After a period of obscurity, Daniel was called to a nighttime feast that was interrupted by a Divine intrusion. That very night he was exalted, and the one who exalted him was slain. Also, during that eventful evening, the kingdom of Babylon fell, as the city was besieged by a horde of Medes. Darius, fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah, took the kingdom, which was given to him by God Almighty.

          Although Belshazzar lost his life, and Babylon its supremacy, Daniel was suddenly vaulted to the leading official of the land. He was the chief president among three, to whom all of the princes of the land reported. In the wake of his sudden promotion, king Darius made plans to promote him over the whole realm. The news of this moved Daniel’s enemies to draft a special law, suited for him alone, and deliver it to the king for signature. That law forbade anyone to ask a petition of any deity or man for thirty days. The penalty for breaking that law was to be thrown into a den of lions.

          With the opening of this text, Daniel has been found guilty of praying to His God in spite of the king’s decree. He has not prayed one time, but three times a day. Darius has made every effort to find a way to deliver Daniel, but was not able to do so. Now, from a human point of view, all hope has withered and died. Yet, faith is not cast down to the ground.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME

          This is not the first time in this book that no hope could be seen from the human point of view. It is the Divine manner to remove all hope in the flesh before delivering His people. This is seen in Noah and the ark (Gen 6), Abraham offering up Isaac (Gen 22), the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage (Ex 12), the crossing of the Red Sea (Ex 14-15), and the sustaining of the Israelites in the wilderness (Deut 8:15-16). But it has also been seen repeatedly in this book.

    Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah are taken captive to Babylon, and placed under the control of a Babylonian prince (1:-6-7).

    Azariah, prince of the eunuch, turns down Daniel’s request for a special diet, that he not defile himself (1:10).

    The four children of Judah must appear physically and mentally better before the king, although they limited themselves to a plain diet (1:16).

    Although young Hebrews, these four were compared with the wisest men in Babylon (1:19-20).

    Daniel asks for time to obtain insight into the dream of Nebuchadnezzar – what the king dreamed, and what it meant (2:16-17).

    As a young man, Daniel is made ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon (2:48).

    Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow to the golden image set up by Nebuchadrezzar, even though they would be thrown into a burning fiery furnace as a result (3:12-18).

    Daniel is asked to interpret another of Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams after all others had failed (4:18).

    Daniel is asked to read and interpret supernatural writing that appeared on the palace wall at Belshazzar’s feast (5:13-15; 25;28).

    Daniel is exalted the same night Belshazzar is killed and Babylon is overthrown (5:30-31).

          Which of these events could be successfully addressed in the flesh? What natural ability could possible have made Daniel and his colleagues equal to these challenges? Every possible fleshly advantage was taken away, and only hope in God remained.

          Only faith was adequate for these occasions, and only faith will be adequate for the situation Daniel now faces.

          Because this point is so rarely emphasized in our religious culture, I must take a moment to further develop it. Faith does what nothing else can do. It does not combine with any other human quality to accomplish its work, but rests in God alone. How poignantly this is brought out in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. The following things were accomplished “by faith,” which is the engine that drives the soul.

    Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, thereby obtaining witness that he was righteous (11:4).

    Enoch was translated without experiencing death (11:4).

    Noah prepared an ark to the saving of his house, thereby condemning the world and becoming an heir of righteousness by his faith (11;7).

    Abraham left his home land, and journeyed to a land, not knowing whither he went (11:8).

    Abraham journeyed in a promised land as in a strange land, looking for a city whose builder and maker is God (11:9-10).

    Sarah received strength to conceive a child in her old age, even though she was barren (11:110.

    Ancient believers died in faith, not having seen the promise of God fulfilled, yet were persuaded of its truth (11:13).

    Abraham moved to offer up Isaac as he was commanded, even though God had promised to bless the world through that very son (11:17-18).

    While in a strange land, Jacob blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come (11:20).

    When he was dying, Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph while worshiping God (11:22).

    Moses’ parents hid the infant Moses, keeping him alive, even though the king had ordered him to be killed (11:23).

    When he came of age, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing suffering over temporary exaltation (11:24-25).

    Moses forsook Egypt, was not afraid of the king, and endured while seeing Him who is invisible (11:27).

    The Israelites passed through the Red Sea on dry land (11:29).

    The walls of Jericho fell down flat after Israel walked around them for seven days (11:30).

    Rahab survived the destruction of Jericho, even though she lived there, and God had commanded it be thoroughly destroyed (11:31).

          Who is the person willing to affirm such things are in any way possible to the flesh? Who cannot see that all hope in the flesh had disappeared when these things were accomplished?

          Now we will behold yet another example of the invincibility of faith. It is still “the victory that overcometh the world” (1 John 5:4-5) – in fact, it is the ONLY victory that overcomes the world.

          Whatever neutralizes faith, or pushes it into the background, jeopardizes the saints, robbing them of their resources! There are no Divine resources that are not appropriated by faith, and faith alone can hold them and use them. See now how Daniel will live this out, and take to heart what is declared. This is an example of living by faith – an example that can, if received, bolster confidence and assurance, and strengthen the spiritual fabric of your character.

DANIEL IS CAST INTO THE DEN OF LIONS

          “ ^6:16Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee.”

          The king has been shaken by the persistence of his nobles. Although he personally regrets the dilemma of Daniel, he can find no legal way to deliver him from the judgment he has pronounced.

Some Preliminary Observations

          It should be obvious that care must be taken not to allow others to frame the decisions we make, and the circumstances under which they are to be carried out. That is to be our normal demeanor. However, as in our text, there will be times when adverse circumstances have actually been orchestrated by God Himself. I want to draw attention to this reality because of the nature of our text.

          We are reading of the working of the Lord, not the mere reaction of God to the working of Darius and his nobles. From the highest perspective, the affairs of men are being managed from heaven. I do not care to say that every single detail of human existence is determined by God. However, insofar as the activities of mortals bear upon the purpose of God, they are under His immediate management. A few examples will suffice to buttress this point to our hearts. I will confine these examples to occasions that are specifically declared to have been caused by God.

    REHOBOAM rejected the counsel of older and wiser men, “for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat” (1 Kgs 12:15).

    JOSHUA is said to have made war for a long time against the kings of Canaan, because there was not a city that made peace with them. The Holy Spirit explains that circumstance in these words: “For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses” (Josh 11:20).

    SAMSON once sought a wife from among the Philistines. His parents rebuked him, saying he should seek a wife from among the chosen people. Once again, the Spirit explains the situation: “But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel” (Judges 14:4).

    DAVID once numbered Israel, causing a great plague to come against them. One text affirms that Satan “provoked David to number Israel” (1 Chron 21:1). Another credits the deed to David’s own will (2 Sam 24:3-4). However, over and above it all, the Lord was at work. It is written, “And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah” (2 Sam 24:1).

