Daniel 6

Background of Ch. 5

Background of Ch.5

Belshazzar has taken over as king

Daniel is an advisor to Belshezzar

He has a dream about this handwriting on a wall that inevitably signals the end of his rule

Daniel interprets that dream and is placed 3rd in command of Babylon

Belshazzar is murdered that night and King Darius takes over Babylonian rule

V 1-9

Persian kingdom had 120 governors who would report to 3 officials

Daniel was 1/3

Essentially a “boss” who was in charge to make sure that the king was not being robbed from

Something in Daniel was different. He was so good that ultimately it was seen that he became the no.2 in the land

Jealousy and Envy set In as the officials move to catch Daniel in a trap

The only problem: Daniel is clean. He’s done nothing wrong

Approach the king with an idea to irrevocably enact a law that mandates prayer to him

Darius signs said law into action

When you signed a law in the Persian empire, it was irrevocable

Persian kings were seen as divine beings. Contradictions were not permitted as it compromised their leadership

V 10-15

Daniel does what Daniel has proven to do. He remains faithful what God has asked of him

Daniel knew the risks. He knew the cost of being caught

Yet it did not deter him from doing what was asked of him. He knew the cost, yet did not get deterred by it

The Satraps and high officials go to the king and point the finger back to Daniel and get him in trouble

Notice the king’s reaction

he was deeply distressed at what he had done

He could not change what had occurred.

V 16-24

Darius is greatly disturbed by what he has done

He must follow through and his only hope is that God steps in

Divine vs. Human Authority- God has sovereignty over all things while the highest ruler in the land has his hands tied to the opinion of his people

He fasts and stays up the entire night

Daniel is thrown into the lions den, but an angel of the Lord comes to shut the mouth of the lions

Daniel is rescued and his enemies suffer the fate they hoped he would

They didn't even reach the ground before they were torn to pieces

V 25-28

Darius is blessed by Daniel’s obedience.

What the book of Daniel has shown time and again is how God honors the obedience of his people

Israel had been repeatedly unfaithful throughout the Old Testament. There are numerous accounts that show the justified punishment of the unfaithful

Hence why they were in Babylon in the first place

Yet God has protected and provided for those who have followed him regardless of the circumstances