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Chapter 6 is the last of the story or narrative chapters.
From chapter 7 on it's straight prophecy. Again, even though this is a
narrative story and a well loved one that we can derive spiritual benefit from -
it typifies, symbolically the undying, age lasting hatred of the people of God
manifested through the world's systems, through the servants of Satan in every
generation. Daniel's experience in the lion's den was not unique.
Everyone of us has been through or perhaps are going through our own particular
lion's den. Through the ages both Israel and the true church have gone
through their own lion's den.
By the time this story is told Daniel is an old man.
The Medes and Persians are now ruling.
Daniel 6:1
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be
over the whole kingdom;
The Medo-Persian Empire was the greatest world power in
its day. It stretched from the shores of Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan
to the mountains of India. It went right up to the north, into the steppes of
modern Russia by the Caspian sea. South, it went through Palestine, Egypt and to
the borders of ancient Ethiopia. Historical records tell us that they
could put millions of armed men under order and throw them into the field of
battle at any one given time. Its system of government was federal. Each
province had its governor responsible back to the king. Over the 120
governors were 3 men who were like viceroys to the king. The chief viceroy
was Daniel. Daniel had established himself as a man who could be trusted.
In verse three we see how highly he was respected.
Daniel 6:3
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.
And in verse four we see the result of that respect -
jealousy.
Daniel 6:4
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.
Whenever you are highly respected and highly thought of
there will always be people jealous of you. Joseph's brothers were
jealous of him. All because his father had given him the coat of many colours.
But God had chosen Joseph for a task and I believe God put that favouritism into
the heart of Jacob. Joseph was selected and elected by God to save his
family. Any time that Satan tried to harm Joseph God turned it to good.
Don't be jealous of your brother because one day it may be he who saves you and
your starving family.
Saul appointed David as his right-hand man. He allowed him
to marry his daughter and eat at his table. He put him in charge of his army.
Everything was going O.K. until one day he looked through his palace window and
heard the women of Israel sing "Saul has killed thousands but David has
killed tens of thousands." A jealous spirit rose up in him. So
it was here, - a jealous spirit rose up in these men of Darius' kingdom.
Envy - Jealousy - Malice - Pride. These are partners in crime.
Verse 5 says they couldn't find any occasion for fault. So
they created one. The only fault they could find with him was that he obeyed God
before anything else.
Daniel 6:5
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 carried out all his duties with honesty, honour and
integrity.
1 Peter 4:13-15
but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His
glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are
reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and
of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is
glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evil-doer, or
as a busybody in other people's matters.
Peter is saying, "Everyone of you should be like
Daniel". No matter what people say about you in regard to your
religion and your belief, never let them catch you at anything else.
Daniel 6:6-9
So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him:
"King Darius, live forever! "All the governors of the kingdom, the
administrators and satraps, the counsellors and advisers, have consulted
together to establish 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 into
the den of lions. "Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing,
so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians,
which does not alter." Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
This brought about a conspiracy. This is how the enemy
works. He very seldom comes out into the light. He works in darkness and in
secret,
behind closed doors. They love darkness because their deeds are evil.
People will attack you in an underhand way, behind your back, against you
personally and against the church. They tell lies. They said,
"Everybody has got together to commission the king." Nobody had
asked Daniel, the king's right-hand man. They used flattery. Satan
used it in the garden with Eve. The media report that, "all right
thinking people are doing ....", on the basis of flattery to coerce you
into their way of thinking. The king signed it into law and the laws of the
Medes and Persians was unbreakable and irrevocable.
Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his
upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees
three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his
custom since early days.
Daniel knew it was against the law and his actions were
illegal. He could have said, "Oh well, its only 30 days, I can do it
easily", but he didn't. Why did he pray 3 times a day? Psalms
55:16,17 tells us that it was the custom in Israel to pray evening, morning and
midday. Here's a Scripture with a great promise.
Philippians 4:6,7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
The trap has been laid and now it will be sprung.
Daniel 6:11-15
Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before
his God. And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's
decree:
"Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man
within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of
lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to
the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." So they
answered and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is one of the captives
from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you
have signed, but makes his petition three times a day." And the king, when
he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on
Daniel to deliver him; and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver
him. Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, "Know,
O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute
which the king establishes may be changed."
The king couldn't free Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar or
Belshazzer could have because they held complete power but the government of the
Medes and Persians was more democratised. They had a constitution etc. and the
king's hands were tied. Daniel would have been over 80 years old.
It's evident here that the king had his own measure of faith because he said,
"Thy God ... He will deliver you."
Daniel 6:17
Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed
it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose
concerning Daniel might not be changed.
There was no escape - humanly speaking.
Daniel 6:18
Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians
were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.
There was only one thing on the king's mind.
Daniel 6:19,20
Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of
lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to
Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the
living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you
from the lions?"
The king may have worried all night but he had enough
faith to expect a reply when he called. Some of the unconverted people
have more faith than the converted.
Daniel 6:21,22
Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel
and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found
innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."
What a testimony! You could be in a lion's pit
tonight. Thinking that it's all up for you, that there's no way out.
Whatever your den of lions is, my God can send His angel to shut the mouths of
those lions.
Daniel 6:23,24
Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take
Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury
whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God. And the king
gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they
cast them into the den of lions; them, their children, and their wives; and the
lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever
came to the bottom of the den.
Rest assured that God has retribution - He doesn't need us
to do His job.
Daniel 6:25-27
Then King Darius wrote: 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. He delivers
and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has
delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
Verses 25-27 are prophetic verses of the manifestation of
the Kingdom in fullness. It's God who delivers. It's God who
rescues. It's God who works signs and wonders. Has He changed?
We're not immune to difficulties and problems. But, God will deliver!
So this Daniel prospered ....
Daniel 6:28
So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the
Persian.
After the test, comes the reward. If you've been
faithful God has promised a crown of glory.
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