Journal Through the Bible: Week 79 Monday

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Daniel chapter 6

It is a familiar chapter, especially to those who grew up attending Sunday school. But the political backdrop is also familiar to adults: governments - or leaders of such - declaring self-deification based upon their own lustful conceit with the resulting loss of the right of their citizens to worship (or not!) according to the dictate of one's conscience. As King Solomon once said, "There is nothing new under the sun." And like Darius, when tested, the egotistical god often finds himself unexpectedly acknowledging the true and living God.

Does God issue any commands?

• God had commanded an angel to shut the mouths of the lions so that they would not harm Daniel.

Does God make any promises?

• Nothing spoken, but the obvious care of Daniel speaks of the promise of God to care for those who serve Him with integrity. Even if the lions had killed Daniel, God would have cared for Daniel. But Daniel had not finished his course so God protected him.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• God was with Daniel to protect him while he was in the lion's den. Jesus promised His disciples that even though He would not be physically present with them (us) He would never leave them (us) or forsake them (us!).

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• In his decree to the people of all 120 provinces under his jurisdiction, Darius declared God's kingdom and dominion to be everlasting.