God Rescues Daniel from the Lions

Transcription

1 Session 4 God Rescues Daniel from the Lions THEOLOGICAL THEME: God glorifies Himself through the rescue of those who trust Him. We have now arrived at the most famous story in the Book of Daniel. As we ve seen, this man of God ruled with insight, intelligence, and wisdom under Nebuchadnezzar (5:11). He had a reputation as a man with an extraordinary spirit (5:12), as one who had within him the spirit of the gods. Insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom (5:14) was the word on the street about him continuing into the reign of Belshazzar, the last Babylonian king. King Darius the Mede shared their opinion and appointed Daniel to a position of significant leadership. But suddenly, Daniel faced a crisis, a major test of faith. And within a few short days, we see a faithful 80-year-old man thrown into a pit with ravenous lions ready to tear him apart. Why? Because he wouldn t stop praying. What do you know about the story of Daniel in the lions den? Why do you think this particular story has become so well known in the church and in our culture? 46 Date of My Bible Study: 2016 LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser.

2 In Daniel 6, we encounter a real story about a real man who by supernatural protection escaped the claws and teeth of real lions so that the nations would know that the God of Daniel is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion has no end (v. 26). As God s people, we are to show courage as we trust in God and obey Him, no matter what. Our courageous witness of faith is a sign to the world that Jesus is the world s true King. 1. Dedication to the Lord in Prayer (Dan. 6:1-10) Voices from the Church Daniel set the standard for Christians who would hold public office. He was serious about the work of statecraft, but he was even more serious about being known as a servant of God, determined to follow God s precepts no matter the cost Our society could use a few more political leaders like Daniel. 1 Joel Belz 1 Darius decided to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, stationed throughout the realm, 2 and over them three administrators, including Daniel. These satraps would be accountable to them so that the king would not be defrauded. 3 Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm. 4 The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. 5 Then these men said, We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God. 6 So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said to him, May King Darius live forever. 7 All the administrators of the kingdom, the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that for 30 days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions den. 8 Therefore, Your Majesty, establish the edict and sign the document so that, as a law of the Medes and Persians, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed. 9 So King Darius signed the document. 10 When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Session 4 47

3 The passage says that Daniel not only possessed an extraordinary spirit but he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him (vv. 3-4). But the envy and jealousy of the other officials led them to take Daniel down, trying to find a charge against [him] regarding the kingdom. They had only one problem: they could find no charge or corruption no negligence or corruption was found in him (v. 4). What was it about Daniel s faith that made him such a model employee and public servant? How does your faith impact the way you work? The plot against Daniel was designed to use his integrity against him. By manipulating Darius into making an irreversible decree, the enemies hoped to trap Daniel in an act of disobedience to the king. Their goal was not to see Daniel demoted. Their goal was to see Daniel dead. When Daniel was told that the document honoring Darius as the exclusive deity of the empire had been signed, what did he do? What he had always done. He obeyed God rather than man. He continued a pattern of spiritual devotion that had marked his life for years, a pattern his enemies knew very well. He went to his home and went upstairs to his place of prayer, with the windows open toward Jerusalem. He then got down on his knees and prayed three times that day and the following days, giving thanks to God just as he had done before (Dan. 6:10). 99 Essential Christian Doctrines 81. Priesthood of the Believer God s intention for humanity is that we be a kingdom of priests, not just a kingdom with priests. Although God set up the priestly system in the Old Testament due to the sinfulness of humanity and people s need for a mediator, His ultimate purpose is that we come to God directly, through the mediating work of Jesus Christ, thus eliminating the need of another priest. Because of the work of Christ on the cross, exemplified in the tearing of the curtain that prevented access into the holy of holies, Christians are free to approach God with boldness (Rom. 5:1-5; Heb. 4:14-16). 48 Personal Study Guide

4 What statement did it send to the rest of the world when Daniel refused to obey the king s edict? What does prayer to God higher than an earthly king reveal about our ultimate allegiance? 2. Dependence on the Lord for Rescue (Dan. 6:11-18) 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God. 12 So they approached the king and asked about his edict: Didn t you sign an edict that for 30 days any man who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions den? The king answered, As a law of the Medes and Persians, the order stands and is irrevocable. 13 Then they replied to the king, Daniel, one of the Judean exiles, has ignored you, the king, and the edict you signed, for he prays three times a day. 14 As soon as the king heard this, he was very displeased; he set his mind on rescuing Daniel and made every effort until sundown to deliver him. 15 Then these men went to the king and said to him, You as king know it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or ordinance the king establishes 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. The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing in regard to Daniel could be changed. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions were brought to him, and he could not sleep. Session 4 49

