307. DAN 6:10. DANIEL

Dan_6:10. Daniel

"Now, when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber, towards Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees, three times a-day, and prayed, and gave thanks before God, as he did aforetime."’97Dan_6:10

Daniel was a prince of the royal line of David. He lived during the Babylonian captivity, and was one of the favorites of Nebuchadnezzar. You will remember that, when Nebuchadnezzar had forgotten the very singular dream, and ordered all the wise men to be slain, Daniel, with the three Hebrews, fervently prayed to God; and he enabled him to recall and interpret the dream. During the time that the king commanded the image to be set up and worshipped, nothing is said concerning Daniel, so that it is probable he might be employed in some remote part of the empire at that time. After this, we see him called again to interpret another of Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams, which related to God’s judgments upon the king’97all which literally came to pass. In the reign of Belshazzar, we see Daniel again called upon to act as an interpreter of dreams This was on the fatal night, when the impious monarch had assembled his princes at the feast, when the vessels of the house of God were profaned, and when the kingdom changed hands, and became subject to Darius the Median. The Medes and Persians having possessed Babylon, Darius appointed an hundred and twenty princes over the Empire, and over these, three presidents, of whom Daniel was the first. See ver. 3.

And now we are brought to notice

I. Daniel’s Trial.

II. His Conduct.

III. His Deliverance

I. Daniel’s Trial.

This is a world of trial; all good men have found it so. Enoch, Noah, Jacob Moses, David, all found it so. It is compared to a wilderness’97to the sea, &c.

1. The source of his trial.

Now, this was envy of the presidents and princes of the empire. Daniel had been preferred; and they knew his great superiority over themselves, &c. Saw his elevation, therefore they were filled with envy. This is one of the vilest and blackest principles of the human heart. It is the most virulent poison that can lodge in the soul. Let us just look at a few specimens of it, and its effects, in the Word of God.

(1) It is the leading characteristic in the devil. Hence, from this he tempted and ruined our first parents.

(2) Look at Cain, who was the first human murderer; and wherefore slew he Abel, &c.

(3) Look at the brethren of Joseph, and see how they acted, &c.

(4) Look at Haman, and see its effects upon his happiness, and his horrid design Est_5:9, &c.

(5) One more case before we come to Daniel, and that is the case of the blessed Jesus. Only think of Christ’s excellence’97think of his purity, his benevolence, &c. Yet, it is written, for envy they delivered him up, Mat_27:18. Now, it was the same feeling that moved the princes, &c., to attempt the ruin of Daniel. His wisdom’97his integrity’97his elevation, all tended to fill their minds with this feeling; and so they resolved, if possible, to effect his death. Notice,

2. The trial itself.

Now, mark, in effecting their purpose, the testimony they were constrained to yield in favor of Daniel, ver. 5. Religion does not dissolve the moral obligations we are under to regard the civil duties of life. See 1Pe_4:14, &c. The trial is described, ver. 6 to 9. Here, then, they attack the rights of his conscience; attempted to sap the foundation of his religion. Well, observe.

II. Daniel’s Conduct.

Now, let me notice that Daniel soon heard of this decree, and he knew too that it was irreversible. The laws of the Medes and Persians change not. Silly, stupid, wicked laws. Laws must suit the condition, &c., of a people. Even the dispensations of heaven were changed, and one succeeded another. Well, Daniel knew all this; and what did he do? He followed the same course in religion, as he had ever done. What might he have done?

1. Could he not have consulted the law of expediency?

Here is a difficulty’97an extreme difficulty; my usual course of action may be dispensed with, I must suit my conduct to the times.

2. Might he not have pleaded gratitude to Darius?

He has been deceived; he is my friend; I owe all my dignity and prosperity to him, and so I ought to bow to the event and be passive for a time.

3. Might he not have pleaded self-preservation?

Life is a talent’97a precious talent, &c. God has implanted the love of it deep in my nature, &c., therefore I must preserve it. I have not courage to die. My sin will only be one of weakness. Who can blame me? Would not the great mass do the same?

4. He might have pleaded the easiness of evasion.

They know, that as a Jew, I worship the God of heaven that I worship towards Jerusalem’97my window opened, &c.; and kneeling, there I implore the God of Jerusalem’s blessing. Well, I can retire to another place; I can worship at midnight, 1 can go to another room; I can close my window; I can pray in the spirit by holy aspirations, &c. How easily, therefore, could he have evaded the royal edicts. But mark the course he adopted. He continued to serve God as before’97exactly He would not give to Darius the things which belong to God

(1) He followed the dictates of a tender conscience.

(2) He feared God more than men.

(3) He preferred the profession of religion to life. Under these influences he left all in the hands of God, and he went up to his house, not to secrete himself, but to worship. He entered his oratory; he knelt on the accustomed spot; he opened his window; he prayed audibly to God, and gave thanks, as he had ever done, three times a day. Well, what was the result? His enemies were on the watch, they found him praying, &c., ver. 11. Then they appeal to the king, who was distressed at the result, &c., ver. 14. The sentence, however, was executed; but, need I say, that Daniel had on his side the favor of his king, the testimony of a good conscience, and the approbation of his God. And, what was the result? This leads us to consider,

III. His Deliverance. See ver. 18-23.

1. His deliverance was divine.

It was a miracle wrought by God; none but God could do it.

2. His deliverance was through the ministry of an angel. Ver. 22.

God has often thus employed angels "He giveth his angels," &c. "The angel of the Lord," &c. Many ancient instances. So also Peter from prison.

3. His deliverance glorified God. Ver. 25, 26.

Glory of God and happiness of his people inseparable.

4. It involved the enemies of Daniel in ruin. Ver. 24.

So will all the enemies of God and his church finally perish.

Application

1. We have been contemplating the history of a moral hero. Few men had ever so holy a character as Daniel. He was intellectual, righteous, devotional faithful and persevering. He had to live in difficult times, and under a dangerous state of things; but he was faithful to the last.

2. We have seen the hatred of men against religion. It still exists. It ever will in the hearts of the wicked.

3. We have seen an illustration of one of Christ’s sayings: "Whosoever will lose his life for my sake," &c. And, now let the Christian be as decided and self-denying as Daniel. Who will be on the Lord’s side? Who will take Christ, his cross, and his crown?

Autor: JABEZ BURNS