1. When Colleagues Betray Us Believing and Behaving in Babylon Part 6 – Daniel Chapter 6 "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960-1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”

2. New Regime, New Conflicts 1 It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they would be in charge of the whole kingdom, 2 and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. This Darius is the same as at the end of Ch. 5 – “Darius the Mede” – viceroy under Cyrus – “Darius” is probably a title rather than a personal name – There are at least three persons called “Darius” in Scripture: in Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah

3. The kingdom formerly known as Babylon was now part of the Medo-Persian empire. – Dairus divided up oversight responsibilities among 120 governors, reporting to three administrators (commissioners), including the Hebrew man Daniel. – Their primary goal was to see that Darius not suffer loss. This is the mark of a true servant spirit – that one’s superior would succeed and prosper. 3 Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners … and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. – Although he had been captive for decades in a pagan land, Daniel served with distinction and honor.

4. The Ugliness of Envy As Daniel’s favor with the king grew, the jealousy of his peers grew more – perhaps as they feared for their positions! V. 4 – If Daniel were made prime minister of the kingdom, what would become of them? – They clearly had no understanding of Daniel’s character or motives – Their character and motives are revealed by their actions: they “…began trying to find a ground of accusation…” against Daniel

5. This response to the success of God’s servant’s is seen again, 550+ years later Matt. 27:17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?“ 18 For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over. – Jesus Himself taught that envy is the product of a corrupt heart - Mark 7:20-23 – and is companion to every kind of evil …in regard to government affairs … they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption… – Where, oh where, are the “Daniels” today??

6. Where is the Evidence? 5 Then these men said, "We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God." “If you are arrested for being a Christian, will there be enough evidence to convict you?” – With Daniel, his adversaries could only manipulate the system around his faith Fortunately for them, this was not difficult Note the character deficiency in Darius which made this possible: Pride! – v. 7 – The commissioners now had an “iron-clad solution” to their problem – the “law of the Medes and Persians” Nothing (they thought) could overcome it! – v. 8

7. Interesting thing about human and natural “laws”: they are subject to God’s Sovereignty Matt. 27:65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how." – “What is more final than death and the grave?” So thought the Pharisees. So thought the Commissioners – They knew that Daniel would obey the dictates of his faith even to his peril Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.” – Warning: Be sure you are being ordered to betray God before you jump into a lion’s den!!

8. What to do when Threatened 10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house … and he continued … praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. When society, culture, and earthly powers turn against us, what is our response? – Revolt? – Form a new political party? – Move to a more hospitable country? – Daniel did none of this; he simply carried on as he had before: seeking the favor of Jehovah with consistency

9. The Trap is Sprung 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. 12 Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king's injunction… They knew Daniel would not – he could not – obey the sanction – This is the definition of integrity – he would live the same way regardless of circumstances or pressures Darius saw that he had been manipulated – v. 14 – and sought diligently to rescue the man of God – Remember: the enemy thinks he has you “locked up”! – v. 15

10. An Amazing Confession 16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den… – The king had exhausted all his resources to rescue Daniel – He had no recourse under his legal system but to execute the sentence … BUT… …The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.“ – The commissioners knew that Daniel’s faith would entrap him – The king knew Daniel’s God would set him free!

11. Daniel’s Fate is Sealed! 17 A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel. – Note: Darius required not only his but also his nobles’ signets be used – They viewed this “honor” with pride – Actually this held them accountable for what would happen next – 2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13

12. 1 Cor. 1:21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. Eph. 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise

13. A Troubled Spirit with no Rest 18 Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting … his sleep fled from him. Darius knew that a wrong had been done, and he was at fault – What a tragedy to be so burdened and not have the peace of God, nor the God of peace to comfort you Philippians 4:6-9 – Darius fasted but there is no record of him praying, though he had many “gods” – he knew only One could hear, and he did not know Him Note that Daniel and the lions were also fasting at the time! – Here in Babylon, surrounded by treachery, hostility, and disappointment where do you find peace?

14. Daybreak at Last! 19 Then the king arose at dawn… and went in haste to the lions' den. 20 When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice…” Isa. 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. [KJV] Prov. 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. – Though he knew that Daniel’s God could rescue him, “reason” cast doubt in Darius’ troubled mind

15. 20 …The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?" – One can but wonder what Darius expected to hear in response! 21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever! “ – Is this the response you would give in this circumstance? – Daniel honored the authority over him, in spite of the circumstances, because he trusted in Jehovah above all

16. Well, Shut my Mouth! 22 "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime." – Daniel now proclaims his innocence before God and man, and there are powerful witnesses! Note that “the law of Medes and Persians” was satisfied, but not the way the commissioners expected – v. 24 – Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8 1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

17. A New Decree 26 "I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; for He is the living God and enduring forever, and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, and His dominion will be forever. 27 "He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions." We long for such a decree to be proclaimed here in our Babylon – Are we willing to be offered to the lions for it to happen?

18. God’s Prosperity Plan 28 So this Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. God prospered Daniel, but Daniel was still in Babylon – God was not finished dealing with Daniel or with His people – God has a Plan, and He chose to reveal that Plan to and through Daniel – That Plan is in play today; are you willing to be a part of it? Jeremiah 29:11-14

19. Jeremiah 29:11 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 'I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.'