10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. 12 Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 13 Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”
16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” 17 And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
for he is the living God,
enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues;
he works signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth,
he who has saved Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Daniel 6: 10-28
Daniel 6: 10-28 Daniel and the Lion's Den
…14You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.… Matthew 5: 14-16
When Daniel knew that the document had been signed - He was fully aware of what transpired, so what ever he does is willful and without excuse. He knows that someone very important has put this law into effect, and he knows as well as anyone there that regardless of how stupid the law is, the king will stand by the proclamation. "I stand by my decision", how many times have I heard that? Men act like it is noble in some way and will even defend their decision though it is proven flawed, will point fingers elsewhere, try to spin it so that they are in the right.
…17But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.” 18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.… Acts 4: 17-19
Where he had windows in his upper chamber open towards Jerusalem - This reminds me of Solomon's prayer, but it is also beautiful in that Daniel is not ashamed of his relationship with God, but also that he gives no place for them to think so. He goes to the same window, across from their deer stand, knowing full well that the Gestapo are watching him, that this is directed against him, yet he sees opportunity to display the glory of God. It is a statement only because these idiots have made it that way, this is what this man does every day, and it is harmful to no one. This is what you will charge this man for; it's like the Taliban going door to door making people show them their phone internet history, looking for Christians, for translators, people who worked with Americans, peaceful people that don't agree with them.
…29May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. 30Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive. 31When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple,… 1 Kings 8: 29-31
5At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation with my tunic and cloak torn, and I fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the LORD my God, 6and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens.… Ezra 9: 5-6
Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel - He didn't make it difficult; deer are much harder to hunt.
…31The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter. 32Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them, 33the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned under judgment.… Psalm 37: 31-33
Making petition (asking) and supplication (asking for mercy) before his God - "Before" (Aramaic = in front of!) is an awesome and beautiful reminder that all prayer is as if the petitioner is kneeling directly in front of God's throne of grace (Heb 4:16-note)! Daniel could have closed his windows or gone somewhere else to pray. He could have done this if he had been unbelieving and frightened, but in fact Daniel knew that when a man feared the LORD he did not have to fear man. - Precept Austin
Pays no attention to you - Refresh my memory, O king, didn't you sign something that makes it illegal for anyone to pray to anyone or anything other than you these thirty days? Yes he did. Well, this Daniel, who is really high up is blowing off your order, not setting good example for others to follow. A little late, but I think that the king is no dummy and it starts to rattle the sleeper; these guys want to run things mob, gang land style, and this is all to remove the person that stands in their way. You are helping them get the worship they feel they deserve, to rob the kingdom unhampered, unquestioned.
. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
5 “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. [7] 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”
9 The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. Acts 24: 2-9
Was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel - This is your best employee, most noble citizen, who has been a great teacher to you as well, and the picture must be getting crisper all the time. Do you now understand the worth of a flatterer? It is painfully embarrassing, but once the king realized the error, he tried of his own accord to fix it. He made the same mistake as Adam and Eve in the garden, "you can be like God." It is a gross error, for the mere fact that your eternal existence, that which came before time and space, existed only in the mind of the Creator, and you did not call yourself into being. The jump for humans to believe such nonsense, as mortal deities, is only plausible in the mind that does not rightly see God, it lowers it's view of God to that of created things, even fallen things, so that the gods of the pagans were as perverted and fallible as men. They made and worshiped gods after their own image, a reversal of reasonable order, a form of madness. Men always elevate themselves in their minds, beyond the reality of what they are, yet in actual reality, the human mind cannot elevate the eternal, infinite, Creator of the universe enough. You will never be able to place God too high.
No injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed - I hate to be the bearer of bad news, you know I actually like Daniel, but the law is the law, dear king. At this point I would have pre-fed the lions, or written an ordinance about the king being able to choose someone to take Daniel's place, 1 of these guys every day for 30 days.
…25At once the girl hurried back to the king with her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.” 26 The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27So without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison.… Mark 6: 25-27
May your God, whom you serve continually deliver you - It is almost like that hope that is the smallest spark of faith, but it only takes the faith of a mustard seed to move mountains. He knows Daniel, and so of course he knows about Daniel's God. He probably knows from Daniel the prophecies of Isaiah which foretell the coming of Cyrus.
Daniel's spirit reminds us of Polycarp, one of the Early Church fathers who was threatened with martyrdom in Smyrna if he did not reproach Christ. He replied,
Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior? (Ibid) (Ed: It is ironic that "Polycarp was burned at the stake for refusing to burn incense to the Roman Emperor." - Wikipedia)
Daniel's priority list had fellowship with God at the top. This explains in large measure the godly life and character of this man. What is at the top of your priority list? - Precept Austin
…14“Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him. 15When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. 16With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”… Psalm 91: 14-16
The king sealed it with his own signet - This reminds me of the hasty vow that Jephthah made to God. Over the years I have seen foolish laws go into effect and many backed by much emotion, yet when science and reason later catch up or come along to reveal a hastily built and poor foundation, still they hold fast to the law. It was easier to make it than remove it, though a bloody and vile thing.