    AHAB once called his prophets to inquire about where he should go. The prophets all united, telling him to go up to Ramothgilead and surely he would prosper (1 Kgs 22:12). However, an inspired prophet named Micaiah revealed what had really occurred. “Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee” (1 Kgs 22:20-23).

          Thus God is represented as working “all things according to the counsel of His own will” (Eph 1:11). This is a high view, and relates to the execution of an eternal purpose, not the mere minutia of daily life. In this text, God is ordering the affairs of Darius’ kingdom in order to provide His people a lasting example of His power and protection. This is an example of God working all things together for the good – not only the good of Daniel, but ours as well.

DANIEL IS CAST IN THE DEN

          “Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions.” Another version reads, “So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den." ^NIV

          The word of the king was carried out immediately. You will note they had no difficulty finding Daniel. He did not hide, or flee from the country. There are times when leaving the country is proper, as when Moses fled from Egypt (Ex 2:15). There are times when the city must be left, as when Saul left Damascus by being lowered over the wall in a basket (Acts 9:25). In both of those cases, however, the work of the individuals was intended to be in another area. In our text, the work of Daniel has not yet been completed in Babylon. He sensed this, and therefore stayed where he was.

          This is the same attitude Paul promoted to those who were caught in the dilemma of slavery. “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather” (1 Cor 7:20-21). Until the Lord calls us to another area, it is wise to remain where we are! This is precisely what Daniel does. He abides with God where he is.

A WORD OF COMFORT FROM THE KING

          “Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee.”

          Before the sentence is carried out, Darius has a word for Daniel. It is a good word, and was obviously given to the king by God Himself, though Darius probably was not aware of it. Before Daniel is thrown into the den of lions, God gives him a word, speaking it through the very king through whom his sentence had been issued.

Thy God

          Darius recognized the God of heaven as Daniel’s God. He was not Daniel’s God by ownership, but by profession and service. Darius was aware of Daniel’s devotion to the Lord by his refusal to cease to pray because of a kingly edict. Over and above the country in which he lived, and the king whom he served, Daniel had a God.

Serving Continually

          Other versions read, “whom you constantly serve,” ^NASB and “ . . . whom you serve continually,” ^NIV “whose servant you are at all times,” ^BBE and “whom you have served so faithfully.” ^NJB

          Daniel would not alter his life toward God because of the demands of men. He constantly, or continually, served God. Great men and women of faith do not serve God by fits and starts. Faith must be consistent to be effective, and faith alone can empower a person to serve God “continually.”

          You will note this was a trait for which Daniel was noted. This was the sense in which the Lord was Daniel’s God. He was the One Daniel chose to serve, willingly, heartily, and continually.

Deliverance Will Come

          Other versions read, “will Himself deliver you,” ^NASB “May your God . . . rescue you,” ^NIV and, “will have to save you.” ^NJB

          As you can see, there is a wide variety of meanings conveyed in the various translations. In the KJV and NASB versions, the implication is that Darius affirmed God would, in fact, deliver Daniel from the lions. In the NIV, NRSV, and RSV, the deduction is that Darius was expressing his personal desire that this would happen. In the NJB, the suggestion is that only Daniel’s God is capable of delivering him from this judgment. There is a significant difference in these meanings. Was Darius confident God would deliver Daniel? Or, was this a mere wish he entertained because of the blunder he had made in passing the law? Or, was he saying all human hope was lost, and only a Deity could now deliver him?

          Again, we must bring the Lord into our thinking. This book is about His working, and the central man in the text is Daniel, whom God has supported and vindicated until this very moment. If Daniel is merely recounting an historical record, then we might well imagine this was an expression of Darius’ desire: i.e., “I hope your God will deliver you.” However, if this word is actually said for Daniel’s benefit, then it is God speaking to the prophet through the king. Whether Darius was fully aware of the capabilities of Daniel’s God is really beside the point. What he desired for Daniel is also beside the point. This word was spoken for Daniel’s benefit, and as a prelude to his deliverance.

          We know from what follows that Darius was not himself confident God would deliver Daniel. He spent a sleepless night over this whole incident, thus confirming he had no confidence Daniel would be delivered (v 18). He also arose the next morning, going quickly to the den and asking if God was, in fact, able to deliver Daniel (v 20). I conclude, therefore, that God spoke these words through Darius, without his full knowledge of their significance. They were not the expression of a mere wish. In this case, the Lord spoke through Darius like he did through Caiaphas. Neither Caiaphas nor Darius spoke on their “own initiative” ^NASB (John 11:49-51). God was working things together for Daniel’s good.

          The nobles were against Daniel alone. Therefore, the decree that went out was against him. The judgment of the king was against the man of God. Yet, God was for Daniel, and therefore none could effectually be against him. Thus the Lord got this word of comfort to Daniel, uttering it through the very man who was condemning him. God was working for Daniel’s good.

THE DEN IS SECURED, AND ALL FLESHLY HOPE IS LOST

          “ ¹⁷ And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.”

          Here the Lord sets the stage for the furtherance of His own glory. He will confirm the foolishness of the wisdom of men, and the ultimate futility of their power and authority. He will also show us the effectiveness of faith, which connects us with Omnipotence.

          A proper understanding of this will confirm to our hearts that “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” (Psa 118:8), and “vain is the help of man” (Psa 60:11). The awareness of this will move the believer to say with David, “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me” (Psa 56:11).

A STONE AND A SIGNET

          “And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords . . . ”

A Stone

          Every seeming advantage will now be taken from Daniel. Not only is he thrown into a den of hungry lions, he will be sealed in the tomb by a large stone. You will remember the tomb of Jesus also had a stone placed over its entrance. It was, however, different from this stone. The stone of Jesus tomb was “rolled” over the door, signifying it stood vertically over an entrance into which one walked (Matt 27:60). You may recall the women entered the tomb of Jesus, as well as Peter and John (Mk 16:5; John 20:3-6).

          But the “den of lions” was different from the sepulcher of Jesus. The stone as “laid upon the mouth of the den,” indicating it was a pit in the ground. Evidently the den was deep enough the lions could not leap out of it, nor Daniel climb out of it. Nevertheless, to make it even more secure, a stone was placed over the opening, removing all human hope of escape by Daniel, or rescue by any friends.

His Own Signet

          A signet was a sort of royal signature that confirmed the validity of a decree or act. Its affixation on a document or article meant the power and authority of the king was behind the matter. Any violation of a decree that bore the king’s signet was considered treason against the king. Men who had signet rings include Judah (Gen 38:18), Ahasuerus (Esth 3:10,12), Pharaoh (who gave it to Joseph – Gen 42:42), and Ahab (1 Kgs 21:8).

          Christ’s tomb was also marked with a seal (Matt 27:66).

