Daniel 6

Daniel 6

Phillips writes that "The rigidity of the Medo-Persian law was not always a bad thing. Later, in the days of Ezra, the adversaries of Judah wrote letters to Ahasuerus, the Persian king, slandering the Jews and endeavoring to have a decree signed to prevent the Jews from continuing with the work of reconstruction. They succeeded (Ezra 4:1-24). Later, the decree of Cyrus was found, the original document that led to the repatriation of the Jews in the Promised Land. That changed the whole picture. The original decree had to stand. The law of the Medes and Persians guaranteed that. Then Darius threw the weight of his administration behind the original decree and added clauses that greatly helped the continuation of the work in Israel (Ezra 5:1-6, 15)." (Exploring the Book of Daniel) Daniel 6:13 Then they answered and spoke before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day." Daniel: Da 1:6 2:25 5:13 Da 3:12 Es 3:8 Ac 5:29 17:7 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Daniel… one of the exiles from Judah - It has been 70 years and these evil men choose not to refer to Daniel as one of the commissioners, instead disrespectfully, disdainfully referring to him as if he were a stranger and foreigner in their midst and from a conquered people on top of that! Showers - They carefully pointed out that Daniel was a conquered foreigner—a Jew—thereby insinuating that his disobedience had been prompted by political unfaithfulness. (Ibid) Pays no attention to you - They focused on Daniel's supposed disrespect of the king rather than on his devotion to his God. This accusation is similar to that made against Daniel's 3 friends. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up." (Da 3:12-note) Daniel 6:14 Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. Da 3:13 Mt 27:17-24 Mk 6:26 Lk 23:13-21 Jn 19:7-12 2Sa 3:28,29 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then - He knew he had been trapped like a rat in a cage! His best man's life was now in jeopardy and he was partially responsible. He was deeply distressed ("It was greatly displeasing to him") (Lxx = lupeo = caused to have severe mental and emotional distress, vexed) - He now recognized that he had been deceived by the lies of these jealous, anti-Semitic officials. Why was Darius so distressed with a sense of urgency? As Keil points out "the sentence was carried out, according to Oriental custom on the evening of the day in which the accusation was made." (Daniel Commentary) EBC has a novel comment regarding Darius' attempts to rescue Daniel - He may have thought of ways of protecting him from the lions, perhaps by overfeeding them or by covering Daniel with armor. Such schemes would have been interpreted as subterfuges undermining the king's own law. (Expositor's Bible Commentary: Zondervan) Daniel 6:15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed." Recognize: Da 6:8,12 Es 8:8 Ps 94:20,21 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Came by agreement - Emphasizes this was a plot, a conspiracy. Injunction… may be changed - They wanted to reinforce the seriousness of the king's own decree. They knew he was deeply distressed and probably feared he might even break the law of the Medes and the Persians. Daniel 6:16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you." the king: 2Sa 3:39 Pr 29:25 Jer 26:14 38:5 Mt 14:8-10 27:23-26 Mk 6:25-28 15:14,15 Jn 19:12-16 Ac 24:27 25:9,11 Ro 13:3 God : Da 6:20 3:15,17,28 Job 5:19 Ps 37:39,40 91:14-16 118:8,9 Isa 43:2 Ac 27:23,24 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries NIV renders this verse as if Darius were offering a prayer or better yet, perhaps it was a way of expressing his feeble hope of the possibility of deliverance "May your God, Whom you serve continually, rescue you!" (ESV, NLT, CSB, RSV also renders it in the form of a prayer. Lxx translation does not take the form of a prayer). You constantly serve - The original Aramaic verb form emphasizes continual action. The Lxx translates with latreuo in the present tense (continually carries out his religious duties in a spirit of worship.) Lion's den - Keil describes it this way "It consisted of a large square cavern under the earth, having a partition wall in the middle of it which is furnished with a door which the keeper can open and close from above. By throwing in the food, he entices the lions from one chamber into the other and then having shut the door, they enter the vacant space for the purpose of cleaning it. The cavern is open above, its mouth being surrounded by a wall of a yard and a half high over which one can look down into the den." (Daniel Commentary) Your God… will deliver you (Lxx = exaireo = literally means will take you out, to rescue from danger - even as Peter was rescued by His angel Acts 12:11, cp Jesus' promise to Paul to rescue him - Acts 26:17, Gal 1:4-note) - This is certainly his human hope ("hope so") but it is not necessarily an expression of assurance or faith because the king later asks "has your God… been able to deliver you?" Faith says "He is able". Daniel 6:17 