Daniel 6:22, commentary and pictures

God sent His angel to shut the mouths of the hungry lions and guard Daniel, so that though abandoned as their prey and helpless in himself he was preserved unharmed and all was peace in the den. Daniel could then testify that innocency was found in him before God and he had done no wrong to the king, for he was faithful with no error or fault found in him except concerning the law of his God. His deliverance followed firm, open adherence to principle, for he kept praying three times a day with windows open toward Jerusalem and would not hide or abandon his allegiance though he fully knew the decree forbidding petition for thirty days on pain of death. The rescue testified to the true and living God above earthly rulers, leading a foreign king to recognize His supremacy and to decree to all peoples that men tremble before the God of Daniel who delivers and works signs in heaven and earth. The same help is still given now, for God has angels for every perplexity to deliver those who serve Him faithfully, to come with light and peace into lonely cells when protection is withdrawn, and to sustain those hated and imprisoned for righteousness.

Setting and Wording

The night of deliverance belongs to the moment when Darius the Median had taken the throne formerly held by Babylonian rulers and at once reorganized the government by setting 120 princes over the kingdom and three presidents over them, of whom Daniel was first so that the princes would give account and the king would suffer no damage. Daniel was preferred above all because an excellent spirit was in him, so that the king thought to set him over the whole realm. The casting into the den happened during the reign of Darius the Mede over Medo-Persia in the two years after the fall of Babylon, and afterward Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

The words mean that God sent His angel to shut the lions' mouths and guard Daniel so that the lions did him no harm. Holy angels ministered to him when he was abandoned to become their prey, and he was preserved unharmed though utterly helpless in himself. Jesus, the mighty Commander of the host of heaven, sent His angel to close the mouths of the hungry lions so they would not hurt Daniel, and all was peace in that terrible den.

The verse is Daniel's testimony when the king called in the morning that before God innocency was found in him and also before the king he had done no hurt. He was innocent before God and had done no wrong to the king. His rescue showed the nation that God was able and willing to save those who trust Him.

That claim of innocency rests on blameless conduct that left no stain on his character. The leading men were jealous of his honors and sought occasion of complaint but could find none because he was faithful and no error or fault was found in him except concerning the law of his God. They therefore devised a decree targeting his prayers.

Faithfulness Under Death Decree

Daniel's deliverance came after firm adherence to principle cultivated from youth, for he kept going to his chamber three times a day with windows open toward Jerusalem to pray to the God of heaven despite the king's decree forbidding petition to any God or man except the king for thirty days. That snare had been laid because his enemies could find no occasion against him except concerning the law of his God. He kept steady adherence to duty under threat of death, refusing to hide his purpose or lower his loyalty to God. He did not conceal or abandon his allegiance when threatened with death, but continued to seek God openly in prayer though he fully knew the decree. The threat of the lions' den did not keep him from his daily prayers, and he remained faithful to God under danger.

It was a test over worship of the true God in defiance of the decree, with principle at stake, and his integrity in refusing to yield led to his being cast into the lions' den. He counted supplication important enough to sacrifice his life rather than relinquish it. He counted it better to lose his present life than eternal life. He had been prepared by smaller daily trials that had strengthened his faith, courage and firmness, so he remained true when the decree forbade prayer and the lions' den lay before him.

In the den he is the same Daniel who stood before the king enshrouded by the light and favor of God. His heart was as true as steel, stayed upon God, undaunted by circumstances. His preservation proves steadfast integrity that does not change between prosperity and afflicting trial, the same amid trial and gloom as when prospects were brightened by hope. It illustrates the steadfastness of someone grounded in personally gained knowledge of God's truth, who like Daniel will not be turned from the truth.

Angelic Deliverance in Den

God did not forget Daniel in the den but was with him there, and heaven watched his trial to see whether he would remain faithful. Angels were his companions in that trial, stopping the lions' mouths and delivering him unhurt, because innocency was found in him before God and he had done no wrong to the king. Daniel continued praying even in the den, preserved unharmed though cast in for praying, and the king witnessed his deliverance and brought him out with honor. His rescue defeated the plot against him and showed God's care for those who obey Him when integrity is tested, proving Christ does not forsake His own even in danger.

