Daniel 6: How faith can shut a lion's mouth!

Bible Study Series: Daniel, Babylon and the End Times

Daniel Chapter 6 Lesson: How faith can shut a lion's mouth!

by I Gordon

Now, you may wish to debate this important point, but I would say that the story before us today in Daniel chapter 6 is possibly the most loved story in the Old Testament (as voted mainly by boys under 9 years of age!) Big call I know but it is backed up by fact.¹ Daniel chapter 6 is a great story - we've got an old man of God, young hungry lions, corrupt jealous officials, God-given supernatural preservation of an old man thrown to the young lions, and the bad guys getting what they deserve! Apologies for spoiling the ending for you but there is a slim possibility that you knew it anyway! So let's just back up a bit...

In the previous chapter we saw the end of the Babylonian empire. In a single day, the Medes and Persians took the city and killed the Babylonian king, Belshazzar. So in terms of king Nebuchadnezzar's vision, which we discussed in chapter 2, we have moved from the head of gold (Babylon) to the arms of silver with the Medo-Persian empire now in control. History records the date of Babylon's downfall as October 13, 539 B.C and Darius the Mede, as appointed by King Cyrus, is now ruling over Babylon. Daniel is now in his early 80's but as we shall see, Daniel is no ordinary old man. He is an extraordinary man... a fact that will even raise the envy and jealousy levels amongst his peers and leave Daniel in a very precarious position with some very hungry lions. So in this lesson we'll explore:

• How jealousy will lead to an evil plan being hatched against our godly Daniel - How does this point to Jesus and life in many countries today?  
• Daniel's response to the new laws of the land - did Daniel compromise his faith or trust in the living God?
• How to shut a lion's mouth - How was Daniel protected when faced with certain death?
• How the tables were turned - why we can trust God in difficult times and how the enemy was caught in his own trap when it came to his plan for Jesus!

The cream rises to the top!

Dan 6:1-4 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, (2) with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. (3) Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. (4) At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

Daniel, as the NASB states, had an 'extraordinary spirit.' He was different and the evidence of God's presence in his life was clear for all to see.² As the saying goes, the cream always rises to the top and so Daniel soon found himself in a position of authority within the Medo-Persian kingdom, just as he had been within the Babylonian kingdom. Although this time he had a problem... the green eyed monster called 'Jealousy' was rearing its ugly head again, just as it had many times before for God's people . For example: 

• We've recently studied the life of Joseph and saw the extent of his brother's jealousy and where that ended up! (Genesis 37)
• Or how about Korah's rebellion against Moses in Numbers 16 where he was jealous of Moses and wanted the same position of leadership as Moses had. 
• And let's not forget King Saul's jealousy of David in 1 Samuel 18 which resulted in spear attacks and David running for his life. 
• And of course we can't leave out the religious leader's jealousy and envy of Jesus which even the Roman Governor Pilate picked up on:
  Mar 15:9-11 Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" (10) For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. (11) But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.

So Daniel is in good company... Joseph, Moses, David and Jesus have all had people jealous and envious of what they have. People often don't like people who are different... especially if they fear God and can't be manipulated. Well, our good friend Daniel was striking three out of three on those counts. On top of that, King Darius was now thinking of placing Daniel over the whole kingdom. So through no fault of his own, Daniel soon had some pretty powerful enemies. They wanted him gone... out of the picture. And yet, search as they could, we read that 'they could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.'  What an awesome testimony that is! So what do you do if you've got someone that is blameless and can't be bought?

The plan is hatched!

Dan 6:5-9 Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God." (6) So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: "O King Darius, live forever! (7) The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions' den. (8) Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered-- in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed." (9) So King Darius put the decree in writing.

Try as they might, they had nothing on Daniel!³  Imagine if that was said of a leader or politician today! Ha! Not likely... it doesn't happen. Most politicians today only survive because they have enough dirt on each other to make sure no one raises any issues! This left Daniel's enemies with few options. Well, only one option and that was to change the laws of the land to be in opposition to God's law. It's an old trick but quite successfully employed even today. In fact it is an old trick that is on the increase today! 

