No Compromise:
Today we are continuing our study on the Christian Foundations looking at Daniel 5 and the theme “no compromise”, asking the questions:
- “What does the everyday Christian life look like?”
- “What’s required for ongoing, genuine relationship with God.”
So far, we have learned that as followers of Christ we “Determine to be Different” and place our “Confidence in God and His Covenant”. As we step more into our relationship with God, we move further away from the world and will have ample opportunity (like Daniel and his friends) to practice “Death-defying faith”. However, as we commit to this, we will find ourselves moving into the “Implicit Intimacy” that is both offered and required by God as part of the right and genuine relationship He offers.
These are the foundation for the everyday Christian life. But each of us has to make this decision for ourselves. No one can make this commitment on our behalf because genuine relationship—with anyone—is defined by “Independent Dependence”: trusting our lives into God’s hands. Not only are we required to do this once, but we are also called to walk this line, from the beginning to the very end of our lives without compromise.
Background/ Context
Babylon has a new king. He is of a different culture and brings changes welcomed by the people. And, as is the case the world over, throughout time, with new leadership, old rivals see opportunity for new takeovers. Especially since Daniel is once again outshining everyone.
2IC
Darius has appointed 120 regional leaders. Over these he’s appointed 3 Administrators one of whom is Daniel. However, Daniel proves to be so exceptional in carrying out his responsibilities, Darius was considering making him his 2IC.
History Repeating Itself
We can see Chapter 6 is basically a repeat of Chapter 4. The other two Administrators and 120 satraps are jealous of Daniel, and they want him out. They can’t trap him politically or professionally—he is above reproach. So they attack the only thing which makes him different, his religion.
More to the Picture
It appears this crew con the King into making a law to oust Daniel. When when we read this, it makes Darius out to be a bit vain and ignorant. However, when we marry Scripture with historical texts we get a fuller picture of what was going on.
In Persian religious rituals, fires and altars were not used i.e. no sacrifices. Most importantly, the historian Herodotus said that when the offering was made, the worshiper was not permitted to pray for anything personal but could only invoke blessings on the king or community. It is likely that Darius was persuaded to issue the decree to address some religious/political problem without ever intending to prohibit what Daniel (and most of the population if the empire) was doing.
Lion’s Den
Contrary to what Hollywood and our concept of history may have us believe, throwing people to lions was not common in 550BC. What we see here is, “Innocence by ordeal”. This process assumed the accused was guilty until proven innocent. The ordeal part of the equation could be anything, as long as the accused was in significant danger. Typical techniques in the ANE were fire, poison and/or water. If their—or any god—intervened and saved them, the verdict “innocent” was given.
No Compromise Without Ceasing
One final thing I would like us to consider to help us understand the context. (Ask everyone to stand, leave the 80s and older standing). As we consider this story, think of how old Daniel was. For me, the overwhelming feeling is exhaustion. Maybe because I am currently so tired, but just think:
- Daniel came to Babylon when he was around 14.
- He and his mates stood up for themselves against the empire, essentially committing treason at the age of 14-15.
- He confronted the king, promising he could do the humanly impossible and interpret the “secret” dream when he was around 15.
- His friends, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego were thrown in the fire when they were in their late teens or early twenties.
- Daniel was 64 when he interpreted the writing on the wall for Belshazzar,
- and now, once again he’s facing down his accusers at the age of 80-odd.
And I can’t, for one minute believe the years in between were easy sailing either. We read in chapters 7-12, from what would be Daniel’s late 50’s- early 60’s through to his 80s he was also dealing with his own significant “God” dreams, angels, and overwhelming insight into God’s plan for his people and the future of the world.
The Study:
What did Daniel do?
10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Daniel 6:10
In short, Daniel nothing new, or different. In fact, he not only didn’t stop or change what he’d been doing, he didn’t hide it either. Personally, I wonder if he even cared, maybe he was issuing a challenge, “Do your worst. Have you met my God?”
As I said earlier, this was common ritual for most people in the kingdom, who may or may not have ceased their praying for the month. This reminds me of the New Testament story of the woman caught in adultery. It was a set up, and the chosen victim was hauled before the judge as a trap. All other guilty parties were conspicuous by their absence.
How did he do it?
Confidently and unashamedly: Since he was a kid, Daniel and his faith had been challenged. And God had always, without question, without precedence, in His perfect timing shown up significantly.
At this point in his life, Daniel had been confronted by some pretty substantial warfare dreams, visions and Spiritual big-picture issues. He had lived through being exiled as a teen into a newly minted kingdom, the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nabonidus and Belshazzar. And now he was living through the Persian takeover. I guess at the end of the day, this challenge may have been just one more thing to add to the very long list.
What were the consequences?
- Daniel didn’t die
- He was vindicated through “innocence by ordeal” and strengthened his standing with the king.
22 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, Your Majesty.”
Daniel 6:23
- His opposition and accusers did die. But not just them, but their families along with them. Darius wasn’t only ending their lives, he was wiping out their legacies as well.
- Darius became a Yahweh supporter and issued a public decree…
26 … that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Daniel 6:26-27
- Daniel prospered through the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Epilogue?
As we draw this study of Daniel to close, I thought you might be interested in the Epilogue. Rabbinic sources suggest, Daniel was still alive during the reign of the Persian king Artaxerxes – (Babylonian Talmud, Megillah 15a, based on the Book of Esther 4, 5), but was killed by Haman, the wicked prime minister we read of in the Book of Esther.