5 King Darius was very displeased at the situation and tried to find a way to deliver a man he obviously admired, appreciated, and respected (v. 14). Unfortunately, he had stepped into his own trap and he was caught. His evil administrators reminded him once more of the binding nature of the law of the Medes and Persians it could not be changed (v. 15). More importantly, these evil men had counted on Daniel to be true to his God. Daniel knew that past faithfulness would be no substitute for present faithfulness. Indeed, the past had simply prepared him for the present and the future. One s character is not forged in the moment of adversity but revealed in the moment of adversity. What did this moment of adversity reveal about Daniel s faith? What role do you think Daniel s consistent practice of prayer had in shaping him to be this kind of man? Much to his regret, Darius commanded that Daniel be [thrown] into the lions den (v. 16). The den was probably a pit with an opening at the top. As Daniel was about to be thrown into the pit, the king spoke to Daniel, May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you! Stephen Miller notes, Darius s concern for his friend is touching The words express the king s hope. 2 Daniel, however, was not resting in the king s concern or his hope. He was resting in the providence and sovereignty of his God! Voices from the Church How did Darius know about Daniel s God? Because Daniel lived a life of integrity before everyone and did not hide his witness. So God joined him in the lions den, and the lions became Daniel s pillows for the night. 3 Tony Evans Verse 18 informs us the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions were brought to him, and he could not sleep. No doubt Darius lords were out partying. Not so for the king. No food. No partying. No music. He knew he had been played, and it had cost him the life of his loyal friend, or so he thought. 50 Personal Study Guide

6 How did Daniel s dependence on God serve as a witness to King Darius? 3. Deliverance by the Lord for Mission (Dan. 6:19-28) 19 At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions den. 20 When he reached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. Daniel, servant of the living God, the king said, has your God whom you serve continually been able to rescue you from the lions? 21 Then Daniel spoke with the king: May the king live forever. 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions mouths. They haven t hurt me, for I was found innocent before Him. Also, I have not committed a crime against you my king. 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to take Daniel out of the den. So Daniel was taken out of the den, uninjured, for he trusted in his God. 24 The king then gave the command, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions den they, their children, and their wives. They had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. 25 Then King Darius wrote to those of every people, nation, and language who live in all the earth: May your prosperity abound. 26 I issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion has no end. 27 He rescues and delivers; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for 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. Session 4 51

7 As Darius came near to the den of lions, he cried out in anguish Daniel, servant of the living God has your God whom you serve continually been able to rescue you from the lions? (v. 20). Most likely, he did not expect to hear a thing other than the satisfied purring of lions following their supper. Suddenly, and no doubt to his joyful surprise, Daniel spoke (vv )! This is the only time Daniel s words are recorded in the entire chapter. Next, we see how God used this entire story to show His greatness to the pagan world. Darius was clearly impacted by God s miraculous deliverance of Daniel. In words reminiscent of the Psalms, and in particular Psalm 2, this unbelieving ruler wrote of the living God to those of every people, nation, and language who live in all the earth (Dan. 6:25). Once more the language of Daniel anticipates the glorious missionary promise of Revelation 5 and 7. Make a list of the attributes ascribed to God in the decree of Darius. How is God s ultimate mission of receiving glory and honor from people of all nations reflected in this edict? 52 Personal Study Guide

8 Once again, God honored His faithful servant. Just as he blessed and honored Daniel under the Babylonian kings Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, he did so again under the Medo-Persian king Darius (that is, Cyrus the Persian [v. 28]). The truth of James 4:10 rings forth: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. How does our dependence on God for salvation lead us to mission in God s world? Conclusion All throughout the Bible, the stories point us to a coming deliverer, a rescuer, in fulfillment of the first gospel promise in Genesis 3:15. Sometimes we see how events like the Passover in Exodus 12 point us to Jesus. Other times we see how institutions like the temple and the sacrificial system point us to Christ. And still other times we see how people like Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, and Daniel point forward to the coming King. Voices from Church History I know without a doubt that you are a faithful God for all those who put their trust in you. When I am in darkness, you are my light. When I am in prison, you are there with me. When I am deserted, you are my comfort. In death, you are my life. 4 Menno Simons (circa ) In the messianic Psalm 22, the Righteous Sufferer proclaims in verse 21, Save me from the mouth of the lion! God indeed saved the Messiah Jesus from the mouth of the lion when He raised Him from the dead on Easter morning. Praise God we can have courage as we follow a risen Savior! CHRIST CONNECTION: God showed His power to rescue Daniel from death. In the fullness of time, God showed His power to save His people from their sins and give them eternal life through the death and resurrection of His Son. Session 4 53

