“It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel.
The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss.“ Daniel 6:1-2
Daniel Chapter 6 jumps begins with the Medes and Persians organizing the Babylonian kingdom they had just captured. God
shows us His hand at work once again.
It pleased Darius The chapter starts with interesting wording. It appears that Darius received a suggestion for how to organize the kingdom that was very acceptable to him. Daniel used this phrase earlier in chapter 4 verse 27. “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be
acceptable unto you”. He gave the king advice which he trusts will please him. Where would a plan to organize the land come from? Perhaps from he one who had been Nebuchadnezzar’s right hand man and operated in an organization structure just like this one. We see two key lessons. First, we see how what God allows at the end of
chapter 5 was used to protect Daniel’s life in the new regime.
Belshazzar made Daniel the third in command. As such the Medes and Persians would need his experience. He knew how things operated. Second, this shows us that God never wastes
anything that He allows in our life. That is why we need to take assignments from God and do our highest quality work on every task. Not only does excellent work bring glory to God in the moment but God will use what we have learned later in life. Daniel was ready with his God-given experience to make a high value proposal to the Medea and Persian on the most pressing issue they faced. His insights immediately showed them Daniel’s value as one of their advisors.
To appoint 120 satraps Satraps are one of the classes of government officials (among the eight groups of officials) that King Nebuchadnezzar appointed in Babylon. Satraps are also mentioned in Daniel 2 and 6 and in the books of Ezra and Esther. They were the chief representatives of the king who ruled over the provinces in the kingdom (like governors of states). With three administrators over them The satraps did not have carte blanche authority. They reported to three senior executives who made sure that the the operations and profitability of the kingdom were maintained. This was Daniel’s position.
The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss Likely in Daniel’s plan he explained there was an opportunity for corruption by the men who ruled the provinces. Thus he recommended they be accountable to three very faithful servants who would be trusted to make sure the king’s interests were upheld.
What can we learn? We see that the plan was structured so the work would be done decently and in order and there would be accountability for one’s actions. God is not the author of confusion and this organization structure emphasizes order. God’s work does should be done following the same principle. Note it says the satraps were made accountable. This is not something man naturally is attracted to. (Remember Adam and Eve hiding in the Garden of Eden after they had sinned? They did not want accountability for their actions.) It pleased Darius and it pleases God for men to be accountable for their actions.