A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel. La 3:53 Mt 27:60-66 Ac 12:4 16:23,24 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries How did Daniel respond to this life threatening situation? We know that he had prayed and so his heart was prepared, but we cannot say otherwise for the text is silent. Although for a man in his 80's who has served so faithfully, one cannot help but wonder that not only did he have no fear, but that he was likely even ready to go home (cp 2Co 5:6-note , 2Cor 5:8-note). We'll ask him when we meet in the presence of our LORD! King sealed (Lxx = sphragizo = of sealing believers secure in their salvation - Eph 1:13-note, Eph 4:30-note) it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles - For security, to assure there would be no covert rescue or escape. Any attempt to open the lion's den would be detectable by a broken seal (cp seal in Eph 1:13). This event reminds us of another tomb that was "made… secure" (Mt 27:60,66) by the Roman authorities, but to no avail for our Lord Jesus Christ came forth alive, even as Daniel came forth alive (some see Daniel's coming forth as a foreshadowing of the resurrection)! Daniel 6:18 Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. and passed : 2Sa 12:16,17 19:24 1Ki 21:27 Job 21:12 Ps 137:2 Ec 2:8 Isa 24:8,9 Am 6:4-6 Jon 3:3-9 Rev 18:22 and : Da 2:1 Es 6:1 Ps 77:4 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries NO MIRTH FOR THE MONARCH His sleep fled - His conscience was not clear. His heart was burdened. Sleep was fleeting for the king while Daniel slept like a baby. Man's best rest (king's palace) contrasted with God's best rest (in the Lion's den or wherever, but with the presence of the Lord and with a clear conscience - that is real rest - Study "Rest" in Scripture). As Pritchard says "it is better to be a child of faith in a lion’s den than to be a king without God in a palace." Daniel 6:19 Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions' den. Mt 28:1 Mk 16:2 2Co 2:13 1Th 3:5 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Break of day - literally at the brightness of the dawning, as soon as the sun was visible, he was off to the lion's den! Then - After a fitful night of tossing and turning. Went in haste - Surely wondering as he ran to the den "Is Daniel's God really able to deliver"? (Da 6:16). Daniel 6:20 When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?" is : Da 6:16,27 3:15,17,28,29 serve : 1Chr 16:11 Ps 71:14-18 73:23 119:112 146:2 Pr 23:17,18 Ho 12:6 Lk 18:1 Ac 6:4 Ro 2:7 Col 4:2 1Th 5:17,18 Jas 1:25 able : Da 3:17 Ge 18:14 Nu 11:23 14:15,16 Jer 32:17 Lk 1:37 2Co 1:10 2Ti 1:12 4:16, 17, 18 Heb 7:25 Jude 1:24 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Darius Calls to Daniel With a troubled voice - It is ironic that the king's royal surroundings and his troubled conscience afforded him a far less comfortable night of rest than that of Daniel who had a completely clear conscience (Da 6:22, 2Ti 1:3-note) sleeping with the lions and fellowshipping with the Angel of God! God does have a fascinating sense of humor. Daniel servant (Lxx = doulos) of the living God - Would it be that all God's children would be known by this title! And would it be that all God's children lived so that the unbelievers around them recognized their God as "the living God." Daniel's life of integrity was a shining light in the midst of a dark work and Darius recognized the difference. Some have commented that although there is no Biblical evidence that King Darius ever became a believer, that possibility is not inconceivable considering the "aroma of life" (cp 2Cor 2:14, 15, 16) to which he was exposed. I agree. Won't heaven be an interesting place! Some who you never thought will be there. And sadly some you surely thought would be there won't be! You constantly serve - Repeat of Da 6:16. Clearly Darius recognized Daniel's loyalty to His God. Daniel's consistent work ethic toward God is another mark of his integrity. Living God - This is amazing that this pagan king referred to God as living! One This phrase is found 28x in Scripture (Dt 5:26; Josh 3:10; 1Sa 17:26, 36; 2Kgs 19:4, 16; Ps 42:2; 84:2; Isa 37:4, 17; Jer 10:10; 23:36; Da 6:20, 26; Hos 1:10; Mt 16:16; 26:63; Acts 14:15; Ro 9:26; 2Cor 3:3; 6:16; 1Ti3:15; 4:10; Heb 3:12; 9:14; 10:31; 12:22; Rev 7:2). Living God sometimes is used to contrast the Lord with lifeless idols (see, e.g., Deut 5:26; Josh 3:10; Isa 37:17,18) Your God - Like Nebuchadnezzar before him, Darius has a reasonable respect for God, but does not acknowledge Him as his God (as we think Nebuchadnezzar finally did after humbling his heart in Daniel 4). Your God… able to deliver (cp the testimony of the 3 friend in Da 3:17 "God… is able") - Daniel did not know that rescue would be forthcoming. Courage and steadfastness in faith motivated him to continue his walk with God by faith not by sight. Pritchard writes that Darius. "recognized the genuineness of Daniel’s faith and though he did not believe himself, he hoped that Daniel’s God would deliver him." EBC- Notice the emphasis on Yahweh as the "living" God; clearly