Daniel and the Den of Lions Kept by

Daniel and the Den of Lions: Kept by Faith Daniel 6

Daniel 6: 1 “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom. ”

Daniel 6: 2 “And over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. ” The King’s Confidence in Daniel

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. ” Whole Realm? ? ?

Daniel’s Faithfulness • No fault found in Daniel. • Darius had three presidents—Daniel was one. • Babylon fell in 539 B. C. • Darius the Meade ruled in the kingdom. • His reign was short-lived. • The land under his administration in this province

Daniel’s Faithfulness • Daniel “distinguished himself” because of his “excellent spirit. ” • King of a mind to place him over the whole realm! • The king’s esteem for Daniel gave rise to jealousy among the other two presidents and the satraps.

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. ” They Sought to Find Fault…

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. ’” Knew Daniel’s Character

Daniel 6: 6 “So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: ‘King Darius, live forever!’” Setting the Trap…

Daniel 6: 7 “All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree…” Setting the Trap…

Daniel 6: 7 “…that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. ” Setting the Trap…

Daniel 6: 8, 9 “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. ” The Decree is Signed!

The Plan… • Determination of the fellow officials • Sought fault with Daniel concerning “the kingdom” • Grounds for a legal complaint • Tried to find something amiss in Daniel concerning his official duties • They found no fault—nothing was amiss! • He lacked nothing when it came to discharging his duties.

The Plan… • Sought to find occasion “concerning the law of his God. ” • A compliment to Daniel’s character, integrity and fidelity. • Rare in a politician’s character • Acted in concert and harmony • Asked the king to make a new decree—a religious decree.

The Plan… • Decree prevented anyone from making a petition (prayer) to any “god or man, ” except Darius himself. • King to be the sole representative of deity. • King’s decree would be valid for 30 days. • “Interdict” was unchangeable, the penalty for disobeying would be “death in the den of lions. ”

The Plan… • They appealed to the king to sign the decree. • According to the “law of the Medes and the Persians. ” • The king signed the decree. • Officials appealed to the king’s pride.

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. . . ” Daniel Knew the Decree Was Signed!

Daniel 6: 10, 11 “. . . and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. ” Daniel Offers Prayer to God!

Daniel prayed to God three times each day —he did not change his practice!

Daniel’s Dilemma • If he obeys the king’s decree, he will not be able to pray directly to his God. • If he disobeys it, he will appear disloyal to the king, whom he devotedly serves. • Daniel continues his “custom” of praying regularly, even though he knows the king’s decree is now law!

Daniel’s “Custom” • On the rooftop • With the windows open • Facing Jerusalem • Giving thanks • The expression “before his God” graphically and truthfully characterizes Daniel’s entire life.

Conspirators Discover Daniel • The order of the wicked conspiracy is: – Determination – Decreed – Discovered – Death • This is what they had been looking for —an accusation they could make stick!

Daniel 6: 12 “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. . . ’” King Reminded of the Decree!

Daniel 6: 12 “. . . 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. ’ King Reminded of the Decree!

Daniel 6: 13 “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. ” Accusation Against Daniel

The Trap Sprung! • The manner of accusation exposes the despicable character of the conspirators. • They described Daniel as “an exile from Judah. ” • Rather than an appointed official who was “head” of the other presidents. • They depicted him as deliberately disregarding the king by disobeying his decree.

Daniel 6: 14 “And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. ” The King’s Love for Daniel

Daniel 6: 15 “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. ’” Demand That Punishment Be Enforced!

A King in a Box • The king is sorely displeased and distressed • He strives to deliver Daniel • “Set his heart” • “He labored” • Tries in vain to find a solution—”until the going down of the sun. ” • The decree still stands and the evil men press for the king to carry out Daniel’s punishment!

Daniel 6: 16 “So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you. ” Daniel Sent to the Lions’ Den!

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. ” Daniel Sent to the Lions’ Den!

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. ” The King Paces the Floor!

Daniel’s Punishment Executed • The king’s dilemma—his decree (law), versus his devotion (love) for Daniel • The decree is upheld; Daniel is cast into the lions’ den. • King’s hope—”Your God will deliver you. ” • King’s signet placed on the stone that is over the opening of the den.

Daniel’s Punishment Executed • The king, having exhausted every effort to free Daniel, is now thoroughly frustrated. – He cannot eat – He has no interest in diversions – He cannot sleep

Daniel 6: 19 “Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. ” King Goes to the Den

Daniel 6: 20 “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 Calls for Daniel…

A Deliverer for Daniel • King’s emotion and concern • “Is thy God able? ” • Voice full of anxiety and concern regarding whether the “God who preserves life” is able to deliver Daniel – Matthew 10: 28 – John 10: 29 – Romans 8: 39 – Ephesians 3: 20, 21

Daniel 6: 21 “Then Daniel said to the king, ‘O king, live forever!’” Daniel Answers the King!

Daniel 6: 22 “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. ” Daniel Is Safe

Daniel 6: 23 “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. ” Daniel Is Taken out of the Den

Daniel’s Life is Preserved • Prophet’s reply… • “My God hath sent His angel…” • He proclaimed his innocence—before God and the King. • He has shut the lions’ mouths. • The lions had “done no hurt, ” and Daniel had “done no hurt!”

Daniel’s Life is Preserved • The Prophet’s faith is a demonstration of: – Clarity—he believed/trusted in God. – Loyalty—continuous trust. – Fixity—death better than compromise – Certainty—in God’s care and protection. – Abraham—Romans 4: 18 -21 – Paul— 2 Timothy 1: 12

Daniel’s Life is Preserved • The Prophet’s deliverance is a demonstration of: – A miraculous rescue—not even a button chewed off! – Instruction—not saved “from” but “in” den – Completeness—providential protection – Conviction—God is able!

Daniel 6: 24 “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. . . ” Punishment of the Conspirators

Daniel 6: 24 “. . . and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den. ” Punishment of the Conspirators

Punishment of the Conspirators • The accusers become the “accused. ” • The accusation has proven false and therefore amounts to slander. • Punishment of “children and wives” was according to Persian custom – Joshua 7: 24, 25 • Cast into the lion’s den where the lions had the “mastery. ” • Overpowered and consumed!

Daniel 6: 25 “Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. ” Darius’ Decree

Daniel 6: 26 “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. . . ” Darius’ Decree

Daniel 6: 26 “. . . His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. ” Darius’ Decree

Daniel 6: 27, 28 “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. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. ” Darius’ Decree

Darius’ Decree • Darius praised Daniel’s God. • Darius, like Nebuchadnezzar, regarded his empire as universal. • Darius does not rise above pagan philosophy of polytheism. • He confesses Daniel’s God to be above other gods; thus, does not condemn the worship of such “gods. ” – Daniel 5: 18

Darius’ Decree • Darius acknowledges the “rescuing and delivering” power of Daniel’s God. • Daniel’s God caused Daniel to prosper – In Nebuchadnezzar’s reign – Now in Darius’ reign – Later, in the reign of Cyrus the Persian king • Why? – Walked by faith, not by sight (Corinthians 5: 7) – Pure in heart (Matthew 5: 8)