Daniel 6: The Lion’s Den

Daniel 6: The Lion’s Den

• Setting
• The records of the Babylonians, Medes, and Persians all place the name of Daniel in their historical writings.
• The Medes and Persians were the Silver arms and chest of the statue which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed about.
• Daniel was around 85 years at this time.   It is believed that he remained faithful in his prayer, prayer for Israel to return back to its homeland as foretold by the prophet Jeremiah.   Jeremiah prophesied that Israel would be restored and no longer be held captive after 70 years.
• Babylon had been overtaken by the Medo/Persians and Darius was put in charge of the Kingdom of Babylon.  Cyrus was the ruler of the Medo/Persian Empire.
• Darius was around 62 years old when he took Babylon.  It is not sure how long he ruled, but he died within a few years and Cyrus ascended to the throne.
• Lion’s roamed freely in the forest of Mesopotamia and the people feared them and they also respected the lion’s power.   
• Some King’s hunted lions for sport.
• The Persians would capture lions and put them in large parks where they attended to them and fed them.
• Lions were also used for executing people.

• The Lion’s Den was a large pit divided by a moveable wall that could be pulled to allow the lions to go from one side to the other.   The keeper would put the food on the empty side and then lift up the wall so the lions could cross over to feed.   He would then lower the wall back down after the lions had finished eating.   The lions were fed a small amount of food to keep them hungry
• Overview
• Daniel had attracted the attention and earned the respect of King Darius as Daniel was one of the top officials to the King.   Daniel had worked more efficiently and capably than the others which resulted in Daniel making enemies because of his good work.   The officials became jealous and they could not find any charges in Daniel’s life to criticize him.
• Daniels’ work integrity set him apart from many of the others.   He was 1 of 3 administrators over the Kingdom of the Medes and Persians.
• The other officials were jealous of Daniel and conspired against him.
• In the Medo-Persian Empire, when a King’s word was put into law, not even the King could change his law.   By appealing to the King’s pride and vanity, the men talked Darius into making a law which would make the King a ‘god’ for 30 days.   No one in his kingdom could pray to any other ‘god’, otherwise they would be thrown into the Lion’s Den.
• Daniel continues to pray to the Living God of the Hebrews despite the order to only pray to King Darius for a 30 day period.
• Daniel knew of the Law but he still remained loyal to the Most High God and prayed 3 times a day.   Daniel did not hide the fact that he prayed in disobedience to King Darius’s Law.   Daniel knew where his true guidance in life came from.
• King Darius’s decree, which was formulated against his will, was an official law which could not be changed, which resulted in Daniel being placed in the lion’s den for breaking the King’s law.
• In the Medo-Persian Empire, the King was believed to be infallible and that they could make no mistake.
• Similar to King Nebuchadnezzar and the Fiery Furnace, King Darius could not sleep and he hoped that Daniel would still be alive in the morning.
• Because the 3 officials had conspired against Daniel, they and their families were thrown into the Lion’s Den only to be eaten.
• After the events that transpire, King Darius writes kind and appropriate words about the ‘God of Daniel’.
• Breakdown of the Verses
• Verses 1 - 4:      Honesty Versus Corruption.
• The King’s concern during his reign was to insure that his officials did their work faithfully and that they were not robbing him of his wealth.   It was hard for the King to keep his hands on everything in his empire so the King would hire 120 officials to rule over the provinces.   Daniel was 1 of 3 men who supervised these 120 officials.   He expected these men to be honest, trusted, and to insure their work was being done.
• Darius very likely heard about Daniel’s honesty and wisdom, making Daniel one of his top officials, even to the point where Daniel would eventually become the #1 administrator.   When the other officials heard of this appointment, they became envious.   They realized that they would be unable to run their office for their own profit and they needed to have Daniel removed.   They also had no respect for him as well since he was a foreigner, a Jewish exile.
• Verses 5 - 11:      Believing Versus Scheming.
• The 3 officials were unable to tempt Daniel into doing anything wrong.   Their intent was to make Daniel’s religious practices illegal, as Daniel prayed openly to the Most High God.   Daniel could be viewed from his window as he prayed openly as he faced towards Jerusalem.
• The 122 officials assembled before King Darius without Daniel being present.   These officials presented a plan to the King, in which they claimed all of the officials had approved of, deceptively including Daniel in his absence.   This gave the King the impression all of his leaders were united on this decision.   The officials also knew that Darius would want to unite his Kingdom as quickly as possible.   The plan would focus on the greatness of the King and make the King a ‘god’ and supreme ruler over his empire.
• Darius fell into flattery and the King acted in his haste.   (Psalm 5:9)
• The scheming officers lost no time in proclaiming the King’s decree.   They also knew Daniel prayed morning, noon, and evening.   (Psalm 55:16-17, I Kings 8:28-30, I Kings 8:38-39, I Kings 8:46-51, Jonah 2:4)
• This was not only an attack against Daniel, it was also a plot against the whole Jewish nation.
• Verses 12 - 13:      Daniel is Accused.