The Signet of His Lords

          Each of the nobles who had drafted the law against Daniel, also put their official consent to the deed. Although subordinate to the king, each of these nobles, or “lords,” had an area of authority. Their “signets” carried all of the power of their office. Thus the deed of Darius also became theirs. They officially validated the judgment against Daniel.

SEEMING UNCHANGEABILITY

          “ . . . that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.” The purpose of the stone and its sealing was “so that Daniel's situation might not be changed.” ^NIV

          Thus, from the human point of view, all hope has been removed. Daniel has been cast into a den of ravenous lions. A stone had been laid upon the mouth of the den, and the official signs of authority have been stamped upon the stone. As in the case of Paul the prisoner, and those on the ship with him, “all hope was taken away” (Acts 27:20).

          You must see that this is God’s way of working. His deliverances are preceded by the removal of any hope of rescue from another quarter or person. In this way He receives the proper glory. It is also necessary for deliverance to come in this way because only faith can take hold of such a salvation. Human reasoning cannot do it, nor any form of intellectual superiority.

THE KING SPENDS A SLEEPLESS NIGHT

  “ ¹⁸ Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him.”

          The Word of God reminds us, “the way of transgressors is hard” (Prov 13:15). Here is a case where the king has upheld an unjust law, allowing it to condemn an innocent man. He had even had twinges of conscience about it, yet has held fast to his decision. Law, while it is to be duly honored, is not above morality. It is not possible to justly defend and uphold an unjust law.

          Darius will later overturn the law he passed under pressure from his nobles. From the standpoint of morality, he should have overturned it as soon as he found it unjust. But, alas, he did not, and now he will toss and turn during the night because of it.

          As a consequence of his unjust decision, the king will spend a restless night. It is as though the Lord will not allow him to be comfortable while Daniel, who has faithfully served him, remains in the den of lions.

A NIGHT IN FASTING

          “Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting . . . ” The NIV reads, “Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating.” His deed has caused Darius to lose his appetite. First, he regretted signing the decree in the first place. Second, he lamented that he could not find a way to conveniently deliver Daniel. Third, he was filled with brokenheartedness over the whole matter. Food no longer had any appeal to him – at least not for that night.

          Darius did not fast because of repentance, or in an effort to seek the God of Daniel. It was not until after Daniel is delivered that he speaks in defense of Daniel’s God. Rather, he fasted because of sorrow, and his was not sorrow “after a godly manner.” His was the “sorrow of the world” (2 Cor 7:9,10). In some respects it was comely, but only according to the flesh. Some are of the opinion that Darius spent all night in prayer for Daniel’s deliverance. I do not believe such a notion can be supported. He did not know the God of Daniel, else he would never have chosen to uphold his decree against God’s man.

NOTHING PLEASANT

          “ . . . neither were instruments of music brought before him . . . ” The king refused any music, “entertainment,” ^NIV or other aids for sleep. He mind was dwelling on other things, and distractions were not appealing to him.

          God has so made men that fundamental needs, like food and sleep, can be willingly forfeited because of thoughts being entertained by the mind. This circumstance is brought to its highest level when thoughts and words of God are embraced by the heart and mind. It is tragic that many poor souls in our culture rarely entertain such thoughts.

SLEEP COULD NOT BE HAD

          “ . . . and his sleep went from him.” Other versions read, “sleep fled from him,” ^NASB and “he could not sleep.” ^NIV

          In some respects, Darius does exhibit a sensitivity that is not common in our day. The thought of an innocent men suffering took his appetite and sleep from him. His mind was so full of sorrowful thoughts he could not sleep. Certainly this is just reprisal for the thoughtless decree he issued.

          I see this as the hand of God upon him, and not a mere exhibition of humanness. Here is something that can bring us consolation in the time of opposition. God can cause the thoughts of people to dwell upon their mistakes, and live in deep regret of them. If it is true that He “gives His beloved sleep” (Psa 127:2), it is also true that he can take it from those who have opposed Him, whether wittingly or unwittingly. Darius is a case in point.

THE KING GOES TO THE DEN

          “ ¹⁹ Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. ²⁰ And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”

          Keep in mind that these events are being worked together by the Living God. They are all being channeled toward the revelation of the power and glory of God.

TO THE DEN WITH HASTE

          “Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.” The king did not rush to the tomb during the evening, or in the darkness of the night. Sufficient time must be given to confirm the greatness of God. Therefore, I conclude the Lord withheld Darius from going prematurely to the den, lest Daniel’s deliverance be credited to something other than his God.

Examples of Divine Withholding

          The fact that Almighty God can interfere with the decisions of men and natural occurrences should not surprise us. He has declared this aspect of His workings in His Word.

    God withheld Abimelech from touching Sarah, even though he intended to make her his wife. “And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her” (Gen 20:6).

    The Lord shut up the womb’s of all of the women in Abimelech’s house because of Sarah. “For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife” (Gen 20:18).

    God did not allow Laban to harm Jacob. “And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me” (Gen 31:7).

    As Jacob and those with him traveled, God did not allow the heathen to pursue them. “And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob” (Gen 35:5).

    When Joseph was in prison, God made everything he did to prosper. “The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper” (Gen 39:23).

    When the men of Israel left the camp to meet with God three times a year, God did not allow any person to desire their land. “For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year” (Exo 34:24).

    The Lord withheld David from shedding blood and avenging himself. “Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal” (1 Sam 25:26).

    The Lord turns the king’s heart wherever He wills. “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will” (Prov 21:1).

    The Lord made it impossible for Israel to find the right path, even moving them to pursue false gods, yet never find them. “Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now” (Hosea 2:6-7).

Why Say These Things?

          Why is it necessary to remind the people of God of these things? Why read a text like this and then go into what appears to be a theological bypath? There are sound reasons for recalling these things to our minds.

    There is not a lot of teaching these days about this aspect of God’s working among the sons of men.

    God receives the greater glory when He is more clearly and extensively seen in the record.

    The Lord has gone to great lengths to publish among the nations His greatness. He has made Himself known as a God who makes, or causes, things happen, both for good and for evil. This has been made known in the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden, the cursing of Cain, the flood, the stopping of the building of the tower of Babel, Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, the judging of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, and countless other events.

    Faith in God presumes a personal persuasion of His power.

          Therefore, I am affirming that Darius got up early in the morning and went to the den of lions because he was moved by God to do so. His sleepless night and pondering whether or not Daniel would be dead was owing to Divine influence, not mere natural thought.

          According to the flesh, there was no reason to expect Daniel to survive the lion’s den. The king could no doubt have readily forgotten any other person thrown to those ferocious lions. Indeed, he will not have a moment of worry about some others he will throw into this den shortly.

          Thus, like the women who came early to the tomb, Darius arose at the dawning of the day. The women went to honor their Lord with spices, not knowing he had risen form the dead. Darius went to see what had happened during the night hours, during which he could not sleep.

