Daniel 1:14-16

D. The success of the test 1:14-16

God gave the young men better (fatter, i.e., healthier) appearances by natural or by supernatural means. The result of the test encouraged their supervisor to continue feeding them a diet of things grown in the ground. This is the meaning of the rare Hebrew word translated "vegetables" or "pulse" (AV). [Note: Young, p. 46; Montgomery, p. 132.] God blessed these three young men because they followed His will, not because they ate vegetables instead of meat. We should not use this passage to argue for the intrinsic superiority of vegetarian diets (cf. Genesis 9:3; 1 Timothy 4:3-5).

"Even a small act of self-discipline, taken out of loyalty to principle, sets God’s servants in the line of His approval and blessing. In this way actions attest faith, and character is strengthened to face more difficult situations in the future." [Note: Baldwin, p. 84.]