Enduring the Den

Josh Clink

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Daniel is thrown in the lions’ den

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Following God may be costly, but He is the Lord who promises to deliver us, already having secured the victory in Jesus.

Notes

Transcript

ME:

Story Time: Jesus and the Lions Den

As we prepare to study Daniel chapter 6 this morning

I would like to take a moment to prepare us to approach this chapter with child-like faith

So with that in mind, I’d like to read “Jesus and the Lion’s Den”

Written by Alison Mitchell

“Did you know...

…We can talk to the REAL KING of everyone and everywhere—every day!”

With that in mind, let’s take a moment to talk to the REAL KING right now

So we’ve reached , the most famous account in the book of Daniel

This chapter is the reason everything that has to do with Daniel has pictures of lions

Exhibit A, the title slide of the Book of Daniel

I am unashamedly guilty of this

Partly because I also think this lion picture is epic

But this account is so famous because it is basically a senior citizen being thrown into a hole with ravenous lions simply because he was praying!

It has also undergone attack as a folk tale

Kind of like Aesop’s fables

You’ve got the tortoise and the hare

Humpty Dumpty

Then Daniel and the Lion’s Den

Fictional tales meant to teach us all good morals

The main reason scholars have attacked the authenticity of this chapter

is because of the first person mentioned in this chapter, King Darius the Mede

Who we were introduced to at the end of last weeks chapter

Perfect example, last Wednesday in the Men’s Bible Study

Darius the Mede was googled and the top result is Wikipedia

which says;

“Most scholars view him as a literary fiction, but some have tried to harmonise the Book of Daniel with history by identifying him with various known figures”

The reason behind this belief is that Darius the Mede has not been found in any historical or archaeological records outside of Biblical transcripts

As Wikipedia acknowledges, there are possible reasons that provide harmony

Darius could reference a title or position

For example, later today someone texts you and asks what happened at church this morning

For example

and you reply saying, Pastor read us a children’s book for service this morning

You are referencing me by my title or position, not my actual name

And people argue that in the year 2020 FBC Afton was not led by someone

So in spite of what some scholars try to argue, it is not a stretch to say Darius could reference a persons title or position

If that is the case it is likely a reference to a man named Gubaru or Gobryas, the spelling is uncertain

But this man was essentially a governor of Babylon after it was taken over by the Medo-Persian empire

So he is one possibility

Another strong possibility is that it is King Cyrus himself, and Darius the Mede is simply another name for him

Daniel also had the name Belteshazzar given to him

King Cyrus had a Meden mother-in-law so he could have a Meden name as well as his Persian name, Cyrus

does state that Daniel was in Babylon until the first year of King Cyrus

So it could possibly be King Cyrus as well

It’s interesting though, here in America we claim to be a nation that practices innocent until proven guilty

Except in cases that involve the Bible

Scripture is guilty until proven innocent

And that’s ok

In a chapter that reveals a child of God excelling at a great test of faith

As children of God, we too are given a test of faith in trusting that is part of God’s trustworthy Word that has no error in it

Because I will say this, if you wish to dismiss the credibility of because we have no archaeological evidence that supports the existence of this Darius

Then you need to dismiss the entirety of the Bible

The reality of Daniel being cast into the lion’s den and emerging the next day

is as certain as Jesus being placed in the tomb and emerging three days later

To question one is to question the other

and if you don’t trust one then it is vanity to trust the other

So we must approach this passage with confidence that this is a real historical account of a real servant of God who truly received supernatural protection from a very real God in the presence of real lions with real teeth and real claws

is such a glorious account of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness

WE: Following God Provides Opportunities (vs. 1-4)

So without further ado, let’s not just read a children’s version of this passage

Let’s look at how following God provides opportunities in ;

Daniel 6:1–4 ESV

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.

