Verses 1-28
CHAPTER 6 Under Darius the Mede and Daniel in the Lion’s Den
1. The decree of Darius (Daniel 6:1-9)
2. Daniel’s faith and steadfastness (Daniel 6:10-15)
3. Daniel cast into the lion’s den and the deliverance (Daniel 6:16-24)
4. The Decree of Darius (Daniel 6:25-28)
Daniel 6:1-9. From the opening of this chapter we learn that Daniel also held a very high position in the beginning of the second monarchy, which had conquered Babylonia. He was preferred above all the other presidents and princes. This created jealousy. They devised a very cunning plan and made the king sign a decree, which they were sure Daniel would break. Inasmuch as the law of the Persians and Medes was irrevocable they were sure that the hated old man would be cast into the lion’s den.
Daniel 6:10-15. It is a beautiful scene. When Daniel knew the decree had been signed, he went calmly back into his house and with his windows open towards Jerusalem he prayed and gave thanks to the Lord. He looked away from earthly circumstances and looked to the Omnipotent One. The accusation followed. The king now discovers that he is in a desperate condition. His law demands that Daniel be cast to the lions, but his heart filled with love for Daniel would have liked to save him, but he found no way of delivering him.
Well may we think here of another law and another love. God, a holy and righteous God and a God of love, found a way to save man. God’s holy law condemns man, who is a sinner and the curse of the law rests upon him. God’s love is set upon the world, and He “so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The curse of the law came upon Him who knew no sin and who was made sin for us, and therein is love manifested. Daniel is cast into the lions’ den as our blessed Lord was given to the lion Psalms 22:21, and a stone is laid upon the mouth of the den and it is sealed with the king’s signet. He is so to speak in a grave, as good as dead in the eyes of the world, for who has ever heard of hungry lions not devouring a man. And all this brings before us that other place, the tomb in the garden, where He was laid and the stone before it, which bore the seal of the Roman world power. But as Daniel could not be hurt by the lions, so He who went into the jaws of death could not be holden by death. The tomb is empty and He is victor over death and the grave. All this is blessedly foreshadowed in this experience of God’s prophet.
The Lord in whom Daniel trusted and whom he served delivered him from the lions. His accusers and their families were given to the ferocious beasts, which devoured them at once.
Daniel 6:25-28. King Darius also acknowledged the God of Daniel.
The final characteristic of the times of the Gentiles is man worship. The heads of these empires including the Roman Caesars claimed divine honors. Papal Rome also puts up man as the viceregent of the Lord. And all about us we find the deification of man. Finally there comes the head of all this apostasy, the son of perdition, the man of sin, who demands worship for himself 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17.