• The men who spied on Daniel hurried back to King Darius to inform him that his favorite official disobeyed the King’s Law and showed his disrespect as well.
• These same men showed no respect for Daniel who held a higher office.   The called him an ‘Exile from Judah’.   (Romans 3:13-18, 2 Timothy 3:12).
• Verses 14 - 18:      The King is Distressed.
• King Darius was distressed because Daniel was his friend and he was helpful in governing the Empire.   He also realized he had signed Daniel’s Death Warrant.   The King’s pride had gotten the best of him as he believed the lies of the leaders who had gotten Darius to sign the Law hastily.
• Did God allow these events to transpire?   (Ephesians 1:10-12)
• The King stated he wanted to save Daniel from execution, but once  he signed the law, nothing could change it.
• The leaders were eager to remind Darius that he had to enforce the Law as King.
• Darius prayed for Daniel before he was lowered into the pit.   He prayed that Daniel’s God may somehow rescue Daniel.   Daniel was lowered into the pit and the pit was covered and the rock was then sealed according to the King’s Law.
• King Darius slept a sleepless night and he even fasted.   The King could have been given diversions to entertain him, which was a common practice among Oriental Kings, but Darius refused this entertainment.
• Verses 19 - 23:   The LORD is Victorious.
• Darius awoke at the first light of dawn and he hurried to the Lion’s  Den.   Even before he arrived there and broke the seal on the stone, he called out to Daniel in anguish.   He confessed the God of Daniel was a living God, not a dead God and that Daniel’s God had the power to deliver Daniel.   Daniel’s faith remained strong while the King called out weakly, ‘Is your God able to deliver you?’.   Daniel answers, ‘Oh King live forever”.   Darius then knew his faithful friend had been delivered.   (Hebrews 11:32-34).
• Daniel was quick to give the glory to God.
• God could have rescued Daniel on his own, but he sent angels to control the hunger of the lions and to keep Daniel company.   (Psalm 34:7, Psalm 91:11, Mark 1:13, Luke 22:42-43)
• Daniel showed no wounds as he exited the Lion’s Den.
• God delivered Daniel because of his faith, because he was innocent of any wrongdoing, and to bring glory to the name of God.
• Faithful servants who had been saved by God - Hebrews 11:1-35.
• Faithful servants who were not saved by God - Hebrews 11:36-40
• Verse 24:      The Traitors are Judged.
• Darius had the 3 men who accused Daniel, and their families as well, thrown into the Lion’s Den.   (Proverbs 11:7-9, Proverbs 26:1-3).   
• Pharaoh ordering the Hebrew babies destroyed in Egypt.
• Haman trying to destroy the nation of Israel.   (Book of Esther)
• It was an official Persian Law to have conspirators and their families destroyed.   They did not any one of the remaining conspirators family remaining to further conspire against the King.
• ‘It is easier to bury a corpse then have a watchful eye for a potential conspirator’.
• Verses 25 - 27:   The LORD GOD is Glorified.
• Not only does Darius have the criminals executed, he also issues a decree to the whole empire commanding his subjects show fear and reverence to the God of Daniel.
• The first decree by King Darius, claimed himself to be a god, but his next decree is that the God of Daniel was the true and living God.
• The people of Israel had turned to idolatry and had become an idolatrous nation had defeated them and taken them captive.
• Verse 28:      God’s Servant Prospered.
• Daniel was respected by Darius and he would also be respected by the eventual new ruler, Cyrus.
• Daniel did live to hear the edict from Cyrus that the Jews could return back to Jerusalem.
• Daniel prayed constantly for the Jews return home.   (2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-4, Jeremiah 25:11-12)
• Conclusion
• Daniel prayed openly.  Without prayer there is little power, therefore make prayer a central part of life.
• Daniel did not compromise in this situation.
• He could have closed his windows.
• He could have left the city and prayed somewhere else.
• Daniel feared God and not man.   (Acts 5:28-30)
• DL Moody quoted - ‘Real faith is man’s weaknesses leaning on God’s strength.   (Hebrews 11:32-39)
• Daniel displayed 4 different qualities about his lifestyle.
• He had a consistent attitude.   He was positive and he had an excellent spirit.
• He was consistent in his performance.   He took his assignments seriously.
• He had a consistent purity.   None of the King’s officials could bring any charges against him.
• Daniel was a prayer warrior.
• Can you imagine the excitement in the city as the news of Daniel spread of Daniel spending a night in the Lion’s Den and he came out unhurt?
• God could have prevented Daniel from going into the Lion’s Den.
• Is your life filled with integrity and are you working to the best of your ability in your job?  Will others be able to accuse you of wrong?   (Daniel 6:4)
• Because of the events in the book of Daniel, the Jews were reminded that there God was a living God, even though they were surrounded by idols in Babylon.
• The Book of Daniel reminds the Jews also that if God could save 2 faithful mend form a fiery furnace and also save Daniel in the Lion’s Den, God could surely deliver his people back to Israel.
• We should remember we are in the LORD’s care and he will work out his divine purpose for his glory, regardless of the circumstances.   (I Peter 1:6-8, I Peter 4:12-19)
• What are the Lion’s Dens in our lives?
• Why does God let bad things happen?
• We are supporting actors in this drama of life, the real star of the story is God.
• Why do bad things happen to good people?
• So that God can be gloried   (James 1:12)
• Testing - to purify us and to glorify God.

