Friday 30th August 2024
Daniel 6: 1 – 8
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, stationed throughout the whole kingdom,and over them three presidents, including Daniel; to these the satraps gave account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Soon Daniel distinguished himself above all the other presidents and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king planned to appoint him over the whole kingdom. So the presidents and the satraps tried to find grounds for complaint against Daniel in connection with the kingdom. But they could find no grounds for complaint or any corruption, because he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption could be found in him. The men said, ‘We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.’ So the presidents and satraps conspired and came to the king and said to him, ‘O King Darius, live for ever! All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an interdict, that whoever prays to anyone, divine or human, for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions. Now, O king, establish the interdict and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.’ Therefore King Darius signed the document and interdict.
Reflection
The story of Daniel and the lions’ den is full of dramatic themes: jealousy, vanity, integrity, the power and preservation of God – and the lions will arrive tomorrow.
Daniel, like Jesus, was faithful to God and to his duties and no negligence or corruption could be found in him. He was in favour with the king for his honesty and excellent spirit. It appears the king does not bar Daniel from observing his faith and religion. It’s all one to the king, as long as he does his work faithfully. But this upsets the others in charge, corrupted by their own power. The satraps were governors of their own provinces and had considerable autonomy as viceroys. The term ‘satrap’ came to suggest tyranny or ostentatious splendour – the modern usage is pejorative with unfavourable connotations of corruption. So they are offended by Daniel’s ‘squeaky cleanliness’. They do not try to bear false witness against him, however, but make the king enforce an unreasonable demand that they know Daniel won’t obey.
What an affront to forbid praying to God! And it’s not just Daniel it affects, or even just his Jewish compatriots in exile, it’s cutting everyone off from approaching God.
In the Covid pandemic, everyone was barred from attending places of worship, and that was tough for many people. In times of religious persecution throughout history, people have been driven to meet and pray in secret. But nothing can stop us from praying and calling to God for help, whatever desperate circumstances we may find ourselves in. Living our faith means being loyal to God at all times. Daniel is an example of being faithful, honest and reliable that we can all aspire to follow.
Prayer ( Rejoice and Sing 532)
Lord of all being, I give you my all;
if e’er I disown you, I stumble and fall;
but, led in your service your word to obey
I’ll walk in your freedom to the end of the way.