Week 19: God’s Prophet Petitions & Pleas
WEEK 19 | Daniel 6:6-15
Day 1 Deeper Daniel Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
The book of Esther provides insight to Daniel 6 because it occurs during the reign of Xerxes I of Persia (483-473 BC), and in chapter 6, Daniel is serving under the reign of Persia. Both Esther and Daniel are confined by the rigidity of the Persian law. Beyond that we can find other parallels between this book and the book of Daniel, and we can also see that, like Daniel, Esther pre-figures the work of Christ. What is different about these books is also helpful in our study. So far we have seen in Daniel that God reveals Himself through dreams, visions, and miraculous deliverance. His hand is overt, but in Esther, God’s hand is more obscure; in fact, God’s name is not even mentioned once in the entire book.
At the end of Esther, the annual celebration of Purim, meaning lots, was established. Even today during this celebration, the Jews read Esther out loud and have fun hissing and using noisemakers when the antagonist’s name is read. The holiday includes gift giving, costume wearing, and, of course, special food eating! This should clue you in that Esther is a fun book to read because our God’s vindication of His people is almost comically point by point.
We are going to read Esther in parts. For this lesson, read or listen to Esther 1-4.
1. What similarities do you see in Esther and Daniel’s stories? Consider Mordecai’s role as well as how his refusal to bow down leads to the institution of a new decree that will not be able to be annulled by the King of Persia; we shall see this in play in Daniel 6.
2. What insights did you gain in the book of Esther regarding how the Jews were viewed by the Persians?
3. God’s name is not mentioned in the book of Esther.
How do you see His providential hand for the Jews in this story so far?
Reflect on God’s hand in your life and sphere right now. Where do you see the effects of His invisible hand?
Prayer –Enjoy a time of thanking God for His presence in your life and seek His favor for yourself and His people. Pray also for believers suffering persecution in our world, including Messianic Jews who are persecuted for their faith in Christ and for sharing the same bloodline as our Savior.
Days 2-3 Jesus, the Greater Daniel Father, open my eyes to see your Son and exalt Him with my life!
Just a reminder that our Daniel 6 lessons will include two days of “Jesus, the Greater Daniel” passion stories to prepare our hearts for celebrating the resurrection of our Savior. These readings will not have questions; instead, you will check your observations and interpretations by writing a “cross-word puzzle” title for each story. See below.
How to Read Your Bible – We are trying a new way for observing a text where you give a unit of ideas (a paragraph or short story, etc.) a title. The boundaries given for the writing of this title help you identify the most important words in the text. These words, then, help you determine the key idea. The boundaries/guidelines include:
The words in your title must come from the words in the text only.
You can only choose six words (or less) from the text.
You must write the words in the order they occur in the text, but they do not need to form a sentence.
You may use punctuation to communicate ( , . ; ! ? = + -- | / ( ) < > - “ “ ). Get creative with that!
See Lesson 18 for examples if you missed that lesson.
Historical Context – Anticipating His trial, scourging, mockery, and crucifixion, Jesus said, “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose, I have come to this hour. ‘Father, glorify your name’” (John 12:27-28). Jesus’ “hour” is literally just hours away. So, what does Jesus choose to do? He chooses to pray.
Jesus is transitioning from His ministry as a prophet to His intercessory ministry as our High Priest. Jesus may have prayed the High Priestly prayer (see John 17) as He and the apostles walked to the Garden of Gethsemane, a place of retreat where Jesus customarily took His disciples to seek God. John states that Jesus and the disciples crossed the brook Kidron where there was a garden. Luke adds that this garden was on the Mount of Olives. The word gethsemane means “oil press,” so it was a garden with many olive trees. So traditionally it is believed that Jesus experienced His agony in the Kidron Valley at the foot of the Mount of Olives.
Knowing that Jesus experienced His agony in prayer in this place, consider these details regarding its history. The name Kidron refers to either the “darkness” or “murkiness” of the water that flows through this wadi on occasion or to the cedars that grow there. In this valley the dead bodies of common people were laid and to this valley idols were removed and burned during the reforms of King Josiah, King Asa, and King Hezekiah. According to gotquestions.org, this place is associated with “sorrow, judgment, and death,” and the landing page for Kidron Valley at this site lists several stories to develop this idea. Many associate this valley with the “valley of decision” where God will gather the nations to “decide” their judgment after the tribulation before Jesus sets up His 1000-year reign (Joel 3). Finally, in the same chapter where the prophet Jeremiah promises the New Covenant, he foretells that this valley, from the brook Kidron to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, even with its dead bodies and ashes, “shall be sacred to the LORD. It shall not be plucked up or overthrown anymore forever” (31:40). Consider as you read:
How does this history reveal humanity’s clear need for a Savior?