We have seen throughout the book of Daniel, since being a young man

Daniel has continuously sought to follow God

and by following God he has received the gift of learning and understanding in literature and wisdom as well as in visions and dreams

And he was able to use this gift to interpret multiple dreams for Nebuchadnezzar

and the writing on the wall for Belshazzar

So we have already seen how following God had given him opportunities in the past

and here we are again, now a man in his 80s, with a different regime

Being seen as someone who could be trusted

or at the very least, someone who would win over the trust of the Judean exiles inherited with the seizing of Babylon

Or who knows, maybe, just maybe his last minute promotion from Belshazzar influenced

Either way, he is given an opportunity as one of the three most influential officials in Babylon by being named on of the presidents over all the satraps

and being the most distinguished of the three

So what we see from the other leaders in vs. 4 is known as political intrigue

Political intrigue happens in pretty much every governmental structure

it is any attempts and actions of politicians or leaders to better their positions through secrecy and cleverness, or through illegal or immoral actions such as blackmail, extortion, or even murder.

Often motivated out of jealousy, a desire for someone else’s power or influence

As is the case here with Daniel and the other leaders and officials

The opportunities the righteous are blessed with will evoke jealousy in the wicked

Again, this structure in chapters 2-7, pairs this chapter with the events of chapter 3

Similarly, we saw jealousy and animosity toward the three Hebrews in chapter 3

The one problem the men have here in , is that Daniel is above reproach

Meaning, they can’t find any dirt on him to use against him

So they concoct a plan to use his faithfulness against him

Even though following God comes with opportunities

GOD: Following God Comes at a Cost (vs. 5-15)

Following God will also come at a cost

Look at to see how Following God Comes at a Cost

Daniel 6:5–15 ESV

Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction. When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”

At times society and God move in the same direction

Other times, society stands in direct opposition to God

When that happens, following God will come at a cost

and that is what we see happening to Daniel in this passage

These jealous officials know Daniel follows God

So, in vs. 5, they resolve to use his faithfulness against him

we should expect wicked people and the enemy to attack and accuse those who follow God

If you remember from ; Jesus warns His followers

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Before He Himself experienced the ultimate persecution on the cross

The Apostle Paul also warns in ;

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

The Apostle Peter also encourages us in to not be shocked by persecution

Instead, rejoice in it

We are blessed when we are insulted for the name of Christ

So, not surprisingly Daniel has enemies because of the opportunities he had as a result of faithfully following God

They come to the king, prepared to use Daniel’s integrity against him

And the king is unaware of their plot

Seeking to manipulate the king

They address him the way the Babylonians always had,

Oh king, live forever, they say

Then, look in vs. 7, they say all the presidents and satraps and officials are in agreement

This would imply Daniel agrees as well

Which is not true,

But why let truth get in the way of their attempt to manipulate the king?

So they continue, when they say whoever makes petition

it would appear to the king as more political than religious

So to the king, who is still early in establishing this new structure

would find this as an effective way to consolidate his authority over this new territory

Uniting the Babylonians under the authority of the Persian Empire

Suggesting that anyone who defects from this edict would be thrown into a den of lions would serve as intimidation

Meaning this proposal to the king, from his counselors, makes a lot of sense

But the king’s suspicion should have heightened in vs. 8 when they pressured the king again to sign this document

They aren’t looking to demote Daniel, they are looking to eliminate him altogether

Made clear with their reminder that the law of the Medes and Persians state that an edict signed by a king cannot be revoked

also attests to this standard;

Esther 8:8 ESV

But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king’s ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked.”

So the king bought into the flattery and manipulation of his counselors

Once the king signed this edict, they knew they had put Daniel in a compromising position because they were confident he would continue his faithfulness in making petitions to Yahweh

Daniel would seem to have a bit of a crisis on his hand

But because Daniel consistently followed God

he was prepared to handle it

Crisis is not what produces faithfulness, it will reveal one’s faithfulness

Then we get to vs. 10, the test of Daniel’s faithfulness

The cost of following God for Daniel here would be him becoming lion’s food

And what do we see him do?