God permitted enemies to cast Daniel into the den and did not prevent their plots, yet worked through the trial for good and was glorified through him even as He permitted His servant to be humbled. By allowing the casting into the den He made the deliverance and the defeat of the enemies more complete, turning their schemes to good while protecting His faithful servant. Daniel remained faithful and loyal to God amid conflict and trial, and he triumphed in the end. His courage in choosing what was right over political expediency helped defeat Satan and exalt God's name.

His faithfulness to God had been made by evil angels and envious presidents and princes the cause of his destruction, and they succeeded in having him cast into the den for praying. His preservation defeated and enraged Satan and his angels. The king witnessed the deliverance and brought him out with honor and honors, while his rescue defeated the plot against him. The agents Satan employed to rid Daniel of his power were doomed to perish as they had plotted, for the king saw that the wise men had aimed at his power and in wrath destroyed Daniel's enemies.

When trial comes in the path of duty God's protection is sure, as shown when Daniel was brought into trial in the king's court while in the way of duty and God protected him. Protection is not promised to those who place themselves under temptation, for they will fall sooner or later. When Daniel was placed in the den he was guilty of no real crime but only of seeking to make men kind and obedient, truthful and loyal. Jesus was with him so he was not harmed.

Vindication and Witness to Kings

The rescue testified to the true and living God, showing the nation that He is able and willing to save those who trust Him. It declared that He is above earthly rulers and is to be honored and obeyed. When the decree forbade prayer to any god except the king, continued prayer brought the case to trial and gave opportunity to explain why God alone should be worshiped and praised. Innocence before God and doing no wrong to the king stood behind that testimony of protection unharmed in the den.

That deliverance led a foreign king to recognize the supremacy of the God worshiped by the Hebrew captives. Darius then wrote to all peoples, nations and languages in every dominion of his kingdom, decreeing that men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. He confessed Him as the living God steadfast forever, whose kingdom shall not be destroyed and whose dominion shall be even to the end, who delivers and rescues and works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth.

The rescue made a favorable impression on Cyrus the Great, and together with integrity and wise service as a statesman it earned his respect. God used the deliverance and that influence to move Cyrus to recognize his role in prophecy and to free the Jewish captives and support the rebuilding of Jerusalem's temple. In this God was preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people while those loyal to Him were seeking the Lord and studying the prophecies foretelling their deliverance.

Steadfastness even to the face of death helped spread knowledge of the true God throughout Babylon and fulfilled God's purpose in allowing the captivity. Loyalty to God must not be surrendered to meet human demands, whatever the consequences. God was glorified through His servant even as He permitted him to be humbled, for though thrown to the lions for loyalty he triumphed in the end.

Present Help and Application

God still has angels for every perplexity, and those who stay steadfast to principle amid opposition and persecution will find in Him a present helper and deliverer, for He can send angels to help and deliver those who serve Him faithfully just as He did not forsake Daniel but sent holy angels to minister to him and shut the lions' mouths so they did him no harm. That deliverance followed firm adherence to principle cultivated from youth, when Daniel kept going to his chamber three times a day with windows open toward Jerusalem to pray to the God of heaven despite the king's decree forbidding petition to any God or man except the king for thirty days, a snare laid because his enemies could find no occasion against him except concerning the law of his God, and it stands among the rich promises of the Bible to those who love and fear God, calling for integrity of character to be cultivated now. The Lord does not forget His people in the trying hour when government protection is withdrawn and they are hated, hunted, imprisoned in chains and dungeons and sentenced to death, for though enemies thrust them into prison, dungeon walls cannot cut off their souls from Christ. Angels will come to them in lonely cells bringing light and peace from heaven, making the prison as a palace, and Daniel's preservation when God sent His angel to shut the lions' mouths proves God can sustain His faithful people even when no human help is available and they remain innocent before God with no wrong done to the king. This shows the tenderness and compassion of God toward obedient children condemned and cast into prison for righteousness, for God is present with them within prison walls and displays His power, and being misjudged and imprisoned is no evidence that God does not reign. When Daniel was placed in the den he was guilty of no real crime but only of seeking to make men kind and obedient, truthful and loyal, and Jesus was with him so he was not harmed, teaching trust in God with consciousness of innocency and encouraging those unjustly condemned for doing right to let His light shine amid opposition.

