We are now studying, Prophecies of Daniel chapter 6 Commentary: Daniel in the Lion’s Den. May the Lord bless you as you study His word.
Click here for a previous study – Daniel 5 Commentary: God’s Handwriting on the Wall. Daniel may have become a friend of the Persians while he lived at Shushan some time previously. They recognized his ability and faithfulness, and were glad for his ‘excellent spirit’.The new king, Darius, according to historians, did not wish to be over bothered with the affairs of business. He had delegated as much of his authority as possible to others. Completely trusting Daniel, he had made him the chief president, or prime minister of the nation.
Bribery, theft, and fraud were very likely practiced by many among the one hundred and twenty princes and the other two presidents. Now those wishing to retain (or their own use) a certain percentage of the taxes they collected would have to answer the honest and faithful inquiries of Daniel when they came to him with their reports. He would not permit bribery and extortion. He believed in the truth later expressed by Christ, ‘Render therefore unto Caesar [the government] the things which are Caesar’s.’ Matthew 22:21. Knowing that Daniel faithfully rendered to God the things that were God’s, Darius had no fear that he would fail to require also hones payment of taxes to ‘Caesar’.
Religious persecution is a hateful and underhanded thing. The princes and presidents tried to bring charges against Daniel concerning the law of his God, because of their jealousy of him. They stooped to lying methods to bring about their wicked purposes.
The original language gives the thought that the princes came together quickly to take the king by surprise before he really understood the crooked purpose of their new law.
When we remember that Babylon had just been conquered and that there was very likely some unrest and rebellious feeling against the new Medo-Persian government, we can better understand the pretext that Daniel’s enemies brought before the king. This new decree, they urged, would now test the loyalty of the proud, though conquered, Chaldeans. The king was deceived. Probably thinking that Daniel’s approval had already been obtained, he quickly signed the decree. ‘The enemies of Daniel left the presence of Darius, rejoicing over the snare now securely laid for the servant of Jehovah. In the conspiracy thus formed, Satan had played an important part. The prophet was high in command in the kingdom, and evil angels feared that his influence would weaken their control over its rulers. It was these satanic agencies who had stirred the princes to envy and jealousy; it was they who had inspired the plan for Daniel’s destruction.
‘Why should he cease to pray now, when he needed it most? Rather would he relinquish life itself, than his hope of help in God… Thus the prophet boldly yet quietly and humbly declared that no earthly power has a right to interpose between the soul and God. Surrounded by idolaters, he was a faithful witness to this truth. His dauntless adherence to right was a bright light in the moral darkness of that heathen court. Daniel stands before the world today a worthy example of Christian fearlessness and fidelity.
Doubtless, his custom of praying three times daily was based on Psalm 55:17: ‘Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.’ It being his custom to pray aloud, Daniel does not now pray secretly.
‘Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution’ is the inspired word of the apostle Paul (2 Timothy 3:12). The accusers, instead of speaking respectfully of Daniel as the prime minister, chief of the presidents, say contemptuously, ‘That Daniel…of the captivity of Judah’.
To say that Daniel regarded not the king was a complete lie, and the king knew it. Suddenly he realized the wicked design in the decree which was brought to him so hastily for signature. How he wished he had not signed it!
The king feared that he could not release Daniel without giving up his own position as king, just as Pilate feared that he could not release Christ without giving up his position as governor.
So, for the sake of his honor and his throne, which death claimed from him only a short time later, the king was willing to deliver a just and innocent man to death. Daniel, the man’s ‘greatly beloved’ of God, was treated as was his Master, Jesus Christ.
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| Daniel Answering King Darius call |
‘God did not prevent Daniel’s enemies from casting him into the lion’s den; He permitted evil angels and wicked men thus far to accomplish their purpose, but it was that He might make the deliverance of His servant more marked, and the defeat of the enemies of truth and righteousness more complete.”Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee” (Psalm 76:10), the Psalmist has testified. ‘Through the courage of his one-man who chose to follow right rather than policy, Satan was to be defeated, and the name of God was to be exalted and honored.
The Persian king did not know Daniel’s God. He had only heard about Him. Now he was to learn about the wonderful power and love of the God of Heaven.
While Daniel did not reproach the king for permitting him to be cast in the lion’s den, he did remind the king of his innocence, and of the king’s injustice to him. This was proper for him to do.
The angel of the Lord had come into the den, and tamed the lions as they were tame in the beginning before sin came into the world, and as they will be in the earth made new after sin is finally destroyed (see Isaiah 11:6-9 and Job 5:22-27). That night was probably one of the most enjoyable that Daniel ever spent in his life. He held fellowship with the angel of the Lord who was present with him. Indeed, Daniel was happier there with the angel, and with the Spirit of Christ who is with us in all our persecutions and troubles for His sake, than was the king in his royal palace! We need never fear what men may do to us if we are loyal to God. This remarkable experience is referred to in Hebrews 11:33, where it said that ‘through faith’ the prophet ‘stopped the mouths of lions’.
When Daniel’s enemies witnessed his remarkable deliverance, it is possible that they tried to explain away the miracle by saying that the lions ware not hungry. To test such a theory, the king ordered them cast in!
Daniel was a man of 85 when this wonderful experience took place. His deliverance encouraged him very much, and most of his visions were written out after this time.
If you are a servant of God – as was Daniel – when things appear to go wrong for you, why should you give up? When the soldiers picked up Daniel to throw him into the den of lions, he was probably tempted to think that God had forsaken him. Sometimes you too may think God has forsaken you. But He never will! If your heart is stayed upon God in your hour of trial, you can be as peaceful and happy as when you prosper.
Daniel teaches us that a statesman or a politician can be an honest, upright man, guided by God at every step. Likewise, if a businessman is converted and consecrated, he may be as Daniel was. Daniel was successful wherever he went. He was tactful, courteous, good at heart, and faithful to principle. Even his enemies were forced to confess that ‘they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful’.
May God give us the courage to stand for the right, as did Daniel! ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.’ James 1:12.
Click here for the next study – prophecies of Daniel – Daniel chapter 7
I hope you have been blessed by this post, Prophecies of Daniel Chap 6 Commentary: Daniel in the Lions’ Den.
Related:
Prophet Daniel: Studies into Book of Daniel 8 by Dr William H Shea
Book of Daniel chapter 7 Commentary and Study by William H Shea
Prophet Daniel: Study of Daniel Chapter 3-6 by William H Shea
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