Daniel 6:10 ESV

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Upon an initial reading of this verse it seems like Daniel does this as an intentional act of rebellion

Daniel heard that this document had been signed

That

So in response to the signing of the document, he went to his house, opened his windows to publically display his rebellion against the edict and his dedication to God

But that isn’t an accurate reading of the way this vs. is structured

The start of this verse says, “when Daniel knew the document had been signed”

This isn’t stating that he was discovering the document right at this moment

This is being written in the past tense

meaning, after Daniel already knew that this document had been signed

Because, we look at how this verse ends where it says, “as he had done previously”

That tells us that even though he knew this document, which says petitions can only be made to the king, had been signed

Daniel remained faithful to God, going to his house with the windows open and still praying to God, just as he had always done

So it wasn’t a rebellious protest in response to the edict

It was a continued faithfulness in spite of the law

It may seem nitpicky but it reveals a vastly different heart

If he did it as a protest, it shows a proud rebellious heart

Because he did it as a continued act of faithfulness, it shows a humble obedient heart

and that is the heart we want to emulate

That is a heart that follows God

Mitchell Chase comments;

“No matter what ruler he served, no matter what empire was in power, no matter what rank he held, no matter how many friends of enemies he made, no matter how acceptable or risky his devotion, Daniel was a man of prayer.”

Daniel’s reputation as a man of prayer is what the jealous officials used against him

It could have been so easy for Daniel to just take the 30 days off from praying to God with his windows open

He could have continued to pray and just do it in private

He could have so easily justified that response too

But he did not

He continued to honor God, just as he had his entire time in exile

and he refused to take 30 days off

So the officials came to his house and found him making petition and plea before his God

notice the intentional usage of words in these verses

Part of praying is making petitions

The jealous officials likely knew the king wouldn’t agree to an edict that limits prayer

so they intentionally chose the word petitions

Daniel wasn’t just defiantly rebelling because he then would have gone and specifically just made petitions to his God

Instead, he prays and gives thanks to God, vs. 10 says, as he has always done

And these accusers, representing how Satan manipulates and accuses

in vs. 11, say they found Daniel making petition and plea before God

Highlighting the part of the law he broke, not acknowledging that he was actually praying and giving thanks to his God

Then immediately returning to the king, echoing the tattle tales of chapter 3

repeating the edict to the king

reiterating the fact that the edict can’t be changed

Before finally implying that Daniel pays no attention to the king

Trying to accuse Daniel of ignoring, neglecting, or disrespecting the king

Again demonstrating dishonesty, making Daniel’s obedience to God out to be a personal assault on the king

and again, in vs. 13, they say, he is making petition, not that he is praying

Then in vs. 14, the king finally realized he had been manipulated

Backed into a corner, his own law and signature used against him

and ultimately used against Daniel

Yet, his loyalty to Daniel remains unshaken

Spending every waking second he could trying to deliver Daniel in his own strength

and yet, as the most powerful man in Babylon, he could not deliver Daniel

the officials coming to him again in vs. 15, reminding him for a third time the law of the Medes and the Persians

That even the king couldn’t change his own edict

And as loyal as the king was to Daniel, he knew that, as a new ruler in Babylon

If he did not obey the law

the result would be anarchy

But we see these crafty officials lifting some man-made law to a standard of unbreakable

And God reveals what He can do with these “unbreakable laws of man”

YOU: Following God Will Result in Deliverance (vs. 16-24)

And we see that in , that Following God will Result in Deliverance;

Daniel 6:16–24 ESV

Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him. Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

Again, the king, the most powerful man in Babylon is helpless to save Daniel

Just as Daniel’s fellow faithful countrymen from were cast into what should have been there tomb

Daniel is cast into the lion’s den

But the king did not cast him in without expressing the desire for Daniel’s God to deliver him

This is a truly touching sentiment

The king is genuinely concerned and hopeful that Daniel may be delivered

As touching as this is, Daniel wasn’t resting in the king’s hope and concern

He had rested in his sovereign God

Afterward, he seals the den with a stone and his signet

A clear foreshadowing of Christ being sealed in His tomb by a stone

But the king’s signet is a cylinder ring that was placed in the soft clay with the mark of the owner

and it would make it known if someone broke the seal

which was a violation of the law

and would result in death for whoever broke it

Then, vs. 18 continues,

We don’t see, the officials are likely rejoicing, believing it is over, their cunning plan has worked

But we do see the king fasted for the night

Specifically this fast was done as an expression of remorse and he couldn’t sleep the entire night

Yet the king remained hopeful

What is interesting is how well seems to summarize

It is believed that is a Psalm of David, continuing from

But look at what it expresses beginning In ;

Psalm 10:2–18 ESV

In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might. He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.” Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none. The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Psalm 10:2–18 ESV