          This event is being managed by the mighty God. That is precisely why it has such edifying power. It is not possible for the people of God to be edified by random and unpurposeful events. It is the objective and result of the events that give them power to edify.

A LAMENTABLE VOICE

          “And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel . . . ” Other versions say he cried out with a “troubled voice,” ^NASB “an anguished voice,” ^NIV “anxiously,” ^NRSV “a loud cry of grief,” ^BBE “a mournful voice,” ^DARBY and “a grieved voice.” ^YLT

          Notice, as Darius approaches the den, he has no thought of the nobles, who had formerly threatened his reputation if he did not carry out the decree they invented. On the other hand, he has exhibited no indignation with the nobles because of the decree they moved him to sign. Right now, his sole concern is Daniel, who dominates his mind. This too is the working of the Lord.

IS GOD ABLE?

          “ . . . and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”

          Darius knows there is no chance the lions’ demeanor could have changed apart from Divine intervention. He also knows Daniel possessed no natural ability to deal with lions, tame them, or subdue them. If Daniel is alive, there is only one reason for him being so – he had been delivered by God. If he was dead, there would also be only one reason: God did NOT deliver him.

Servant of the Living God

          To my knowledge, no idol or false god is ever called “living.” The thirty references to “the living God” all refer to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Deut 5:26; Josh 3:10; 1 Sam 17:26,36; 2 Kgs 19:4,16; Psa 42:2; 84:2; Isa 37:4,17; Jer 10:10; 23:36; Dan 6:20,26; Hos 1:10; Matt 16:16; 26:63; John 6:69; Acts 14:15; Rom 9:26; 2 Cor 3:3,16; 1 Tim 3:15; 4:10; 6:17; Heb 3:12; 9:14; 10:31; 12:22; Rev 7:2). On the other hand, it is said of idols that they have “no breath” (Jer 10:14; 51:17; Hab 2:19).

          The “living God” is active, has a purpose, and is noted for His words and counsel. When, therefore, Darius says Daniel a “servant of the living God,” he is not referring to a mere religious profession. Daniel’s life was characterized by purpose – the doing of the revealed will of God. His heart and mind were devoted to the things God had revealed, for that is how you serve “the living God.”

Whom Thou Servest Continually

          Daniel’s service was not sporadic, or non-continuous. He did not blow hot and cold, but was constant in his service to the Lord. When the will of the Lord was known, Daniel shaped his life to that “will” refusing to be turned from it.

          While the wicked, like those of Noah’s day, have thoughts that are “only evil continually” (Gen 6:5), those with faith continually serve the Lord.

          When the Lord instituted the tabernacle service, a shadow and type of what we have in Christ Jesus, He instituted continual service (Ex 28:29,30,38; Lev 24:2-4). The sacrifices were to be offered “continually.” The lamp was to burn “continually.” The showbread was to be on the table “continually.” The truth of the matter is that God does not accept irregular or inconsistent service.

          Daniel knew this, and served the Lord continually. No aspect of his life was lived independently of God. Darius had seen this, and was duly impressed by it.

Was God Able?

          Other versions read, “has your God . . . been able to deliver you from the lions?” ^NASB “been able to rescue you from the lions?” ^NIV and “able to keep you safe from the lions?” ^BBE

          There is an obvious tone of doubt in the words of Darius. This is how we know he did not intentionally declare God was going to deliver Daniel when he consigned him to the den of lions (verse 16). Yet, there is a sort of spiritual instinct in Darius that moves him to inquire further into the matter of Daniel’s God. From the higher perspective, he is being moved along by the Lord. From the lower view, this is the marred, yet present, Divine image reaching out.

          Darius does not have a knowledge of the Lord as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did. They affirmed, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Dan 3:14-18). The ability of the Almighty is not exclusively revealed through immediate rescue. Rather, deliverance depends upon His ability – and there is a vast difference between the two.

          If Daniel was NOT miraculously delivered, suffering death like John the Baptist (Matt 14:10) and James (Acts 12:2), it was only because God did not will to do so. It would have nothing whatsoever to do with God’s ability. Abel was killed (Gen 4:8), Joseph was spared (). Several prophets were slain by Jezebel (1 Kgs 18:4), yet Elijah survived her malice (1 Kgs 19:10). Zechariah the prophet was stoned to death (2 Chron 24:21-22), while Elijah was miraculously translated into heaven without seeing death (2 Kgs 2:12). Stephen was stoned and died (Acts 7:59), Paul was stoned and lived (Acts 14:19-20). God’s ability is NOT measured by human experience, and those who attempt to do so are in serious error. Some experience appears to contradict Divine purpose. That appearance, however, is the reflection of human frailty, not Divine intent.

          As we will see, there is a heavenly objective being served by this event. God is not merely reacting to the foolish edicts of a king, or the false charges of Daniel’s enemies. This whole incident is designed to teach us about the Lord, about faith in Him, and about His preeminence among the sons of men. The whole earth is “full of His glory” (Isa 6:3), and we will now be afforded a glimpse of some of that marvelous glory.

DANIEL RESPONDS

          “ ²¹ Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. ²² My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”

          How will Daniel respond to the king’s interrogation? His reply will testify to us of the nature of faith, and the effect of faithfulness. We will see what it means to “wait upon the Lord” (Psa 123:2), trust in Him with all of your heart (Prov 3:5-6, and be anxious for nothing (Phil 4:6). This is how faith works, how it impacts upon the heart of the believer, and how it enables the trusting one to frame his speech. We are witnessing faith in action. Let us give heed to its testimony.

A RESPECTFUL REPLY

          “Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever . . .”

          Daniel has spent the night with lions, but we find him calm and respectful in his answer to the king. He has not been seething in anger through the night because of the injustice and malice that has been exhibited toward him. He is not prepared to plead his case and demand vengeance upon his accusers. Instead, he speaks with the due respect for the very man who consigned him to the lion’s den.

          He seeks the welfare of the king, desiring that his life be unencumbered with the sort of trials he himself has endured during the night – “O king, live for ever!”

An Example for Us

          This is an excellent example of being “careful for nothing,” or being “anxious for nothing” ^NKJV (Phil 4:6). Care or anxiety can precede affliction, occur during difficulty, or be in the aftermath of the trial. For Daniel, it did not occur in any of those phases. He conducted himself honorably BEFORE redemption in Christ, regeneration, reconciliation to God, the new birth, the destruction of the devil, or the spoiling of principalities and powers. Daniel is among those of whom it is said, “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect” (Heb 11:40). This is precisely why this account is so relevant to us.

The Relevance of the Account

          The above circumstance is what makes this account so pertinent to us. The power of faith prior to the New Covenant is a confirmation of its potency under Christ, where it has been brought to its vertex. While the trial of the den of lions is unique, trial itself is not. The personal trials you undergo will be as challenging to your faith as Daniel’s was to his. For that reason, you have every right to expect a strong faith to sustain you just as surely as it did him. Your response to trial can be as positive as Daniel’s was to his. You have the same God, and the same faith. The difference is that in Christ you have the even greater advantages of an interceding Savior (Isa 53:12; Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25) and the indwelling Spirit who also intercedes for you (Rom 8:26-27).

