Today’s passage: Daniel 6:1-15
Helpful thoughts:
- In the eyes of the other officials and satraps, Daniel did nothing wrong…except for being honest, protecting the king’s interest, and succeeding.
- The officials were set to watch over the satraps so that the king would “suffer no loss”. Perhaps Daniel was actually doing his job and the others were hoping the king could suffer some loss (Tax money) to their advantage.
- The officials and satraps wouldn’t do anything (Even going to see if Daniel was praying) unless they were in agreement. Their desire for the praise of man made them fearful.
- Daniel prayed with his windows open toward Jerusalem. Solomon (In a prophetic prayer) encouraged this when the Temple was dedicated (1 King 8:33-53). You really should read this passage…please don’t skip over it.
Questions to consider:
- What would it have been like if the entire empire, for thirty days, was not allowed to pray to any god (even their own) or ask for help from any man, except for the king? How busy would the king have been for that month? What could have been the motivation to sign such an idea into law?
- What might the king have learned happens when we act selfishly? Was it truly to his benefit? How had the officials and satraps manipulated him?
- What was Daniel’s response to man telling him he was not allowed to obey God? Who is really in charge? Who should we obey first?