What happens to Daniel under the rule of the
Medes and Persians? Daniel 6:1, 2
It pleased Darius to appoint ... three
NOTE: Daniel was set up as one of three
administrators over 120 satraps that ruled the country. No doubt
Daniel's reputation as prophet and seer and faithful administrator was
known far beyond Babylon. Daniel would have been in his seventies at
this point.
Was Daniel any good as an administrator? Daniel 6:3
Now Daniel so
NOTE: King Darius was so pleased with Daniel
that he made plans for Daniel alone to govern the kingdom. Daniel's
training and wisdom from God put him in good favor with the king.
When they heard what the King planned to do,
what did the other rulers do? Daniel 6:4
Tried to find grounds for
NOTE: Even though their responsibility would
increase by taking on 60 rather than 40 satraps to govern, they coveted
Daniel's favor and promotion.
How much can they find to make Daniel look
bad? Daniel 6:4
They could find
NOTE: Living by God's laws puts one above
reproach. In most instances, living by God laws means living well
within the laws of any human government.
What is the only way that they can think of
to trap Daniel? Daniel 6:5
We will
NOTE: Only by deliberately setting up human
laws that counter the law of God could they make Daniel appear to be
corrupt. That is the way it will be in the end times. God's people will
be faced with the choice to stay loyal to God's law or pledge
allegiance to a nation.
Which one of God's laws do they attack? Daniel 6:7
Anyone who
NOTE: By appealing to the king's ego, they
propose a law to set up Daniel. This law tries to substitute true
worship of God with false worship of man. Their appearance of
solidarity covers their intrigue, and the king doesn't suspect their
real motives.
What does Daniel do when he hears of the new
law? Daniel 6:10
times
a day he got down on his knees and
NOTE: Daniel did not change his prayer habits.
He could have prayed in a closed room, but that would have been hiding
his faith. Prayer was the reason for Daniel's great strength in Babylon
and Medo-Persia. If there was ever a time when Daniel needed to pray it
was now.
Had Daniel changed his prayer habits under
pressure, he would have denied his relationship with God. But, to
Daniel, obedience to God was more important than life itself. He would
not give anyone the opportunity to think that he was not faithful to
his God.
Who told the king of Daniel's infraction of
the law of the Medes and Persians? Daniel 6:12
So
NOTE: They were so eager to get rid of Daniel
that they trusted no one but themselves to tell the king. Knowing what
the king thought of Daniel, they came as a group, hoping that their
numbers would be a coercive factor in the kings decision.
What was the kings reaction? Daniel 6:14
When the king heard this, he was greatly
NOTE: The king was mortified to discover how he
had been manipulated by these men. The power of kingship had been used
against him.
What did the king try to do? Daniel 6:14
He was
NOTE: The king spent the rest of the day trying
everything he could think of to get Daniel off, but he could find no
way. It was a no win situation: if he pardons Daniel he undermines his
power; if he loses Daniel he loses the only man he knows he can trust.
Perhaps, by postponing the problem indefinitely, it will cease to
become an issue.
But would Daniels accusers let this slide? Daniel 6:15
,
O king, that according to the law ... no
NOTE: The men return to make sure the king
enforces the law. They had too much at stake to let this go.
What order did the king give? Daniel 6:16
The king gave the order, and they brought
Daniel and
NOTE: The king has no choice. He must throw
Daniel to the lions.
Although Darius had been coerced into
throwing Daniel in the den, what remarkable statement did He make? Daniel 6:16
"May your God, whom you serve
NOTE: Even Darius knew the secret of Daniel's
success. He notes that Daniel served his God "continually." He knew
that the secret of Daniel's success was his relationship with God.
Who sealed the stone over the mouth of the
den? Daniel 6:17
The
NOTE: The king learned fast. He knew he could
not trust the nobles so he made each of them seal the stone with him.
That way, none of them could do anything for or against Daniel. It also
signified that each one of them was responsible for Daniel being put
into the den.
How does the king spend the night? Daniel 6:18
He spent the night
NOTE: Darius could not sleep that night. He was
very worried about Daniel.
When does the king go check on Daniel? Daniel 6:19 Who did the king recognize as Daniel's only
hope? Daniel 6:20
Has your
NOTE: Only God could save Daniel from the
lions.
Is there a response from the den? Daniel 6:21, 22
O king, live forever! My
NOTE: God had protected Daniel. In the end
times God will protect his people throughout persecution and death
threats. As they stay faithful to true worship of God, God will stay
faithful to them.
What happened to those who plotted against
Daniel? Daniel 6:24
The men who had falsely accused Daniel were....
NOTE: Justice is short and swift. These men had
heartlessly condemned Daniel to death merely for their personal gain.
There was no mercy for them and their families.
Were the lions hungry? Daniel 6:24 What did the King decree? Daniel 6:26
My kingdom ... must
NOTE: Just like Nebuchadnezzar, Darius tries to
force the people of his kingdom (namely the city of Babylon) to worship
the God of Daniel. God does not want us to worship him through
coercion. But one can understand Darius' enthusiasm under the
circumstances.
The
Important Relationship with God How important is a relationship with God? John 17:3
Now this is
NOTE: It is eternal life to know Jesus. There
is nothing more important than a relationship with God.
How did Daniel develop a deep personal
relationship with God? Daniel 6:10
times
a day he got down on his knees and prayed.
NOTE: The secret of Daniel's success, the
reason that he had such a deep personal relationship with God, was the
large amount of time that he spent with God. His was not a hasty prayer
in the morning or the evening. Three times each day he spent time in
special communion with God. The only way in which we can develop a
personal relationship with God is to spend time with him. Because
Daniel spent this quality time with God, he could make it through the
lion's den. In the last days when apostate powers will prohibit the
true worship of God and impose false worship and disobedience to God's
law, only those who have, like Daniel, developed this personal
relationship with God will be able to withstand the trials of this
time. No earthly relationship can be thoroughly established unless
people take time together. A husband and wife will grow apart if they
don't set aside time to develop their relationship. Likewise, a
Christian who does not spend time with his God will not be prepared for
the final scenes of earth's history. The secret of Daniel's success is
his prayer life -- his relationship with his God.
How can the Christian maintain his
relationship with God? 2 Timothy 3:15
Study: .. the holy
NOTE: The Christian who is building a
relationship with God will spend much time studying God's sacred Word.
The Christian will not only study, but will follow Bible principles.
Bible study and prayer are the essential ingredients in building a
solid personal relationship with God. In the final crisis the issues
will be the same: a relationship with God that enables the Christian
today to obey the commandments of God.
What is Bible study profitable for? 2 Timothy 3:16
...for
NOTE: Bible study will help us discover what is
correct doctrine, it will rebuke us of our sins, it will correct us
where we have gone wrong, it will provide training in the pathway of
righteousness, and it will let us know the way that we should go.
What will be the result of a proper study of
the Word? 2 Timothy 3:17
So that the man of God may be thoroughly
NOTE: There is no way to grow except through
Bible study and prayer. Any Christian who is serious about being ready
for the closing scenes of earth's history will be spending a lot of
time developing a relationship with God through Bible study and prayer.
Could you face a room full of lions solely on
the strength of your faith in God?