AN ANGEL WAS SENT

          “My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me . . .” Note, Darius had asked “is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” (V 20). Now Daniel affirms the living God to indeed be his own – his own by profession, by service, and in trust.

His Angel

          Certain students of Scripture are fond of identifying “the Word” (the Person of Jesus prior to His enfleshment, John 1:1,14) with various angels mentioned in the Old Covenant writings: “angel of the Lord” (Ex 3:2), “His angel” (Dan 3:28), “angel of His presence” (Isa 63:9), “The Angel” (Gen 48:16), etc. There is neither express Scriptural teaching nor suggestion that Jesus was a servant or messenger of God to humanity prior to His entrance into the world as “Jesus,” the Savior. Angels are “ministering spirits” (Heb 1:13-14), and such an appellation is wholly inappropriate for He who was “with God and was God” (John 1:1).

          While I have dealt with this subject already (Lesson #12), a single comment will suffice to affirm this angel was not the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus Christ.

“ It is expressly stated that Savior “took not on Him the nature of angels” (Heb 2:16). This has particular regard to the redemption of humanity in whose likeness He came. Thus other versions read, “For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham” (Heb 2:16). The relevance to the matter we are discussing is apparent. The Word, as Jesus was referred to prior to becoming flesh (John 1:14), only took the form of those He came to help. If at any time He had taken the form of an angel, as some affirm, it could only have been to give assistance to angels, not men. That is something He is nowhere represented as doing. Additionally, to be made a messenger, which is the meaning of “angel,” the Word would be required to humble Himself, taking a lower position. To affirm that such a thing took place comes very close to blasphemy. The pre-incarnate Word is never depicted as in any way humbling Himself prior to becoming flesh in order to the salvation of men. There is not a syllable in Scripture that justifies such a conclusion.” ^{Lesson 12}

Angels Are Dispatched from Heaven

          Angels do not operate on their own, but are sent from heaven and by God on special missions. They are said to “excel in strength,” “do His commandments,” and are noted for “hearkening unto the voice of His word” (Psa 103:20).

          The words “He sent His angel” are found four times in Scripture.

    The deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. “Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God” (Dan 3:28).

    Daniel’s deliverance from the den of lions. “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt” (Dan 6:22).

    Peter’s deliverance from prison. “And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews” (Acts 12:11).

    The Revelation given to John on the Isle of Patmos. “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done” (Rev 22:6; 1:1).

          Other instances of the commission of an angel from God to earth include:

    Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. “And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt”(Num 20:16).

    The deliverance of Hezekiah from the invading hordes of Sennacherib. “And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria” (2 Chr 32:21).

          The presence of an angel is always dictated by the will and purpose of Almighty God. They are never said to come by, or be controlled by, the words of a mortal man. Those who speak of commanding angels and the likes have only betrayed the wickedness of their own hearts. Only God sends angels, and they only respond to His command, or those of the Son of God.

          The presence of an angel in the den, therefore, confirms the Lord’s personal interest in and love for Daniel. No angel ever comes to the aid of the saints without first being sent forth by the God who beholds and cares for them.

Power Over the Lions

          In all of its varied forms, nature has never proved to be a problem or challenge for the holy angels. In this case, the angel simply “shut the lions’ mouths.”

He did not have to wrestle them down and kill them as David and Samson did (Judges 14:5-6; 1 Sam 17:34-36). The lions yielded to the angel, just as surely as Balaam’s ass did (Num 22:23). The Lord says of even the wild and uncaptured beasts, “the wild beasts of the field are mine” (Psa 50:11) – and angels are empowered by God.

          How this was accomplished is not explained. Perhaps they lost their hunger. The Lord might have made them afraid of Daniel, reversing the course of nature. Maybe they did not even see Daniel, but were made completely oblivious of his presence. It is even possible that they saw him, maintained their hunger, but had no zeal to attack him. Whatever explanation may be preferred, it was still the angel that brought the result, not the course of nature, or a sudden twist in nature that occurred independently of Divine intervention.

          Whether Daniel saw the angel, as did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we do not know. Whether he did or not, his familiarity with the Living God brought him to the conclusion his deliverance had come from heaven. Nature does not change its course by itself. Whenever there is a departure from the course of nature, the hand of God has been present. It may be that He has allowed Satan to cause a sudden storm (Job 1:19). It may be the instant quelling of a fierce storm on the sea (Matt 8:26), or giving a man supernatural strength pull up the posts with the gates of Gaza, “bar and all,” and carry them on his shoulders to the top of a hill (Judges 16:3). It is God who rules “in the kingdom of men” (Dan 4:17), whether it is a wilderness in which Israel is journeying, a sea upon which Paul is sailing, a king’s palace like that of Nebuchadnezzar, or a den of lions.

The Relevance of It All

          Surely any situation that has proved to be a challenge or test to you is not greater than those recorded in scripture! This is one reason why the Word of God does not major on small incidentals, daily problems, and tests that are common to all men. Rather, the Holy Spirit places before us extreme situations, hopeless dilemmas, and uncommon challenges, to assure our hearts that our trials are quite controllable. The children of God must learn to reason from the greater to the lesser, and not vice versa. It is in the strength of the greater than the lesser loses its power over us. But when we make an attempt to begin with life’s incidentals and reason up to the higher matters of the Kingdom, we enter into confusion, and lose all confidence.

          The tendency to be occupied with incidentals is a fundamental weakness in contemporary religion. Such minutia is the subject of almost all professed expertise, workshops, seminars, and the likes. It is imperative that believers become adept at living on a higher plain! You may never experience anything of the magnitude of Daniel’s lions’ den experience. However, if you will duly consider what happened to him, God will give you strength to honorably respond to what happens to you.

INNOCENCY BEFORE GOD

          “ . . . forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me . . . ” Other versions read, “I was found innocent before Him,” ^NKJV “I was found innocent in His sight,” ^NIV “I was found blameless before Him,” ^NRSV and “before Him purity hath been found in me.” ^YLT

          First, there are some who may affirm such a state is not possible – a state of innocency before the Lord. After all, is it not written, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23), and “there is none righteous, no not one” (Rom 3:10)? Those affirmations are true. And yet, the man of God must be noted for “handling accurately the Word of truth” ^NASB (2 Tim 2:15). Too often novices spout the Word of God through a maze of ignorance rather than an illuminated mind.

          While it is true that no sin is recorded against Daniel, that by no means suggests he was free from all guilt. In his prayers he identified himself with those who had transgressed: “we have sinned” (9:5,8,11,15). “Innocency” being found in Daniel, therefore, does not mean he was morally and spiritually perfect – a state Paul declared he had not reached while he remained in the body (Phil 3:12).