9 HIS MISSION, YOUR MISSION MISSIONAL APPLICATION: God sometimes calls us to civil disobedience when it is a matter of obeying Him. 1. How can we learn to show dependence on God when facing adversity? 2. What are some ways we can make sure God is seen as great for who He is and what He has done for us in Jesus? 3. Write a prayer asking God to help your group obey the Lord, regardless of the consequences. 54 Personal Study Guide

10 About the Writers The Gospel Project Adult Personal Study Guide HCSB Volume 5, Number 2 Winter Eric Geiger Vice President, LifeWay Resources Ed Stetzer General Editor Trevin Wax Managing Editor Daniel Davis Content Editor Josh Hayes Content and Production Editor Ken Braddy Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies Michael Kelley Director, Groups Ministry Send questions/comments to: Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Personal Study Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN ; or make comments on the Web at Printed in the United States of America The Gospel Project : Adult Personal Study Guide HCSB (ISSN ; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources. For ordering or inquiries, visit or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Unit 1: Daniel Akin (sessions 1-4) is the President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and also a professor of preaching and theology. He and his wife, Charlotte, have four grown children. Walter R. Strickland II (sessions 5-6) serves as Special Advisor to the President for Diversity and Instructor of Theology at Southeastern Seminary. He and his wife, Stephanie, have three daughters, Hope, Kendra, and Kaiya. Unit 2: Jimmy Scroggins (session 7) is the Lead Pastor of Family Church in West Palm Beach, Florida. He and his wife, Kristin, have eight children, James, Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaac, Stephen, Anna Kate, Mary Claire, and Caleb. Matt Capps (sessions 8-10) is Senior Pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Apex, North Carolina. Matt and his wife, Laura, have three children, Solomon, Ruby, and Abby. D. A. Horton (session 11) currently serves as a pastor at Reach Fellowship, a church plant in Los Angeles, California. He and his wife, Elicia, have three children, Izabelle, Lola, and D. A. Jr. Robby Gallaty (session 12) serves as the Senior Pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church and President of Replicate Ministries. He and his wife, Kandi, have two young sons, Rig and Ryder. Special Session Christmas: Rey De Armas serves as one of the campus pastors at Christ Fellowship in Miami, leading the Coral Gables campus. He is married to Lauren, and they have two daughters, Zoe and Lexi. WRITERS

