King Darius divided the kingdom into 120 provinces and appointed a high-ranking official to govern each one. Additionally, he selected Daniel and two other men as administrators to oversee the high-ranking officials and safeguard the king’s interests.
We can see that Daniel quickly stood out with superior ability compared to all the other managers and high-ranking officials. Due to the ability that Daniel demonstrated, King Darius considered appointing him as the leader of the entire kingdom. Daniel possessed extraordinary intelligence due to his “excellent Spirit”.
Daniel 6:1-3 – Darius reorganized his kingdom. He appointed one hundred twenty governors to administer all the parts of his realm. Over them were three vice-regents, one of whom was Daniel. The governors reported to the vice-regents, who made sure that everything was in order for the king. But Daniel, brimming with spirit and intelligence, so completely outclassed the other vice-regents and governors that the king decided to put him in charge of the whole kingdom.
The success of Daniel aroused jealousy among the other administrators and high-ranking officials. They began to look for possible faults in Daniel’s handling of management issues, but they could find nothing to criticize or condemn.
Daniel was known for his honesty, great responsibility, and unwavering reliability. The only reason they were able to “accuse him” was because of his close connection with God.
Daniel 6:5 –Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God”.
The administrators, officials, and high-ranking officials went to the king with the intention of setting a trap for Daniel. They presented to the king a proposal in which he should issue a decree that must be strictly followed.
According to this decree, for the next 30 days, anyone who prayed to God or to anyone, except to the king, should be thrown into the lion’s den.
Daniel 6:7 – All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
The high-ranking officials and officers harbored deep envy against Daniel, conspiring and plotting against his faithfulness to the law of his God. They all united to persuade the king to issue a decree, knowing that Daniel would not comply with it and thus the king would be forced to order the death penalty. The story of Daniel teaches us to act with integrity, even in the face of the most difficult situations, without compromising our biblical convictions, for it is in this way that we honor God.
When he learned that the law had been signed, Daniel was not intimidated. Instead, he went home and, as usual, knelt down in his room, with the windows open towards Jerusalem. He used to pray three times a day and express gratitude to his God. Despite the resistance of the officials, they went to Daniel’s house and found him seeking God.
Daniel 6:12,13 – Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
The king was deeply troubled and sought a way to rescue Daniel. He spent the whole day pondering how to free him from this situation. Later that night, his advisors approached and reminded him: Daniel 6:15 – “Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”
The lions’ den was underground and had an opening at the top, covered by a Large Stone. This opening, sealed by the King, indicated that no one could access the den without his permission. Due to Daniel’s integrity and exceptional spirit, he was admired by the King, who also respected Daniel’s God. So, when the king strictly enforced his decree, he expressed hope that God would free Daniel from the Lions’ Den.
Then, the king ordered that Daniel be arrested and thrown into the lions’ den. He said to Daniel: “May your God, whom you serve with such faithfulness, save you”. Then, a stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that no one could free Daniel.
It’s interesting to note that the King seemed to be aware of the deliverance granted by God to Daniel’s Three Friends in the situation of the blazing furnace.
The king returns to the palace and spends the night fasting. His heart was so saddened that none of the usual entertainments cheered him up, and he couldn’t sleep. The next morning, the king rushes to the lions’ den.
Daniel 6:20,21 – As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!
Then, Daniel recounts that God sent an angel who closed the lions’ mouths, protecting him from any harm, for Daniel was considered innocent in the eyes of God. The King is extremely happy and orders Daniel to be removed from the den, finding him without a single scratch. This miracle occurred due to Daniel’s complete trust in God.
After Daniel’s removal from the lions’ den, the king orders that those who falsely accused him be thrown into the den with their families. Then, the king issues a decree.
And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.
Daniel 6:24-27 – And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces. Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”
According to the Word of God, Daniel greatly prospered in the kingdom of Darius and during the reign of Cyrus, the Persian. Daniel teaches us to remain steadfast in God, trusting fully in the Lord, even in the face of envy and falsehood directed at us. It is essential to act with integrity and honesty in all the places we frequent, for God is greatly pleased with those who follow these principles. The Bible teaches us that our enemies will not succeed, as seen when the men who tried to harm Daniel were quickly defeated by the lions.
Lessons from Daniel’s Faith
Daniel’s unwavering faith in the face of adversity offers several valuable lessons for believers today:
- Stand firm in your convictions: Despite the potential consequences, Daniel refused to compromise his faith. We, too, must remain steadfast in our beliefs, even when faced with challenges or opposition.
- Trust in God’s protection: Daniel’s trust in God’s protection was unwavering, and God delivered him from the lion’s den. As believers, we must trust that God will protect and guide us, even in difficult circumstances.
- Be a witness for God: Daniel’s faith had a profound impact on King Darius and those around him. Our faith can also be a powerful witness to others, leading them to recognize and embrace the truth.
Applying Daniel’s Faith to Our Lives
To apply the lessons from Daniel’s faith to our lives, consider the following steps:
- Reflect on your convictions: Take time to reflect on your beliefs and ensure that they are firmly rooted in God’s Word.
- Strengthen your faith: Nurture your faith through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.
- Live out your faith: Demonstrate your faith through your actions, showing love, compassion, and integrity in all aspects of your life.
- Share your faith: Seek opportunities to share your faith with others, allowing God’s love and truth to shine through you.
Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me,” saith the Lord.