Psalm 10:7–18 ESV

His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might. He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.” Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none. The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

The jealous officials in demonstrate the wicked in this Psalm

devising schemes, filling their mouths with deceit and oppression

Under their tongues have been mischief and iniquity

Sitting in ambush, in hiding places trying to murder the innocent

in this case, Daniel

even referencing them to lurking like a lion

And again, the king is helpless against the deceitful twisting of man’s law

and he feels crushed

So his plea for Daniel’s deliverance is like the Psalmists plea for the Lord to arise and lift up His hand

For He sees the mischief of the wicked

the king was helpless, and so was Daniel in his own strength

so as says, the helpless commits himself to God

And when the king returned to the den the morning after

Again, a foreshadowing of Christ’s followers arriving at His tomb early in the morning

The king cries out to Daniel in anguish

and the exuberant joy the king likely felt

When he hears Daniel respond saying God protected me

He sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions and I am unharmed

Just like God sent an angel to protect His servants from the fiery furnace in chapter 3

Instead of becoming lion food, Daniel

So the king had followed the law of man, no matter how foolish it was

and God had still delivered Daniel

But then we see in vs. 24 that, just as says, the arms and every other bone of the wicked are broken by the lions

Their wickedness have been called to account

As both Daniel and this Psalm proclaim, the Lord is king forever and ever

And He brings justice so that the man of the earth strikes terror no more

WE: Following God Honors His Name (vs. 25-28)

Then we see that Following God Honors His Name in ;

Daniel 6:25–28 ESV

Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Identical to Nebuchadnezzar in

Again the king writes a decree to all peoples, nations, and languages in all the earth

Peace be multiplied to you

Then we see this poetic decree in vs. 26-27;

This decree summarizes the theology of the entire book of Daniel

highlighting what God has done and pointing to the history that has yet to be unfolded

Like Nebuchadnezzar at the end of chapter 3,

;

the king, clearly impacted by God’s miraculous deliverance of Daniel

Daniel 2:47 ESV

The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”

he supersedes the foolish edict he signed earlier this chapter

and he goes on to recognize God’s greatness

on a universal level and on a personal level

Daniel 2:47 ESV

The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”

;

on a universal level, he declares that God is alive and eternal, sovereign and all-powerful,

and on a personal level he declares that God is able to deliver his people

Daniel 3:28–29 ESV

Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”

Daniel 3:29 ESV

Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”

This enduring God gave His servant the ability to endure the den

;

This enduring God gave His servant the ability to endure the den

Daniel 4:2–3 ESV

It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.

;

and not only that, but His servant prospered, vs. 28 says

Daniel 4:34–37 ESV

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

As people of God, we will face opposition

Following God comes with opportunities

But it also comes at a cost

In Daniel’s case, he was a trusted official with a lot of authority and responsibility

And he knew a document was signed forbidding him from making petitions to God

Meaning he knew the cost of making petitions to God, being cast into the lion’s den

Yet, he prayed and gave thanks before God as he always did

He still praised God despite the injuction that

He was committed to following God

Even though his commitment conflicted with the edict of the king

His faithfulness is actually what made him a target

Now obedience to God will not always lead to prosperous results on earth

But tells us;

James 4:10 ESV

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

And as we see was the result for Daniel in vs. 28, he prospered under the king’s reign

But we will ultimately prosper in heaven

On this side of the cross, Christ is the source of our strength and courage

This makes Christ the source of our strength and courage

As communicates, the Lord gives grace to the weak and helpless

As Jesus teaches us, it is in our weakness, God shows Himself strong

Daniel was humanly helpless, the king could not free him

He could not fight off the lions in his own strength

He cowered behind the provision God gave him

Just like the king went to the den early in the morning expecting to see a child of God dead in his tomb

Followers of Jesus went to his tomb early in the morning expecting to see the Son of God dead in His tomb

Instead, they discovered He is alive!

As communicates to us

in all Scripture, we want to fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith

Daniel is a great example for us

But Daniel is not able to deliver us

Jesus is the true and better Daniel

But like Daniel, follow the one, true, living God

And you too will be delivered

and be made alive in Christ

having a right relationship with God

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