Why Was Daniel Thrown into the Lions' Den?

Daniel in the Lions’ Den - Daniel 6

(Picture of Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand)

Daniel 6 takes place in 536 B.C. The Babylonians have fallen and the Persian Empire has risen.

Daniel did what he had always done. He chose to stand up and wound up in a lions’ den. Proverbs 28:1, “The righteous are bold as a lion.” Daniel is now a very elderly man, but God calls on him one more time to take a stand.

The lions’ den is a place of darkness where we are devoured by fear, worry, and anxiety prepared by our enemy. 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Why was Daniel as “bold as a lion” even in a den of lions?

1) Daniel had the character of God.

Daniel 6:1-5, It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

Daniel’s godly integrity made him a threat to his enemies! They hated him for his honesty and integrity and burned with envy and jealousy. They feared Daniel. (See Proverbs 28:1)

Proverbs 28:1, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Media only)

Because of Daniel’s godly character, he never changed his “colors.” There are many “chameleon” Christians in the world today that try to “blend in” to their surroundings.”

(Video of chameleon changing colors)

Daniel 6:6-10, So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

2) Daniel had confidence in God. Even when he knew a law had been signed making it illegal for him to pray to his God under penalty of death, he continued to do it with his windows wide open for all to see!

Daniel’s courage to live for God came from his confidence in God. He was faithful to God because he was full of faith in God.

When you trust in God’s sovereignty, you can live with certainty in a world gone crazy. Daniel was confident in God’s sovereign control over his life. He knew God’s plan for him was perfect even if the cost was high. 

Daniel 6:11-17, Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” 14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” 16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

3) Daniel was consecrated to God.You are consecrated to whatever you are willing to die for. 

You do not have a faith worth living for if you don’t have a faith worth dying for. “A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith.” –Richard Wurmbrand

Daniel 6:18-23, Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” 23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.

God promises a resurrection when we choose a life of consecration. The prize will be worth whatever the price.