Lions are also a metaphor in the Bible for someone who has great power. For example, the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” in Genesis 49:9 and in Revelation 5:5 are references to Jesus Christ. In 1 Peter 5:8-9, Peter compares the devil to a roaring lion who “prowls around looking for someone to devour.”
Daniel probably never imagined that his prayer life would lead to victory over hungry lions and a worldwide proclamation by a king of God’s goodness. Daniel kneeled three times per day while in prayer before God.
“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.” Daniel 6:1-3
King Belshazzar had promised to make Daniel a third ruler over Babylon after Daniel accurately interpreted the words that the hand of God wrote on his palace wall. Belshazzar was executed that night by the Medes and Persians. He was unable to fulfill his promise to Daniel, but the Lord saw fit to honor Belshazzar’s promise by moving King Darius to appoint Daniel into a similar position. An excellent spirit was in Daniel. It was God’s Spirit. Now, Darius was considering to appoint Daniel over the whole realm.
“So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.’ So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: ‘King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors, and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for 30 days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.’ Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.” Daniel 6:4-9
They looked for “dirt” on Daniel that they could use to have him removed from his position. His reputation was squeaky clean. God is the one who helped Daniel to live above reproach so they needed to pass a law that would come between Daniel’s religious practices and his compliance with the government’s laws. They made a law that whoever petitioned any god or man for 30 days, except the king, be cast into a lion’s den. Daniel could not of good conscience obey this law. Sound familiar? It’s called religious persecution... making laws that criminalize faith in a particular God. The penalty for breaking their anti-Biblical law was death by being torn apart and eaten by lions.
In Rome, “damnatio ad bestias” or “condemnation by beast” was a known punishment for various criminals and was applied to Christians who refused to renounce their faith. It was considered one of the most severe forms of execution in the Roman Empire, alongside others like crucifixion and burning alive.
In 2 Timothy 4:17, Paul testified that the Lord delivered him from the mouth of the lion.
Did this law deter Daniel from talking with God...
“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” Daniel 6:10
Daniel not only prayed he gave thanks to God. How many of us would be thanking God under these circumstances?
“Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: ‘Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within 30 days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?’ The king answered and said, ‘The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.’ So they answered and said before the king, ‘That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.’” Daniel 6:11-13
They had King Darius backed into a corner. He was bound to keep the law. What could he do?
“And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, ‘Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.’ So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, ‘Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.’ Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.” Daniel 6:14-17
What did King Darius do? He believed God. He made a profession of faith in God, saying, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” But he did even more than that. He denied himself food, music and sleep.
“Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also, his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, ‘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! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.’” Daniel 6:18-22
The king lamented for Daniel. Laments, tears and cries are powerful demonstrations of love for people. He asked Daniel, “Has your God... delivered you from the lions?” Yes, Daniel could testify that God’s angel shut the lions’ mouths so that they could not hurt him.
“Now the king was exceedingly 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 injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God. And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.” Daniel 6:23-24
“No injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.” But this was not so for his accusers. They, their children and their wives were thrown to same the lions. This time the lions killed them instantly.
“Then King Darius wrote: to all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: ‘Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.’” Daniel 6:25-27
God took the attempts of Daniel’s enemies to destroy him and turned them into a worldwide proclamation of His glory. King Darius testified of the Lord’s ability to deliver and rescue. He spoke of the God who does signs and wonders. He spoke of the God who delivered Daniel from lions. The worldwide leader professed faith in God. .
“So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” Daniel 6:28
Daniel was a man of prayer. Three times per day, he stopped everything to kneel in prayer to God. It has been said that “a man who kneels before God can stand before anyone.” Hans Von Staden wrote, “When man works, man works; when man prays, God works.”
Daniel remained close with God via prayer. When Daniel had no hope of survival except for divine intervention, God came through for him. God shut the mouths of hungry lions to preserve his life.
Daniel’s private practice of daily prayer led to a worldwide proclamation of God’s goodness.
Praise the Lord!
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