Key Points

• He, Jesus, who saved Daniel, would Himself be given over to the satanic lion to save the world.
• Law: In the world, evil is called good, and those who seek to do good suffer and are brought down by sinners who hate anything good.
• Gospel: In Christ, I am blessed when I suffer for His name. He is with me, granting me His comfort and strength and preserving me for salvation in Him.

Context

Daniel was among the youths from Jerusalem whom King Nebuchadnezzar exiled to Babylon in 605 BC to be trained in the “literature and language of the Chaldeans” (Daniel 1:4). When Daniel interpreted the king’s dream, the king was so impressed that he made Daniel “ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men” (2:48). When the Babylonians lost their top spot on the world’s totem pole, ousted by the Persians, Daniel kept his high political position. He was part of King Darius’s threeman cabinet, as we might call it, in charge of the 120 regional governors of Persia, called satraps. When Daniel “became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps” (6:3), his political peers became bitter and envious. They began to plot how they might rid themselves of this foreigner, “one of the exiles from Judah” (6:13), as they contemptuously referred to him.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think of politics? What kinds of things do you hope government can accomplish? What kinds of things should it not get involved in? What are some of the difficulties and evils of politics?
2. Who is the king now? Do you remember who was king when Daniel first went into exile to Babylon? Who succeeded him? What happens to Daniel with each of these kings? Why?
3. Even though Daniel did nothing as a basis for a complaint against him, his enemies still built a false case against him. Trace the development of their conspiracy and sin!
4. What does Daniel do in verse 10? Is he trying to flaunt his behavior and incense the king?
5. After Daniel is accused, the story’s parallels to the trial, burial, and resurrection of Jesus become more prominent. What details of the account of Daniel’s accusation, confinement, and release can be compared to Jesus’ trial, burial, and resurrection?
6. What happens to the conspirators after Daniel is brought out of the pit unharmed? What decree does Darius make? How does it compare and contrast with Nebuchadnezzar’s decree following the miracle of the three young men in the fiery furnace?
7. We referred to the practice of daily prayer in ancient Israel and as conducted by Daniel while in exile. What about daily prayer today? What is the custom of the Church? What do you do for daily prayer?
8. In many ways, the practical lesson of the story of Daniel is just like that of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God’s rescue of the faithful people is an example of God’s never-ending faithfulness toward His own. Review some of these points again. What is your fate if you do not remain faithful?