Daniel: Far From Homeنموونە

Daniel has been thrown into the lions’ den. As with the fiery furnace of chapter 3, it looks like the fate of Daniel is inevitable. The description in the narrative of verses 17 and 18 underlines it. Again we see that the powerful king is powerless to help.

In verses 19 and 20 we read of the king going to the lions’ den. He speaks about God and Daniel. He declares that God is ‘the living God’. The king is using a common OT description of God. He declares that Daniel serves this God continually. His question is whether God has been able to rescue Daniel.

Daniel’s reply is that God shut the mouths of the lions. Daniel doesn’t explain how He did this. But it is clear that this is (as with the fiery furnace in chapter 3) a miracle from the God who is in complete charge. That this is a miracle is shown in verse 24. Those who have plotted against Daniel now experience what they had planned for him. They are thrown into the lions’ den and are overpowered before they reach the floor.

Daniel declares that he is innocent in God’s sight. Obedience to the rule of God above the rule of the king has been vindicated as right. Daniel, even though he disobeyed the king’s order, has in fact done the right thing, even towards the king (see v. 22). Daniel’s clear and faithful stand for God is faith (see Heb. 11:33). It is to live obediently to the Lord, whatever the cost might have been to him.

It is not only those who opposed Daniel who are thrown to the lions. Their families are, too. In our individualistic culture that seems harsh. However, here is a reminder that the actions of an individual ripple beyond that individual, and that God’s judgement on the enemies of His people accompanies their rescue.

In verses 25 to 27 we read of Darius’s response. Unlike Belshazzar in chapter 5, this response echoes that of Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4. He also writes a letter to the whole world, testifying to God’s rule. Darius’s declaration comes at the very centre of the book, and is a good summary of the themes of chapters 1 to 6 (v. 27 reminds us of the God who is in control and saves), and also an introduction to the themes of chapters 7 to 12 (v. 26 tells us of a God who is in control of history, and who will establish an eternal kingdom).

Reflection

God has vindicated the faith of Daniel. He did that by rescuing Daniel from the lions’ den. Hebrews 11:33 records Daniel as a hero of faith. In which ways is Daniel’s faith a model for us?