“So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them. Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon.” Daniel 2:13-14
In Daniel 2 we come to another stunning turn in Daniel’s life. As a teenager he has gone through a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. It has been three years since he was tested about eating the king’s food. He likely just graduated from the king’s program and because of the gift God gave him to interpret dreams he was placed with the wise men of Babylon. Now suddenly he learns he is about to die for something he knew nothing about. God allows his faith to be tested in the highs and lows of life very early.
The decree went out The king has had it with the Chaldeans. They proved themselves to be charlatans and as a result he will have them destroyed. The king will seek his counsel elsewhere.
The wise men were about to be killed This is the same word used of Daniels’s three friends being thrown into the fiery furnace. The king’s plan to kill the Chaldeans was likely very gruesome as he takes his vengeance out on those he learns are charlatans.
They sought Daniel and his companions The four boys are arrested with the other wise men in the king’s court. They had likely praised God for this assignment knowing it was from Him. Now in just a short period of time God’s blessing appears to have turned into a horror. Isn’t it interesting that Daniel did all he could to remain separate from the world system and now, because of the great talent God had given him, he finds himself condemned to die because he is associated with that group?
To kill them The boys learn they are to be killed for something someone else has done. Satan has to be in their heads telling them they cannot trust God. Look what obeying Him has brought them
to! Think about how many times Daniel has faced possible death in his short life. Taken captive, the march to Babylon with fierce soldiers, preparing for the worst if his request not to eat the king’s
food is turned down. Now this, the most serious threat of all. Is this the straw that breaks the camel’s back? Will the four boys reach the end of their trust and turn their backs on God? What about their vow not to defile themselves?
Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion God tells us exactly how Daniel responds. He does not complain, whine or disassociate himself from the group he is in. Daniel’s reaction is one that can only come when one knows God is sovereign and in control of every single thing that comes into his life, good or bad.. This is the behavior of one who knows that no matter what the king says, if it is not God’s will that he die, it will not happen. Notice how Daniel addresses the king’s henchman in the midst of the chaos. He responds with discretion – once again respecting the authority of the king. He uses wise words in a question to gather facts. Once again Daniel shows us how to practice Philippians 4:6, “Let your gentleness be known to all men” before it is written.
To Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard The king is not joking. He sends the captain (it means great or honorable) of his guard (armed soldiers) to collect every wise man in the kingdom. This fierce man stops to listen to a Jewish slave – another miracle from God!
Who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon Again we see his purpose. Death is imminent for Daniel.
What can we learn? God is sovereign in the high points of life as well as the low points. If we do not believe this our faith will fail in the hard times of life when things don’t seem to out. If it is God’s will, Daniel is
prepared to die but first he would see if God would use him to bring glory to God by living the life of a true believer at a time when no one but God would expect that kind of response.