Better and fatter

So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. – Daniel 1.14-18

The Jews in Babylon did not just settle in to their lives in Babylon. After the crushing blow of losing their land and being deported as slaves and servants they knew it was important to stay who they were. They could not just be absorbed into the culture as was the norm. They were God’s people and they had to keep that testimony. They kindly and respectfully asked that they be exempted from eating the king’s food and asked that they be tested after ten days.

The ten days passed and the official came back to check on them. I suppose he didn’t know what to expect but when he came back he found them in better shape than anyone else. I suppose this could have been the vegetarian diet, but God had taken care of them during those ten days to show that He could be trusted. What an encouragement for these men and what a testimony to the officials.

God can take care of His people no matter where we are. We live in a broken world and sometimes bad things do happen to God’s people, but He is there and will provide His grace to get through it.