I was thinking about this yesterday.
Whose table am I eating at?
I had been reading the account of Daniel and his 3 friends which was timely given my previous post Are you hungry?
These young Jewish men were taken captive by the Babylonians and were to be trained in the ways of the Babylonians for 3 years.
All their previous learning, culture, training, customs, traditions were to be lost in learning the new ways of the Babylonians.
They were to eat at a new table in more ways than one.
The King intended that these young men were also given the food from the King’s table.
On the face of it that might not seem a big deal…they were going to be given the best food and wine. Food fit for a King.
However, these young men had been taught God’s ways especially when it came to what to eat and what not to eat. God had given commands which they would have followed since childhood.
If they partook of this King’s table they would be breaking God’s commandments and would be slowly losing their identity. Compromise is a slippery slope.
Daniel had the wisdom not to eat at the King’s table but to ask instead for vegetables and water. That is a bold request especially in these circumstances where you are a captive subject to a foreign power. It would have taken courage and conviction to make the request. It could have resulted in death also for those who went against the King’s command.
God made a way of escape though out of that situation.
God made a way where there appeared to be no way.
After testing them for a period of time eating just vegetable and water it was found that Daniel and his friends looked healthier than the other young men who ate the King’s food.
There is a good lesson here…what am I eating, whose table am I eating at, whether feasting or just snacking at (one bite won’t hurt) that is not healthy for me..it’s not doing me any good. It’s a slippery slope. I’m not as healthy whether spiritually, mentally or physically anymore.
I have realised that sometimes I’m eating at the wrong table and partaking of the wrong food..it’s time to change some of my eating habits.


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