Daniel - Chapter 6

God delivers – and we’re not LION

Daniel – Chapter 6

Review

1. What did we discuss in the Intro lesson?  What’s important to keep in mind as we work through Daniel?

1. This is what Habakkuk was about.
2. Daniel young (15?) when taken into Neb’s training program (after Jerusalem captured)
1. What did we discuss in Chapter 1?
1. God will maintain His remnant; cultural assimilation will not succeed.
2. God provides all – protection, knowledge, war spoils (to Neb), deliverance.
2. What about Chapter 2?
1. Daniel’s God has real power.
2. God has a plan and it involves His kingdom setup for eternity.
3. What about Chapter 3?
1. Our boys know to obey God and He’s who to worry about.  Neb is nothing.
2. Neb is preserved for future use by God.
4. Chapter 4?
1. Neb is a slow learner
2. God has patience to humble even Neb (and us).
5. Chapter 5?
1. Contrast between Neb and B.
2. God judges the prideful.

Introduction

1. How did you all do this week reading Daniel?
2. What’s your opinion of Daniel (thus far)?  Easy, hard, straightforward, confusing, basic, advanced, etc?
3. What is your opinion of this chapter?  Easy or lots of questions, difficult and convoluted?
1. Simple story, but I found myself interested in Darius’ reactions, statements, emotional responses, etc.
2. Pieces of the story are certainly a Gospel presentation.  I haven’t reconciled EVERY aspect (ie the satraps may represent the Sanhedrin, but to what degree?)
4. Can you group any of these chapters together?
1. I’m looking for potential messages that could have been intended for the Jews of the day?  We said in the Intro that this book was written to encourage the Jews.  Why?  How?  What was said?

Lesson

1. vv. 1-3 [READ – Dan 6:1-3] – Daniel sets himself apart…again.
1. Darius

                                                               i.      “Darius the Mede”, Darius Cyaxares II

                                                             ii.      Only ruled for 2 years, then his sister’s son (Cyrus the Persian), partially Persian (son of Cambyses the Persian) ruled.

                                                            iii.      This empire represented by the silver arms in Neb’s dream (ch 2)

                                                            iv.      Not one to be bothered by details of running an empire.  Delegated much; more limited power than Babylonian rulers.

2. Daniel

                                                               i.      Probably around 80 during this time.

                                                             ii.      Found himself number 2 in the empire (again)

                                                            iii.      Over 2 other “presidents” and 120 princes

                                                            iv.      Distinguished himself in spirit and ability.

3. Seems to be the inklings of another relationship here between Darius and Daniel.  Perhaps less than what he had with Neb, but certainly better than he had with B from Ch 5.
1. vv. 4-9 [READ – Dan 6:4-9] – The conspiracy
1. The men Daniel was over looked for something to blame, accuse, etc him of, yet they found nothing!  That’s HUGE.
2. Why were they looking in the first place?

                                                               i.      Was it simple jealously?

                                                             ii.      Probably Daniel made them run their operations honestly.  These positions were notoriously prone to corruption.  Daniel likely heard NONE of that.

3. They knew that if there was anything they could pick apart, use against Daniel, it was his religion.

                                                               i.      What a great compliment!  They knew that Daniel would keep doing what he does whether they made a law against it or not.  Therefore, they would and have something to use against him.

4. The satraps used Darius’ pride and ego against himself and Daniel.  They flattered Darius into creating this law.  Certainly, Darius wasn’t a “God-chaser” as Daniel was at this point, so he was cool (and probably more than that) with the idea of people worshipping only him.  That spoke right to his ego.

                                                               i.      Some of us may not have acted any differently.

3. vv. 10-11 [READ – Dan 6:10-11] – Daniel’s response.
1. What is Daniel’s reaction to this new edict?

                                                               i.      Did he revolt?

                                                             ii.      Did he hide?

                                                            iii.      Did he vocalize a protest?

                                                            iv.      No.  Daniel didn’t do anything out of the ordinary.  He went to his room, like he always did, to his always-opened windows to kneel towards Jerusalem like he always did, and pray to his God, like he always did. 

