“So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” Daniel 6:12
In Romans 1 Paul lists a series of the fruits of Satan – the wicked actions that result when a person totally rejects God. We think of these characteristics arising at the end times but they have been evident in people throughout history, Pharoah, Haman, Antiochus Epiphanes and Hitler for example.
We see these same characteristics in the lives of the people who set out to destroy Daniel. These behaviors (strife, deceit, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things – see how they did that to Daniel?) are used against Daniel and they have been behind the persecution of Christians in every age. Do not be surprised when you decide to live a fully committed to the Lord if you encounter the exact same type of opposition.
So they went to the king Here we see the large mob of leaders who rushed to see if Daniel would disobey the kings law now rush back to the king with the “awful” news they have gathered. There is a traitor in the kings cabinet! Likely they appear before the king with feigned sadness and grief while their hearts are filled with glee. We watch their two-faced behavior as they spring their news on the king.
Spoke to him about his royal decree They begin to unveil the trap they laid. First they use questions to remind the king the law is in effect and must be enforced.
Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you They verify the issue. Only the king was to be worshipped. Any act of worship to any other being was strictly prohibited. Do you see their deviousness? The law is fair on its face. Worship of any idol is prohibited. It was only for 30 days, not forever. Of course their target is not man’s idols, it is Daniel’s God. All Satan wants is for us to deny God at one moment in time. That is enough to allow him to gleefully accuse us before God – “even God’s own creation does not honor Him!”
Your Majesty The accusers are careful to follow their own law. They worship the king, respect his position and honor him only.
Would be thrown into the lions’ den Again we see wickedness ooze out of the accuser’s pores. They verify the punishment. The world condemns Christians for talking to them about eternal hell – how dare they be threatened and judged with eternal punishment for the way they live. Yet their first effort is to verify with the king that if a person, anyone, does not comply with his law, they are to be punished by death – be annihilated. Again we note that do not mention Daniel’s name at this point, Their intent is to get the king on record before they spring the news that his most trusted advisor is the one who broke his law. (In reality thy despise the king for honoring and promoting Daniel.)
What can we learn? Total wickedness can be found anywhere. Here we find it in the King’s cabinet. It can be found in our neighbors or co-workers. It is all over social media. It comes when a person receives the light of God’s truth and rejects it. The approach then is to get rid of God and His people in any way possible – the philosophy of today’s cancel culture. Read sin’s path in Romans 1:18ff.