Daniel 6:25 - Meaning and Application

Darius now tries to make some repair for the dishonor he brought on both God and Daniel when he threw Daniel into the lions’ den. He does this by giving honor to both.

He honors God by issuing a decree sent to all nations, requiring them to fear him. This is the kind of decree that ought to be made permanent, according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, because it is really the everlasting gospel, preached to everyone on earth, “Fear God, and give glory to him” (Revelation 14:7). Notice, first, who received this decree: “all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth” (Daniel 6:25). Those are large words, and it is true that all people owe obedience to this command. Yet Darius meant only the people in his own vast kingdom, which included many nations, but not every nation on earth. People who have much often think they have all.

Next, notice the message of the decree. Men are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. This goes further than Nebuchadnezzar’s decree in a similar situation, which only forbade people from speaking against this God. Here, they are told to have reverent fear of him and to show it openly. The decree rightly begins with, “Peace be multiplied unto you,” because true and lasting peace rests on the fear of God, and that fear is true wisdom. If we live in reverence for God and walk by that rule, peace will be with us and will increase.

Even so, the decree did not go far enough. If Darius had fully followed his own convictions, he would have commanded all people not only to fear this God, but to love him, trust in him, leave their idols, worship him alone, and call on him as Daniel did. But idolatry had taken such deep root over so many years that it could not be uprooted by royal edicts, or by any power short of the power that came with the glorious gospel of Christ.

The reasons Darius gives are strong enough to support even a command against all idolatry, and certainly enough to support this decree. There is good reason for all people to fear this God because his being is greater than all else. He is the living God. The gods people worship are dead things, without even animal life. His rule also cannot be challenged. He has a kingdom and a dominion. He does not merely live, he reigns as an absolute ruler.

Both his being and his rule never change. He remains steadfast forever, and with him there is no turning or change. His kingdom will not be destroyed by any outside force, and nothing in his rule points toward decay. It will last to the end. He also has power enough to support such authority (Daniel 6:27). He delivers his faithful servants from trouble and rescues them out of trouble. He does signs and wonders far beyond nature’s power, in heaven and on earth, showing that he is Lord over both.

He has now given fresh proof of all this by delivering his servant Daniel from the power of the lions. This miracle, together with the rescue of the three Hebrew young men, was done before the eyes of the world. It was seen, reported, and confirmed by two of the greatest monarchs who ever lived. These events strongly support the basic truths of religion apart from the narrow limits of Judaism. They powerfully disprove the errors of pagan religion, and they were fitting steps toward the pure universal faith of Christianity.

Darius also honors Daniel. “So this Daniel prospered” (Daniel 6:28). See how God brought good out of evil. This bold attack on Daniel’s life became the means of removing his enemies, and even their children, who would otherwise have remained obstacles to his advancement and a constant source of trouble. Now Daniel prospered more than ever. He was more favored by his king and more respected by the people, which gave him greater opportunity to do good for his fellow Jews. Out of the eater, and it was a lion too, came food, and out of the strong came sweetness.