Babylon had fallen at the hand of the Medes and the Persians. Belshazzar was killed. His father, Nabonidus, the former king of Babylon, lived for several years. Cyrus the Great reigned over the Persian empire which now included the city of Babylon and all its former provinces and territories.
The final verse of chapter five said that Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two. History does not record a king Darius anywhere that we know of. Some believe he could be Gubaru, a man appointed by Cyrus to be the governor of Babylon. He ruled in Babylon for fourteen years. There is also some speculation that Darius is another name for Cyrus. However, verse 28 seems to speak of them both in the same sentence as if they were different people. While some would point to this mysterious Darius as some proof the bible was in error, the fact is, there is no proof of that either. Over the years, the critics have seen many of the supposed 'errors' destroyed by a new archeological discovery that proves the bible to be fact. I suspect the day will come when this will also be proven.
This study will speak of Darius as the authority the Bible shows him to be. We'll leave their critics to their ways, trust God's word and let everything work itself out.
Daniel 6:1-5
As a conqueror, new in the land, Darius would set up friendly relations with the people. At least in the beginning, it was important for the people to accept the new ruler, to pay their tribute, to continue to work and to be loyal to him. It wasn't uncommon for a conqueror and new ruler like Darius to honor the gods of the conquered land.
The Satraps were like a governor of an area. They were responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining security. King Cyrus reorganized the Persian kingdom using satrapies. These 120 answered to a smaller group of three, who then answered to Darius. Daniel the prophet was one of these three officials. It was their job to watch over the interest of Darius, to keep an eye on those who were keeping an eye on the kingdom.
Daniel, in his eighties, was a wise old man. He came on the scene in chapter five like the wise old sage. In this setting, he quickly rises to the top. I think Daniel would be quick to tell anyone, his success and reputation was no anything he would credit himself over. He would defer all credit to the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. From the beginning, as a young man, it is clear Daniel feared and revered the Lord. God's word and ways were a lamp and light in his life.
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts. (Psalm 119:97-100)
In every situation, we've seen Daniel as the picture of holiness, set apart for God's work. To be 'distinguished' was to be different than everyone else. Daniel stood out in his skill and success as an administrator, so much so, that Darius had decided to put him over all the kingdom. Before he was able to do this, the professional jealousy of the others caused them to attempt to bring charges against Daniel. They wanted to harm Daniel's credibility so he would be operating more on their level. It's sad that our tendency is to bring others down rather than elevate our self. However, his peers found this more difficult than they imagined. Daniel lived a blameless life. He was the model of integrity across all areas of his life. There simply was no corruption in him. And not only was there no corruption found, there was also no neglect of responsibility. It occurred to these opponents they would have to use his devout nature as a trap. They would have to make his religious practices illegal.
Daniel 6:6-9
Darius should have noticed that only two of the administrators with some satraps came to him. But Darius comes across somewhat aloof and unaware of all that is going on, perhaps trusting his staff of 3 to handle things. Clearly not 'all' agreed to outlaw prayer in this manner. They knew Daniel would never agree. He not only would not stop praying, he would never pray to a man. Many Persian kings made a claim of deity, thinking of themselves as gods and demanding worship. We don't know if this was true of Darius since we don't know anything about him. It does seem odd that the king didn't ask these leaders why they wanted this done? Was he so flattered by the hint at deity he wasn't thinking?
The lion's den was a large pit which housed the lions and was sealed with a rock. Having several underfed lions in the pit became a brutal but effective form of execution. The administrators talked the king into a writing this as a decree. There was no revoking a decree issued in this way. The written decree became law, permanent and irreversible. After all, he may have thought, it was only thirty days.
Daniel 6:10-12
Daniel continued in his prayer, as he had always done. This wasn't done out of spite for the law, he just wouldn't compromise his prayer time. I can't imagine what a difference Christianity could make in this world if we were as devoted to prayer. Our prayer times are so easily interrupted it is hardly a challenge for the enemy to keep us from our prayers.
Daniel's window opened toward a home he barely knew, if at all. The site, the horizon facing Jerusalem became a kind of touchpoint of the Lord, the future hope for all the promises of God. His eyes weren't on his home, his life, his family but on his God, God's land, his people and their relationship with their God. Solomon, in a prophetic prayer of the temple dedication, spoke of this as a means of repentance bringing forgiveness and blessing:
35 "When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, 36 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.(1 Kings 8:35-36)
This certainly seems consistent with the heart of Daniel. If we look at Daniel 9 we can get a glimpse into Daniel's prayer life. According to 9:2 the book of Jeremiah was in his hands. Daniel must have had Jeremiah 29:10-14 on his mind.
The administrators went as a group, as they intended, and found that Daniel was being devout in his prayer. This group resembles a mob, a common goal, collective bravery with no individual accountability; a single mindedness without a brain. The contrast is clear, these men acted on their own behalf without integrity, attempting to improve their own self interest. Daniel, devout and humble, prays to God, yielding himself and asking for help. It was an 'aha' moment for the administrators. They had what they wanted; a accusation to bring Daniel down. They took it to the king who agreed that he did make a decree. By law, that decree would stand. In saying so, Daniel's fate was sealed.