Because Daniel prayed to God daily and remained faithful, God gave him assurance and power through angels communicating strength and wisdom to him, and when he was cast into the den God sent those heavenly messengers to restrain the ferocious beasts and shut their mouths so they did not hurt him. The same assurance, power and angelic help is given to those who earnestly seek the Lord daily, humble themselves under His mighty hand and ask in living active faith, and Daniel's regular prayer which brought him into danger yet brought angelic protection in emergency encourages families to pray together and trust God's protection. Earnest prayer is a source of strength against Satan, and the prayer of faith will assuredly prevail, for Satan is enraged at the sound of fervent prayer because he knows he will suffer loss. Daniel was the praying man who prayed three times a day with windows open, counting supplication important enough to sacrifice his life rather than relinquish it though he fully knew the decree, and he continued praying even in the den where God did not forget him but Jesus the mighty Commander of the host of heaven sent His angel to close the mouths of the hungry lions so that all was peace in that terrible den. His faithfulness had been made by evil angels and envious presidents and princes the cause of his destruction, and they succeeded in having him cast in for praying, but his preservation defeated and enraged Satan and his angels while the king witnessed it and brought him out with honor and the agents employed were doomed to perish as they had plotted. Daniel among the lions trusted the word of God though utterly helpless in himself, withstanding the power of the whole world in the persons of his enemies in the high places of the kingdom. His deliverance displays the power of God's word against human power and policy in support of evil, enabling one helpless in human terms to withstand powerful enemies, and places him in the world's true nobility and royal line which the youth of today are called to join.

The golden chain of truth binds youth to the throne of God, for Daniel could not be tempted to turn aside from integrity because he valued the favor of God above the favor and praise of princes, and God loved him and spread His shield over him and shut the lions' mouths. Because of faithful integrity and determination to honor God above every human power the Lord signally honored him before men, for the Lord God of hosts whose power is over all His works in heaven above and earth beneath honors those who honor Him. Even in the court of the king, in words, habits and practices, Daniel confessed faith in the Lord God of heaven and refused to bow to an earthly mandate detracting from God's honor, having strength from heaven to confess allegiance, and youth are called to follow that example never to be ashamed of their colors but to unfurl them to men and angels by choice words and consistent action with Christ enthroned in the soul temple. Christ who curbed the lions is ready to help people overcome evil in their nature, and the same divine power that sent an angel to restrain the lions and preserve Daniel, innocent before God and the king, is ready to subdue evil and give refuge from accusation to those who seek Christ and trust Him to overcome evil in character and who trust Him in real trouble. Daniel dared to stand alone in Jesus Christ as an example all can follow, becoming a vessel receiving heavenly treasures and a channel through which God imparts grace in rich currents to souls starving for righteousness. Ministering angels long for such channels through which to communicate heavenly treasures, and when the mind seeks to enrich poverty-stricken souls the treasure of God's love, the golden oil from the two olive trees, is poured into the heart, so that by cooperating with Christ, learning His methods, accepting His Spirit and laboring with Him, men and women are enriched and reach the highest mental and moral development.

The Lord proves His people, and steadfastness comes when divine principles are inwrought in the heart as if written with the finger of God, so that those who believe and practice Christ's word are not intimidated by the gaping den to deny truth for favor, honors or exalted position. To them man's reputation is as nothingness, to live is to obey Christ and to die for truth is gain in the spirit of Paul and all serving under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel, and therefore pressure to take worldly or religious work that unsettles faith, causes doubt and gives youth a wrong tendency must be refused as work God condemns introducing Satan and his sophistry. Daniel's rescue demonstrates that God cares for and can preserve those who obey Him when integrity is tested, who risk their lives rather than dishonor Him, vindicating loyalty even when faithfulness brings them to the face of death. In the den he is the same Daniel who stood before the king enshrouded by the light and favor of God, with heart as true as steel stayed upon God, unchanged between prosperity and afflicting trial, and heaven watched his trial with angels as companions while he remained innocent before God with no wrong against the king. Under-shepherds following the Chief Shepherd must be the same in discouraging surroundings as in prosperity, undaunted amid skepticism and apostasy, with faith reaching to the unseen and grasping eternal things, for loyalty to God must not be surrendered to meet human demands whatever the consequences, and such steadfastness helped spread knowledge of the true God throughout Babylon and fulfilled God's purpose in allowing him to be taken captive.