          There are several senses in which Daniel’s innocency is declared.

    He was innocent concerning the charge brought against him: namely that Daniel had no regard for the king, or had committed a deed worthy of death. This is how God saw him – and God sees things the way they are.

    In general, his life was free from morel taint. He lived consistent with his faith, and sought no occasions to violate the will of either God or man.

    He had chosen to honor God, rather than yield to the flawed and unrighteous edicts of men.

    In heaven, Daniel was not noted for departing from the Lord or violating His will.

Note the Reasoning

          It is important that we take note of Daniel’s reasoning. It is the reasoning of faith, and thus can instruct us. The reason for his deliverance was his “innocency.” Those who imagine that human conduct has no bearing on whether or not they receive Divine assistance do well to ponder this text.

          David once said he would compass the altar, or come before the Lord, in a state of “innocency” (Psa 26:6). It is the business of every believer to put a deliberate distance between themselves and sin. There is, in God’s estimation, such a thing as “the innocent and righteous” (Ex 23:7), and an “innocent person” (Deut 27:25). This is a moral condition in which men have “no evil thing to say of you” (Tit 2:8). It is being “blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke” (Phil 2:15).

          I fear there is altogether too much flawed thinking and speaking on this subject. This condition is betrayed by such aphorisms as “nobody is perfect,” “we all sin,” “we are only human,” “we all sin a little every day,” and the likes. No person living by faith will speak in such a slip-shod manner. While no understanding and truthful person will say they “have no sin” (1 John 1:8), neither will they devote themselves to sin or give an excuse for personal transgression.

          If Daniel, prior to Christ and the New Covenant, could be innocent before God, how much more can this be said of those who are in Christ Jesus. Such have “peace with God” (Rom 5:1), “no condemnation” (Rom 8:1), and access to continual cleansing (1 John 1:7,9).

INNOCENCY BEFORE THE KING

          “ . . . forasmuch as before him innocency was found . . . also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”

          Daniel’s innocency extended to the king as well as to his God. His failure to obey the king’s edict was not an act of rebellion, but one of honoring his God. He has “committed no crime” against the king, as Barrabas did in his insurrection against the government (Mark 15:7).

          It is true that he had refused to obey the decree made by Darius. However, he did so because he had no other acceptable alternative. The truth of the matter is that God is not a vassal of some other deity. Nor, indeed, are there any equals to Himself (Isa 44:8). Therefore, it follows that there are both moral and spiritual obligations to “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Daniel was, in fact, yielding to Darius’ superior. Should Darius see fit to receive this, it certainly would yield no hurt to him, and Daniel knew it. Daniel therefore acknowledges the truth before the king fearlessly and in faith.

A Final Word

          Before leaving this section, we ought to once again note how kindly Daniel responded to the king. He did not choose to speak out against the king, drawing attention to his unjust law, contrived by Daniel’s enemies. Flesh could certainly build a strong case for responding in such a manner to a king – particularly a heathen king.

          By drawing attention to his own integrity and noble motives, both of which had been fully established, Daniel made a place for the Lord to work with Darius. It is better for the “ignorance of foolish men” to be “put to silence” with “well doing,” rather than eloquent arguments (1 Pet 2:15).

          The Lord does come to the aid of those who think enough of Him to conduct their lives within the light of His countenance. That is something you do well to believe, for it is the truth, as confirmed in this very account. It is never vain to serve the Lord, and it is never right to cease to do so! Those who seek for an excuse to avoid serving the Lord betray their unbelief, and are immediately placed in jeopardy. Our servitude must be continuous.

THE KING IS GLAD, AND DANIEL IS TAKEN OUT OF THE DEN

          “ ²³ Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.”

          Much will be learned from the response of Darius to Daniel’s words. The extent to which God supports the godly will also be perceived, as the heart of a heathen king is seen to be in the hand of the Lord (Priv 21:1). The Lord alone can shape and control how men respond to His people. Faith is willing to depend upon that reality, refusing to move those who believe to take matters into their own hands.

THE KING WAS GLAD FOR HIM

          “Then was the king exceeding glad for him . . . ” Other versions read, “very pleased,” ^NASB and “then was the king overjoyed.” ^NIV

          Like a spring of water, the king’s joy overflowed. He was transcendently elated that his edict had been reversed by the God of Daniel. His own folly, which resulted from him being snared by his nobles, had been negated by the Living God. He saw it and was glad.

A Different Response

          See how radically this king differed from Pharaoh. After witnessing the powerful working of the Lord, it is thrice said of him, “he hardened his heart” (Ex 8:15,32; 9:34).

          After Israel had been singularly blessed by God, He said of them: “But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation” (Deu 32:15).

Do Not Take Them for Granted

          Favorable responses to Divine manifestations are not to be taken for granted. The people of God should never allow an institutional mind-set to cause them to despise honorable responses to the Word of God among a people they do not think are thoroughly informed. Good responses may not always be thorough ones. Sometimes they are like beginnings that should not be despised.

TAKE HIM OUT!

          “ . . . and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den . . . ” Another version reads “gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den.” ^NIV

          The den, then, was a sort of pit that apparently was beneath the ground. With a great stone having been laid upon the mouth of the den, there can be little doubt that great darkness was there, where neither hand nor lions could be seen with any clarity.

Like Jeremiah

          The experience of Daniel is something like that of Jeremiah. He also was raised up out of a dungeon into which he had been thrown. In his case Ebedmelech took some “old rags and worn out clothes,” telling Jeremiah “Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes" ^NIV (Jer 38:11-12). I do not know if similar consideration was given to Daniel, but do not doubt such was the case. After all, God was taking care of him, not Darius!

          One small note. Observe that the law against Daniel was passed in consultation with Darius’ nobles. But this is not the case Daniel’s deliverance. There is no consultation with the nobles on this matter. Again, it is because God is in it.

Like All Believers

          In a sense, Daniel’s deliverance was much like that of all believers – a sort of type or shadow of Divine deliverance. David put it in most comforting words. “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD” (Psa 40:2-3).

          Our own situation was much like that of Daniel, whether in initial salvation or succeeding deliverances. We had to be “raised” from our situation, miraculously delivered from it – else we would have remained there until we died.

NO MANNER OF HURT

          “ . . . and no manner of hurt was found upon him . . . ” Other versions read, “no injury whatever was found on him,” ^NKJV “no wound was found on him,” ^NIV “no kind of harm was found on him,” ^NRSV and “he was seen to be untouched.” ^BBE

          Daniel had not been bruised by the plummet into the den. Nor, indeed, was there any evidence of so much as one lion touching him. It goes without saying, that this was not “luck,” “happenstance,” or the result of Daniel’s dexterity – i.e., being able to land on his feet and avoid the hungry lions through some expert movement. This was not a young man, but old man. The fall could not hurt him, nor could the lions’ paws or teeth. In fact, there was absolutely no evidence that he had been in a pit or among ravenous lions. He had no marks or scars, no torn parts in his clothing, or bleached out facial expressions.

