Stand Out

Dan.1:⁸ “But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.” [with emphasis]

A lot of us would agree that even in our present-day culture, the word defile is a strong word. Why then would Daniel use such a strong word in talking about eating and why is food an issue of defilement in this case? To understand this, we must go into the culture of Daniel and his people [the Semites] at that time. Among the Semites, people in the middle east [the Jews, the Arabs], when they say there is bread and salt between us, what they are saying is there is a relationship, a connection, a covenant that has been confirmed by us sharing a meal. Sharing a meal is a big deal for people from that side of the world.

That is why Jesus would say, “…someone that has dipped his hand in the same bowl with me is going to betray me” – big deal. This is also why Jesus said, “To be My disciple, you have to eat of My flesh [the holy communion]. If you do not eat it, you are not part of Me”. Eating for them is an initiation into a friendship, a relationship. Let me bring this home with this illustration; if you come to my house, I can give you something to drink. If I do not give you something to eat, then we have not connected. From Semites, eating from the same table, from the same kitchen is a big deal.

It was defilement for the obvious reason that a lot of the food is sacrificed to idols before it is prepared. But in addition to that, eating on the same table with them and from this same kitchen would be connecting with their ideology, with their way of thinking, and with their system. Daniel decided that if he is going to triumph, then he cannot conform. This is a challenge for many people, they want to conform not knowing that as soon as they conform they lose the power to triumph. Rom.12:² (NIV) “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” God does not want us to be conformed to the systems of this world.

But unfortunately, people think they need to be a part of a clique to get ahead in the industry. Daniel is showing us that we have our own clique, which assures us of dominating. I pray you get this. Daniel was a young boy, but he was so clear, “I will not eat this food!”. Even though as you can imagine, the food from the king’s kitchen will be the best of the best. But Daniel said, “NO!” Yet even in seasons of fasting as a church some people are determined NOT to fast. You need to understand that for where God is taking you to, you need to fast.

Prayer: Lord, today I chose to stand tall for what will give You pleasure, in Jesus Name. Amen!