Daniel 5: The Writing on the Wall.

Daniel 5: Then Writing on the Wall.

·         Setting

o    Nebuchadnezzar had died around 562 BC and approximately 25 years had passed since his vision of the Great Tree, his insanity, and his restoration to the throne.

§  Merodach, Nebuchadnezzar’s son, succeeded him as king and he reigned for only 2 months.   His brother in-law, Neriglissar murdered Merodach in 560 BC and he ruled for 4 years.   Next, Labashi-Marduk held the throne for 2 months before his assassination which leads to Nabonidus taking the throne from him.   Nabonidus was married to the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar and they had a son named Belshazzar.   Nabonidus ruled Babylon from 556 BC until 539 BC.  

§  In ancient times, the phrase grandfather or grandson did not exist, so Belshazzar was referred to as a son of Nebuchadnezzar.

o    Chapter 5 of Daniel was written around 539 BC.   Belshazzar was serving as a co-reign with his father, Nabonidus.   Since Belshazzar served as a co-regent, he was second in charge to his father, Nabonidus, who would be first in charge.    

§  Nabonidus was currently away from Babylon trying to reopen the trade routes that had been taken by Cyrus.   Belshazzar was left behind to take care of the affairs of Babylon.

o    Cyrus was the ruler of the Medes and Persians.   

§  His name was recorded around 200 years earlier by the prophet Isaiah.   (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1-3).

§  Cyrus’s intent was to conquer Babylon.  Babylon had decided not to enter the battlefields, but to fortify their city instead.   Cyrus had stationed half of his men on the north end of the city and the other half on the south end.   He then built a canal to divert the water around the city.   He drained the river so that they could walk in the water and still pass under the gates.

