A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS
17 A dejected Darius returned to his palace. No musicians were brought in before him, for he was in no mood for entertainment. Instead, Darius lay awake the whole night, fasting. “His very sleep fled from him.” At dawn, Darius hastened to the lions’ pit. He cried out in a sad voice: “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you are serving with constancy been able to rescue you from the lions?” (Daniel 6:18-20) To his amazement—and utter relief—there was an answer!
18 “O king, live on even to times indefinite.” With this respectful greeting, Daniel showed that he did not harbor feelings of animosity toward the king. He realized that the real source of his persecution was, not Darius, but the envious high officials and satraps. (Compare Matthew 5:44; Acts 7:60.) Daniel continued: “My own God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions, and they have not brought me to ruin, forasmuch as before him innocence itself was found in me; and also before you, O king, no hurtful act have I done.”—Daniel 6:21, 22.
19 How those words must have stung Darius’ conscience! He knew all along that Daniel had done nothing to merit being thrown into the lions’ pit. Darius was well aware that the high officials and satraps had conspired to have Daniel put to death and that they had manipulated the king to achieve their selfish ends. By their insisting that “all the high officials of the kingdom” had recommended the passing of the edict, they implied that Daniel too had been consulted in the matter. Darius would deal with these devious men later. First, however, he gave the command to have Daniel lifted out of the lions’ pit. Miraculously, Daniel had not suffered so much as a single scratch!—Daniel 6:23.
20 Now that Daniel was safe, Darius had other business to attend to. “The king commanded, and they brought these able-bodied men who had accused Daniel, and into the lions’ pit they threw them, their sons and their wives; and they had not reached the bottom of the pit before the lions had got the mastery over them, and all their bones they crushed.”—Daniel 6:24.
21 Putting to death not only the conspirators but also their wives and children may seem unreasonably harsh. In contrast, the Law that God gave through the prophet Moses stated: “Fathers should not be put to death on account of children, and children should not be put to death on account of fathers. Each one should be put to death for his own sin.” (Deuteronomy 24:16) Nevertheless, in some ancient cultures, it was not unusual for family members to be executed along with the wrongdoer, in the case of a serious crime. Perhaps this was done so that family members would not be able to seek revenge later on. However, this act against the families of the high officials and the satraps was certainly none of Daniel’s doing. Likely, he was distressed over the calamity that these wicked men had brought upon their families.
Nevertheless, in some ancient cultures, it was not unusual for family members to be executed along with the wrongdoer :The Society says if we don't take our kids to the meetings and out in service and study with them at home that we are essentially sentencing them to death at Armageddon.
22 The scheming high officials and satraps were gone. Darius issued a proclamation, which stated: “From before me there has been put through an order that, in every dominion of my kingdom, people are to be quaking and fearing before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and One enduring to times indefinite, and his kingdom is one that will not be brought to ruin, and his dominion is forever. He is rescuing and delivering and performing signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for he has rescued Daniel from the paw of the lions.”—Daniel 6:25-27.
SERVE GOD WITH CONSTANCY
23 Daniel set a fine example for all modern-day servants of God. His conduct was always above reproach. In his secular work, Daniel “was trustworthy and no negligence or corrupt thing at all was found in him.” (Daniel 6:4) In a similar way, a Christian should be industrious with respect to his employment. This does not mean being a business cutthroat who eagerly pursues material wealth or who steps on others to climb the corporate ladder. (1 Timothy 6:10) The Scriptures require that a Christian fulfill his secular obligations honestly and in a whole-souled way, “as to Jehovah.”—Colossians 3:22, 23; Titus 2:7, 8; Hebrews 13:18.
24 In his worship, Daniel was uncompromising. His custom of praying was a matter of public knowledge. Furthermore, the high officials and satraps well knew that Daniel took his worship seriously. Indeed, they were convinced that he would hold to this routine even if a law forbade it. What a fine example for present-day Christians! They too have a reputation for putting God’s worship in first place. (Matthew 6:33) This should be readily evident to onlookers, for Jesus commanded his followers: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.”—Matthew 5:16.