11 Notes SESSION 1 1. Dale Ralph Davis, The Message of Daniel, in The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove: IVP, 2013), Charles R. Swindoll, Daniel: God s Pattern for the Future (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1986), J. Hudson Taylor, quoted in Expect Great Things: Mission Quotes That Inform and Inspire, comp. Marvin J. Newell (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2013), David Helm, Daniel for You (Purcellville, VA: The Good Book Company, 2015), Heinrich Bullinger, Daniel the Most Wise Prophet of God, quoted in Ezekiel, Daniel, ed. Carl L. Beckwith, vol. XII in Reformation Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2012), 247. SESSION 2 1. Nate Saint, quoted in Introducing World Missions, 2 nd ed., by A. Scott Moreau, Gary R. Corwin, and Gary B. McGee (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2015) [ebook]. 2. How Firm a Foundation, from John Rippon s Selection of Hymns in Baptist Hymnal (Nashville: LifeWay Worship, 2008), John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Statues, 4.8, New Advent [online; cited 21 April 2016]. Available from the Internet: 4. C. H. Spurgeon, Consolation in the Furnace, Spurgeon s Sermons Volume 11: 1865 [online; cited 21 April 2016]. Available from the Internet: SESSION 3 1. Johann Wigand, Commentaries on Daniel, 12, quoted in Ezekiel, Daniel, ed. Carl L. Beckwith, vol. XII in Reformation Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament, Sinclair B. Ferguson, Daniel, vol. 21 in The Preacher s Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988) [ebook]. SPECIAL SESSION CHRISTMAS 1. C. S. Lewis, in The Quotable Lewis, eds. Wayne Martindale and Jerry Root (Wheaton: Tyndale, 1989), Matt Chandler with Jared Wilson, The Explicit Gospel (Wheaton: Crossway, 2012), Horatius Bonar, Come, Lord, and Tarry Not, in Christ in Song, by Philip Schaff (New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Company, 1869), Augustine, Sermons, , quoted in Mark, eds. Thomas C. Oden and Christopher A. Hall, vol. II in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 1998), 186. SESSION 4 1. Joel Belz, Dare to Be a Daniel, WORLD [online], 30 March 1996 [cited 2 May 2016]. Available from the Internet: 2. Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol. 18 in The New American Commentary (Nashville: B&H, 2003) [WORDsearch]. 3. Tony Evans, No More Excuses, 10th Anniversary Edition (Wheaton: Crossway, 1996), Menno Simons, A Meditation on the Twenty-Fifth Psalm, in Early Anabaptist Spirituality: Selected Writings, ed. Daniel Liechty (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist, 1994), SESSION 5 1. What are thin places? Thin Places [online], 2014 [cited 3 May 2016]. Available from the Internet: 2. Matt Boswell, Doxology and Theology (Nashville: B&H, 2013), Skye Jethani, With (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2011), Mervin Breneman, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, vol. 10 in The New American Commentary (Nashville: B&H, 2003) [WORDsearch]. 5. Mark D. Roberts, Thin Places: A Biblical Investigation, Reflections on Christ, Church, and Culture [online], 2012 [cited 4 May 2016]. Available from the Internet: SESSION 6 1. Saint Augustine, City of God, 1.8, quoted in The City of God: Books I-VII, trans. Demetrius B. Zema and Gerald G. Walsh, in The Fathers of the Church (Washington D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 2008), William Wilberforce, quoted in The Life of William Wilberforce, by Robert I. Wilberforce and Samuel Wilberforce, vol. 5 (London: John Murray, 1838), Mervin Breneman, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, vol. 10 in The New American Commentary [WORDsearch]. 4. Ibid. 5. Ed Stetzer, What You Celebrate, You Become, Christianity Today [online], 2 June 2015 [cited 5 May 2016]. Available from the Internet: 6. Charles Spurgeon, in 2,200 Quotations from the Writings of Charles H. Spurgeon, comp. Tom Carter (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996), 13. SESSION 7 1. Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 55:3-6, quoted in 1 2 Kings, 1 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Marco Conti, vol. V in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2014) [WORDsearch]. 2. Adrian Rogers, Adrianisms: The Wit and Wisdom of Adrian Rogers, vol. 1 (Memphis: Love Worth Finding Ministries, 2006), John Wesley, Wesley s Notes on the Bible, Christian Classics Ethereal Library [online; cited 13 May 2016]. Available from the Internet: SESSION 8 1. Andrew Murray, Humility (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1982) [ebook]. 2. J. G. McConville, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, in The Daily Study Bible Series (Louisville: Westminster, 1985), 193. SESSION 9 1. Jerry Bridges, I Will Follow You, O God (Colorado Springs: WaterBrook, 2010), D. L. Moody, Prevailing Prayer, in The D. L. Moody Collection, ed. and comp. James S. Bell Jr. (Chicago: Moody, 1997), 253. SESSION J. I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove: IVP, 1973) [ebook]. 2. Amy Carmichael, If (United States: Popular Classics Publishing, 2012), John Stott and Christopher J. H. Wright, Christian Mission in the Modern World (Downers Grove: IVP, 2015), 27. SESSION John R. W. Stott, Culture and the Bible (Downers Grove: IVP, 1979), Augustine Pagolu, South Asia Bible Commentary, ed. Brian Wintle (Cumbria, UK: Langham Partnership, 2015) [ebook]. 3. A. W. Pink, Eternal Punishment, Providence Baptist Ministries [online], 2012 [cited 23 May 2016]. Available from the Internet: www. pbministries.org. SESSION A. W. Tozer, quoted in Tozer on Worship and Entertainment, comp. James L. Snyder (Camp Hill, PA: WingSpread Publishers, 1997) [ebook]. 2. Matt Papa, Look and Live (Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2014), Michael Catt, The Power of Surrender (Nashville: B&H, 2010), Personal Study Guide