July 7: UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 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. Daniel 6:1-2

Babylon’s fall to the Medes and the Persians had occurred quickly and without resistance. Presumption and arrogance had been cultivated under the co-regency of Nabonidus (son-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar) and Belshazzar his son who was left in the capital city while Nabonidus pursued personal interests and lived in his oasis palace in Arabia.

After Belshazzar was slain (5:31), Cyrus sent his general to capture Nabonidus; his life was spared and he was taken into exile. Darius the Mede ascended to the throne. Darius might have regarded Daniel as an enemy. After all, Daniel had been a prominent advisor for decades during the zenith of the Babylonian empire, and was the only ruler left after the death of Belshazzar and the arrest of Nabonidus. But Daniel’s humble demeanor and obvious disinterest in seeking political gain for himself was observed by King Darius. They quickly became friends. Daniel’s extensive knowledge of the former empire’s affairs rendered him a valuable asset as the new king set out to organize and establish a new government. It was decided that the government would be decentralized. The provinces would be headed by satraps who would maintain order and collect taxes, each reporting to their respective governor. Darius appointed Daniel one of three governors.

Daniel’s relationship with God thoroughly equipped him to understand the times. He knew that Isaiah had prophesied that Medo-Persia would conquer Babylon and that Jerusalem would be rebuilt. He probably showed King Darius, and later Cyrus, the Isaiah scroll, specifically the passage that spoke of Cyrus and how he would accomplish the victory over Babylon (see Isaiah 45:1,5). Daniel’s additional knowledge of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2 was confirmation of God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge. Therefore Daniel welcomed the transition, and the new king trusted Daniel, having confidence that he would faithfully carry out his assigned duties.

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 (v.3).

Genuine integrity has a way of rising to the top like cream. Remember the favor that Daniel and his three friends found early in their captivity (see 1:9-15). And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king (Nebuchadnezzar) examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus. (vv.19-20)  A time of testing is on the way for Daniel in chapter six, brought about by his adversaries. It foreshadows a testing period that is to come upon the world. Prepare now by walking uprightly with the Lord.

Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them. Psalm 119:129