DINNER SERVED IN THE DEN
Daniel 6
INTRODUCTION: Chapter 6 In the book of Daniel brings us to the best known of all the deliverances in the Bible, that of Daniel and the Lion’s Den. Imbedded in this account is truth applicable to our lives as believers even today. Let’s look at the biblical account ……..
I A DESPISED DANIEL PRODUCES A DECEIVED DARIUS. – 6:1-5
A Who exactly is Darius
1 Seen nowhere else in history
2 Pointed to as an evidence of the lack of authenticity regarding the book
3 Is he Cyrus? And if so, why the name change?
a He is Cyrus
1) Daniel 6:28 – Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius, EVEN Cyrus
b He is not Cyrus
1) Cyrus conquered the realm, and then appointed Darius as his “overseer”
Daniel 9:1 In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom--
B What Darius did
1 Appointed satraps – 120
2 Appointed administrators – 3
a Daniel was one of three
b Daniel was in line to be elevated above the other 2
NOTE: DANIEL IS 80 SOME YEARS OF AGE! DON’T TALK ABOUT RETIREMENT – AGE DOES NOT DISQUALIFY US FROM SERVICE, OUR HEART DOES!
1) Daniel’s appointment would shift the balance of power
2) Daniel’s appointment would result in different laws
a) Daniel was above bribery
b) Daniel was moral and had integrity
NOTE: WHAT A TESTIMONY THAT AMONG HIS FIERCEST ENEMIES, NO FAULT COULD BE FOUND WITH DANIEL, SO A FAULT HAD TO BE CREATED!
C The manner of Darius’ deception
1 It was done in mass – 120 satraps
2 It was done to trap Daniel
a Discredit Daniel in relationship to his religion and the Law of Moses by which he lived.
b Discredit Daniel by passing a new law, which was purposely designed to lead to Daniel’s death.
c Do away with Daniel against the king’s will. They would have to do away with Daniel in a way that forced the king to eliminate Daniel, a way which he could not escape.
NOTE: A LOT OF SINS ARE NOT CRIMES AND A LOT OF CRIMES ARE NOT SINS
II THE DECREE OF DARIUS AND THE DETERMINATION OF DANIEL – 6: 6-14
A The interpretation of the decree
1 Force worship on Darius
2 Cement loyalty to the Medo/Persian empire
B What the decree did
1 Misrepresented Daniel’s devotion to God as contempt for the government
C Daniel’s response to the decree
1 Done after his ability to advise was removed
a Decree made hastily
b Decree made without Daniel’s counsel
2 Daniel continues his pattern
a Was his custom
b Not done in contempt for the king
c Done for two reasons
1) Thanks to God
2) Help from God
3 Daniels options
a Obey the new law, making his petitions to the king.
b Appeal to the king to change or repeal the law.
c Cease praying altogether, making no petitions for 30 days.
d Limit his prayers to thanksgiving and praise, simply setting aside his petitions for 30 days.
e Simply continue to pray, privately.
NOTE: DANIEL REJECTED THEM ALL!
4 Why Daniel continued to pray publicly
a Unlike chapter 1, Daniel seems to have had no opportunity to protest the law signed by the king and no way to avoid obedience to the law without compromise.
b The issue was a matter of law and of public policy and practice; thus its violation must be public.
c Private disobedience would have been hypocritical and hindered his testimony. His opponents expected Daniel to disobey the law, publicly.
d It was necessary in order for Daniel to persevere in his normal disciplines of godliness. Daniel had a life-long habit of praying toward Jerusalem three times a day. His enemies knew this and were confident he would continue. Daniel would not set aside those regimens that were normal in pursuing godliness (2 Peter 1:3,4).
e This particular law implied something utterly inconsistent with and contrary to God’s law. To make that point, he had to publicly violate that law.
5 Daniel knew the consequences!
D Daniel’s Capture
1 In the midst of praying
2 Men went as a group and found Daniel
a Went – “rushed” -- could not wait to spring the trap
3 Reviewed the decree with Darius BEFORE telling him it was Daniel
III THE COMPLIANCE OF THE KING – 6:15-18
A Darius complied even though he was distressed.
1 Each king in the book of Daniel has been distressed regarding spiritual things
2 Own conscience tells them they have erred
B Darius complied because he is a puppet
1 Notice how the lions den is sealed
a His ring
b Rings of the nobles
2 King no longer has sole authority
C King complied even though he was distressed
1 Bothered by conscience
2 Agitated by deception
3 Refused “entertainment”
4 More distressed than Daniel
a Did not sleep
b Gotta wonder if Daniel slept and even had a lion for a pillow!
IV THE PROTECTION OF DANIEL – 6:19-23
A Returns a soon as possible
B Asks of God’s faithfulness
C Daniel answers from behind the stone
1 Survived because he was innocent
2 Survived because he trusted in God
V THE PLUNGE OF THE ACCUSERS – 6:24
A Had falsely accused Daniel
1 Accused means to “devour the bones and flesh
2 They sought to devour Daniel now they were to be devoured
B Guilt was a family thing. Persian law declared the whole family guilty of the crime
C Daniel was not spared because the lions were not hungry
1 Gobbled up the family before they hit the ground
VI THE DECREE OF DARIUS – 6:25-28
A From the one who was to be revered as god
B Proclaims that the God of Daniel should be revered
SOME PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
§ This text suggests that Christians who would live holy lives should expect persecution; it also explains why.
o Godliness posed a threat to those who would use their positions corruptly to benefit at the expense of others
§ Our text assures us of divine deliverance when we serve God faithfully and are persecuted for doing so
§ This account of Daniel and the lion’s den is a lesson in dealing with the crises of life.
o The way to deal with the crises of life is to establish godly disciplines in the routine times of life, and then to refuse to depart from them in times of crisis
§ The prayer life of Daniel’s should serve as both a rebuke and an encouragement to Christians today.
§ The story of Daniel’s deliverance from the lion’s den in our text is an illustration of the gospel.
