13/03/22 – Daniel 6:25-28
Only a shortish passage today. From Ch.7 onward we leave the personal lives of Babylonian kings and captive Jews, and commence upon Daniel’s prophecies, most of them dealing with the end-times (which are largely still ahead of us, but seemingly coming upon us at pace right now.
Daniel 6:25 – Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
wrote – or “inscribed”. This is the verb form of the noun “the writing” as used in Daniel 6:8, 9 & 10 where it refers to an inscription (keeping in mind that their writing was cuneiform (made with a stylus on a soft material such as clay). In fact, kings and other people in high authority usually had scribes to write their writings.
From www.worldhistory.org: “Apart from mathematics, the Babylonian scribal education concentrated on learning to write Sumerian and Akkadian using cuneiform and on learning the conventions for writing letters, contracts and accounts. Scribes were under the patronage of the Sumerian goddess Nisaba. In later times her place was taken by the god Nabu whose symbol was the stylus (a cut reed used to make signs in damp clay).”
“Cuneiform was entirely based on the "wedge-shaped" mark that the end of a cut reed made when pushed into a clay tablet; from Latin cuneus = wedge.” (Wikipedia)
Nebuchadnezzar had required that the group of captives (to which Daniel belonged) were of royal descent, wise (intelligent), have good knowledge and understanding, people to whom the learning and language of the Chaldeans might be taught. This would have certainly required that they were able to learn to read and write, for some of them could have ended up as scribes to important people in the kingdom.
Daniel 1:3-4 – 3And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring [certain] of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; 4Children in whom [was] no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as [had] ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Thus Darius probably dictated, and a scribe “inscribed” the “inscription”.
all people, nations, and languages – The same phrase is used in Daniel 3:4; 3:29; 4:1; 5:19 (noting singular terms in Daniel 3:29). A term effectively ensuring that all citizens are covered, whichever group they belong to.
that dwell in all the earth – All the known earth at that time; all those to whom this was written. Although, if Darius is merely the king of Babylon and not of the whole Persian empire, then it might be questioned as to why he would write to all people in the empire. Possibly, though, as king of Babylon, he would have had more authority than any other ruler under Cyrus’ sovereignty. Vs 2 below says “my kingdom”, suggesting that Darius wrote to all he ruled over. But, as Cyrus is, according to history, the ruler at this time, then this Darius either ruled only Babylon, or maybe was ruler of the empire but under the authority of Cyrus. (The historically recorded Darius the Great would have been well after Daniel’s time.)
Peace – shᵉlam (Aramaic) (welfare;
prosperity; peace; well-being) Generally means “peace to you”.
The Hebrew equivalent is shalowm (peace).
Peace be multiplied unto you – A standard form of greeting required by proper etiquette for writing letters.
Daniel 6:26 – I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he [is] the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion [shall be even] unto the end.
every – all; whole; the
whole.
dominion – all that land over which he is sovereign.
in every dominion – or rather “the whole dominion”. That is, all mankind that his kingdom had dominion or sovereignty over.
tremble and fear – This would be the response desired by the king of his people whenever he made a kingly statement or decree.
Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that such authority and power was given to him by God, and could just as easily be taken away again.
Note Daniel 5:19 – And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
It is clear that Darius’ decree goes a lot further than Nebuchadnezzar’s decree of Daniel 3:29 (Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill:) because there is no other God that can deliver like this.
While Nebuchadnezzar decreed that no-one would speak anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego (why was He not declared the God of Nebuchadnezzar, though?), Darius decreed that men in all parts ruled by Darius (effectively “in all the kingdom”, thus including all citizens of his kingdom) would tremble and fear before the God of Daniel (once again, why was Darius avoiding declaring Him as the God of Darius, though?).
the God of Daniel – It is quite noticeable that Darius, just like Nebuchadnezzar, is not prepared to give up his own gods in favour of the alleged superiority of Daniel’s God. While both these kings have stated clear support for the God of these Jews, it is also clear that they themselves do not appear to have acted as if they fully believed it. For, if they did believe what they said about God, they would have to have been fools to not act upon it. It is most likely that they saw God as a miracle worker who could not be ignored, and therefore were taking out some damage-insurance, much like a good-luck charm. That is, while you worship your gods as of old, make sure you keep on the right side of this God. Do not offend this God, and do not make enemies of this God’s people. This is how most people today worship God (or any other god for that matter). They do some good works, they go to church occasionally, they give gifts to the poor etc, but it’s more of an effort to ensure that they be seen as good. Possibly they think that, in the judgment, God will turn a blind eye to their sins and see the good that they do, or that they aren’t all that bad, or maybe having good intentions to be good might be sufficient?
the living God – as opposed to those “dead” gods of wood and stone that cannot see, hear, eat, nor smell! This God of Daniel, unlike false gods, is able to react to our needs and prayers.
Deuteronomy 4:28 – And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
What’s the point of serving gods that cannot do anything for you? It’s like computers: they can only recite back to you what you have programmed into them to recite. They cannot effectively think for themselves. They cannot offer advice unless already programmed to do so, nor can they give what they haven’t been given beforehand. It’s like the difference between a puppet and a person: only the living being (the person) can respond according to your need; the puppet can only recite back what it has been programmed to do. You know what it is like to “talk” to a computerised voice on a phone help line!