How do we know that Jesus’ death by crucifixion was the ONLY way for us to God?
Matthew 26:36-46 -- Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”37 And He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”
39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink from it, Your will be done.” 43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!”
Your Title for Matthew 26:36-46 _________________________________________________________________
Historical Context – Because Roman senate no longer allowed the Sanhedrin to carry out capital punishment, Jewish leadership needed to present an accusation to start the trial with Pontius Pilate, the governor. Judas was supposed to be their spokesperson, but after Jesus’ religious trial, Judas committed suicide. But Jewish leadership want Jesus to die, so they invent three specific accusations recorded in Luke’s account: “And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”
The charge of “misleading our nation” means they are accusing Jesus of misrepresenting them by mixing heresy and truth. Ironic, right? This is a clever accusation because Pilate would want to subdue anything that incited the Jewish people to riot. The charge of forbidding tribute to Caesar is in direct opposition to what Jesus said when Jewish leadership tested him about paying taxes (Matthew 22:21). He asked for a Roman coin that bore the head of Caesar and told them to render to Caesar what was his and to render to God what was His. The last accusation about Jesus’ claim to be a king would definitely pique Pilate’s interest because if this were true, then this could stir unrest among the Jews in subjugation to King Caesar. Now that Pilate has these three accusations, he can open the trial by questioning the defendant.
Matthew’s account includes that Pilate knew that the Jewish leaders only handed Jesus over because of envy; therefore, he strives to lead them to release Jesus instead of Barabbas.
Luke 23:1-2; 13-23 -- Then the entire assembly of them set out and brought Him before Pilate. 2 And they began to bring charges against Him, saying, “We found this Man misleading our nation and forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”
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Now Pilate summoned to himself the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14 and he said to them, “You brought this Man to me on the ground that He is inciting the people to revolt; and behold, after examining Him before you, I have found no basis at all in the case of this Man for the charges which you are bringing against Him. 15 No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him.16 Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 17 [Now he was obligated to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]
18 But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas!” 19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for a revolt that took place in the city, and for murder.) 20 But Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, 21 but they kept on crying out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!” 22 And he said to them a third time, “Why, what has this Man done wrong? I have found in His case no grounds for a sentence of death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 23 But they were insistent, with loud voices, demanding that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail.
Your Title for Luke 23:1-2; 13-23 _________________________________________________________________
Days 4-5 Central Passage
Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply
Historical Context – Daniel 9, like Daniel 6, relates events that occur in the first year of Darius serving as de-facto king under Cyrus (perhaps it is less confusing if we think of him as the Emperor, since Darius is referred to as a king). In this chapter we learn that Daniel was studying “the word of the LORD to Jeremiah” who prophesied that the exile would last 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11). Knowing that the exile is almost over, Daniel “pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes” while making confessions on behalf of Israel. At some point after this, also in the first year of the Medes-Persian rule, Cyrus does issue a decree allowing the Jews to return to their land and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-4). Remember, Daniel was appointed to be third ruler in Babylon hours before the kingdom fell to Cyrus, and this positioned him well to advocate for the Jews. But in light of our events in Daniel 6, we should also consider how the satanic spiritual forces who oppose God’s plan for the Jews, His chosen people, might strategize to attempt to thwart God’s plan.
OBSERVE DICTION
Ask: Which words/phrases might provide clues to the author’s message? What do they literally mean?
Ex. came by agreement > “to be in a tumult” The NET translation reads “came by collusion.” Tanner translates it as “conspiring together approached.”
This Aramaic word hagisu corresponds to the Hebrew word “rage” used in Psalm 2:1. Recall from our study of Psalm 2 that Hebrew poetry is written in parallel lines, so the idea in the second line emphasizes the idea of the first, often adding a slight addition of meaning. Note how plot is the parallel idea supporting rage: “Why do the nations rage?/and the peoples plot in vain?”
Ex. den of lions > Since this was not a natural “den” for lions but man-made pit for torture, “pit of lions” is a better translation.