Daniel 6:13-16
These men conspired against Daniel, describing him as an exile, not as one of the administrators. They had diminished Daniel to an exile in their land and clearly didn't want to associate his name with this act just yet. They present his actions as malicious and disrespectful acts of lawlessness. The conspirators were driven by jealously, pride and hatred towards Daniel and all he represented. Not only had he broken the law but he continued to do so. The accusers pulled every string they could to bring the king to a boil. However, the king was onto them. He realized he was being played, quite possibly at the mention of his prayer life. If prayer were outlawed today, would you be found guilty? Would anyone suspect you of violating the law?
The king found himself in a difficult place. He could not violate his own edict, yet Daniel was clearly guilty of the edict. Daniel is in an interesting place; devout before the Lord, yet guilty of breaking the law. The king was determined to help but was helpless. The men reminded the king of the laws of the land. He couldn't make a law to or edict to cancel this one. He could not override the decision. This kind of law seems as though it would instill a little more thought and patience into the actions of the king prior to issuing an edict.
The king reluctantly gave the order to have Daniel thrown into the lion's den. No doubt, the rescue of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace would have been known to the king. Daniel's piety was also widely recognized. The king knows Daniel's only hope is a miraculous salvation like his three friends experienced.
We can imagine the moment; hearing the lions roar as the den is opened up. The hungry lions pacing, their fur stained with the blood of the previous victim, the human bones rattle at the feet as they anticipate their evening meal. The lions used for this purpose were let go hungry for sometime prior to an execution. It was much more vicious and dramatic. This eighty something year old devout follower of God, guilty of prayer, was dropped into the lion's den.
Daniel 6:17-23
The entrance was covered with a stone and sealed with the king's seal to assure security. The king's nightly ritual must have been food, entertainment by his harem and then sleep. This night he couldn't eat and hoped the lions couldn't either. He skipped the entertainment and could not sleep. It was a long night for the king; the thought of killing an innocent man and losing his friend and close advisor was torture.
At first light he hurried to the lion's den and called out to Daniel. It was a call delivered in anguish because if there was hope, it was hope beyond reason. It was a hope that a God he didn't believe in or call his own would miraculously deliver his friend. The king also knew Daniel was a wise man and this wise old sage took his faith in God seriously. It was Daniel's piety that served as a testimony that moved the king. This allowed the king a measure of faith that his friend was alive.
From the quiet of the morning came the voice of the wise old man in the pit with the lions. What a moment this must have been. Daniel gave the standard and respectful greeting to the king. God has sent his angel. From what seemed to be sure death, came hope and life and the story of deliverance. His place was secured alongside his friends in the 'hall of faith' in Hebrews 11:33. The king had Daniel lifted out, inspected him and found him to be without a scratch.
Daniel 6:24-28
At this point someone might have said the lions weren't hungry or something was done to curb their appetite or their ferocity. As an act of justice, but also to remove any doubt, the king threw Daniel's accusers into the lion's den along with their families. This seems harsh to us, but it was common in those times. If the leader of home was wicked, there was wickedness among them all. The king purged this wickedness from his kingdom.
In addition, the king gave testimony to all the land and to all the people regarding Daniel's God. His speech is similar to that of Nebuchadnezzar. However, Darius recognized the sovereignty of God without a dramatic humbling experience.
From kingdom to kingdom, age to age, God remains unchanged and unchanging. Darius declares that God is able to:
- Deliver & Rescue
- To work signs & wonders
This is still true today, in our age and our kingdom. The culmination of this rescue was seen in a moment, in the lion's den with the angel of God delivering him from death. While this happened in a moment, it was born from a lifetime of faith, of relationship, of seeking God. Daniel's life was full of opportunity to compromise, to waffle to let his faith wane and fade away. But Daniel held fast to the Lord, His word and ways in a lifetime of small, daily, faithful decisions. Daniel's faith was found in many a prayer facing Jerusalem. Like any man, Daniel had fears, doubts and concerns about life. All those were pushed aside to trust the Lord and His sovereignty.
The God he loved and revered did not owe him another day of life or an explanation of His plans. Daniel had long since given all he had and all he was to the Lord. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In chapter nine, Daniel was interceding in prayer for all of Israel and the return of the Jews to the Promised Land. He ended his prayer like this:
We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name." (Daniel 9:18b-19)
Our requests towards God aren't based on any righteousness found in us, but only by His grace and Mercy born of His great love. I hope you bear His name. If you do not, today is the day you can change that. Turn from your sins, trust in Jesus and what He did for you on the cross and then you will bear his Name. Then you may call on the Lord and know that He hears you and is acting on your behalf because you bear His name.
©2018 Doug Ford
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