Daniel 6:15, commentary and pictures

The law of the Medes and Persians meant that no decree or statute the king established could be changed, not even by the king himself, so once Darius had signed it his enemies could force it to stand even though he regretted it and labored to save Daniel. Jealous leaders who could find no fault in Daniel except concerning the law of his God had persuaded the king to make that unchangeable decree that for thirty days no petition could be asked of any God or man except the king on pain of the lions' den. Though he knew of it, Daniel stayed true with strict integrity, continuing his customary worship openly three times a day with windows open toward Jerusalem rather than letting any man come between him and his God. God did not forsake him but sent holy angels to shut the lions' mouths and vindicated him, turning the crisis into a witness to the rulers that the God he served continually is the living God. His refusal to yield shows loyalty to God must come before earthly authority even at the cost of life, and the same strict integrity is required now in keeping God's commandments and His honor before convenience.

Setting and Unchangeable Law

Darius the Median had taken the throne formerly occupied by the Babylonian rulers and at once reorganized the government, setting over the kingdom 120 princes and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was first, so that the princes might give accounts to them and the king should have no damage. Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

The honors bestowed upon Daniel excited jealousy in the leading men of the kingdom, and wicked men moved by envy and hatred sought occasion of complaint against him. They could find none because he was faithful with neither error nor fault found in him except concerning the law of his God. Unable to find fault in his conduct, they devised a decree against his prayers and persuaded the king to consent.

The decree they obtained was a royal decree signed in the courts of Babylon that for thirty days no one could ask a petition of any God or man except Darius the king. It forbade prayer to any god except the king, on pain of being cast into the lions' den.

The law of the Medes and Persians is that no decree nor statute which the king establishes may be changed. Even the king who established it cannot revoke or change it. Therefore even after he recognized the decree had been used out of jealousy to trap Daniel, labored until the going down of the sun to save him, and regretted making it, his enemies used the rule to prevent him from undoing it. It had to be carried out even when it required Daniel to disobey God and exposed him to the lions' den for remaining faithful.

Faithfulness, Deliverance and Witness

Though he knew the decree forbidding prayer, Daniel stayed true to God despite its threat and continued his customary daily prayers just as he had done before it was made. He went to his chamber three times a day with windows open toward Jerusalem to pray to the God of heaven, repairing to worship openly and refusing to treat it as a small matter whether he prayed in secret or openly. With strict integrity that would not lower the standard to meet the condition of the people or accommodate circumstances for convenience, he placed himself where he would lose his life rather than dishonor the God of heaven, letting no man come between him and his God. That firm adherence to principle had been cultivated from youth, and his faithfulness in the earlier test over the king's table kept him faithful in this test. Fear of the gaping lions' den open before him did not turn him from prayer or faithfulness to God.

Because of that faithfulness he was cast into the lions' den according to the decree, which had to be carried out. God did not forsake him but worked for him and delivered him, sending holy angels who were present with him and closing the lions' mouths so they did him no harm. The God whom he served continually thus vindicated him and delivered him out of the power of the lions. Because he did not yield, God let His blessing rest upon him in remarkable degree, honoring him with wisdom and understanding above all the astrologers and magicians in the king's palace.

The decree brought his faith before the rulers and gave him an opportunity to testify that God alone is the true God and deserves worship, praise, and homage. It was so ordered that all could see from whence came his strength, and the living God would be exalted above all as the One who gives wisdom and power. The crisis gave the king and his people a witness to God's supremacy, and his deliverance further showed that the God he worshiped was the living God whom he served continually. His steadfastness helped spread knowledge of the true God throughout Babylon.

Loyalty to God Today

Daniel's refusal to yield to a human mandate that dishonored God shows that loyalty to God must come before earthly authority. The unchangeable law made the royal decree stand even when it required disobedience to God, yet Daniel disregarded the king's requirement though it exposed him to death. God honored Daniel's integrity before people and vindicated him, and his steadfastness helped spread knowledge of the true God throughout Babylon.

The same strict integrity that held Daniel firm for the honor of God whatever the result is required now. He would not lower the standard to meet the condition of the people or accommodate circumstances for convenience, and though a decree forbade open prayer and a gaping lions' den stood open before him he worshiped God openly, refusing to say it was a small matter whether he prayed in secret or openly. He placed himself where he would lose his life rather than dishonor the God of heaven and let no man come between him and his God, so that all could see from whence came his strength and the living God would be exalted above all as the One who gives wisdom and power. Because he did not yield, God worked for him and let His blessing rest upon him in remarkable degree, honoring him with wisdom and understanding above all the astrologers and magicians in the king's palace, and his faithfulness in the earlier test over the king's table kept him faithful in this test. The same strict integrity is required now, especially in keeping the Sabbath sacred rather than bringing it down to man's convenience, and the test coming to all who will enter the city of God is whether they will keep God's commandments and His honor before them or serve the powers that be. A convenient faith that can be manipulated according to convenience throws itself on the side of the enemy, while God will work for the faithful as He did for Daniel.

Daniel dared to stand alone in Jesus Christ, and this daring is for all to follow. Steadfastness to principle under opposition and persecution brings a present helper and deliverer in God, proving the value of communion with God, and now is the time to cultivate integrity of character. Those who dare to be a Daniel become channels through which God imparts His grace and ministering angels communicate heavenly treasures, and by seeking to enrich poverty-stricken souls they are themselves enriched and reach the highest stage of mental and moral development by cooperating with Christ.

The trial in the king's court was a trial met in the way of duty, in which God protects. Those brought into trial while following duty may be sure of God's protection, while those who place themselves under temptation by choosing association with sin and the servants of Satan will fall sooner or later. The great pressure brought against Daniel as he witnessed for God is the same kind of pressure now being brought into the publishing office, and the Lord is not pleased with any such pressure.