Ex. exiles > sons, or from the sons of the exiles. Used in Daniel 2:25, 38; 5:13, 21; 6:14, 25
Ex. distressed > lit “to be evil or bad”; displeased
Ex. labored > struggled; strived
6 Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! 7 All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. 12 Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 13 Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.” Daniel 6:6-15 ESV
OBSERVE DETAILS
Ask and answer simple w-questions: when? where? who? what? how?
Read verse 5 again. What does the “Then” imply about their purpose in approaching Darius?
According to the high officials and the satraps, who “ALL” have counseled together before coming to Darius?
Who has the authority to “establish an ordinance” and “enforce an injunction”?
Translate what that means:
To whom can “anyone” make a petition?
To whom can “anyone” NOT make a petition?
How long will the ordinance last?
What is the punishment if someone prays to any person other than Darius?
Will Darius be able to revoke or annul this law once he signs on it?
Why not?
When does Daniel go to his house?
What city did Daniel’s open windows face?
How many times a day did Daniel pray?
How would a person observing Daniel know that he was praying?
What is the content of Daniel’s prayer in verse 10? In verse 11?
How do we know that Daniel had been praying just this way before the document and injunction was signed?
How do you imagine the scene where the men “came by agreement” to find Daniel praying, based on the diction box and Daniel using this same phrasing in verse 6?
In verse 13, how is Daniel identified?
How is his attitude toward the king described?
Based on what “distressed” means (see diction box) and the king’s actions in verse 14, what can we infer the king has now realized?
How many times now have the high officials and satraps “come by agreement” in this text?
Again, how do you imagine this scene based on what the men say to the king after he labored until sunset?
Historical Context – Why would Darius agree to signing this decree? Perhaps he considered it a test of loyalty to his government. Perhaps it appealed to his pride. Recall from Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2, Daniel had predicted a silver kingdom “inferior” to Babylon would defeat them. We learned in those lessons that the Medes-Persian empire was actually bigger than the Babylonian, but the ruler of Babylon was superior to the ruler of the Medes-Persian empire. Why? Because Nebuchadnezzar and those who succeeded him could annul any law they wished. This made the Babylonian king immune to the errors of his law. However, as we shall see, under Persian law, any decree signed by Darius was unalterable, so Darius was not immune to the errors of his law.
Obeying this law would not violate the religious conscience of the pagans in the kingdom since they acknowledged gods other than their own and viewed their ruler as their mediator between them and the gods. In his Daniel commentary, Fruchtenbaum observes, “Against this theological backdrop, those affected by the conspirators’ law were required to acknowledge that Darius was the son, representation, and manifestation of both the Medo-Persian gods and their own gods for thirty days” (212). The sons of Judah could not acknowledge Darius as Yahweh’s son, representative, and manifestation; this is the connection to the Mosaic Law the conspirators sought to entrap Daniel (6:5).
Did the Law specify that a person should face Jerusalem while praying three times a day on their knees? No, the Law required none of these practices. However, when Solomon dedicated the Temple, he decreed that when Jews lived outside the land, they should face Jerusalem while praying (read 1 Kings 8:46-53). Even before the destruction of the Temple, it had become customary, but not a law, to pray three times a day.
INTERPRET
Ask: Why did the author choose to include these details and use these words?
1. What lessons do these connections teach sons & daughters living under God’s Rule about standing firm in spiritual warfare? Remember that not standing firm means we are giving ground to one of these enemies: our sin nature, the world, or Satan.
Daniel is a descendant of David who is a descendant of Judah whose father Jacob prophesied over his tribe: Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up....who dares rouse him (Genesis 49:9)?
2. How is giving thanks and making petition and plea as Daniel “had done previously” to the God of Jacob the only choice this faithful lion cub can make at this juncture? Review the text, historical context and observation details answers.
Jesus identified Himself with John’s message of man’s need for repentance at His baptism. The Spirit immediately drove Him to the wilderness where He was tempted by Satan. In Jerusalem, He chose to announce His arrival by cleansing the Temple, God’s House of Prayer. Following this, John writes: “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name as they observed His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, because He knew all people, and because He did not need anyone to testify about mankind, for He Himself knew what was in mankind. (John 2:23-25)
3. From beginning to end, Jesus lived before all a zealous obedience to God. He never responded in fear to men for He knew their hearts. Consider how Daniel lived in fear of God alone from his youth to his old age.
