Reading for June 7th

Read Daniel 6.10-28 In verses 10-18: Judiaism requires three set times for prayer: morning, afternoon, and evening (see Ps 55.17; Jdt 9.1). The narrative portrays Darius as a victim of the plot since he intended no harm to Daniel. Cyrus authorized the building of the Second Temple (2 Chr 36.22-23; ezra 1.1-4); which was completed during the reign of Darius (Ezra 6). Darius calls upon God to save Daniel, and attempts to do so himelf. In verse 22: God sends an angel to protect the rigthous Daniel from the lions (compare 3.19-30). In verse 24: The families of criminals are punished as well to deter crime (Num 16.23-33; Josh 7.24; 2 Sam 21.6, 9; Esth 9.1-13). In verses 25-27: Darius' announcement of the kingdom of God serves the fundemental purpose of the book: to point to the establishment of an independent Jewish kingdom identified as the kingdom of God. In verse 28: Cyrus (539-530 BCE) preceded his son Cambyses (530-522 BCE) and Darius I (522-486 BCE) as ruler of Babylon. Comments or Questions..