§  Josephus wrote that when Cyrus entered Babylon, Daniel presented him with a scroll indicating that he had been named by the prophet Isaiah who had died 150 years before Cyrus was born.

o    Daniel was now around 80 years old and no longer held the position he had held under Nebuchadnezzar.   Typically when a new King was put in charge he would dismiss the previous King’s officials and appoint his own.   The Mother Queen, the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar, recalls the dream interpretations Daniel made for her father and asks her son to call for Daniel to interpret the handwriting on wall.

§  Notice that Daniel was not present during either King’s dreams or vision.  He was not present with the original wise men who were unable to make the interpretations.  He was used as a last resort by both Kings.   Daniel had respected Nebuchadnezzar, while he had rejected Belshazzar.   Daniel used his sermon to show how Belshazzar had fallen into the same shoes as Nebuchadnezzar.

o    The conquest of Babylon had been predicted by the Prophets Isaiah (Chapters 13, 14, 21, and 47) and Jeremiah (Chapters 50 and 51).

§  Jeremiah predicted the fall of Babylon many years before it occurred.   Jeremiah was known for his bringing of bad news and the foretelling of his predictions to be true as well.

·         Babylon will be conquered - Jeremiah 50:1-3.

·         The Medo-Persians - Jeremiah 51:28-29, Jeremiah 51:11

·         How Babylon was to be taken - Jeremiah 51:57

·         How the Military victory would be won - Jeremiah 51:36-37

·         Overview

o    Belshazzar was holding a great feast with his wives, concubines, and 1000 notable guests.   At the same time of the feast, the Medes and Persians were at the city gates, ready to invade.   Babylon had boasted that it was strong enough to resist any attack because of its great wall surrounding the city.  It also had stored away enough food to feed its people for 20 years.

§  Belshazzar was known to be addicted to wine, woman, and song.

§  Drinking in public for a King was beneath their dignity.   He also tossed protocol to the side by inviting women to drink as well.   

§  Belshazzar did as he pleased.   (Proverbs 31:4-5, Isaiah 5:22-23)

o    Belshazzar shows contempt for the living God and taunted God as well by ordering the temple goblets seized from the Temple of Solomon be taken from storage and be used for drinking wine at his party.   He and his guests then begin praising the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

o    An armless hand writes a message on a wall at Belshazzar’s party..

§  Aramaic was the official language of Babylon.

§  This terrified the King as he could not understand its meaning.   The King then relies on his wise men and enchanters for its interpretation, which they are unable to provide.

o    The person who could interpret the handwriting on the wall would be given the third position in the Babylonian Kingdom.

o    Belshazzar was “weighed on the scales and found wanting”.   The Medes and Persians would overtake Babylon that very night.

·         Breakdown of the Verses.

o    Verse 1:   The Indulgence of Belshazzar.

§  Kings in this region of the world took great pleasure in hosting large banquets in order to display their wealth and splendor.   Archeologists record there were many halls in the city of Babylon to host such gatherings.   The focus of this feast was to focus on the pride of life and the lust of the flesh and eyes.

o    Verse 1:   The Indifference of Belshazzar.

§  Belshazzar knew the army of the Medes was outside of the city walls and the Persians were also encamped outside of the city.   He was indifferent to the threat they possessed.   He trusted the complex walls and defense towers that sat on the wall would defend the great city of Babylon.   He trusted no army could break through the thick walls.  They had plenty of water as the Euphrates River ran through the city and they had also stored enough food to last 20 years to feed its people.   He was proud of his achievements and basked in his self-confidence.   (I Thessalonians 5:3)

§  Belshazzar was indifferent to the information God had given his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar.   Babylon was the head of gold in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and told the kingdom would fall to another.   This will be further verified by Daniel’s vision in Chapter 7 where the Lion (Babylon) is defeated by a bear (Medo-Persians).   This vision that Daniel had occurred in the first year of reign of Belshazzar.

o    Verses 2 - 4:   The Irreverence of Belshazzar.

§  Was the King drunk when he ordered the servants to bring the consecrated vessels which were taken from Solomon’s Temple?   (2 Chronicles 36:9-21).

§  Nebuchadnezzar had proclaimed in Chapter 4 that all peoples were to give respect to the God of the Jews.