the king regarded Daniel's fate as a test of whether his God was really alive or just an unproved supposition, like all the deities the non- Jews worshiped. If the Hebrew God really existed, he would preserve his faithful servant from death; and if anyone deserved well from his God, it was Daniel, who would not stop worshiping even on pain of death. (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary OT 7 Volume Set: Books: Zondervan Publishing) Daniel 6:21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever! Da 6:6, 2:4 Ne 2:3 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries O king, live forever! - Daniel still in the lion's den was in better composure than was the king safe above the den. While this is a common idiomatic way of addressing kings, one cannot help but think it conveys more from the heart of Daniel than simply "Good morning, king"! In fact, what is ironic, even humorous about his greeting? Daniel a "dead man" in the den is alive, asking (in a sense) for eternal life for a pagan king (the real dead man - Eph 2:1)! Interesting! Why does God give us stories like Daniel 6, David and Goliath, Israel trapped at the Red Sea with Pharaoh pursuing, the walls of Jericho falling down, etc? Paul answers it this way… For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Ro 15:4) God records these stories to stir up faith in our hearts. Then when we find ourselves facing the giants or the lions or the impossible "Red Sea" obstacle, we can cry out to Jehovah for deliverance, knowing that He is able to deliver us. Remember that when God allows us to go through one of these difficult stormy situations, He always has a purpose. Some storms are sent for correction (discipline) as with Jonah, some storms are for instruction as with the disciples, and some storms are sent that we might be used to bring glory to the Most High God as in the case of the miraculous deliverance of Daniel from the Lion's den. Like a River Glorious Stayed upon Jehovah Hearts are fully blessed, Finding as He promised Perfect peace and rest. So here's the question we each need to ponder - Is my God able to deliver me? The answer depends on who your God is - Is your god "Plenty" (money)? Is your god "Pleasure"? Is your god "Power"? Jesus is the only God who can truly deliver… Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25-note) God Will Make a Way Where there seems to be no way; He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me. -- Don Moen (Play) Daniel 6:22 "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime." My God : Da 6:20 2Sa 22:7 Ps 31:14 38:21 118:28 Mic 7:7 Mt 27:46 Jn 20:17 Jn 20:18 sent His angel : Da 3:28 Nu 20:16 2Ch 32:21 Ps 34:7 Isa 63:9 Ac 12:11 27:23 shut : 1Sa 17:37 Ps 91:11-13 2Ti 4:17 Heb 11:33 Inasmuch : Da 6:23 Ps 18:19-24 26:6 84:11 Isa 3:10 Ac 24:16 2Co 1:12 1Jn 3:19-21 also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime: Ge 40:15 1Sa 24:9-11 26:18 Ps 7:1-4 Ac 25:8-11 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Another mark of a man of integrity - Daniel (as in the past) makes it a priority to give God the glory for his deliverance (a good pattern for all His children) (cp Da 2:27, 28; Da 4:25; Da 5:21, 22, 23, cp Ps 115:1-note) My God sent His angel - While this could be a created angel, it is possible that it is the Angel of the LORD. In Da 3:28-note we read a similar phrase that God "sent His Angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him" (cp Da 3:25-note). In that context, we concluded that the Angel was very likely the Angel of the LORD, the preincarnate appearance of Christ. And in Da 6:23 the king states Daniel's delivery (like the 3 Hebrew boys) was related to the fact that he had trusted his God. There is an interesting parallel passage in Paul (in some of the last words he wrote before he was poured out as a drink offering -2Ti 4:6-note) - 2 Timothy 4:17-note But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth. S R Miller asks - Who was the “angel” who spent the night in the den with Daniel? He may have been a member of the angelic host, but it is more likely that this heavenly being was the divine angelic messenger, the Angel of the LORD (cf. Ge 16:11, 12, 13, 14; 22:15, 16; Ex 3:2, 3, 4; Jdg 6:11-26; 13:13-23; 1Chr 21:16, 17, 18). Although the LXX (but not the Lxx of Theodoret) interpreted the text to mean that “God” saved Daniel from the lions, Lacocque comments, “It is nothing other than the very presence of God, as the LXX has well understood.” The angel was evidently visible to Daniel, and it is comforting to think of the faithful old prophet spending the night in fellowship with the Lord during this trying ordeal. (Ibid) David writes that… The angel of the LORD (probably the Angel of the LORD) encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. (Ps 34:7-note, cp Ps 91:11-note) Speaking of the created angels the writer of Hebrews asks rhetorically… Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14-note) I was found innocent before Him - A perfect illustration of Daniel's very name = "God is my Judge" and the Supreme God overturned the