Daniel of the Book of the Bible means "God is my Judge".
Daniel was a follower of God as most of us are and at the same time living in a world of ungodly influences. Temptation was always at hand and as it usually is with temptation, it is always easier to go with the group and be popular.
The ancient Middle East was the story of one empire rising, falling, and being replaced by another. In 605 B.C., the Babylonians conquered Israel, taking many of its promising young men into captivity in Babylon. One of those men was Daniel.
Some Bible scholars speculate that the Babylonian captivity was both an act of God’s discipline for Israel and a way to teach them necessary skills in commerce and government administration. Even though ancient Babylon was a pagan nation, it was a highly advanced and organized civilization. Eventually, the captivity would end, and the Israelites would take their skills back home.
When the lions' den event occurred, Daniel was in his 80s. Through a life of hard work and obedience to God, he had risen through the political ranks as an administrator of this pagan kingdom. In fact, Daniel was so honest and hardworking that the other government officials—those who were jealous of him—could find nothing against him to cause him to be removed from office.
So they tried to use Daniel's faith in God against him. They tricked King Darius into passing a 30-day decree that said anyone who prayed to another god or man other than the king would be thrown into the lions' den.
Daniel learned of the decree but did not change his habit. Just as he had done his whole life, he went home, knelt down, faced Jerusalem, and prayed to God. The wicked administrators caught him in the act and told the king. King Darius, who loved Daniel, tried to save him, but the decree could not be revoked. The Medes and Persians had a foolish custom that once a law was passed—even a bad law—it could not be repealed.
At sundown, they threw Daniel into the den of lions. The king could not eat or sleep all night. At dawn, he ran to the lions' den and asked Daniel if his God had protected him. Daniel replied,
"My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." (Daniel 6:22, NIV)
The ancient Middle East was the story of one empire rising, falling, and being replaced by another. In 605 B.C., the Babylonians conquered Israel, taking many of its promising young men into captivity in Babylon. One of those men was Daniel.
Some Bible scholars speculate that the Babylonian captivity was both an act of God’s discipline for Israel and a way to teach them necessary skills in commerce and government administration. Even though ancient Babylon was a pagan nation, it was a highly advanced and organized civilization. Eventually, the captivity would end, and the Israelites would take their skills back home.
When the lions' den event occurred, Daniel was in his 80s. Through a life of hard work and obedience to God, he had risen through the political ranks as an administrator of this pagan kingdom. In fact, Daniel was so honest and hardworking that the other government officials—those who were jealous of him—could find nothing against him to cause him to be removed from office.
So they tried to use Daniel's faith in God against him. They tricked King Darius into passing a 30-day decree that said anyone who prayed to another god or man other than the king would be thrown into the lions' den.
Daniel learned of the decree but did not change his habit. Just as he had done his whole life, he went home, knelt down, faced Jerusalem, and prayed to God. The wicked administrators caught him in the act and told the king. King Darius, who loved Daniel, tried to save him, but the decree could not be revoked. The Medes and Persians had a foolish custom that once a law was passed—even a bad law—it could not be repealed.
At sundown, they threw Daniel into the den of lions. The king could not eat or sleep all night. At dawn, he ran to the lions' den and asked Daniel if his God had protected him. Daniel replied,
"My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." (Daniel 6:22, NIV)