§  The people at the feast used the consecrated vessels as drinking cups for their wine while praising the false gods of Babylon.   The Babylonians felt their gods defeated the God of the Jews, so who could defeat them.

o    Verses 5 - 9:   The LORD Declares his Judgment.

§  Job 20:4-7.

§  Without warning, the fingers of a human hand appear in the area of a plastered wall and it is illuminated by a light for all to see.

·         Can you imagine how quiet it must have gotten and the amazement of the people as they watched?

·         The handwriting was a miracle from God that could not be duplicated by the false gods.   (Psalm 115: 1-8)

o    The finger of God defeated Pharaoh and the Egyptians.   (Exodus 8:18-19).

o    The finger of God wrote the Holy Law on the tablets of stone.   (Exodus 31:18)

o    Jesus said he casts out demons with the finger of God.   (Luke 11:17-20)

§  Belshazzar’s face begins to turn pale, his heart is overcome by terror, and his knees begin knocking together.   God had turned the banquet hall into a courtroom and the King was about to be declared guilty for his arrogant self-confidence caused by his exalted position.   

§  Belshazzar then calls for his wise men and commands them to interpret the handwriting and its meaning.   He also offers them a reward declaring that this person shall wear a royal robe and a golden chain, he would also become the third ruler under Nabonidus and Belshazzar.   History repeats itself once again as the wise men are unable to make the interpretation for the King.   (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

·         Once again God exposed the ignorance of the world and the futility of human power to explain the will and mind of God.

·         Mene - a unit of measure of money (Mina)

·         Tekel - another unit of money (Shekel).

·         Peres - a half shekel.

o    Verses 10 - 12:   The Queen Mother - Judgment Disregarded.

§  The mother of the King went immediately to console her son with her words ‘Don’t be alarmed, don’t look so pale’.   She was certain once the handwriting was interpreted that everything would be fine.   She then asks for Daniel to be summoned, who was Nebuchadnezzar’s greatest advisor.   When Daniel arrives, he tells’ Belshazzar about his grandfather’s dream.

·         The Queen Mother describes Daniel as bringing light and wisdom into every situation and that Daniel was able to explain and solve mysteries.  He was also able to unravel hard problems.  She also mentions Daniel’s interpretations proved to be correct and his prophecies were always fulfilled.

·         The Queen mother was the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar and the mother of Belshazzar.

o    Verses 13 - 29:   Daniel - The Judgment Described.

§  The King only knew Daniel by name, as it appears he did not know Daniel personally.   We see Daniel did Belshazzar’s business in his third year of reign.  (Daniel 8:1).

§  Daniel was familiar with this scene, a revelation from God, a fearful and frustrated ruler, incompetent counselors, and a servant of God coming to the rescue.   Daniel also refused the King’s reward, he was to serve his God and he was not for sale.   (I Peter 5:2)

§  Daniel was respectful of the King and he was not afraid to tell him the truth.

·         Even if we do not respect the official and the way he lives, we must respect the office.   (Romans 13:1-5)

·         We should exercise humility and tact when dealing with authorities.  God blessed Daniel because of this.   (Titus 2:7-9).

§  Daniel reminded Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar’s proclamation that ‘the Most High God ruled in the kingdom of men’.

·         Nebuchadnezzar showed his pride for his greatness and his kingdom and he was judged and condemned.   Belshazzar shows his pride by desecrating the high vessels of God from Solomon’s Temple to praise the false gods of Babylon.   The King was guilty of blasphemy and idolatry.   He was ignorant of his grandfather’s declaration to the Most High God and he forgot a part of Babylonian history.   

·         History will tend to repeat itself if you are unmindful of the past.

§  Since the words were in Aramaic, everyone in attendance could read the handwriting, but only Daniel was able to interpret it.   The words did not signify money, instead they contained a warning for Belshazzar.

·         Mene (Mina) - God had determined and numbered the days of Belshazzar.   The kingdom was to end shortly.

·         Tekel (Shekel) - The King himself had been weighed by God and the King was found wanting, so his days would be numbered.