accusation against Daniel! Daniel 6:23 Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. ( was : Da 6:14,18 Ex 18:9 1Ki 5:7 2Ch 2:11,12 because : Da 3:25,27,28 1Ch 5:20 2Ch 20:20 Ps 37:40 118:8,9 146:3, 4, 5, 6 Pr 18:10 Isa 26:3 Mk 9:23 Heb 11:33 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries No injury whatever - Complete, total deliverance by Jehovah, just as with his 3 fire tested friends (Da 3:27). As we have said before God’s servants are immortal until their work is done. This does not mean that His servants are always delivered from death. Strauss - a man of God in the will of God is immortal until his work on earth is finished. Daniel was such a man, and God preserved him to finish some more work in the divine plan. (Ibid) Taken up out of - This suggests it was a pit. He had trusted in his God - The Aramaic word for trusted (believed) is aman which is related to Hebrew word (See word study of Hebrew word aman) at the heart of which conveys the idea of certainty or firmness. Faith is firm trust in another. It is utter dependence upon the veracity of another. Faith is not a blind leap into the dark but a confident commitment to the One about Whom abundant evidence bears ample testimony of His eternal, immutable trustworthiness. Strauss - A living faith in the living God will give courage and strength for every emergency of life. (Ibid) Why did God deliver Daniel? Because of his steadfast faith and because he was innocent (Da 6:22). This passage demonstrates that faith is in a sense an "action verb". In other words, even the pagan king could "see" Daniel's faith by virtue of his refusal to compromise even in the face of the prospect of being the main course of the lion's dinner menu! Heb 11:33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions. By faith they shut the mouths of lions. The lions’ den is not an old-world experience merely. God’s saints still dwell among lions, and fight with wild beasts at Ephesus. Like David, God’s people have abundant cause to cry, “They have compassed us in our steps: they set their eyes to out us down to the earth. He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, and, as it were, a young lion, lurking in secret places.” But still God sends his angel to shut the lions’ mouths; still faith surrounds us with his unseen protection. Or, if the lion seems to triumph, it is only in appearance. Was not the martyr Ignatius more than a conqueror when he said: “I bid all men know that of my own free will I die for God, unless ye should hinder me. I exhort you, be ye not an unseasonable kindness to me. Let me be given to the wild beasts, for through them I can attain unto God. I am God’s wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread of Christ. Rather entice the wild beasts that they may become my sepulchre, and may leave no part of my body behind; so that I may not, when I am fallen asleep, be burdensome to any one…. Now I am beginning to be a disciple. May naught of things visible and things invisible impede me, that I may attain unto Jesus Christ. Come fire, and iron, and grapplings with wild beasts, cuttings, and manglings, crashings of my whole body—only be it mine to attain unto Jesus Christ.” Whether faith closes the mouth of the lion, or gives the soul such an entire deliverance from all fear, it is the same in essence and operation, and shows its heavenly temper with the ease with which it overcomes the trial. Lessons for the Ages - Children love to hear the Bible story of Daniel in the lions' den. But that account has valuable lessons for all of us. Let's look again at the faith of an elderly man named Daniel. Prayer is a lifelong task. Daniel was at least 80 years old when this story took place. Yet Scripture says he prayed and gave thanks to God "three times that day … as was his custom since early days" (Da 6:10). Daniel had been a man of prayer his whole life—from his youth in Jerusalem all the way through his 65 years in Babylon. Faithfulness is an undeniable testimony. When Daniel was thrown into the lions' den, Darius said, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you" (Da 6:16). Daniel's testimony of trust in God was well-known (Da 6:1-4)—even to a king who wanted people to worship him instead of God. God rewards faithfulness. Daniel was spared "because he believed in his God" (Da 6:23). As a result, the king told his people to turn their faith toward God. Daniel continued to prosper under the reign of Darius (Da 6:28). Although the stress and strain of life My thread of faith may become weak, The cable of His faithfulness No storm can ever shake. God tests our faith so that we may trust His faithfulness. Daniel 6:24 The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions' den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. brought: Dt 19:18, 19, 20 Es 7:10 9:25 Pr 11:8 their children: Dt 24:16 Josh 7:24,25 2Ki 14:6 Es 9:10 lions: Da 3:22 Ps 54:5 Isa 38:13 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel - This is the law of sowing and reaping in action (Gal 6:7, 8, cp Dt. 19:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21).