Today’s Devotion
Topic: Healthy Eating (Self Assessment 93)
Background: There has been a lot of campaign and advocacy about healthy eating in recent times. Especially the inclusion of lots and lots of fresh vegetables in our diet as compared with the predominately starchy and oily foods we may be used to. The campaigners are doing well, but honestly, the discipline is hard for many of us. It seems like punishment to walk past one’s favourite milkshake, soda or meat just to embrace “greeny” vegetables without creams, cheese and butters.
Although we agree with the campaigners that the advocacy is not so we will all become vegetarians, but rather that we eat all things in moderate quantities with less of the starchs, sugar, oils and refined foods, it is still very difficult for most of us to comply. The question is simple; “is the bible silent about healthy eating?” What example can we find in the word of God on what might be healthy to eat and vice versa. Kindly join in today’s discussion for a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Text: Daniel 1: 5- 16
5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.
6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[a] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. Amen
Questions:
I. In your opinion what constitutes healthy eating and why is it so hard for us to comply with the principles of healthy eating?
ii. The book of Daniel did not specify what constituted the king’s delicacies (or royal food) but in your opinion, what could they be, espercially since Daniel would rather not defile himself with it?
iii. The official overseeing the training of these young captives was scared that Daniel and his friends will appear worse in form if they were put on vegetables and water alone. How does this confirm the misconception that eating assorted and sophisticated meals rather ensures healthy living?
iv. In vrs 15 we realise that Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better nourished than those who ate the royal food. What could be the secret in vegetables and water as against sophisticated foods and drinks?
iv. What have you learnt from today’s study and how is it going to impact your life after today?
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