Daniel – Day 6
In Chapter 6, Daniel continues his service to the leadership of Babylon by serving Darius who took over the kingdom, after Belshazzar’s demise. Because Daniel had excellent understanding and wisdom born of his reliance on the Lord of heaven. Daniel was named one of the three governors of the kingdom and further distinguished himself. “Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm” (Daniel 6:3).
In response to such prominence birthed through radical dependence on the Spirit of God, a spirit of offense arose in the hearts of Daniel’s fellow servants. “So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God'” (Daniel 6:4-5). It may be difficult to fully understand the source of anger that drove the satraps and governors who sought to bring destruction upon Daniel except to claim that he attracted scorn because Godly blessing was upon his life. He was living a life of favor and blessing. In New Testament terms, one might argue that this life brought offense grounded in the fact that the “mystery of lawlessness” is at work in the world. See 2 Thessalonians 2:7.
Based on their resentment of Daniel, his opponents conspired to create an iron-clad rule establishing “a royal statute and to make a firm decree that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you O king, shall be cast in the den of lions” (Daniel 6:7). The rule was set up so that it could not be changed even by the king. Daniel with full knowledge of the law proceeded to pray to the Lord of heaven, which sparked a swift response. He was thrown in the lions’ den despite his friendship with Darius. An essential part of Chapter 6 concerns the king’s intercession on behalf of Daniel. He fasted all night, his sleep left him and then he arose early in the morning to go to the den of lions. He asked the question, that we often ask ourselves when we see others or ourselves in difficulty: “‘Daniel servant of the living God has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?'” (Daniel 6:20). Whether we are always delivered from the lions’ den or not, the answer to king Darius’ question remains the same, our God is able to deliver us.
After delivering justice to the men who conspired to destroy Daniel, the king issued a decree stating: “I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel” (Daniel 6:26). One of the recurring themes of the book of Daniel mirrors this decree: all men and women everywhere must tremble and fear the God of Daniel. God loves us all with an everlasting love but he is also a consuming fire. A full understanding of that claim prompted king Darius to proclaim that the God of Daniel is the living God who is steadfast forever and His kingdom is the one and only one, which shall not be destroyed and His dominion shall endure to the end. (Daniel 6:26). This suggests that human attempts to build empires, power, and influence are ultimately nothing less than vanity.
Key Verses:
“To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God. And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed. And His dominion shall endure to the end.” ~ Daniel 6:25-26
Questions:
- In what ways does Chapter 6 remind you of king Nebuchadnezzar’s story?
- In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to acknowledge that the God of Daniel is the living God, whose kingdom shall never be destroyed and whose dominion shall endure to the end?
- Does the description of God contained in question 2 change if we do not get everything we want, when we want it? Should it?