…30Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, 31then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” 32So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the LORD delivered them into his hand.…
34And when Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! She was his only child; he had no son or daughter besides her. 35As soon as Jephthah saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “No! Not my daughter! You have brought me to my knees! You have brought great misery upon me, for I have given my word to the LORD and cannot take it back.”… Judges 11: 30-35
Spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him - No food, no dancers or entertainment, no concubines; I think this is a repentant heart, one that wishes it could go back. He really cared for Daniel to the extent that he understood, and many who say they are of the faith do not show such remorse as this heathen, and he is sleepless over his servant.
After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant[a] who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion[b] heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. Luke 7: 1-10
The king arose and went in haste to the den of lions - After a sleepless night and watching the sun rise, would it be Christmas morning, had God delivered? This man has hope and he runs to the lion's den to check on his friend.
Servant of the living God - He has learned something from Daniel, the difference between this God and the idols that men serve. It would be wonderful to be known that way, as God's servant, and not only that but distinguished, the living God, not some idol or fancy of the human mind; he serves the true God.
Been able to deliver you from the lions - The miraculous, ever so often God has entered history in such an unmistakable way, that He is truly distinguished from the gods of this world, and He does things that only the Creator could do. Every time it has shown His ultimate sovereignty. Not everyone is saved like Daniel, but Daniel would have been even better off if the lions consumed him, like the apostle said, "for me to live is Christ, but to die is gain, and to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord."
My God sent His angel and shut the lion's mouth - Well, are you sure it wasn't just because Daniel was old and his meat not tender, so the lions passed on this meal? The Bible doesn't tell it that way, and I looked up what an adult lion needs to eat every day, and it is 11 pounds of meat for a female, and sixteen pounds for a male, so I doubt they just gave him a pass. One angel killed 185,000 Assyrians, so this would be a small matter.
…15how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, 16and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory. Numbers 20: 15-16
Those men who had maliciously accused Daniel - They are receiving what they manipulated into action for another. These men are suffering what their deceit tried to place on Daniel. They cornered a king, and he has had it with them. Though his seal and all of theirs was upon the stone, yet now the stone is rolled away, and whose words stand over theirs?
…34Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. 36No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.… Matthew 24: 34-36
Before they reached the bottom of the den - I personally think the lions were fed this way a lot, and often slaves were thought to be of less value than a healthy lion. They are also expensive to keep so throwing your enemies in there kills two birds with one stone. There were apparently a lot of lions, and we see the reason they didn't eat Daniel was not because they weren't hungry. The traitors were lowered in with their families and the lions were coming up for them, breaking their bones before they even touched the ground. Now it is worldly wisdom that kills a man's wife and children for his sin, unless they were co-conspirators, but it makes sense to the earthly mind, so that his family cannot cause an uproar or try to vindicate their father.
…5As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amaziah executed the servants who had murdered his father the king. 6Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death, but acted according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.” 2 Kings 14: 5-6
People are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel - This is a huge problem in our world today, men think they can solve everything, and they have no use for God. Since they will not acknowledge their place beneath God, then all they leave men to look to is them, fallen, sinful, arrogant creatures. People prefer the low bar, looking to a fallible human, rather than standing before a Holy God. We enjoy getting our ears tickled, our sins excused, but these men don't have the authority to change what God says, and so we will all still answer.
…27Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,… Romans 1: 27-29
Enduring forever - He is eternal, self existing, so incomprehensible and otherly to His creatures.
He delivers and rescues - That Darius has seen first hand.
Let me suggest some things. I’m going to run them down, just listen to them, think them through. First of all, this man transcended history. He was great, and he was useful to God because he transcended history. He got his feet out of the muck of human issues. He sought the kingdom of God.
Secondly, he lived a consistent life from start to finish. He was virtuous when he was young, and so he was virtuous when he was old. And I really believe that there is no way to measure with a human measure the power of a virtuous life of that many years. The tragedy is that most of us find our virtue coming and going through those years. Not Daniel.
What are the lessons we learn about a man of God? He transcends history. He lives a consistent life from youth to old age, and this makes for great usefulness in his old age. Thirdly, he utterly fulfills his calling. In other words, he lives in the absolute center of God’s will. His only desire is that God’s will be fulfilled.
Fourth, he has a right attitude. They kept saying about him he has an excellent spirit. He has an excellent spirit.
Fifth, he will be envied and he will be hated by the world around him, but he will never be bittered by it.
Sixth, he is condemned, but if he is condemned, he is condemned for his righteousness, for there’s no other flaw. He is as an elder of the church should be - what? - blameless.
Seventh, he is known for his virtue and integrity even by his enemies.
Eighth, he is a faithful citizen. He is subject to human laws until they would cause him to violate the laws of God.
Nine, he is willing to face any consequence within the framework of God’s will and leave the outcome to God.
Ten, he will serve faithfully no matter what it costs him personally.
Eleven, he never defends himself. He leaves that to God.
Twelve, he strengthens the faith of others giving them hope in God. Didn’t you see this in the king? I mean, the king was even believing because of the great faith of Daniel.
Thirteen, he is delivered from all harm, and he is preserved for every purpose within the will of God.
Fourteen, he is a vehicle for God’s glory. I wish we could just preach on that. We as Christians are to be, above all things, a vehicle for God’s glory.
Fifteen, he will be avenged by God. He will be avenged by God. His enemies will be dealt with by God. He doesn’t have to deal with them himself.
And finally, he is exalted by those around him as well as by the One above him.
Principles manifest in this chapter that show the virtuous life of a man of God. I hope this has been practical for you, that God will apply this to your heart as He will to mine. - J Mac
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