Daniel 6 (6)

Introduction
Darius’ judgment against Daniel’s accusers may seem harsh, but his action has some precedent in the Law of God. But for Darius, achieving justice for Daniel was not enough. He resolved that everyone under his dominion should glorify God for Daniel’s deliverance. His proclamation echoes that of Nebuchadnezzar and points the way into Daniel 7.

Meditate on Deuteronomy 19.18-21.

Read Daniel 6.24-28.

Think it Through
1.  It is interesting to see Darius applying a statute from the Law of God against Daniel’s accusers (although he went beyond what the Law requires). It’s not likely he had studied the Law of God in any great detail, and there is no indication of his consulting Daniel as to what he should do with those who bore false witness against him. In his book, The Abolition of Man, C. S. Lewis wrote about moral principles and guidelines that are common to all human cultures, as if people know intuitively what is right or wrong in certain situations. Meditate on Romans 2.14, 15. How does this help us in understanding Darius’ judgment and Lewis’ observation? How should this encourage us as we consider ways of bringing more of the holy and righteous and good Law of God to bear in our Christian lives, and on issues of morality, culture, and society in our day (Rom. 7.12)?

2.  Darius was right to honor God for delivering Daniel from the lions. Compare Darius’ proclamation with that of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4.1-3, 34-37. In what ways are they similar? Yet they differ in one key point (v. 26). Explain. Should civil governments do this? Can they actually do this? Why or why not? Should Christians look to politicians to advance their spiritual interests? Explain. Summarize what we have learned thus far from Daniel (2.44, 45), Nebuchadnezzar, and Darius about the Kingdom of God. Verse 28 introduces Cyrus, a successor of Darius. He’s going to be pretty important, which you can see by reading Isaiah 44.24 to 45.7 and Ezra 1.1-4.

Meditate
“The foundation and strength of hope and faith is fear. In Psalm 111: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.’ Of the same thing in the Wisdom of Solomon, … in the Proverbs, … in Isaiah, … in Genesis, … and in Psalm 2, … Then Darius the king wrote, ‘To all peoples, tribes and languages that are in my kingdom, peace be to you from my face. I decree and ordain that all those who are in my kingdom shall fear and tremble before the Most High God whom Daniel serves.’” Cyprian of Carthage (fl. 248-258 AD)

“…for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves theirthoughts accusing or else excusing them…” Romans 2.14, 15

Lord, do I “fear and tremble” before You as I should? Show me how to fear You, that I might be wise; and help me to love You more, that I…

Pray Psalm 66.1-16.
Pray for the people in your Personal Mission Field, letting the words of this psalm guide you in thinking about each one you will see today.

Psalm 66.1-16 (Regent Square: Angels from the Realms of Glory)
Shout for joy to God, all people, sing the glory of His Name!
Give Him glorious praise and say, “How great Your pow’r and great Your fame!
All the earth shall worship gladly as they praise Your glorious Name!”

Great and awesome is our Savior in the works which He has done.
He the sea and river dried to let His people cross as one.
Then our joy was great to worship Him our mighty, sovereign One.

He the nations watches ever – all you rebels, humbled be;
Bless our God, all men and nations, praise His Name eternally!
He preserves our souls, and He will keep His paths beneath our feet.

You have tried us, Lord, as silver, and have brought us into nets,
Made us carry heavy burdens, let men trample o’er our heads.
But through all Your grace sustained us and has brought us through to rest.

To Your house we come with off’rings, what we vowed, Lord, help us do.
O, receive our praise and homage as we give ourselves to You.
Come and listen, all who fear Him: hear what this great God can do!

T. M Moore

We encourage you to pray and sing the psalms as part of these Scriptorium studies. Your prayers can be enriched and enhanced by doing so. To learn more about how to pray the psalms, order the book God’s Prayer Program from our online store (click here). To begin singing the psalms using traditional hymn tunes, order The Ailbe Psalter (click here).

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.