Ezekiel 6
Daniel 6 takes place in the era of the Persian (and Achaemenid) Empire after the fall of the Babylonian Empire, and it continues with the story of Daniel during the reign of King Darius. The central focus is on how the prominent figure Daniel came to stand out under a new administration as well, and the account of the trials that come from faith and loyalty, along with their outcome.
1verseThe LORD’s word came to me, saying,
2verse“Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy to them,
3verseand say, ‘You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! The Lord GOD says to the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys: “Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword on you, and I will destroy your high places.
4verseYour altars will become desolate, and your incense altars will be broken. I will cast down your slain men before your idols.
5verseI will lay the dead bodies of the children of Israel before their idols. I will scatter your bones around your altars.
6verseIn all your dwelling places, the cities will be laid waste and the high places will be desolate, so that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.
7verseThe slain will fall among you, and you will know that I am the LORD.
8verse“‘“Yet I will leave a remnant, in that you will have some that escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries.
9verseThose of you that escape will remember me among the nations where they are carried captive, how I have been broken with their lewd heart, which has departed from me, and with their eyes, which play the prostitute after their idols. Then they will loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.
10verseThey will know that I am the LORD. I have not said in vain that I would do this evil to them.”’
11verse“The Lord GOD says: ‘Strike with your hand, and stamp with your foot, and say, “Alas!”, because of all the evil abominations of the house of Israel; for they will fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.
12verseHe who is far off will die of the pestilence. He who is near will fall by the sword. He who remains and is besieged will die by the famine. Thus I will accomplish my wrath on them.
13verseYou will know that I am the LORD when their slain men are among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, under every green tree, and under every thick oak—the places where they offered pleasant aroma to all their idols.
14verseI will stretch out my hand on them and make the land desolate and waste, from the wilderness toward Diblah, throughout all their habitations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1-5: King Darius establishes a new administrative system, and Daniel is recognized for his outstanding wisdom
- Verses 6-9: jealous officials persuade the king to issue a decree forbidding 'any god or person other than the king' from being prayed to for 30 days
- Verses 10-15: Daniel knows about the decree and continues praying to God without change, but he is reported
- Verses 16-18: The king is distressed, but cannot change the decree, so he throws Daniel into the lions' den
- Verses 19-23: God sends an angel to rescue Daniel from the lions
- Verses 24-28: those who plotted the conspiracy are punished, and the king issues a decree praising God
The Overall Meaning
This chapter contains the theme of faithful loyalty and God's protection. No matter what the environment or circumstances are, Daniel shows that he keeps his faith unchanged, and God's response and deliverance appear dramatically. Also, the universality and excellence of faith in God are highlighted in that even King Darius is led to acknowledge God's power.
Points for Reflection
- Faith in trials: Even in the face of threats, Daniel did not stop his faith. We can reflect on how our faith can be shaken in what situations.
- God's protection: Even when confronted with an obvious crisis, we can reflect on whether we have faith to trust in God's help.
Applying It to Me
- I also reflect on times when it is difficult to keep my faith in everyday life, and I consider whether I can strengthen the habit of seeking God in daily life like Daniel.
- Even amid difficulties, I gain the courage to live by praying to God and holding onto trust in the outcome of His work.
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