LESSONS FROM THE LION’S DEN

DANIEL 6:1-28


  I. Prosperity lesson (6:1-9)


      Daniel experienced God’s favor in the eyes of Babylonian and Persian kings from student until senior adult years (Dan. 1:21, 2:48, 6:1-3). Daniel probably influenced Cyrus in the decree for the Jews to return to Jerusalem after the seventy year captivity (Ezra 1:1).


      A. Quality (1-3)


      King Darius recognized that Daniel possessed “exceptional (pre-eminent, surpassing Endnote –Dan. 2:31, 3:22, 4:36, 5:12-14, 6:3, 7:7-19) qualities (Dan. 4:8-9-18, 5:11-12-14, 6:3).”


      B. Integrity (4-5)


Job 2:3 [ESV]. (ESV) And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason."


      Those in Darius’s administration scrutinized every aspect of Daniel’s character and found no flaw. Daniel’s public life and private life did not contradict. David lived with integrity when alone before God and in good conscience before men.


          1. Faultless (corrupt word, fault Endnote )


          2. Faithful (trust, trustworthy Endnote )


          3. Fulfill (without neglect, remissness Endnote )


Dan. 6:22b [NIV]. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent (purity, innocense, clean, bright [of fire], pure, good Endnote ) in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong (hurtful act, crime Endnote ) before you, O king."


      C. Priority (6-9)


          1. Envy (Dan. 6:24–eat, devour, slander Endnote )


Prov. 27:4 [GNB]. Anger is cruel and destructive, but it is nothing compared to jealousy.


Jn. 7:7 [MSG]. The world has nothing against you, but it's up in arms against me. It's against me because I expose the evil behind its pretensions.


      A man’s integrity will invite the caustic attacks of the jealous. Truly, the other men hated Daniel because he did not steal from the king’s treasury like they did. These men lied about the statute and flattered the king.


          2. Policy (Est. 1:19–“irrevocable”)


      Those who slandered Daniel stated that Daniel’s trust in God made him unfit for government service.


 II. Prayer lesson (6:10-17)


      Robert Murray McCheyne said, “What a man is in his prayer-closet is what he is.” Endnote


      Samuel Chadwick said, “The one concern of the devil is to keep the saints from prayer. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.” Endnote


      Those investigating Daniel “caught” him praying. Would the adversary ever catch most Christians praying? Would the king’s law affect the practice of most Christians? How little a threat of discomfort does the roaring lion need to bring for the devil to steal prayer away from most Christians?


      In reality those who never consult God in prayer practice idol worship. Prayerlessness denies genuine faith in the existence of Almighty God.


      A. Continually (10-13)


1 Th. 5:17. Pray without ceasing.


      Young wrote, “His manner of prayer was the result of his deep piety, and could be discovered only by spies who were on the lookout for such things.” Endnote


          1. Place


Mk. 1:35 [GW]. In the morning, long before sunrise, Jesus went to a place where he could be alone to pray.


          2. Promise


2 Chr. 6:34 [HCSB]. When Your people go out to fight against their enemies, wherever You send them, and they pray to You in the direction of this city You have chosen and the temple that I have built for Your name,


          3. Period


Ps. 55:17. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.


          4. Posture


Ps. 95:6 [ESV]. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!


          5. Petition


Mt. 7:7 [MKJV]. Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.


          6. Praise


Phil. 4:6 [MKJV]. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.


      B. Expectantly (14-17)


          1. Deliverer


          2. Savior (rescue, deliver, take away Endnote )


Do you see the Hebrew captive kneeling,
At morning, noon and night, to pray?
In his chamber he remembers Zion,
Though in exile far away.


Are your windows open toward Jerusalem,
Though as captives here, a “little while” we stay?
For the coming of the King in His glory
Are you watching day by day? Endnote


III. Protection lesson (6:18-24)


      Nina Shea reported, “Three days after his arrest on February 14, 1994, Baptist pastor and youth leader Eliezer Veguilla was ordered by state security police to ‘confess’ to espionage or ‘sleep with a bear’ that night. When he resisted the interrogators’ attempts to elicit a false confession, the 36-year-old Veguilla was roughly pushed into a dark, subterranean cell at police headquarters in Havana, only to find himself face-to-face with a live bear.” Endnote


Heb. 11:33. Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

 

•          Pit of Joseph (Gen. 37:24)

•          Pit of Jeremiah (Jer. 38:11)


      A. Ability (18-20)


’Tis the grandest theme, let the tidings roll,
To the guilty heart, to the sinful soul;
Look to God in faith, He will make thee whole,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”


He is able to deliver thee,
He is able to deliver thee;
Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;
“Our God is able to deliver thee.” Endnote


          1. Rest


All night, all day

Angels watching over me, my Lord

All night, all day

Angels watching over me.


          2. Rescue


      God allows persecution to work a greater measure of glory through that suffering (1 Pet. 4:12-13).


      Tradition tells of many early Christians during the Roman persecution who became food for lions. In the second century the Emperor Trajan sent Ignatius of Antioch to Rome where they cast the preacher to wild beasts. Ignatius said, “Whether fire, or the cross, the assault of wild beasts, the tearing asunder of my bones, the breaking of my limbs, the bruising of my whole body, let the tortures of the devil all assail me, if I do but gain Christ Jesus.”


Rev. 2:10 [HCSB]. Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have tribulation for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.


      B. Angel (21-22; Dan. 3:28)


Ps. 91:11. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.


      Jeremiah told, “A teacher once asked a Sunday school class if they thought Daniel was afraid, and one little girl answered, ‘I don’t think he was scared, cause one of the lions was the Lion of the tribe of Judah who was in there with him.” Endnote


          1. Shut


1 Pet. 5:8 [ESV]. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


          2. Safe


      Daniel did not spend the night looking at the lions.


Ps. 40:2. 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.


2 Tim. 4:17 [ESV]. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.


But the fire didn't burn them, and the lions didn't bite
And the Lord reached down and you can be sure that
Everything turned out right
Oh you'll meet the Lord in the furnace
A long time before you meet Him in the sky

Meet Him in your time of trial
Meet Him in your hour of prayer
You can reach out and I'll bet
That you'll find that He's right there Endnote


      C. Avenge (23-24; Est. 7:10)


Prov. 26:27 [ESV]. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.


As vain was the decree
Which charged them not to pray;
Daniel still bowed his knee,
And worshiped thrice a day:

Trusting in God, he feared not men,
Though threatened with the lion’s den.


Secure they might refuse
Compliance with such laws,
For what had they to lose,
When God espoused their cause?

He made the hungry lions crouch,
Nor durst the fire His children touch.


The Lord is still the same,
A mighty shield and tow’r,
And they who trust His Name
Are guarded by His pow’r:

He can the rage of lions tame,
And bear them harmless through the flame.


Yet we too often shrink
When trials are in view;
Expecting we must sink,
And never can get through.


But could we once believe indeed,
From all these fears we should be freed. Endnote


 IV. Purpose lesson (6:25-28)


      Henry Blackaby wrote, “All the persons in the Scriptures were ordinary people. Their relationship with God and the activity of God made them extraordinary (Acts 4:13). Everyone knew it was God!”


      Blackaby explained, “What the world often sees is devoted, committed Christians serving God. But they are not seeing God. They comment on what we are doing. However, they do not see anything happening that can only be explained in terms of the activity of God. Let the world see God at work, and He will attract people to Himself. Let them see the difference that a living Christ makes in a life, a family, or a church; that will make a difference in how they respond. When the world see things happening through God's people that cannot be explained except that God Himself has done them, then the world will be drawn to the God they see.” Endnote


      A. Terror (25-26)


          1. Tremble Endnote (fear)


          2. Terrible Endnote (reverence)


              a. Living


              b. Lasting


      B. Testimony (27-28)


Dan. 12:3 [ESV]. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.


          1. Wonders


Ps. 77:14 [HCSB]. You are the God who works wonders; You revealed Your strength among the peoples.


          2. Witness


Ps. 34:7 [HCSB]. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.


NIV

 1. It pleased (Dan. 4:2-27, 6:1) Darius (Dan. 5:31, 6:1-6-9-25-28) to appoint (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-2427, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24) 120 satraps (3:2-3-27, 6:1-2-3-4-6-7) to rule throughout the kingdom (Dan. 6:1-3-4-7-26-28),

 2. with three administrators (Dan. 6:2-3-4-6-7) over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps (3:2-3-27, 6:1-2-3-4-6-7) were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss (Ezra 4:13).

 3. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators (Dan. 6:2-3-4-6-7) and the satraps (Dan. 3:2-3-27, 6:1-2-3-4-6-7) by his exceptional (Dan. 2:31, 3:22, 4:36, 5:12-14, 6:3, 7:7-19) qualities (Dan. 4:8-9-18, 5:11-12-14, 6:3) that the king planned to set (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-2427, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24) him over the whole kingdom (Dan. 6:1-3-4-7-26-28).

 4. At this, the administrators (Dan. 6:2-3-4-6-7) and the satraps (3:2-3-27, 6:1-2-3-4-6-7) tried to find grounds (Dan. 6:4-5) for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption (Dan. 2:9, 6:4) in him, because he was trustworthy (Dan. 2:45, 6:4-23) and neither corrupt nor negligent (Dan. 3:29, 6:4).

 5. Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis (Dan. 6:4-5) for charges (Ezra 7:12-14-21-25-26; Dan. 2:9-13-15, 6:5-8-12-15, 7:25) against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law (Dan. 6:5-8-12-15) of his God."

 6. So the administrators (Dan. 6:2-3-4-6-7) and the satraps (3:2-3-27, 6:1-2-3-4-6-7) went as a group (Dan. 6:6-11-15) to the king and said: "O King Darius (Dan. 5:31, 6:1-6-9-25-28), live forever (Dan. 2:4, 3:9, 5:10, 6:6-21)!

 7. The royal administrators (Dan. 6:2-3-4-6-7), prefects (Dan. 2:48, 3:2-3-27, 6:7), satraps (3:2-3-27, 6:1-2-3-4-6-7), advisers (Dan. 3:24-27, 4:36, 6:7) and governors (Dan. 3:2-3-27, 6:7) have all agreed (Ezra 7:14) that the king should issue (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-24-27, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24) an edict (Dan. 6:7-15) and enforce (Dan. 4:11-20-22, 5:20, 6:7) the decree (Dan. 6:7-8-9-12-13-15) that anyone who prays (Dan. 2:16-23-49, 6:7-12-13) to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown (Dan. 3:6-11-15-20-21-24, 6:7-12-16-24, 7:9) into the lions' den (Dan. 6:7-12-16-17-19-20-23-24).

 8. Now, O king, issue (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-24-27, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24) the decree (Dan. 6:7-8-9-12-13-15) and put (Dan. 6:8-9-10-12-13) it in writing (Dan. 6:8-9-10) so that it cannot be altered (Ezra 6:11-12; Dan. 2:9-21, 3:19-27-28, 4:16, 5:6-9-10, 6:8-15-17, 7:3-7-19-23-24-25-28)--in accordance with the laws (Ezra 7:12-14-21-25-26; Dan. 2:9-13-15, 6:5-8-12-15, 7:25) of the Medes (Dan. 5:28, 6:8-12-15) and Persians, which cannot be repealed (Dan. 6:8-12)."

 9. So King Darius (Dan. 5:31, 6:1-6-9-25-28) put (Dan. 6:8-9-10-12-13) the decree (Dan. 6:7-8-9-12-13-15) in writing (Dan. 6:8-9-10).

 10. Now when (Dan. 2:16-21, 3:7-8, 4:36, 6:10-13, 7:12-22) Daniel learned that the decree (Dan. 6:8-9-10) had been published (Dan. 6:8-9-10-12-13), he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened (Dan. 6:10, 7:10) toward Jerusalem. Three times (Dan. 2:16-21, 3:7-8, 4:36, 6:10-13, 7:12-22) a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks (Dan. 2:19-20, 3:28, 6:10) to his God, just as he had done before.

 11. Then these men went as a group (Dan. 6:6-11-15) and found Daniel praying (Dan. 6:4-7-11-12-13) and asking God for help.

 12. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree (Ezra 7:12-14-21-25-26; Dan. 2:9-13-15, 6:5-8-12-15, 7:25): "Did you not publish (Dan. 6:8-9-10-12-13) a decree (Dan. 6:7-8-9-12-13-15) that during the next thirty days anyone who prays (Dan. 2:16-23-49, 6:7-12-13) to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown (Dan. 3:6-11-15-20-21-24, 6:7-12-16-24, 7:9) into the lions' den (Dan. 6:7-12-16-17-19-20-23-24)?" The king answered, "The decree stands (Dan. 2:8-45, 3:24, 6:12, 7:16)--in accordance with the laws of the Medes (Dan. 5:28, 6:8-12-15) and Persians, which cannot be repealed (Dan. 6:8-12)."

 13. Then they said to the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles (Dan. 2:25, 5:13, 6:13) from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree (Dan. 6:7-8-9-12-13-15) you put in writing (Dan. 6:8-9-10-12-13). He still prays (Dan. 2:18, 6:13) (Dan. 2:16-23-49, 6:7-12-13) three times (Dan. 2:16-21, 3:7-8, 4:36, 6:10-13, 7:12-22) a day."

 14. When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue (Dan. 3:15-17-28, 6:14-16-20-27) Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save (Dan. 3:15-17-28, 6:14-16-20-27) him.

 15. Then the men went as a group (Dan. 6:6-11-15) to the king and said to him, "Remember, O king, that according to the law (Ezra 7:12-14-21-25-26; Dan. 2:9-13-15, 6:5-8-12-15, 7:25) of the Medes (Dan. 5:28, 6:8-12-15) and Persians no decree (Dan. 6:7-8-9-12-13-15) or edict (Dan. 6:7-15) that the king issues can be changed (Ezra 6:11-12; Dan. 2:9-21, 3:19-27-28, 4:16, 5:6-9-10, 6:8-15-17, 7:3-7-19-23-24-25-28)."