          As with the three Hebrew children, an examination was made of Daniel. The king did not take his deliverance for granted, for it has been ascribed to God, who sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths. It was necessary for the evidence to support such a claim – and it most assuredly did!

A Principle to be Seen

          God is honored when claims of His deliverance are supported by evidence of the same. He is dishonored when there is some boast of rescue that appears to contradict that claim. Those who affirm they are “saved,” or have access to and fellowship with God, ought not to have the “spot” of the world upon them (James 1:27). Their “garment,” so to speak, should not be “spotted by the flesh” (Jude 1:23).

          The failure of this condition to accompany claims of Divine deliverance is like Daniel saying the mouths of the lions had been shut, while having the teeth marks of lions upon his body. It would be like Daniel saying the angel of the Lord had shut the lions’ mouths, while standing in garments that had been obviously shredded by those very lions.

BECAUSE HE BELIEVED

          “ . . . because he believed in his God.” Other versions read, “because he had trusted in his God,” ^NASB and “because he had faith in his God.” ^BBE

          The idea is that WHILE he was in the den, he trusted in, or depended upon, his God. His was not am empty profession, but the genuine profession of faith (Heb 10:23).

Living Faith?

          Because of a word written by James, some have assumed there are two kinds of faith – living faith and dead faith. James’ words are, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? . . . For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:20,26). In this sense, the view is taken that works are a mere technicality. Faith that lacks works is, in such a case, merely a deficient faith. Those who have works, therefore, have excelled in faith, moving beyond mediocrity.

          But this is not what James is saying. Faith without works is no faith at all. Such a person is not relying upon the Lord or believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Rather, that individual has risen no higher than the demons, who also have no works, even though they are surely convinced of the existence of God (James 2:19).

          Just as a body without a spirit has no utility whatsoever, and is no person at all, so faith without works is no faith at all. When James speaks of the “body without the spirit,” he is not speaking of a body in the grave, or the body after the spirit has left it. Rather, he is speaking of a living person – one that is moving about and active in this world. In this case, for there to be a body walking about in which no human spirit resided is an absurdity of the greatest magnitude. There simply is no such thing, nor can there be. Neither is there such a thing as having faith without also possessing its accompanying works.

          In Daniel’s case, his faith was accompanied by a refusal to stop praying. It was also attended by submitting to be thrown into the lions’ den. Additionally, it was attached to a trust that continued through the dark night among ravenous and heartless beasts. That is the way faith works – all the time. Blessed are the people who have “obtained” it.

THE KING DEALS WITH THE ACCUSERS

          “ ²⁴ And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.”

          There is an unalterable law in the Kingdom of God. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal 6:7). It is not possible avoid this law, or principle. The only issue is WHEN the reaping will occur. Fortunately for the believing ones, God graciously grants “space to repent” (Rev 2:21), in order that men might sow differently, and thus reap a good harvest. Since the Median nobles are so wicked, no such space is given to them. They will now reap what they have sown – but it will not be by themselves. Their transgression will have an impact upon their families also.

THE EVILDOERS ARE PUNISHED

          “And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives . . . ”

          Darius was not indifferent to those who had falsely charged Daniel, even shaping a law so as to misrepresent him to Darius. Like the devil himself, they had “accused” the man of God, cooking up a law that would cause a distorted view of his person. The king gave them no thought when he called for Daniel. They were not in his mind when he commanded that Daniel be thrown into the lions’ den. Neither, indeed, was he thinking about them during his previous restless night. However, now he will deal with them. He will do so because God is in the matter. The Lord is vindicating his servant, just as he did in the case of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Their children and Their Wives

          Not only are the nobles consigned to the den of lions, but their families as well: “their children and their wives.” Admittedly this causes the tender person to cringe. It is most gruesome and heartless – at least from one point of view.

          On the surface, this appears to violate a law God gave to Israel. “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin” (Deu 24:16). Thus, it is reasoned, this is purely an act of Darius, and a ruthless one at that.

          While we do have occasion to rejoice this is not the consistent Divine manner, yet God has revealed such punishments do come from Him.

    ACHAN. The case of Aachan provides another example of an entire family suffering for the consequences of the father. “And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones” (Josh 7:24-25).

    HAMAN. The wicked man who sought to expunge the Jews in Esther’s day also caused the death of his sons. Hos malicious deed extemnded beyond his person. “Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them . . . The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand” (Esth 9:5,10).

    ISRAEL AND KING SIHON. When Israel sought to go through the territory ruled by king Sihon, the Lord hardened his heart so he would not let them pass through the land. He then delivered him into the hand of Israel. “Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz. And the LORD our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people. And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain” (Deu 2:32-34).

Why??

          Why are such accounts recorded in Scripture? It is certainly not because God takes delight in such things, for He does not. As it is written in Ezekiel, “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” The Lord prefers and delights to show mercy (Mic 7:18). However, there are other things to consider, and the passage in Ezekiel points us to one of those additional considerations: “but [I prefer] that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezek 33:11).

          OTHER EXAMPLES. There are other examples of wholesale punishment. The flood (Gen 7:21), the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and the Jebusites (Deu 7:1), and the Amalekites (1 Sam 15:3). Make no mistake about this, there were children and wives in those incidents.

          Sin has no anesthetized men’s hearts and minds they imagine they can sin with impunity. Add to that the fact that a considerable amount supposed Christian theology understates the seriousness of sin, and the situation becomes greatly compounded. How can men be awakened to the gravity of sin, and the sureness of its penalty? How can they be made to see the seriousness of sin?

          The answer is found in the recording of spiritually jolting accounts, such as the one before us. The fact that they are not the consistent way in which God has dealt with sin confirms He does not simply desire to destroy people – else He would.

          Rather than speculating about the nature of this judgment, our hearts are to be turned toward the gravity of rejecting the truth of God or opposing His people. Such things are not to be taken lightly. Eventually God will bring such actions into judgment. Unless there has been appropriate repentance from such things, the consequences will be eternal. In the meantime, let us avail ourselves of “space to repent,” and determine not to “fall into the hands of the Living God” (Heb 10:31).

BEFORE THEY CAME TO THE BOTTOM

          “ . . . and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.” Other versions read, “the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den,” ^NKJV “they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones,” ^NASB and “The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.” ^NLT

          The lions had been deprived from having Daniel as a meal. Their mouths had been shut by the Lord’s angel. However, that angel is no longer there, but has departed from the lions’ den like the angel departed from the fiery furnace when the three children of Judah walked out of it.