·         Peres (Half Shekel) - This word contained a double meaning, divided and Persia.   Babylon would be divided between the Medes and Persians.   Their armies were at the city gates that very night.

§  The King still kept his promise even though Daniel did not want the rewards.   Daniel did not protest as he knew the city would fall that very night.

o    Verses 30 - 31:   Darius - The Deliverer of Judgment.

§  Belshazzar was slain that very night.   The Head of Gold was now replaced by the arms and chest of silver per Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Chapter 2.

§  The conquest was engineered by Cyrus, King of Persia, God’s servant for the task.   (Isaiah 44:27-28, Isaiah 45:1-4).

§  Darius (or Gobara) was an important officer in the army whom Cyrus made ruler of the Province of Babylon.   He is not the same Darius I who ruled in Babylon from 522 BC until 486 BC and encouraged the Jewish remnant to restore their temple in Jerusalem.

§  Because of the walls which surrounded Babylon, the people felt very safe from the enemy.   By diverting the flow of the Euphrates River, which ran through the north and south of Babylon, the Medo-Persians were able to go under the city gates and into the city.

§  The prophecies concerning Babylon were now fulfilled.

·         The mystery of Babylon still exists.   (Revelation 17:5 & 7, Revelation 18:2 & 10)

·         Babylon is referred to as a rebel city throughout the Bible.   

o    Babylon was founded by Nimrod, who was a rebel against God.   (Genesis 10:8-10).   Babylon is also referred to as the great city of this world where Jerusalem symbolizes the eternal city of God.

·         Revelation 17 and 18 refer to the rise and fall of “the mystery Babylon” in the end times.   It describes a satanic system that seduces the world’s people and entices them to reject God and live the sinful pleasures of life.

·         There are many similarities between Jeremiah 50 and 51 when compared to Revelation 18.   They look at the similarities between the ancient Babylon and the Babylon of future prophecies.   The future Babylon will help the Anti-Christ rise to power in this world.   The Anti-Christ’s kingdom will be destroyed when Jesus Christ returns to reign this world.   (Revelation 19:11-21).

·         From a book written by Dr. Harry Rimmer - Straight Ahead Lies Yesterday :   The world has seen its great cities, its mighty empires, and its powerful dictators, but the Most High God still reigns in Heaven and Earth and God still accomplishes his purpose.

·         Conclusion

o    How many people will use the phrase ‘the handwriting on the wall’ without knowing or knowing very little of its origin or the prophet Daniel?

o    In verse 17, Daniel states, ‘You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else.   

§  Whose rewards are we seeking?  (John 12:42-43, I Corinthians 3:11-15)

§  Do we want praise from others or praise from God?   (Colossians 3:23-24)

o    People can defy the will of God and blaspheme his name only so long before the hand of the LORD begins to move.

o    Why would the King ignore one of the great men of Babylon’s history and only turn to him in the last hours of his life?   (I Kings 12:1-12).

o    God does giver warnings to people.

§  Jonah the Prophet (Jonah 3).

§  Nebuchadnezzar was given 1 year to repent and become humble.   (Daniel 4).

o    Babylon had been chosen by God as an instrument to chasten his chosen people, the Israelites.   The Babylonians had carried things too far and mistreated the Jews.   God also punished them for destroying his temple.   (Isaiah 50:33-34, Isaiah 50:28, Isaiah 51:11)

o    Can you see any parallels between our current government and the elected officials of Babylon?

§  Our elected officials claim that America cannot be attacked from the outside.

§  Our elected officials who party at our national capital.

§  We pride ourselves of the American accomplishments.   (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

o    Babylon the Great City - Revelation 17:4-6.

o    A poem by an Anonymous author:

            At the feast of Belshazzar and a thousand of his lords,

While they drank from golden vessels,

As the book of Truth records,

In the night as they reveled in the royal palace hall,

They were seized in consternation at the hand upon the wall,

So our deeds are recorded,

There’s a hand that’s writing now.

Sinner, give your heart to Jesus to his royal mandate bow,

For the day is approaching,

It must come to one and all,

When the sinner’s condemnation will be written on the wall.