When sins aren't crimes and crimes aren't sins

I read a quote on this that said 'Today there are many sins that aren't crimes, and many crimes that aren't sins.' This is so true. Many in the West live in countries where it is illegal to smack your own child to discipline them, but legal to kill the unborn. Smacking your child is not a sin but is now a crime. Killing the unborn whom God has made, is a sin, but it is not a crime. So you can expect things to get more mixed up as society moves away from God and the Bible. And you can expect the laws of the land to be used against the Christian. The late, great, Chuck Missler once said:

'You can expect increasing laws to be enforced to try to encumber you as a biblical believer. The freedom of expression that we had in America, Canada and in Australia is starting to be curtailed. There are certain things you cannot talk about in public anymore. The thought control is beginning. The biblical believer will be the minority guy. The attack will include, if not lead by, the denominations. The substitutionary death of Jesus for our sins is a topic that is not comfortable from many pulpits. How many pulpits can you hear that from? A vanishing number in America. People who hold to those 'old fashioned' ideas will be continually marginalized. You have to understand how you persecute a group. First you identify that group. Then you marginalize that group. Then you vilify that group. Then you pass laws against what that group does. Finally, you simply enforce those laws. When the Gestapo broke down doors in the middle of the night and took away the head of the household they were not breaking the law - they were enforcing the law. The biblical believer has been promised persecution by our King. And it is coming. And most Christians aren't ready for that, but they need to be.'
Dr Chuck Missler

They knew they could get him if they put his devotion to God at odds with his devotion to the king and laws of the land. They would force him to have to choose which he would do. To disobey God would ruin his testimony and integrity. To disobey the laws of the land would get him prosecuted as one who would not be fully loyal to the king. Again... this is not just something that happened 2600 years ago. This is the tactic of today as well where Christian businesses and believers are specifically targeted to try and cause persecution and prosecution.

So here was Daniel... a man who shone so brightly, others were jealous and decided to try and put that light out. So off to the king they went, saying that 'all' of the king's governors had agreed that for 30 days no one could pray to any other god. Of course, the 'all' didn't include Daniel himself who was strangely left out of this decision! It seems that they flattered the king, exalting him to the place of God, and he bought it! 

A long time ago I discovered that I am not as bad as my enemies say and I am not nearly as good as my friends say that I am. There is always a danger of being carried away by flattery.⁴
J. Vernon McGee

So the king made a quick, foolish decision without any consultation with Daniel that he would live to regret very soon. And a seemingly foolproof plan was hatched. One that would definitely end with someone doing lunch with lions - but the 'who' is still yet to be determined!

Daniel changes his ways (not one bit!)

Dan 6:10-13 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (11) Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. (12) So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: "Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions' den?" The king answered, "The decree stands--in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed." (13) Then they said to the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day."

Upon hearing of the new decree that no one can now pray, Daniel immediately goes home and... prays! He purposely disobeys the law. But not because he's a rebel... far from it. It was just that God came first in his life and there was nothing that he would let come before his relationship with the Lord. He didn't even close his windows so that he couldn't be seen. You will note also that he doesn't go home to moan at God about his predicament. No, he simply kneels and gives thanks to God - as he has always done!

Always begin by giving thanks

There is a good illustration for us here. In this trying time, Daniel could still give thanks! That is faith that brings God into play! I have always liked what Bible commentator and teacher Mathew Henry wrote after being robbed. He wrote: 

'I thank thee first because I was never robbed before. 
Second, because although they took my purse, they did not take my life. 
Third, because although they took my all, it was not much. 
And fourth because it was I who was robbed and not I who robbed.' 

That's very cool. We should always look for something which we can give thanks for, even if the situation itself is not pleasant. And you will note that while he begins with giving thanks, he also presents his requests, asking God for help. This is a perfect Old Testament example of a New Testament truth concerning prayer:

Php 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And Daniel would need (and experience) this peace because he knew that this act of praying to God might very well book him a lunch appointment with hungry lions!

Now, we should also remember again that Daniel was in his early eighties at this stage and as such he was a man with a lifetime of experiencing the faithfulness of his Lord. Because of this, Daniel wasn't freaked out easily! D.L. Moody said that 'character is what you are in the dark.' And we see from this verse where Daniel's strength lay and who he was when no one was looking. He is unshakeable because of the firm foundation beneath him that held him up... and that is the Lord - the solid rock! So how would the king respond when told that Daniel had broken his new decree?

Dan 6:14-17 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. (15) Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, "Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed." (16) So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!" (17) A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed.

So Daniel was caught red handed practicing that oh so terrible crime of praying to God. The plan had been hatched, the trap had been set and it had now been sprung on God's godly servant Daniel. I like how this reads in the NKJV - 'And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself'. You would think that when a King hears that someone in his kingdom has willfully disobeyed his orders he would be displeased with them. But no, he was displeased with... himself. Although the king now realized that he had been flattered and tricked, there was nothing that he could do about it. A decree was a decree and it must be acted upon!⁵ So, even though the king is sorrowful when he realizes that the law that he agreed to is now being used to condemn Daniel, the law of the Medes and Persians must be upheld and thus Daniel was thrown into the lion's den!

