“Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8).
Foodborne disease outbreaks have a long history in the United States. Microbes and pathogens have been causing illnesses in humans for thousands of years, but in the last century scientists in North America have been able to identify the sources of deadly outbreaks and recommend sanitation standards in the food industry. Some of the more common pathogens include botulism, salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli.
One of the deadliest outbreaks of foodborne disease occurred 1924 to 1925 from oysters that were harvested from water exposed to sewage. Over 1,500 people became sick with typhoid fever, and 150 people died. Outbreaks occurred simultaneously in Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. After careful investigation, the “typhoid oysters” were pinned to an area off Long Island. The U.S. Public Health Service criticized the practice of fattening up oysters by putting them in brackish water near cities where they take up germs from sewage.
God gave His people clear guidelines on clean and unclean foods. As you might guess, a shellfish is an unclean bottom-feeder that “does not have fins and scales” (Deuteronomy 14:10). When Daniel and his friends were taken captive by the Babylonians and brought to the court of the Babylonian monarch for special training, they were offered food from the king’s table that was unclean.
Daniel resolved “that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies.” He was committed to following God’s law in this foreign land, even if it cost him his life. After negotiating with the chief steward to test them with a simple diet for ten days, the faithful Jewish young men not only “appeared better” (verse 15), but “God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom” (verse 17).
It pays to follow God’s plan for caring for our bodies.
Dear Jesus, help me to guard my appetite and glorify You in my dietary choices.
