May 21: FAITHFULNESS OPENS DOORS
So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them. Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon; he answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the decision known to Daniel. Daniel 2:13-15
As today’s scene opens, understand that the process of killing the wise men was initiated, but it did not happen in an instant. Fortunately for all involved, the gathering of these people together for execution, along with staff and equipment to fulfill this royal decree, would take some time.
As we saw earlier (1:9), faith in the one true God possessed by Daniel and his companions produced a winsome manner and countenance that had brought them into the favor and goodwill of those in authority over them. In naming Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, we have an indicator that Daniel knew him personally. Can you imagine getting a knock on your door, opening it to a familiar face, and then hearing something like, “Uhhh, Daniel, I’m here to kill you and your friends.” But Daniel, in his poise and integrity, responded to Arioch with counsel and wisdom. No doubt, Daniel looked Arioch directly in the eyes with a composed expression on his face. Such a conversation might make you wish to be “a fly on the wall.” “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?” Daniel calmly inquired. Might Daniel have invited Arioch into his home and served him a cup of tea? This was not a short conversation. Arioch filled Daniel in on the details, ending with the rage and fury of the king. So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him some time, that he might tell the king the interpretation (v.16).
For Daniel to venture into the presence of the king was to risk his life. It was known, far and wide, that approaching the monarch could incite a response of being struck down dead—on the spot. Yet Daniel petitioned Nebuchadnezzar to give him some time, the very thing the king had considered delay tactics by the wise men. Behind Daniel’s respectful plea before Nebuchadnezzar was a humble plea before the Mighty God of the Universe for time with Him, to present this case in the heavenly court. Daniel’s confidence in God radiated a demeanor of assurance that had a calming effect on the king, and the king consented. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might seek the mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon (vv.17-18). Prayer was the first course of action!
The faithfulness that Daniel and his friends had exercised in lesser things, as laid out in chapter 1, would prove to open the door to greater things…
Jesus said to His disciples, “He who is faithful in what is least is also faithful in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10 (see also Mathew 25:21)