When Daniel Becomes A Governor Series

Background Information

The Babylonian kingdom fell to the Medes and Persians just as Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that it would. The judgement of Belshazzar for drinking from the vessels of God came swiftly as spoken through the prophet, Daniel. What God says He does!

So, we are introduced to the new king in Daniel Chapter 6 by the name of Darius. He has to set up a new government to oversee the whole kingdom. The way that the Babylonian did government is not the way that the Medes and Persians do government. And that is to be expected. The way we do government in American is not the way that they do government in England. Each nations way of doing government is different (from a little different to way different).

So, King Darius method of government called for one hundred and twenty satraps spread out over the kingdom. They would be like our modern-day mayors who governed over a certain portion of land. And above them were three governors to whom they were to be held accountable. And one of those governors was Daniel.

So, lets what we can learn about Daniel, the governor. We are going to read Daniel 6:1-9.

Scripture

Daniel 6:1–9 (NKJV)

6 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 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. 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. 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. 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.”

6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 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, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 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.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

Point #1

Daniel, the governor, who had the spirit of God within him, teaches us that we must be helpful to whosoever God places in our path.

Daniel 6:3 (NKJV)

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.

Daniel had been very helpful to King Nebuchadnezzar while he ruled Babylon. Daniel took great care of the kingdom while Nebuchadnezzar was suffering the judgment of God and after the judgment period was over, he returned to Nebuchadnezzar the kingdom in good order.

Daniel was helpful to King Belshazzar by coming at his request to explain the handwriting on the wall.

And now, we see that Daniel is helpful to King Darius so much so that the King had thoughts of setting him over the whole kingdom- setting him over the governors and the satraps.

I can hear the self-talk in your head right now. I am always helpful to my family and friends. If somebody I know needs a hand, I am right there to help them.

However, I need to remind you that these are Daniel’s enemies. These were the ones who took him from his beloved Jerusalem. These were the ones who taught him the ways of the Babylonians. These are the ones that made him a eunuch.

Not only was Daniel probably taking some heat from his fellow Jewish captives, but he was also probably taking heat from his homeland. Why are you helping them? You are a traitor; you are a turn coat.

Let us may sure you see this. If our helpfulness is not to everyone (those we love and those who are unlovable) than others will not see the depth of Jesus’ love. If Christians did not help those God has placed in their path, then this world would know nothing about the love of God.

We can tell people all day long what God’s Bible says but we got to show them that we live our lives according to the Bible. Daniel is the real deal; he knows the Word of God and he lives it out for others to see.