1687 Lilac Road
Leitchfield, KY
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OUR EVANGELISTS
Dennis Tucker & James McClenny
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This year’s Cinco de Mayo celebration was preceded everywhere by advertisements for special events celebrating the Mexican holiday. Using the Mexican icons of a wide sombrero and Mariachi bands every American was invited to join the party. Like so many holidays in America the original meaning has long been forgotten, buried by the marketing ploy to sell products (in this case mostly beer and tequila) to the frenzied party animals among us. Who cares that it celebrates a single battle victory against an invading French army, barely slowing their inevitable march to domination over Mexico. “Who cares about that”, we’re told, “Shut up and join in the fun. Don’t be such a spoil sport.” The pressure to comply with culture is tremendous.
When Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were carried to Babylon in 605 BC the pressure to join in with the crowd must have been even more overwhelming. Nebuchadnezzar was establishing himself as ruler of the world and brought young men from all over to be absorbed into the Babylonian way of life. They would serve as links to their home country to spread Babylonian culture. Rather than being conquered by slick marketing and advertising they were captives under the control of an absolute dictator and had no freedom to choose their own path.
“Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king’s court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.” Daniel 1:3-4
In addition to that they were expected to eat and drink the same food as all the other captives. The prohibitions in the Law of Moses against eating meat sacrificed to idols or other unclean foods meant nothing to their captors. Many of their fellows joined in and probably said, as some would say today, “Stop complaining and have a shot of tequila.”
“The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine that he drank,” Daniel 1:5
Despite the pressure of cultural compliance Daniel and his friends said, “No!” Because of their faith in God and commitment to serve Him no pressure from the crowd was going to make them go along to get along. Knowing the food and wine was against God’s commandments Daniel made up his mind that he was not going to join the party. Politely, but firmly, he told the commander that they couldn’t join in.
“But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8
God granted him favor in the commander’s sight, and in fairness to the commander, whose life was at stake, he offered a test to see if their diet worked better.
“Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.” Daniel 1:12-13
It worked. They were spared from defilement and honored by God.
“At the end of the ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice foods...As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence…” Daniel 1:15, 17
The next time we feel the pressure to give in and conform to the culture around us let’s remember Daniel and have the courage to say no. Let’s make up our mind today, and every day, that we will not allow sin to defile our soul. Stand strong in faith and maintain cultural non-compliance.
James McClenny
P.S. If you want to eat tacos and guacamole to "celebrate" Cinco de Mayo that's fine. I will even join you. Just lay off the tequila and beer.
" And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,
choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . .
but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
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