0254. Daniel's Early Training

Daniel’s Early Training

"Certain of the children of Israel * * children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science" (Dan_1:3-4).

Daniel was one of the children of the captivity. He had been brought to Babylon following the victories of Nebuchadnezzar against Israel.

The fact that he was chosen by Aspenaz, as one of the youths who was "well skilled in all wisdom," speaks well for Daniel’s early training.

An additional token of Daniel’s home training lies in Daniel’s conscientious ideas concerning his diet, and his keeping his body undefiled.

It is impossible to stress too much the importance of the home. It is there that first impressions are received–the impressions that nothing can ever wholly take away.

The Catholics have been reputed to have said that if they could have the training of a child until he was ten, that they could then risk his future, as an adherent to their faith. This may be overstated, yet it contains much of truth.

The plastic years of the teen age really determine the trend of the life. Do parents fully realize the importance of directing the child in the way that he should go? Do they comprehend the vast scope of the influence of the home?

What was true of Timothy was surely true of Daniel: "That from a youth, thou hast known the Holy Scriptures." Timothy possessed the same unfeigned faith that dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and then, afterward, in his mother Eunice.

Daniel was doubtless the image of his parents in character as well as in face. They had instructed him in the things of God.

How touchingly does Solomon refer to the instruction of his father: "For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live" (Pro_4:3-4).

Daniel, too, had received the instructions of a father. No one can doubt that his father was one of those saintly Israelites, who had fully followed the injunction of God, when He said: "And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou risest up * * thou shalt write them upon the posts of thine house, and on thy gates" (Deu_6:6-7, Deu_6:9).

The greatest need of this hour is the home life that produces sons like Daniel. God give us homes.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR