Wild Iris in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
This weekend I had to fill in as Sunday School teacher for fourth and fifth graders. The text was the first chapter of the Book of Daniel. I can't think of a passage that has more to say to young people:
"1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god. 3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
8 But 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. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.” 11 So Daniel said to the steward[a] whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21 Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus." -- Daniel 1
Carried off to a strange land, Daniel purposed to keep his heart devoted to G-d. The 'king's delicacies' would have included meat that had had the first portion sacrificed to idols so it would have been a double abomination for an observant person. Keeping Kosher would involve risking his own life and possible secure position, and his trainer was at risk as well [vs 10].
No doubt Daniel was one who had grown up in a priviledged position. He had probably not always been the noble character we read of in the Bible. The destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity must have affirmed in him a sense of what was truely of worth. Daniel stepped up to the situation as a mature person but we are not told much about how he became so mature.
Our class discussion included some modern people who chose to serve G-d over the expectations of society. Many of the kids' parents had put aside lucrative careers to put time into these kids' lives. Daniels, we decided, were all around us.
Which brings me to Carrie Prejean, the Miss USA contestant who lost her chance because she answered from her beliefs, choosing to follow her faith instead of the expectations of society. She has been ridiculed by so-called 'tolerant'[1],[2] people. There have been death threats and attempts to destroy her. There is often a fiery furnace or a den of lions awaiting those who hold fast to things eternally valuable.
Dr. James Dobson, himself the object of much media abuse because he stands for timeless values, Interviews Carrie Prejean [click to listen] on his radio program.
Update: Dr. James Dobson had Carrie Prejean on for a second day. He compared her to the Biblical Esther. Sean Hannity had her on his radio and TV shows today. Ms. Prejean is pursuing a Master's Degree in Special Education and is quite articulate when allowed to speak for herself in a polite forum. Her original answer to the question has been played enough that one can clearly see that she simply gave an honest answer carefully prefaced so as not to offend.
Walter Williams wrote earlier about How Laws Have Replaced Civility [click to read]. That seems to be true of at least one 'Miss USA' pagaent judge but Ms. Prejean is remarkable for her continued display of that time honored virtue.
San Diego Christian College News Item [click to read] on Ms. Prejean shows us more of the character of this young person.
"This Should Not Happen in America" [click to read]. SWAC Girl comments further.
"I exercised my freedom of speech -- and I was punished for doing so. This should not happen in America." -- Carrie Prejean
Dogwood flowers.
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