Darius was obviously subject to flat tery. The presidents and princes, profiting ignobly by this fact, per suaded him to issue a changeless de cree: for 30 days no one should ask a petition of anyone save Da r i us (6:6-9). It was a shrewd plot, calcu lated to ensnare Daniel, whose custom it was daily to seek the face of God in prayer. The decree was signed. Daniel, unperturbed, continued his daily routine of prayer (6 :10 ). His enemies caught him in the act (6:11), ALONE Alone, dear Lord, in solitude serene, Thy servant Moses was constrained to 9°, Into the silent desert with the sheep; The silvery stars his lonely vigil know. And Paul, the fiery warrior, zealous, bold, In desert Places, 'neath Arabian skies. Learned God's own lessons, harkened to His voice, Grew calm, resourceful, humble, meek and wise. Alone, dear Lord, I fear to be alone; M y heart demands the blest com panionship Of those that love Thee; friendship's nectar sweet, With those beloved, I evermore would sip. But in the desert, Moses, David, Paul, Were not alone, afar from love or care, They companied with heav'nly visitors, They knew no loneliness, for Thou wert there. — Alice E. Sherwood and accused him before the king (6:12, 13). Darius, chagrined and frustrated, could not change the law of the Medes. T he P unishment of D aniel (6:16) The prophet was cast into the den of lions: and the mouth of the den was officially sealed (6:17). The king’s remorse was pitiable (6:18). Early in the morning he rushed to the ’den and cried out in trepidation (6:19, 20). Daniel, unharmed, reas sured him from the bottom of the pit. T he P rotection of D aniel 32
The fate of Babylon in 5:29-31 re minds us of the day, still in the future, when the totalitarian combi nation of iniquitous political and ec clesiastical power known as “Baby lon the Great, Mother of Harlots” (Rev. 17:5) will meet its doom (Rev. 18:10). The spiritual lesson is clear. Sin deserves, and will receive, punish ment. God’s purposes are inexorably being carried out. In our own strength we are all “weighed and found want ing.” But he who trusts the Son of God as Saviour is not “wanting” : he is “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph. 1 : 6 ) . Chapter Six presents a picture of heroism, fortitude and serenity in the face of persecution. Neither the envy of Daniel’s colleagues nor the fury of hungry lions could mar the proph et’s repose nor disturb his unruffled calm and trust in God. The study of this chapter should be a blessing to every believer who is distraught or over-burdened. T he P ortrait of D aniel Chapter One revealed the prophet’s purity of life : Chapter Two, the clarity of his spiritual insight; Chap ter Five, the boldness of his testi mony. This chapter reveals his sub lime heroism. We are in the days of Darius the Mede (5:31; 6-1). The monarch has organized his kingdom: 120 princes are under the supervision of 3 presi dents, of whom Daniel is chief (6:1,2). The prophet by this time is advanced in years, prestige and au thority (6 :3 ). He is extremely power ful. Upon this fact the plot of the chapter hinges. T he P lot A gainst D aniel Daniel’s political associates, envi ous of his exalted position, and un able to find any actual fault in him (654, 5), concocted a foul scheme to rid themselves of their rival. Remember that Medo-Persia is the silver empire. The ruler’s control was not absolute: even he was subject to the unalterable law of the realm.
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