 16. So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw (Dan. 3:6-11-15-20-21-24, 6:7-12-16-24, 7:9) him into the lions' den (Dan. 6:7-12-16-17-19-20-23-24). The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve (Dan. 3:12-14-17-18-28, 6:16-20, 7:14-27) continually (Dan. 6:16-20), rescue (Dan. 3:15-17-28, 6:14-16-20-27) you!"

 17. A stone (Dan. 2:34-35-45, 5:4-23, 6:17) was brought and placed over the mouth of the den (Dan. 6:7-12-16-17-19-20-23-24), and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles (Dan. 4:36, 5:1-2-3-9-10-23, 6:17), so that Daniel's situation might not be changed (Ezra 6:11-12; Dan. 2:9-21, 3:19-27-28, 4:16, 5:6-9-10, 6:8-15-17, 7:3-7-19-23-24-25-28).

 18. Then the king returned to his palace (Dan. 4:4-29, 5:2-3-5, 6:18) and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.

 19. At the first (Dan. 2:25, 3:24, 6:19) light of dawn, the king got up and hurried (Dan. 2:25, 3:24, 6:19) to the lions' den (Dan. 6:7-12-16-17-19-20-23-24).

 20. When he came near the den (Dan. 6:7-12-16-17-19-20-23-24), he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant (Dan. 3:26-28, 6:20) of the living (Dan. 2:30, 4:17-34, 6:20-26, 7:12) God, has your God, whom you serve (Dan. 3:12-14-17-18-28, 6:16-20, 7:14-27) continually (Dan. 6:16-20), been able (1 Sam. 17:37; Dan. 3:15-17, 6:20; Mt. 3:9; Rom. 11:23, 14:4; 2 Cor. 9:8; Eph. 3:20; 2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 2:18, 7:25, 11:19) to rescue (Dan. 3:15-17-28, 6:14-16-20-27) you from the lions?"

 21. Daniel answered, "O king, live forever (Dan. 2:4, 3:9, 5:10, 6:6-21)!

 22. My God sent (Dan. 3:2-28, 5:24, 6:22) his angel (Dan. 3:28, 6:22), and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt (Dan. 2:44, 4:23, 6:22-26, 7:14) me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king."

 23. The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift (Dan. 3:22, 6:23) Daniel out of the den (Dan. 6:7-12-16-17-19-20-23-24). And when Daniel was lifted from the den (Dan. 6:7-12-16-17-19-20-23-24), no wound (Dan. 3:25, 6:23) was found on him, because he had trusted (Dan. 2:45, 6:4-23) in his God.

 24. At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused (Dan. 3:8, 6:24) Daniel were brought in and thrown (Dan. 3:6-11-15-20-21-24, 6:7-12-16-24, 7:9) into the lions' den (Dan. 6:7-12-16-17-19-20-23-24), along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den (Dan. 6:7-12-16-17-19-20-23-24), the lions overpowered (Dan. 3:27, 6:24) them and crushed (Dan. 2:34-35-40-44-45, 6:24, 7:7-19-23) all their bones.

 25. Then King Darius (Dan. 5:31, 6:1-6-9-25-28) wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language (Dan. 3:4-7-29, 4:1, 5:19, 6:25, 7:14) throughout (Dan. 2:35-39, 4:1-11-20-35, 6:25, 7:23) the land (Dan. 2:35-39, 4:1-11-20-35, 6:25, 7:23): "May you prosper greatly (Dan. 4:1, 6:25)!

 26. "I issue a decree (Dan. 3:10-29, 4:6, 6:26) that in every part of my kingdom (Dan. 6:1-3-4-7-26-28) people must fear (Dan. 2:31, 4:5, 5:19, 6:26, 7:7-19) and reverence (Dan. 2:31, 4:5, 5:19, 6:26, 7:7-19) the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever (Dan. 2:20-44, 6:26); his kingdom (Dan. 2:20-44, 4:3-34, 6:26, 7:14-18-27) will not be destroyed (Dan. 2:44, 4:23, 6:22-26, 7:14), his dominion (Dan. 4:3-22-34, 6:26, 7:6-12-14-26-27) will never end (Dan. 2:20-44, 4:3-34, 6:26, 7:14-18-27).

 27. He rescues (Dan. 3:15-17-28, 6:14-16-20-27) and he saves (Dan. 3:15-17-28, 6:14-16-20-27); he performs signs (Dan. 4:2-3, 6:27) and wonders (Dan. 4:2-3, 6:27) in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."

 28. So Daniel prospered (Dan. 3:30, 6:28) during the reign (Dan. 6:1-3-4-7-26-28) of Darius (Dan. 5:31, 6:1-6-9-25-28) and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.