Daniel 6
Adam Clarke · Citado em PreceptAustin
Daniel 6
Clarke - He saw what was designed, and he knew Whom he served. (cp Paul in his last letter knew Whom he had believed! - 2Ti 1:12-note) What does this say about Daniel? He was a man of courage, conviction and commitment. Lord, make me like Daniel. Amen Showers rightly remarks that Daniel "was not a fair-weather friend who would serve God only when personally convenient or when there was no price to pay. He was convinced that his daily relationship with God should take precedence over the will of man… Once again he was doing what was right and trusting God for the results. "(Showers, R. E. The Most High God- A Commentary on the Book of Daniel - Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry) Character is tested by what one does when we think no one else sees (but Pr 15:3-note). Daniel did not pray to be seen, but he was seen when he prayed. He did not debate or hesitate. He prayed like he had always done. Strauss - He must choose between loyalty to God or loyalty to the king. Here we need to recall that it was on the basis of "the law of his God" (Da 6:5) that his enemies plotted against him. Our Lord said, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's (Luke 20:25). The Apostle Paul wrote, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God" (Ro 13:1). The Apostle Peter added, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors" (1Pe 2:13). The child of God must bear in mind that the law of God supersedes the law of man. Whenever man's law runs counter to God's law, the child of God has but one choice. It was voiced by Peter when he said, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29) (Ibid)
Daniel 6
Clarke - When the Jews were in distant countries, in prayer they turned their faces towards Jerusalem; and when in Jerusalem, they turned their faces towards the temple. Solomon, in his prayer at the dedication of the temple, 1 Kings 8:48, had entreated God to hear the prayers of those who might be in strange lands, or in captivity, when they should turn their faces towards their own land, which God gave unto their fathers; and towards the city which he had chosen, and the house which was dedicated to his name. It was in reference to this that Daniel turned his face towards Jerusalem when he prayed. 1Kgs 8:48-52 if they return to Thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who have taken them captive, and pray to Thee toward their land which Thou hast given to their fathers, the city which Thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for Thy name; then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven Thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause, and forgive Thy people who have sinned against Thee and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against Thee, and make them [objects of] compassion before those who have taken them captive, that they may have compassion on them. (for they are Thy people and Thine inheritance which Thou hast brought forth from Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace), that Thine eyes may be open to the supplication of Thy servant and to the supplication of Thy people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to Thee. He continued kneeling… praying and giving thanks before God - Daniel was too old to begin compromising now, but this story does make the point that we will never be too old or too "spiritually mature" that we won't be tempted to compromise! Let us stay alert, watching and praying like Daniel (cp Mt 26:41-note). Daniel’s prayers were bold, obedient (knew the document was signed), consistent (as he had done previously), humble (kneeling), thankful (cp 1Th 5:18-note), filled with petition (request) and supplication (earnest entreaty) (Da 6:11). Rosscup notes that Daniel "knelt as was natural as a supplicant respectful and submissive before a sovereign, a minister before the Majesty he served." (Rosscup, J. E. An Exposition on Prayer in the Bible: Igniting the Fuel to Flame Our Communication with God) Careful for nothing, prayerful for everything, thankful for anything. - Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899) Daniel was not a "spiritual sprinter" but one of God's marathon men, who began young by purposing in his heart not to be defiled by the king's choice food (Da 1:8-note) and he continued to run with endurance until the end, refusing to obey the law that would result in disobedience to God. The writer of Hebrews exhorts his tremulous readers… Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us (eg, Daniel's faith and faithfulness and the story of his deliverance from the lion's den), let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus (cp Daniel fixed his face like flint toward Jerusalem, giving priority to prayer), the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-note, Heb 12:2-note) Dear persevering believer, one who is pressing onward, toward the goal (Php 3:14-note), may others never have to say of us… You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? (Gal 5:7) Matthew