for God’s people who will need this manifested in their lives in order to go on to maturity. The gift must grow and has a starting point that, God willing, will reach a mature point which will aid in bringing forth spiritual fruit (Gal 5:22) that must accompany the gift, or that gift or talent will just remain buried in the earth, part of the many wonderful works that are not accompanied with the selfless spirit of God that gives us the ability to lay up treasure in heaven by His righteousness working in our heavens (2Pe 3:18, Mat 12:33, 1Co 12:31).
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Mat 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way [The more excellent way (1Co 13:1-13)].
Dan 1:18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
These last few verses demonstrate again how God requires a witness from His people against the evil days in which we are living, “Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in” (Luk 24:48, Mat 13:11).
Luk 24:48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
We are brought to Nebuchadnezzar by the hand of the “prince of the eunuchs” again showing us how God will provide comfort and strength and amiable circumstances through His holy spirit to accomplish this needed witness (Mar 13:11)
Mar 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Dan 1:19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
Dan 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
Dan 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
This section of scripture is foreshadowing what the elect will do to the world when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ (Rev 11:15). There will be none found like those who are resurrected in that blessed and holy first resurrection, typified here by Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The bride, in other words, will be made ready to manifest the knowledge of God in a manner that the world will not be able to deny has come from Him (Luk 2:42-47, Mat 16:17-19).
Luk 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
Luk 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
Luk 2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
Luk 2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
Luk 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
Luk 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
There being “in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them,” found to be “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm” also reminds us that the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God (1Co 3:18-23) and that we are not to “glory in men”, for all things are yours.
1Co 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1Co 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
In the last verse of our study, the signified words of scripture remind us that establishing righteousness in the earth takes time, and that we must continue in the truth (Isa 26:9, Joh 8:31-32). “And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.” The first year in this instance represents the judgment of the Lord that is going to be established through the wisdom and knowledge of God that will be manifest through the church (Eph 3:10) and will put an end to the lies and strong delusion of Babylon in the heavens of mankind symbolized by “all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.“
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Isa 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
"His Branch" 