Daniel Unlocked #31

Daniel Unlocked #31. Condemned for Reverence and Obedience.

Please read Daniel 6.

The story of Daniel decoding the inscription on the wall has likely echoed through the palace. Following the transition of power from Babylon to the Medo-Persians, Darius the Mede acknowledges Daniel’s wisdom and welcomes him into the new government. Daniel, now an aged prophet, not only excels in his governmental duties but earns the prestigious position of chief administrator for the entire Medo-Persian regime. As the narrative unfolds, Daniel encounters the repercussions of what could be deemed the first sin—jealousy. Yet, by the story’s conclusion, it becomes evident that Daniel remains loyal not only to his secular responsibilities under the Medo-Persians but, more importantly, to his God. His faithfulness to God undeniably influences his commitment in other spheres.

Daniel’s experience with persecution serves as a paradigm for God’s people in the end times, of being condemned for their reverence and obedience to God.

The story doesn’t promise exemption from trials and suffering but assures that, in the battle against evil, goodness will ultimately triumph, and God will vindicate His people. The Bible knows nothing of the notion of a secretive end-time rapture sparing God’s people from the final showdown.

Much like Joseph in Egypt, Daniel’s administrative prowess earns him the admiration of the king but arouses jealousy among fellow officers. Their envy prompts a conspiracy to discredit him with allegations of corruption. Despite their thorough scrutiny, they find no fault in Daniel’s administration, as he proves consistently faithful, responsible, and wholly trustworthy (Daniel 6:4, NLT). In their desperation, the officers recognize Daniel’s unwavering commitment to God’s law. To frame him, they understand they must create a situation where Daniel must choose between obeying God’s law or the empire’s, mirroring a scenario in Revelation 13 and 14. This stands as a testament to Daniel’s steadfastness.

Regrettably, the king neglects to scrutinize the motivations behind the proposed law, failing to realize that the law supposedly preventing conspiracy is, in fact, a conspiracy to harm Daniel. This law, with its unalterable decree and the penalty of being cast into the lions’ den, originates from a Persian-Median legal framework, recurring in Esther 1:19 and 8:8. Daniel, being an experienced statesman and, above all, God’s servant, comprehends the cosmic battle between God and the forces of evil underlying this plot.

Why doesn’t Daniel simply pray quietly without anyone seeing him? Daniel is an experienced statesman, but, above all, he is God’s servant. As such, he is the only member of the government who can understand what lies behind the king’s decree. For Darius the decree amounts to an opportunity to strengthen the unity of the kingdom, but for the conspirators it is a strategy to get rid of Daniel. Of course, the real causes and motives behind the plot lie in the cosmic battle between God and the forces of evil.

At this point in 539 B.C., Daniel has already received visions recorded in Daniel 7 (553 B.C.) and 8 (551 B.C.), granting him insight into the royal decree’s cosmic implications. Empowered by these visions and perhaps drawing courage from his companions past challenges to Nebuchadnezzar’s decree (Daniel 3), Daniel maintains his habitual practice of praying three times daily facing Jerusalem.

Despite the prohibition and the imminent clash with the royal decree, Daniel openly demonstrates that his allegiance to God supersedes any commitment to the king and his irrevocable mandate.