Daniel 6:1-28
Background
Daniel was a young Jewish noble taken to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar when he was about 16 years old. Because of his royal bloodline, he was chosen to be taught the most complex Chaldean language and lifestyle. He served in the royal courts for 70 years, never to return to his homeland of Jerusalem. Because of his faithfulness to his God in heaven, he overcame trials and repeated tests of his undeniable faith in his heavenly Father before different kings, the royal servants to the kings, and before other captive Jews taken from Jerusalem beginning around the year 605 BC. Daniel was known for his wisdom and interpreting dreams for the kings of Babylon including Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel also was favored by Darius, the Mede and Cyrus, the first King and Emperor of the Persian Mede Empire spanning his adult life, eventually dying in Babylon or as known then, Persia or present day Iran. Daniel would interpret “the finger of God” writing on the wall during a blasphemous celebration of a distant successor of King Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, dishonoring worship practices of Jewish captives. Daniel had interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams previously of impending kingdoms to follow, but this interpretation had left little positive influence on successor, Belshazzar. Although Daniel had risen to the status of second in command of the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar, he was in constant danger from the status quo due to jealousy, greed, and compromised favoritism sought for power and persuasion with ruling royalty over the common people.
Breakdown of Scripture
Daniel 6: 1-3
Darius the Mede, at 62 years old, was now in charge of Persia, its new name, after Cyrus conquered the Babylonian Empire around 539 BC. Darius, successor to Cyrus appointed 120 princes over the whole kingdom to maintain his operational directives. Of these, Daniel was one and was favored above all the others “because an excellent spirit was in him”, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
Daniel 6: 4-6
All of the other princes became jealous of Daniel’s power and sought how to discredit him.
Daniel 6: 7-9
Since Daniel had been faithful to the king, their plan would consist of fault within Daniel rather than his unfaithfulness to the king. These princes proposed a policy to the king regarding everyone in his kingdom were to pray for 30 days to no other god than to the king himself. Disobedience would result in being cast into the lions’ den as punishment. Their flattery to the king persuaded a decision that required open prayer for 30 days be prohibited to no other god than the king himself. Unaware of the consequences of this degree to Daniel, the King, being flattered, agreed with the declaration and made it law.
Daniel 6: 10-14
The plan of the other jealous princes to discredit Daniel with the King seemingly worked to perfection. Prayer was not the issue. The princes’ plan was focused upon Daniel’s God. Even when aware of the consequences, Daniel prayed faithfully and openly unashamed. Thinking Daniel was now entrapped, he was “tattle-tailed upon” and escorted to the King where the King then realized their ulterior intentions and his misguided judgmental declaration.
Daniel 6: 15-18
The accusers reminded the king of the seriousness of his degree which being irreversible dictated Daniel was to be cast into the lions’ den. Initial evaluation of the plan seemed successful. All details accounted for, except one. The accusers forgot about God. Jealous and self-seeking zealots often overlook and omit the most important factors in an equation. Having to accept the verdict, the King spent the evening alone, fasting, without companionship, and being fearful for Daniel’s safety throughout his sleepless night.
Daniel 6: 19-20
After his sleepless night, the next morning, the King arose and rushed to the lions’ den to check on Daniel. As if he were almost seeking an answer from the God that Daniel prayed unto, the King called out, “Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions”?
Daniel 6: 21-24
From within the lions’ den, Daniel answered, “O King, live forever”. Daniel was without doubt, expressing his gratitude to the King for believing in him and his God. Daniel explains how God had interceded for him by sending his angel to shut the lions’ mouths. The King had Daniel removed from the den and his accusers and their families cast into the den where the lions “brake their bones into pieces”.
Daniel 6: 25-28
Many times in societies, untruths and unverifiable beliefs repeatedly practiced and rewarded become gnarled within a culture deeply. Corrections sought with new direction do not develop easily. This is not only what the King concluded, however, but revealed greater vision in declaring that all people in his kingdom would recognize and revere Daniel’s God. Therefore, Daniel would be blessed throughout the reigns of Darius the Median Emperor and further into the reign of Cyrus the Persian and Persian Empire until his death.
Application
Daniel is being described as a 16 year old youth of a noble family. This may indicate that Daniel was gifted intellectually and taught by his parents. In turn, he had acquired skills of survival possibly through discipline, respect for those in authority, with innate skills of decision-making policies intellectually. Daniel’s inherited qualities not exclusively identified, suggesting his religious training that inspired his dedication and faithfulness most likely originated from his parents who lived it before him. Does this not undergird the importance of “training up a child in the way he or she should go” (Prov. 22: 6)?
