Daniel 6 (4)

Introduction
As I read about those administrators skulking around Daniel’s apartment and breaking in on the king, I can’t help but think about John Cleese in that red robe, bursting into a room with his henchmen as the Spanish Inquisition, in effect saying, “Gotcha!” to some unwitting victim (Monty Python’s Flying Circus). These administrators must have been very pleased with themselves, for they managed a double “Gotcha!” – on both Daniel and Darius. Enjoy it while you can. Years later, Haman would too, but then…

Read Esther 3 and 6.1-9.

Read Daniel 6.11-17.

Think it through
1.  His administrators reminded Darius of the law he had signed (vv. 11, 12). Did they think he’d forgotten? Why did they consider it important to have Darius affirm that law? Is there a lesson for us from Darius’ allowing himself to be flattered into this hasty act? What affections do you imagine the king was feeling in verses 13 and 14? When such affections arise within us, what must we do?

2.  Darius, for all his ego, was a decent fellow. He knew he could not undo the law he’d signed, but he also knew that what these administrators had done was unjust. He “was greatly displeased with himself”. Why? Yet he was bound by his own law, so that he could do nothing other than comply with it. His administrators goaded him further (v. 15), and the king had no choice but to order the punishment (v. 16). What do you make of Darius’ comment to Daniel in verse 16? The final phrase in verse 17 is fraught: “that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.” A double meaning is intended here, I think. Explain.

Meditate
“He sealed with his ring the rock by which the opening of the pit was shut up, so that the enemies of Daniel might not make any attempt to harm him. For he had entrusted him to the power of God, and although not worried about lions, he was fearful of men.” Jerome (347-420 AD)

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. Acts 28.3-6

Lord, nothing can separate me from Your love, not the anger of people, not even death. Give me courage for this day, to serve You faithfully by…

Pray Psalm 66.16-20
As you pray, set your mind and heart to live for Christ today, and to make the most of every opportunity to be His witness.

Psalm 66.13-20 (Regent Square: Angels from the Realms of Glory)
To Your house we come with off’rings, what we vowed, Lord, help us do.
O, receive our praise and homage as we give ourselves to You.
Come and listen, all who fear Him: hear what this great God can do!

When we cried to You, You answered, filled our mouths with highest praise.
Let not sin abide within us, lest we languish all our days.
Bless the Lord, Who hears our pleadings and preserves His love always.

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.