A sleepless, foodless, entertainment-less night

Dan 6:18-20 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. (19) At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. (20) When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" 

The king was obviously really concerned for Daniel, and, as someone has once said, he fasted for the night hoping the lions would do likewise! So there is no food, no entertainment and even no sleep for the king. He really was concerned about what he had allowed to happen! 

Now I like how he comes to the den at first light and calls out to Daniel. That shows faith. He didn't just peep over the edge half squinting, scared of what he might see! He didn't know what would happen but he knew Daniel, and through knowing Daniel he was beginning to know something of Daniel's God. And Daniel's God seems different to Darius. He seems to be a God that actually acts on behalf of His people. And so he calls out: "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" 

The Living God

You will notice that he calls Daniel's God, the living God. That is very cool. It seems that this is a title that was used in times when action was required. 

• Jos 3:9-10 Then Joshua said to the sons of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God." (10) Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.
• 1Sa 17:26 Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?"
• 2Ki 19:14-16 Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD... (16) "Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God.
• Heb 10:31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Would you say that you follow 'the living God'? Do you allow the Lord to take control in your life? Have you had times when you have seen the hand of the living God working His ways for you?

How to shut a lion's mouth!

Dan 6:21-23 Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! (22) My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." (23) The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

The New Testament tells us that 'your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.' We, like Daniel, need to remain strong in our faith in the midst of our difficulties and persecutions if and when they come. It is also important to not give the enemy reason to justifiably condemn us. 

Shutting the Lion's mouth

From this we can see that faith can shut the mouths of lions. So let me ask you... what lions are you faced with at the moment? What is it that causes you to worry and fear? Sooner or later we will face the lions whether they come in the form of opposition, slander, health issues, financial concerns, persecution... May we learn as Paul did that even if all else falls around our side, the Lord will still stand with us. No doubt the apostle Paul had Daniel 6 in mind when we wrote in 2nd Timothy:

'At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me...but the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth.' (2 Tim 4:17)

God can shut the lion's mouth, in whatever form it comes. Stand firm in your faith. Daniel's faith was also noted in the 'hall of faith' in Hebrews 11 where, though not named, his actions are::

Heb 11:32-33 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, (33) who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions...

And, in a prophetic application, we look forward to the day in the Millennial Kingdom, when all of the lion's mouths shall be shut for good and peace shall reign. 

Isa 11:6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

Caught in their own deceptive web!!

Dan 6:24 At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. 

Something usually missing from the Sunday school versions of this story is the judgement that was carried out upon the men (and their families!) who had falsely accused Daniel. They got to spend a little bit of time with the lions themselves. The scary thing about this is that there were no angels to guard and protect those that didn't fear the Lord! They had been snared in their own trap and caught in their own deceptive web!

Of course, the greatest example of this came one day as Jesus was nailed to a cross. How Satan must have rejoiced as he turned the masses against Jesus. He would have been beside himself as darkness covered the land and the Son of God died a slow and agonizing death upon that cross! 'I've done it' he would have proclaimed. 'I have killed the Son of God! I have stopped God and put an end to His plan!' And yet as Jesus breathed His last, the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom! The way into the Holy of Holies was opened to all and Satan's plan had backfired! That cross, the same cross that was meant to seal the Son of God's fate, would be the very thing that God used to seal Satan's fate and set the captives free! Death itself would be defeated by the Son of God going down into death. What a plan... what a magnificent plan of God! And as Paul, contemplating the amazing wisdom and plan of God writes:

Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

Conclusion - An amazing testimony of God to all the people

Dan 6:25-28 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly! (26) I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. (27) He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." (28) So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. But look also at the result of this trial from a personal point of view. We can see that the strength of a person's testimony is proportional to the depth of the trial and deliverance they have experienced. God knows what He is doing if we are asked to endure such a trial. Daniel, as we have read above, was required to go through such a trial... But what a result! Not only had Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon issued an earlier personal testimony to all of the then known world praising the God of Israel (see Daniel 4), but now king Darius of the Medo-Persian kingdom has also issued a decree to all peoples that the God of Daniel must be feared and revered! That is amazing. When we are down and are wondering what is happening, let us remember these words of Darius. For he reminds us, as does this whole chapter, that

Let us remember those points, especially when we next find ourselves face to face with lions! Amen.

FOOTNOTES