Why did Belshazzar proclaim Daniel as the third ruler and not second? (5:29)
- Belshazzar was actually the second ruler
- His father Nabonidus was the actual king at this time
- Nabonidus was out of the country during most of his time as king
- Daniel’s accuracy was questioned because Belshazzar is not found outside the Bible
- Till proof was found in 1854 establishing who Belshazzar was
- Is Daniel wrong in claiming Belshazzar is the son of Nebhuchadnezzar? No it could be:
- A problem of translating – Daniel is written partially in Aramic
- Similar to Abraham being called the father
- More info: https://creation.com/archaeology-belshazzar
How is Darius similar and different, compared to Nebuchadnezzar?
- They both recognized that Daniel was unique – pretty fast
- They both thought they could be like gods?
- They both experienced God and became his witnesses
- Darius got tricked into throwing Daniel into lion’s den
- Nebhuchadnezzer’s pride led to Shadrach and his friends being thrown in the furnace
- Darius seems to know Daniel’s God better than Nebhuchadnezzar
- Nebhuchadnezzar knew God but refused to acknowledge
- Darius tried hard to protect Daniel from being thrown into the lion’s den
- To be fair – Nebuchadnezzer gave a chance to escape – but his ego led to fury
What was Daniel’s response to the plot? (6:10, 1 Kings 8:46-53)
- Went into his house with the windows open towards Jerusalem
- King Solomon’s prayer
- If they sin against you (for there is no man who doesn’t sin), and you … deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near
- if they return to you with all their heart … and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city which you have chosen …
- then hear their prayer and their supplication … and forgive your people … and give them compassion before those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them
- King Solomon’s prayer
- Kneeled on his knees three times a day and Prayed
What was the impact of Daniel’s life on Darius? (6:16, 6:25-27)
- Darius seems to know that Daniel’s God could save Daniel
- Even though Danius himself could not save Daniel from his own edict
- Learned that Daniel’s God was a living God who stands forever
- Daniel’s God can deliver and rescue
- His dominion is over the heaven and the earth
- Shared his testimony with the world
Conclusion:
- How can we be more like Daniel who trusted in God 100%
- Are we living our lives in a way that impacts people around us?
Passage Daniel 5:29-6:5 – World English Bible (WEB)
29 Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
30 In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain. 31 Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
6 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred twenty local governors, who should be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; that these local governors might give account to them, and that the king should suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the local governors, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
4 Then the presidents and the local governors sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion or fault, because he was faithful. There wasn’t any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We won’t find any occasion against this Daniel, unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
Passage Daniel 6:10-27 – World English Bible (WEB)
10 When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before. 11 Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. 12 Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king’s decree: “Haven’t you signed a decree that every man who makes a petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered, “This thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t alter.”
13 Then they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, doesn’t respect you, O king, nor the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the going down of the sun to rescue him.
15 Then these men assembled together to the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree nor statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.”
17 A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting. No musical instruments were brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.
19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 When he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me; because as before him innocence was found in me; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”
23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
24 The king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions mauled them, and broke all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den.
25 Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth:
“Peace be multiplied to you.
26 “I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel;
“for he is the living God,
and steadfast forever.
His kingdom is that which will not be destroyed.
His dominion will be even to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues.
He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth,
who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