2. The satraps staked his place out.  They knew Daniel would keep on, keepin’ on.  That’s another big compliment to Daniel.  Many times, even in the Bible, things are done with the expectations that it’ll stop or inhibit Christians from worshipping God.  The satraps did their deed with the expectation, perhaps the HOPE, that Daniel would keep his routine…which was now illegal.
3. vv. 12-20 [READ – Dan 6:12-20] – It worked!
1. The satraps reported Daniel and Darius tried to find a way out.  However, that was not to be.  Darius did not have the power as Median king to revoke his own laws/edicts.
2. Daniel was tossed into the lion’s den

                                                               i.      80 year old man tossed into a pit (ie, he didn’t just walk into a stadium, ring or cave – there was a significant drop, likely.)

                                                             ii.      Probably not old, toothless lions that were well fed.

                                                            iii.      Why did Darius say that Daniel’s God would deliver him?  Did he believe it?

1.       I don’t think so.

2.       Darius may have been being polite to Daniel, his number 2, whom he may have had some sort of personal relationship, etc.

                                                            iv.      What is the significance of the signet rings?

1.       So Daniel isn’t rescued.

2.       By who(m)?

a.       His posse of 3 Jewish friends?  Where are they in the story?

b.       Others that he may have befriended over the years.

3. Darius wasn’t happy

                                                               i.      He didn’t eat

                                                             ii.      He didn’t take entertainment

                                                            iii.      He didn’t sleep.

                                                            iv.      Why?

1.       Seems like there’s more than King-slave relationship here to me. More on the lines of the relationship Daniel had with Neb than B.

                                                             v.      Got up Eeeaaaarrrrrrly to see what had happened to Daniel.  Probably had to wake the rest of the nobles (so that the signets could be broken with witnesses) to get there ASAP.

5. vv. 21-24 [READ – Dan 6:21-24] – …or did it? “Lights out” for the Satraps.
1. “O King, live forever”.  Still a stupid thing to say, but it’s also still a courtesy thing with the king.  Daniel was letting Darius know he was OK.
2. Daniel proved a point.  Not only did God save him and why (he had committed no sin), but Daniel had also not committed any sin against Darius.  That pointed the fingers back at Daniel’s accusers, which was not lost on Darius.
3. Remember the old, toothless lions?  Um…not so much.  It seems they were plenty capable of eating, attacking, dismembering, disemboweling, dis-anything-ing they wanted.  Darius sentenced the whole families of Daniel’s accusers to death.  They died before they hit the bottom of the floor.

                                                               i.      That just adds more validity to Daniel’s saving.

6. vv. 25-28 [READ – Dan 6:25-28] – Does Darius GET it?
1. Darius wishes peace to his subjects.  In fact, historically, Darius encourages his subjects to go back to their homeland.  While he doesn’t want to lose power/land/empire/etc, as long as the mind themselves, he was OK with them going home.
2. Darius’ prayer: I think this is a clear acknowledgement of God’s authority by Darius.  It’s certainly more than B every showed.  It’s very similar to what Neb prayed.  I personally believe that Darius was saved and we’ll see him in Heaven.
3. Daniel’s service: Another reason I think Darius accepted God was because this verse states that “Daniel enjoyed…”

                                                               i.      He also stayed on during Cyrus the Persian’s rule.  I think that’s pretty remarkable that he survived during a change in rule.

Summary

1. What’s your key verse?
1. v 23
2. At the end of this historical section of Daniel, what observations do you have?
1. Daniel has access and serves as a witness to many people, rulers, etc.
2. Daniel is, at the same time, around “lions” all the time, and long before he falls into a cavern of felines.
3. Daniel lives HIS life without worrying about public opinion, etc.  He knew what God wanted of him and he did it.  Period.
4. Daniel didn’t beat his convictions over anyone’s head.  He lived his life as an example, excelled at whatever he did – religious work or not, played well with all sorts of people and people saw him.  Diligent, trustworthy, a good worker.
3. How many of us live lives that our enemies could examine and not find anything they could use against us?  That’s a lofty goal.  That’s what Daniel did.  He wasn’t perfect, but he did the best he could all the time.

Print | posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 6:28 PM |