25 Some might say that Daniel could have avoided persecution by praying to Jehovah in secret for the 30-day period. After all, no particular posture or setting is required in order to be heard by God. He can even discern the meditations of the heart. (Psalm 19:14) Nevertheless, Daniel viewed any change in his routine to be tantamount to compromise. Why?
26 Since Daniel’s custom of praying was well-known, what message would have been conveyed if he suddenly discontinued it? Observers might well have concluded that Daniel was fearful of man and that the king’s decree superseded Jehovah’s law. (Psalm 118:6) But Daniel showed by his actions that Jehovah received his exclusive devotion. (Deuteronomy 6:14, 15; Isaiah 42:8) Of course, in doing this Daniel did not disrespectfully flout the king’s law. Yet, neither did he cower by compromising. Daniel simply continued to pray in his roof chamber, “as he had been regularly doing” prior to the king’s edict.
27 Servants of God today can learn from Daniel’s example. They remain “in subjection to the superior authorities,” obeying the laws of the land in which they live. (Romans 13:1) When the laws of man conflict with those of God, however, Jehovah’s people adopt the position of Jesus’ apostles, who boldly stated: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) In doing so, Christians do not promote insurrection or rebellion. Rather, their aim is simply to live peaceably with all men so that they “may go on leading a calm and quiet life with full godly devotion.”—1 Timothy 2:1, 2; Romans 12:18.
What exactly ARE the superior authorities?
28 On two occasions Darius commented that Daniel was serving God “with constancy.” (Daniel 6:16, 20) The Aramaic root for the word translated “constancy” means to “move in a circle.” It suggests the idea of a continuous cycle, or something that is perpetual. Daniel’s integrity was like that. It followed a predictable pattern. There was no question about what Daniel would do when faced with tests, whether large or small. He would continue in the course he had already established decades earlier—that of loyalty and faithfulness to Jehovah.
29 God’s present-day servants want to follow Daniel’s course. Indeed, the apostle Paul admonished all Christians to consider the example of God-fearing men of old. Through faith, they “effected righteousness, obtained promises,” and—evidently a reference to Daniel—“stopped the mouths of lions.” As servants of Jehovah today, let us display the faith and constancy of Daniel and “run with endurance the race that is set before us.”—Hebrews 11:32, 33; 12:1.
[Footnotes]
The word “accused” is a translation of an Aramaic expression that may also be rendered “slandered.” This highlights the malicious intent of Daniel’s enemies.
WHAT DID YOU DISCERN?
· Why did Darius the Mede decide to use Daniel in a high position?
· What devious plot did the high officials and satraps devise? How did Jehovah rescue Daniel?
· What did you learn from paying attention to Daniel’s example of faithfulness?
[Study Questions]
17, 18. (a) What shows that Darius was distressed over Daniel’s situation? (b) What happened when the king returned to the lions’ pit the following morning?
19. How had Darius been deceived and manipulated by the high officials and satraps?
20. What happened to Daniel’s malicious enemies?
21. In dealing with family members of wrongdoers, what contrast existed between the Mosaic Law and the laws of some ancient cultures?
22. What new proclamation did Darius issue?
23. What example did Daniel set regarding his secular work, and how can we be like him?
24. How did Daniel prove himself to be uncompromising in the matter of worship?
25, 26. (a) What might some conclude about Daniel’s course of action? (b) Why did Daniel view a change in his routine to be tantamount to compromise?
27. How can servants of God today be like Daniel in (a) being in subjection to the superior authorities? (b) obeying God as ruler rather than men? (c) striving to live peaceably with all men?
28. How did Daniel serve Jehovah “with constancy”?
29. How can servants of Jehovah today benefit from Daniel’s faithful course?
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Daniel served Jehovah “with constancy.” Do you?