Matthew Poole says: “You would take Darius by these words to be a convert: how far this went with him, and how long it lasted, who knoweth? Surely if he were in earnest, he would forsake his idolatry, and set up the worship of the true God in his kingdom, that his subjects might turn from dumb idols, as inconsistent with the living God and his worship.”
stedfast – or “enduring”. While other gods may come and go, Daniel’s God will endure as He is for ever.
his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed –
Daniel 2:44 – And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
Daniel 4:3 – How great [are] his signs! and how mighty [are] his wonders! his kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion [is] from generation to generation.
Daniel 7:13-14 – 13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like
the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days,
and they brought him near before him. 14And there was given him
dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages,
should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall
not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.
dominion – or “sovereignty” Same word as used twice in this verse. Able to control.
unto the end – This probably refers to the end of the world as we know it, after which is the eternal reign of God with the new heavens and the new earth.
2 Peter 3:12-13 – 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Daniel referred to the end of the sins of Israel in the following:
Daniel 9:24 – Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
We’ll look further at this when we get to Daniel 9.
Jesus declared Himself to be the beginning and the end.
Revelation 22:13 – I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Daniel 6:27 – He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
delivereth & delivered – They have the idea of restoration or being repaired.
rescueth – rescue; extricate; deliver. It could also mean to escape or to be saved.
signs – sign; miraculous
signs; wonders. The evidence of the power and authority of God.
wonders – wonder; miracle. It corresponds to a Hebrew word
meaning to be astounded; be stunned; be
amazed; be dumbfounded. That is, beyond our human or rational
understanding. Thus, the power and authority of God who alone can perform such (miraculous)
wonders that are beyond comprehension.
Nebuchadnezzar also used similar wording in his letter of Ch.4.
Daniel 4:1-3 – 1Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 2I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 3How great [are] his signs! and how mighty [are] his wonders! his kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion [is] from generation to generation.
power – hand; power. All other instances of this word have been translated “hand”. It can have the idea of power to dictate or control. For example, it is translated hands/hand in the following verses:
Daniel 3:15b & 17 – but
if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning
fiery furnace; and who [is] that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
17If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he
will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king.
Nebuchadnezzar is effectively questioning if any God is able to deliver the three Jews from his hand (that is, his power to dictate what happens to them, his control). Nebuchadnezzar considers that he is more powerful than any God they can come up with. They reply that their God can indeed (if He chooses to do so) deliver them even out of Nebuchadnezzar’s hand.
However, lions do not have hands (teeth instead) and so, while we could say that Daniel was delivered out of the hands of the lions, it might make more sense to be delivered from their teeth. Thus “power’ could be a suitable translation.
He delivers (restores) and rescues (saves), and He works signs (the evidence of His power and authority) and wonders (that are beyond comprehension) in heaven and earth (everywhere; not limited to specific areas); it is He who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. This would refer to God being the living God, the one who is able to deliver and rescue.
Daniel 6:28 – So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
So this one called Daniel prospered (was successful) in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Darius was a Mede and Cyrus was a Persian, and the empire was the Medo-Persian empire, where the Medes were effectively junior partners in this alliance. Thus we may assume that Darius the Mede was king of Babylon under the authority of Cyrus the Persian who was the overall sovereign of the whole empire. Or that Darius may have ruled the whole empire under the authority of Cyrus. The Bible appears to suggest that Darius ruled, then Cyrus, yet Cyrus actually ruled from the time Belshazzar was defeated.
History records that Cyrus ruled from 539 to 530 BC; his various titles were King of Anshan, King of Persia, King of Media, King of the World, King of Kings, Great King, Mighty King, King of Babylon, King of Sumer and Akkad, King of the Four Corners of the World.
2 Chronicles 36:22-23 – 22Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord [spoken] by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and [put it] also in writing, saying, 23Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which [is] in Judah. Who [is there] among you of all his people? The Lord his God [be] with him, and let him go up.
He was followed by Cambyses II (530 to 522 BC) and then Darius the Great (522 to 486 BC). Each of these was a Persian. The Darius in Daniel Ch.6 was a Mede (and not Darius the Great) and is not recorded in history as a ruler of this empire; thus he would have been just king of Babylon, or maybe only second-in-command to Cyrus over the whole kingdom, and not the Medo-Persian empire. The truth is that this Darius was not recorded in history; thus we may only guess at his real position in this empire.
While Christians are called to suffer (1 Peter 2:20-21), we are also promised that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). Did Daniel see the “good” that could come from this? Did he give thanks to God for all things (Ephesians 5:20), including being thrown to the lions? It is certain that it was “yes” to both. It is hard for some to understand this, but it does appear that, just like Christ on the cross, our victory comes from our suffering.
1 Peter 2:21 – For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Note Ephesians 1:3 – Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:
It is probable that Daniel saw these blessings as part of his existence on earth, that he interpreted all things in his life from the point of view of eternity.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory; 18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.
The trouble with the church today is that it wants to see things from the point of view of benefits in this temporal world, at the expense of the future benefits of eternity. They desire to build up their riches on earth, preferring to leave their future unprepared-for until they get there. The lesson we learn from Daniel is that the riches and benefits of this world should mean nothing to us; instead, it is the “all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ” that should mean everything to us.
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