How do you see that God was preparing Daniel since he was first taken into exile for this very persecution?
APPLY
The conspirators realize that they will not find any ground against Daniel, an exile from Judah, unless it is in regard to the Law of his God. In accordance with the Law, Daniel could recognize no man as the Mediator of God.
The Father sent His Son from heaven to be an exile on earth so that He could fulfill the Law perfectly. In accordance with the Law, Jesus could not disobey the Father.
You are also in exile. And your time to bring glory to God as an exile is short. Once you are home, you will absolutely bring glory to God, but the time you live “set apart” on earth is special because here you live by faith, not by sight.
1. Think through these questions and pray.
Do you rejoice with gladness that we have the freedom to worship God in the United States?
Do you think it is possible that in your lifetime, Christians will not be allowed to seek God in States?
Can you imagine yourself disobeying this law under threat of your life?
Can you say that you seek God daily now when there is no threat on your life?
Would you be ready if a new law was passed in a matter of days (as happened with Daniel) to worship God as you have been doing previously?
Have you ever experience persecution because of your godly character and actions in Christ?
Did you know the experience of rejoicing and being glad in persecution? As in...Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12
2. What is something you must obey in faith right now? _________________________________________________
o What have you learned from both Daniel and Jesus that shows you HOW to remain faithful to God in this?
o How has God’s prepared you to stand firm?
o How has your faithfulness to God prepared you to obey God now?
3. Again and again, we have learned in Daniel that God rules all and His rule is absolutely trustworthy. Our application for the next six weeks is to plan for His rule in our lives and then to live our plan over the summer as a way to enjoy God’s loyal love, His hesedto us and our hesed to Him. We are going to plan a portion now.
a. Title this part of your Rule of Life Relationship with God.
b. Write in your journal or in your device a Bible verse about God’s relationship with us that is meaningful to you.
c. Write a biblical statement about the relationship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit want to have with you. Write it as addressed to yourself. Ex: “The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit love you and work together to recreate you....”
d. Describe the relationship you want to have with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
e. Make a list of commitments you are willing to make to continue to grow in your relationship with God. You may have already made commitments in prayer, Scripture, and worship, etc. Start with those. When you list them, include the day and time/time frame you normally engage in these Godward rhythms. See a few examples below. Note the example commitments are still written as addressing self.
o Pray in AM before rising. Pray informally throughout your day (praise, help, confession) with just you and God and with family/friends and community group when you meet with them. Text prayers to those sharing needs. Pray a nice long time with spouse about your family at least once a week. Pray with your children at dinner and over each child once a week. Pray before bed each day.
o In the Fall/Spring complete your Daniel homework five days a week. In Summer (May-August) study a New Testament book or two.
o Saturday mornings sleep in until you are fully rested. Then enjoy extended time in prayer, Bible, journaling, singing worship until you are full.
f. Now consider if you would like to either increase your time in current Godward rhythms or if you would want to experience a new way of knowing God. See examples below.
o Enjoy an entire day with just you and God one day in January, April, July, October. Fast during this time and reflect on your relationship with Him and with others. Pray and set goals as He guides you.
o Memorize key Scripture that you can use when sharing the gospel with others.
Triads & Quads Time – Get together with your prayer partners.
Directions – Share with your group one way you will apply what you learned. Then each person will pray for the person to their right to be faithful in their application and each person will pray for one of our church petitions below:
Prayer
Pray for our spiritual growth that the Lord would help us to trust His jealous love for us and to yield our heart to His rule. Ask Him to strengthen us to seek Him daily and stand firm in steadfast love.
Pray for our people to love the lost and stir them to invite those who do not know Christ to come hear the good news on Easter Sunday. Pray the Holy Spirit would awaken the lost in our city and give them a desire to come on Easter Sunday with ears to hear the gospel.
Pray for the missionary your group adopted that God would provide all that is needed for them to be faithful to their calling and that He would ignite the Word they speak and live before those who need His salvation.
Pray for believers facing persecution around the world that God would protect them. Ask God to shield underground churches and secret meetings and keep His people safe from harm, violence, and arrest. Pray for God to be mightily present with those in chains and to help them bring glory to Him before their enemies. Petition our Father to grant the release of these brothers and sisters.
God’s joy & strength to you!