          Notice the radical difference in the behavior of the lions. While Daniel was in the den, they rested quietly all night with their mouths shut. Now their horrible nature is awakened, and they utterly crush the bones of multiple people before they hit the floor of the den. We do not know the number of people cast into the den, but it could well have been a considerable number.

          It is as though the lions leaped up to catch the victims in their mouths, and had well consumed them before their carcases reached the floor of the den. In a sense, this was a mercy, so that a severe penalty was paid quickly.

          In view of this incident, we do well to ponder several questions.

    How serious is it to oppose a person who puts their trust in God?

    How weighty is it to become creative in opposing those who live by faith and refuse to honor the flesh?

    How crucial is it to seek ones own way at the expense of those who believe in God?

    How pivotal is it when people attempt to create circumstances that cause the people of God to appear in an unfavorable light?

    What good thing can come from hating, despising, or looking down upon the soul who trusts in God?

          Wise, indeed, is the individual who takes such matters seriously.

ANOTHER WORLD-WIDE PROCLAMATION

          “ ²⁵ Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. ²⁶ I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the living God, and steadfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. ²⁷ He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

          Now we get to the heart of this entire incident. The Lord is making a name for Himself throughout the world. So far as the book of Daniel is concerned, this is the THIRD global proclamation of the greatness of God. Nebuchadnezzar published the first when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were delivered form the fiery furnace (3:29). He also delivered the second upon his recovery from a seven-year lesson on theology, when he had the heart of a beast and ate grass (4:1-3, 34-35).

          As Paul said, God “left not Himself without witness” – GLOBAL witness (Acts 14:17). While nature is one of those witnesses, there have been multiple attestants to the Divine nature – words that have been addressed to rational men by reasoning people.

    THE FLOOD. Every nation in the world came from the descendants of Noah, from which the knowledge of Divine judgment and intolerance with iniquity was declared (Gen 9:18-19).

    THE TOWER OF BABEL. This magnificent project was aborted by a God who was grieved by the whole work. The people were then scattered abroad “upon the face of all the earth.” They knew of Divine judgment, and doubtless spoke of it. The population of the while earth was affected by this judgment (Gen 11:8).

    DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPT. Word of this mighty deliverance spread throughout the world (Josh 2:10; 4:24; Num 22:5; 2 Sam 7:22-23).

    CONQUERING CANAAN. Word of the triumph of Israel over the seven nations of Canaan was universally known (1 Chron 17:20).

    ISRAEL THRUST FROM THE LAND OF CANAAN. Because of their sin, the Lord thrust Israel from the land of promise, particularly in the Babylonian captivity and the destruction of Jerusalem. This was done that all nations might know Him (Deut 29:23-24).

    THE DECREE OF CYRUS. God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus the Persian to build the Temple of God, moving this world ruler to speak about it (Ezra 1:2; 6:3-6).

    NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S TWO PROCLAMATIONS. (Dan 3:29; 4:1-35).

    DARIUS’ PROCLAMATION (6:25-27).

Without Excuse

          Add to this the consistent testimonies of nature (Rom 1:20; Psa 19:1-3) and the human conscience (Rom 2:15), and you can see why it is inexcusable to fail to seek the Lord! Still more, consider that on the day of Pentecost there were “devout men out of every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5), who heard and obeyed the Gospel, ultimately returning to their own lands.

          One other factor accents this truth. God has deliberately placed men in geographical places, and determined the exact time in which all men exist. His reason for doing this is that they might seek after Him. As it is written, “From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27).

ALL PEOPLE, NATIONS, AND LANGUAGES

          “Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth;  Peace be multiplied unto you . . . ”

          It is not the manner of the Holy Spirit to exaggerate. We do well to take His words precisely as they are stated, not resorting to language like “then known earth,” and the likes. This is a large declaration, and should be so regarded. Everyone is included – “all people.” All political bodies are included – all “nations.” Every cultural body is embraced – all “languages.”

          Nebuchadnezzar had addressed his decrees to “every people, nation, and language” (Dan 3:29), and “all people, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth” (Dan 4:1). Pharaoh was raised up that God’s name might be declared “throughout all the earth” (Ex 9:16). Israel was thrust out of Canaan that “all nations” might say, “Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?” (Deu 29:24). What will king Darius write to “all people, nations, and languages?”

PEACE BE MULTIPLIED

"Peace be multiplied unto you!” These are the same words Nebuchadnezzar used to introduce his decree (Dan 4:1). This was not, therefore, a declaration of war, but a summons to sobriety and recognition of the God of Daniel. The thoughts of the king were to be embraced without being intimidated by his authority. He was not writing as a mere ruler, but as one who had seen something of the greatness of the God of Daniel. More precisely, he was being moved by the Lord to accent things the world is intended to know.

TREMBLE AND FEAR BEFORE GOD

          “ . . . I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before . . . God . . . ” Other versions read “must tremble and fear,” ^NKJV “must fear and reverence,” ^NIV “should tremble and fear,” ^NRSV “dread and fear,” ^DOUAY

          It is as though Darius was warning the people not to oppose this God or those who served Him. He does not summon men to love Daniel’s God, but to be afraid of Him – afraid to contradict Him, set about to harm His people, or speak in a derisive manner about Him.

An Application

          Here is an aspect of our relationship to God that could well be clarified to the hearts of believers. Solemnly the Lord Jesus said, “fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mat 10:28). And again, “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him” (Luke 12:5). Peter admonished us, “Fear God!” (1 Pet 2:17).

On Patmos, John heard a voice from heaven saying, “Fear God, and give Him glory”(Rev 14:7).

          Lest anyone imagine they are close enough to the Lord to ignore this admonition, the church at Philippi, noted for its consistent and growing faith, were told, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). The modern church would do well to hear the decree of Darius the Mede, even though it sharply contrasts with current thrusts.

THE GOD OF DANIEL

          “ . . . the God of Daniel . . . ” That is, the God Daniel served continually, and whose Law he refused to transgress. This is the God that sent His angel and delivered Daniel. The language is not philosophical, but has resulted from what Darius has himself witnessed – the working of the Lord.

HE IS THE LIVING GOD

          “ . . . for He is the living God . . .” This description of God is given two times in Daniel, and both times they are spoken by Darius (vs 20,26).

          Elsewhere in Scripture this expression is found twenty-eight times.

    It is associated with God speaking (Deut 5:26)

    Driving out the enemy (Josh 3:10).

    Standing for the people who served Him (1 Sam 17:26,26)

    Meeting the desires of a thirsty and longing soul (Psa 42:2; 84:2).

    Implementing His indignation against His opponents (Jer 10:10).

    Having sons among men (Hos 1:10).

    Being the Father of Christ (Matt 16:16; John 6:69).

    The creation of the heaven, earth, sea, and everything in them (Acts 14:15).

    Having a Spirit that accomplishes things in men (2 Cor 3:3).