• The Explore the Bible lesson for Feb. 13 focuses on Daniel 6:10-24.
In our journey through Daniel, we have seen the struggle of the righteous living amid a world diametrically opposed to their priorities. In chapter one, the heroes discovered despite the appearances of things, God still was very much in control. They committed to stay faithful to God and his stipulations, even though circumstances had cost them dearly.
This commitment played out in chapter three by refusing to take part in activities the pagans participated in. Now in chapter six, the challenge of faithfulness finds expression in continuing to do things Yahweh has called them to, even though no one else in their world were doing them.
Chapter six begins with a change in leadership in the world, both globally and personally for Daniel. The Persians conquered Babylon in 539/538 BC. Although they are known to history as benevolent dictators, they still were pagan.
Some of the same questions that were present in chapter one concerning Babylon now were being asked about Persia. Was God still in control? Would he still see his people through trials and tribulations? These are the same questions we all ask when life throws us significant changes. Regardless of our situation, however, we need to trust the God who calls us his own.
The Trap Set (Daniel 6:10-14)
The story reveals both Daniel and King Darius fall into a trap set by Daniel’s fellow officials. The difference between the two is Darius fell prey through his arrogance and Daniel through his integrity. Knowing the difference between the two causes is essential for our growth and perseverance through trials. Darius’ discovery of his entrapment was characterized by regret, sorrow and attempting to find a way out of his situation. Daniel, on the other hand, found himself in a place of calm assurance and trust.
The Door Shut (Daniel 6:15-18)
The next stage of the situation once again reveals a comparison and contrast between Darius and Daniel. Both find themselves alone and locked in a type of prison. Darius’ prison was a personal one borne of his failures and his guilt over the situation that Daniel found himself in. Daniel’s prison was a pit in which he was placed because of his commitment to follow God. That Darius’ condition is discussed, and Daniel’s is not seems to serve two purposes.
First, the omission of Daniel’s situation invites the reader to take Daniel’s journey of trust with him. We wonder about and we hope for God’s deliverance of the prophet. As we do so, we grow in the trust that the writer is inviting us to emulate and live in ourselves. The inclusion of Darius’ struggles and concern show us both the uncertainty that results from our arrogance and sin and the journey we all can take toward experiencing trust as we abandon our self-reliance and begin to look for answers beyond ourselves.
The Tables Turned (Daniel 6:19-24)
The final act of the chapter involves the resolution of the journey of trust that Daniel and Darius have been on. Daniel’s trust is vindicated with his survival and is explicitly noted with the comment it was the result of the fact he “trusted in his God” (Daniel 6:23). But Darius’ journey is also noted as fulfilled with his wish being fulfilled and the blessing expressed by Daniel on his behalf.
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While it’s true that the people who plotted against the two men ultimately received their just desserts, the point of the passage is not the outcome of the enemies, but the outcome of Daniel and Darius. In a world full of inequity and in which those who oppose us are often in possessions of power or privilege. Our response to mistreatment can’t be imbedded in a desire for revenge or even divine justice. To love our neighbor calls on us to see their redemption, not their judgment.
The story of Daniel 6 challenges us to grow in our trust for God. For some of us, it is a journey of repentance and discovery that he truly is worthy of trust. For others, it is an adventurous deepening of our hope and trust as he shows himself to be faithful to the promises of presence and power that he has expressed to all who believe.
Timothy Pierce, Ph.D., is associate professor of Christian studies at East Texas Baptist University.
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