DANIEL SERIES: DANIEL IN THE LION’S DEN – CHAPTER 6

Daniel chapter six gives the reader a glimpse of the Medo-Persian Empire, which was the arms and breast of silver seen in King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter two.
Under the leadership of King Darius, the Persian Kingdom was divided into sections, and a hundred and twenty princes were placed over them. Over the hundred and twenty princes were placed three presidents, and despite his advanced age, Daniel was chosen to be the lead president.
This upset the other presidents and princes because they realized Daniel was preferred for his excellent spirit; therefore, they sought a way to disqualify him. The only way they could accomplish this was by flattery, telling King Darius all of his leaders unanimously agreed with this royal statute and tricking him into signing a decree, which they knew could not be altered. This decree would only allow people to ask for a petition from the king, and if they disobeyed, they would be cast into the den of lions.
Nevertheless, despite knowing the decree, Daniel followed his daily routine. Adhering to the prayer request made by King Solomon 422 years prior, if found in a foreign land, pray towards Jerusalem, the place that God had chosen. Therefore, Daniel opened the window facing west to his homeland of Jerusalem, knelt, and continued praying three times a day.
When Daniel’s enemies found out Daniel was praying to his God and not the king, they took this information and presented it to King Darius. They reminded the king his decree could not be broken when he desperately tried to save Daniel from being cast into the den of lions. Prior to reluctantly having Daniel cast into the den, the king said to him, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” Furthermore, the king had a stone laid upon the mouth of the den and sealed it with his signet and with the signet of his lords.
That night, the king stayed awake, fasted, and did not allow music to be played in his presence. In the morning, he quickly went to the den and sorrowfully yelled,” O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Daniel responded, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”
Happily, the king had Daniel removed from the den and had his accusers, their wives, and children thrown into the lion’s den. Horribly and disasterly for them, the bible records that before their bodies landed at the bottom of the den, the ferocious lions attacked them. Daniel, on the other hand, continued to prosper during the kingship of King Darius, which only lasted two years, and the next king, Cyrus the Persian.
This chapter ends with King Darius sending a letter to people, nations of all languages decreeing, “That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast forever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Here are the nuggets I gleaned from this chapter:
Your advanced age does not nullify your ability to be a leader.
Having an excellent spirit will distinguish you from others.
When people are jealous of you, they will seek to undermine you.
Let your life shine, that all men see is your integrity.
When you are unwavering in your religious beliefs and practices, people will know it.
Be known for your prayer life.
Beware of the flattery of men.
Keep following your routine despite opposition.
In all that you do, remain faithful to God.
Don’t allow your enemy to stop your prayers.
What you sow, you reap.
Divine intervention brings to naught human decrees.
God does miracles that no one can deny.
God divinely protects those who trust in Him.
Be careful with whom you align yourself; they may be the cause of your death.
Your treachery can cause your whole family to be killed.
God manifests in ways that cause men to acknowledge His everlasting kingdom and His ability to rescue and deliver His followers.
God prospers His followers all the days of their life.