The other princes became jealous of Daniel because of his favoritism with the King, being blessed exceedingly with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding not only by his parental teaching but by God ever more so. Jealousy is a natural built-in survival mode strategy common in the natural world to guarantee survival. This quality was instilled within humanity in the Garden of Eden by the accuser. The Bible teaches that mankind is under the curse or bondage of “the nature of sin” and only through Jesus Christ can we “become a new creature” in Christ (2 Cor. 5: 17).
Apostle Paul taught that where good is intended, evil is ever present (Rom. 7: 21). This is the work of the “god of this world” who is powerless with God, but daily seeks the Father’s children whom he might torment, undermine, intimidate, distract and lessen their influence of testifying before the world the Father’s glory and grace for humanity ( 1 Pet. 5: 8) (2 Cor. 4: 4). God’s believers need to be aware of the strategies of this accuser, the limit to his power, and his final destiny of eternal damnation in Hell.
All people have areas in their lives where they are vulnerable. No one is perfect but Jesus the Christ. Satan, the accuser will learn of our vulnerabilities as he goes to and fro, up and down the earth (1 Pet.5: 8). We, believers, are no match to take on Satan or one of his angels alone. Only with the presence and power given us by the Holy Spirit, through discipline and obedience to the heavenly Father will we succeed. With a heartfelt desire to uplift the Father’s name above all others before the world that they too, might know Him, can we please Him.
As the King was troubled with Daniel’s new circumstances, so will other righteous thinking people be with us when our burdens become too unbearable to carry alone. The Bible notes that we have entertained angels at times unknowingly (Heb. 13: 2). We all, have experienced assistance when we seemed to “have come to the end of our “proverbial rope, so to speak”. The all-seeing Father has, at his access, “all power in heaven and earth” (Matt 28: 18). He repeatedly says, “I will never leave you, never”! (Heb. 13: 5). Ask and ye shall receive, faith believing (Mark 11: 24). He says, “Do I not care for the birds, the flowers and the grasses? How much more do I care for you (Matt. 6: 28-30? Take no thought for the day at hand. The Word says, “Cast your cares and burdens upon me, for my yoke is easy, and my burdens are light” (Matt. 11: 30). Let us then give our burdens to the Lord in prayer, and our days ahead will be filled with an indescribable calmness provoking a profile that may turn someone’s life crossing our lives, upside down that day for them (Phil 4: 7) (Acts 17: 6).
Evil doers never get by without their acts being seen and dealt with by the Creator, Father, God (Num. 32: 23). “Revenge is mine,” thus saith the Lord (Rom. 12: 19). The Lord God watches out for the underprivileged and poor and those being taken advantage of by others (Psa. 82: 3-4) (Lev. 19: 14) (Isa. 41: 17) (Deut. 27: 18).
Where There is No Vision, the People Perish (Prov. 29: 18)
Hindsight from observing the aftermath of situations in life, where people have been led down the wrong road, can often usher in reproof, revelation, correction, and newness of life (2 Tim. 3: 16). This only is realized if corrected before time expires. Change of direction involving complete renewal with new insights and new direction requires a strong sense of discipline, courage to deal with resistance both from within and outside influences, and the faith to depend upon the gift of grace to see the cause through, finish the work, and kept the faith (2 Tim. 4: 7). (Josh 1: 9). Few people trust quitters. Stay the course. This life is just a vapor. The real life is just ahead and lasts forever (1 Cor. 2: 9) (Gal. 6: 9).
As Andrew the brother of Simon Peter told Simon, “We (Andrew and John), have found the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior of the World. Peter was hesitant and unsure of what to believe even from someone he trusted. Andrew told Peter, (paraphrased) I know you have doubts. Come and see for yourself (John 1: 40-42).
For my readers here, do not doubt, but come and see for yourself that Jesus is who he says he is (John 4: 26) (1 John 5: 13) (John 1: 29) (John 3: 16) (Luke 23: 43). He is coming again soon as he promised (Rev. 22: 20) as a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5: 1-4) (2 Pet. 3: 9). Be watchful of the deceiver, tempter, father of lies, accuser of the brethren, “god of this world”, and the one who blinds the minds of people to the glorious Gospel of Truth. If you can believe, allow the Holy Spirit to break the chains of blindness of your minds to understanding Christ’s glory and recognize Him as the image of God and Savior of humanity (2 Cor. 4: 4). Choose for yourself, your family, friends, and others that you care about who might be on the road with the wide gate and broad pathway that leads to destruction and many therein that go there (Matt. 7: 13).
Sower's Field by L. Michael Schoonover 