Daniel 6

Daniel 6: Costly choice.

Daniel 6:1-2,5 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 5Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
Monday, April 21, 2008; Background: Daniel was captured and taken prisoner into Babylon from Judah. He is now in his 70’s and under Persian rule of Darius.
Why did the Persian princes scrutinize Daniel’s life? To find scandal, forcing him out of power. They could not, so they decided to attack him through his beliefs.
Does this happen in today’s workplace? Yes.
Daniel 6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008: How was the attack carried out? Knowing how Daniel prayed thrice daily to God, they tricked the king into temporally amending their constitution which, once written into law, could not be changed even by the King.
Why did the plan succeed? The King felt elevated to the stature of a god.
Daniel 6:10,16 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008: Did Daniel change his prayer time? No. Knowing full well what the cost would be, he prayed with his window open to Jerusalem. Reluctantly, the King carried out the sentence but encouraged Daniel.
Does this happen in today’s workplace? Yes.
Daniel 6:19-22 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
Thursday, April 24, 2008: What was the result of the sentence? God granted the release when no one else could. Ever wonder what you would do?
2 Chronicles 6:38-39 If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.
Friday, April 25, 2008: Is Daniel’s prayer time required in 10 commandments or a law or a statute? No. It is found in an obscure part of scripture regarding national forgiveness for the Jew who was captured and repented. This is why Daniel is ‘greatly beloved’ of God. (Dan 10:11)