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Daniel 6:24-28 — The King’s Decree

In Daniel 6:24 the king ordered the men who had falsely accused Daniel, and their families, to be cast into the lions’ den and receive the death that had been intended for Daniel. Again, God’s principle had come true: “A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7). It is sad to think that the families of these men had to suffer, too, as a result of the sins of their husbands and fathers.

Today, there are many families who suffer as a result of the sins of a spouse or parent. Often innocent spouses and children suffer as a result of such things as divorce, drug and alcohol abuse, and many other social problems. There are many children who are beaten and actually killed by their parents. Other children suffer a lack of attention and guidance from fathers and mothers who focus on earning money for the sake of having more money to buy more things. Are you willing to look around and discover people who need your help and love? Will you take up this challenge in your life today?

Darius followed this incident by issuing a decree “to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land,” commanding that the people were to “fear and reverence the God of Daniel.” The decree continued, “For he is the living God and he endures for ever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions” (Daniel 6:25-27). Such a statement from a king whose background was paganism was most remarkable. He made these statements as an official edict for everyone in the land to read. Certainly we hope this suggests a change of heart on his part and we may hope that he had a genuine faith in Daniel’s God.

The last verse of Daniel 6 indicates that Daniel continued to prosper during Darius’ and Cyrus’ rule, which was simultaneous. It was King Cyrus who issued the decree permitting the Jews to return to their homes in Judah (see 2 Chronicles 36:22,23 and Ezra 1:1-4). Perhaps the lions’ den experience also influenced Cyrus’ life. We can hope that he, too, believed in the one true God.

Daniel had been one of the captives originally carried away from Judah to Babylon. He knew from the Scriptures that their captivity was God’s punishment for disobedience, and that it would last 70 years (see Daniel 9:2; Jeremiah 25:8-14). According to Daniel 10:1, Daniel was still alive in the third year of Cyrus’ reign, two years after Cyrus had issued the decree of permission to return. God gave Daniel the blessing of living to see the return of his people to their homeland, in fulfillment of God’s promise of restoration. The life of Daniel testifies to God’s faithfulness to those who love Him. May we ever remember to be faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ.