Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

     Thinking back to my post (We Gather Together) and the illustration of the 25 foot food table brought to mind what a Kings table might look like during the 5th - 6th century B.C.E.
A table layed out with a feast of every kind of delicacy.
     We've all seen the portrayal of an over indulged King reclining around his massive table with a shank of pig in hand, as he sinks his teeth into the flesh and wrestles to tear a hunk away from the bone, then washing the half chewed meat down with a large goblet of wine. Makes for a disgusting picture. Don't have to wonder how healthy that poor chap was.
     From there my mind wandered, as it often does, onto the four young Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel. (Daniel Chapter 1) They were chosen along with royal offspring and sons of nobles because "there was no defect found in them, good looking, having wisdom and discernment. " The king wanted them to eat his "delicacies and wine" for three years (fattening them up while educating them in the Chaldean tongue). Then they were to be brought back to "stand in the palace of the king."
     The Hebrew boys faced a dilemma. There were many things offered by he King that they had never eaten. They were under the Mosaic Law which had very specific dietary rules. Their test? Would they continue to follow God's dietary laws thereby taking a chance on offending the King?  
     It's interesting how the Bible explains in verse 8, "Daniel determined in his heart that he would NOT POLLUTE himself with the delicacies."  Maybe the Bible writer knew more than he led on. Maybe that story has more to it than being loyal to God even when your parents aren't watching. Maybe it was a recipe for a balance diet that will keep the human body healthy, smarter and happier. Hmmm! Just saying!  Either way, the boys chose to eat only their customary vegetables and water. 
     We all know the end of that story. (Dan. 1:19,20) "Out of all of the children, no one was found like" those four boys, in ALL the land. "As far as wisdom and understanding they were ten (10) times better." Jehovah had safeguarded the Jewish people from much of the sickness and disease that festered in lands round about. Could it be that diet played a significant role in that, even back then? I think so. We can't dispute that they were blessed for keeping the Law and we can't deny that their choice of food made them much better specimens of men in ALL aspects. Gives us something to think about.