Daniel had served God faithfully, obediently, loyally, without compromise and without ceasing his whole life. There are many years that aren’t covered in Scripture, but the image we are given is of an incredible example of what the everyday Christian life look like and what is required for ongoing, genuine relationship with God.
God’s plan was bigger than Daniel, but he carried the baton faithfully and. when the time came, it was handed on to Esther and Mordecai. I guess we have some sense of closure and satisfaction knowing the one who may have been responsible for this great man’s death, was held accountable and judged for his crime.
So what?
I first considered teaching this series after we studied Alpha last year. Alpha is an amazing introduction to Christianity. However, at our debrief, the questions were asked, “Now what? Where do we go and what do we do from here?” I thought using people in Scripture as examples would be a good way to learn more, not only about our history, but what’s expected as Children of God.
I could have used multiple people as examples for each area. Or I could just use one: Daniel. The man who lived his whole life devoted to, dependant on and, without compromise, humbly obedient to our God from a teen to his death. Just like Christ. What a testimony. And one of the most encouraging things about Daniel? He was fully human. Just like us. It kind of makes this whole Christian life, challenge, adventure, epic journey seem a bit more possible. If he could do it with God’s help, so can we.
What we’ve learned:
1. Foreigners
Just like these young exiles from Judah, we too are living in a foreign land—this is not our home, this is not our culture—but we are called to be ambassadors for our King, our home, and His truth. This will cause friction because we are different. And the more we take up the call to be holy—set apart—the more of a stir we cause. But this is how God demonstrates his truth, love and grace, by using us to be his representatives. When we obey this call to be holy and determine to be different, we draw attention to ourselves, and Him. But since the world hates Him, it also causes trials for us.
2. Accused
As it was for Daniel and his friends, our accuser does not rest. He does not get tired, and he doesn’t give up. Many people think Satan’s number is 666. But it isn’t. It’s 365, because he stands before the throne of God, 365 days a year accusing the faithful. Sometimes our lives can feel like Daniel’s “innocence by ordeal” – thrown into the fire, or to the lions because we identify as God’s children. As far as the world is concerned, we are guilty until proven innocent. But when we, like Shadrack Meshach, Abednego and Daniel, step out in death-defying faith, with complete confidence in the covenant and our God, He comes through winning victories for His glory.
3. Dependent
Daniel and his friends had each other for support, but that was it. They didn’t have families, community, or political endorsement (for very long). Once they were trained and spread out through the kingdom, they only had their faith i.e. their implicitly intimate, independently dependent, relationship with God. These guys could not rely on anyone else in their multiple—life-long—trials, because there was no one else. It was them and God. But we have seen how that was enough. It was all they needed. Not just once, or seven times… or seventy times seven times, but consistently throughout their entire lives.
4. Sanctified
As God’s children, we are called into the process of sanctification, being made holy, like Christ was holy. Through this study on Daniel, we have seen that Christ’s prayer was and is being fulfilled in every way. John 17:14-19
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them bythe truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
John 17:14-19
5. Ambassadors
We are ambassadors of the Sovereign God of the Universe, and we have our role… within the world. Enlisted as soldiers of the God of Heaven, we are directed, protected and charged with a responsibility. And as children of the Most High God, we are loved. We are not alone, and we are not with out help.
6. Human
However, regardless of how much we might strive to be like Christ, we are not Christ. Yes, the Spirit of the Living God dwells within us, but we are not God. We are human like Daniel, but we are not Daniel either. Each of us is our own person, called to obey the law, encouraged to use these foundations of the Christian life in order to grow in genuine relationship with God. But each of us is a unique creation, gifted with our own skills, talents, experiences in our own corner of the world, each with our own plan and directive as we each play our part as ambassadors of our Heavenly Father for His glory.
7. Community
Whilst there are stepping stones along the path of the everyday Christian life, and there are guides we can look to to find genuine relationship with God, ultimately, the final product is between each of us and God. It is a journey of discovery: exciting, daunting, exhausting and exhilarating. It is beyond description, yet it is a common experience.
- Determining to be different from the world around us
- Placing our confidence in God and His Covenant promises
- Practicing Death-defying faith in the face of hatred and opposition
- Entering two-way implicit intimacy with our Father
- Owning independent dependence on our Triune God
- Allowing no compromise in our quest for holiness and right relationship
8. Unique
These are general guidelines followed by all of God’s faithful children. The specifics—the colours you choose to fill in these lines—are yours alone. We are each one piece in the whole. None of us are the centre of the picture, nor is the picture about us. It’s all about Christ. Just Like Daniel was one part of God’s perfect Plan A, so too are we.
Regardless of the specifics, each of us is called to immerse ourselves in God’s word and truth, humbly submit to God’s Holy Spirit and live out our lives in right relationship with our Heavenly Father without compromise, from beginning to the end. For us, there is no retirement. I believe this is what the everyday Christian life looks like, and what is required for ongoing, genuine relationship with God.
Questions to ponder:
- Where do you struggle with compromise in your relationship with God?
- What are your specific tasks and roles within the body of Christ?
- How is God using you as a testimony to His love, grace and glory?
- Which area is the Holy Spirit working on in your life now?
