What does the Bible say about jealousy? When we use the word “jealous,” we use it in a sense of being envious of someone who has something we do not have. This kind of jealousy is a sin and is not characteristic of a Christian; rather, it shows that we are still being controlled by our own desires. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3. The Apostle Paul writes, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:26. Being jealous indicates that we are not satisfied with what God has given us. The Bible tells to, “be content with such things as ye have,” for God says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
The battle that rages inside all of us is that even when our intentions are good, we still have a sinful nature and often yield to sin. One of those sins is jealousy, which is closely related to one of the “seven deadly sins” called envy or covetousness. “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16–19
In the past five issues we have been studying the Book of Daniel. I would like to summarize what has been studied. Daniel chapter 1 is about the God who turns defeat into victory. Daniel chapter 2 tells us how God is the revealer of secrets. In Daniel chapter 3 Jesus is the Redeemer of His people. The three young, brave Hebrews did not strive to save their own lives by violating the commandments of God, but rather gave themselves completely to the truth and its cause. Daniel chapter 4 relates the story of the conversion of a heathen king. After going through his seven years of trial, living as an animal, he finally surrendered to the King of kings. In Daniel chapter 5 we read how the God of justice brings an end to Babylon, the pride of the world.
The article in this issue is about “jealousy” and its devastating effects in the life of those who are given in to jealousy. However, it is not only about jealousy; it is also about how a complete surrender to God will bring victory in the midst of trials. The faith of Daniel has been an inspiration to many young people since he was faithful from his youth up; however, his faith is also an inspiration to the elderly. As a youth, Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the delicacies of the king when he first arrived in Babylon. Now, an old man, perhaps in his 80’s, Daniel is still found to be faithful in his service and commitment to the Lord. The account of Daniel’s faith is found in Daniel 6:1–28,
which is the well-known story of, “Daniel In the Lion’s Den”. This is the last story chapter in the book of Daniel. The book of Daniel is divided into two segments—prophecies, and stories. The prophecies deal with the great empires that ruled throughout history and bring us to a point called, “The Time of the End.” The two are very much connected in that the stories talk about how to prepare for that time of the end, with character qualities that Daniel and his companions possessed in the midst of heathenism and adversity. They had strong faith, courage and hope. The stories reveal “how” to stand in the time of the end and the prophecies reveal “when” the time of the end will occur.
Reading the last two verses of Daniel chapter 5 gives us a little background as to the setting of Daniel 6 and the events that led to Daniel being cast into the lion’s den. “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.” Daniel 5:30–31. Here it reads that Babylon fell. Nebopolassar, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebonidus, and Belshazzar, the great kings of Babylon, went down, and as Babylon fell, Darius the Mede took the kingdom.
Moving to chapter 6, we read in verses 1–2: “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.” This is very interesting. Babylon falls, and as Medo-Persia takes over, the new king takes the prime minister’s assistant from the previous regime and makes him second in command. Darius saw something in Daniel. He saw a man of goodness, a man of honesty, and integrity. Today, God is looking for Daniels—men and women who purpose in their heart to serve God at all costs.
In his new position Daniel was successful; however, he was also envied and targeted. His success led to envy by other rulers and governors who were under him. “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.” Daniel 6:4. Even the godliest men have their enemies—those who oppose them. We can read about many of them in the Bible, such as Joseph, Job, David, and Daniel. Back to Daniel, these men in the court of King Darius were enemies of Daniel because of their jealousy of his noble character. This his enemies could see and therefore they could make no charge against him. They found no fault or error in him because he was found to be faithful.
Daniel’s enemies determined that there was only one way to defeat him and that was to find some conflict between the law of God and that of the law of the Medes and Persians. “Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” Daniel 6:5. Here is revealed the results of jealousy; the perilous pitfalls of allowing sinful habits to grow in the heart and mind. The wicked men checked Daniel’s finances. They checked his words. They checked his ambitions. They checked his public life. They checked his private life. His life was put through careful scrutiny, and they found nothing. Absolutely nothing. It would be wonderful if, in your life, you have nothing to hide. There is a peace that comes from knowing that your life, being totally transparent before God and before people, has nothing to hide or be ashamed of.
What would be the result if somebody scrutinized your private life? What if people knew the kind of books and magazines you are reading, the kind of television programs you are watching, or the kind of websites you are surfing? What about the words that you say, the jealousy that is in your mind, the envy that is in your heart, the criticism that escapes your lips? Brother, sisters, and friends, what a beautiful example we have in the life of Daniel the prophet. Even if people say something against you when you are not guilty, how precious before the Lord your life and character will be if you do not retaliate. No matter what people might say, it does not matter because you are standing on a solid rock and that Rock is Jesus.
“Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.” Daniel 6:6–8. Were they telling the truth? Did all the governors really meet together? Did the first governor meet with them? Did Daniel agree with them that this was a good law and therefore he would not pray to any other god except Darius? Not at all. Now, follow closely. Their jealousy led to envy. Their envy led to greed. Their greed led to lying. And their lying led to their willingness to put an innocent man to death. Sin cherished in the mind never becomes less powerful in the life. It always becomes more powerful. This is truly an inspiring story of the wonderful experience of a man who was so faithful and committed to His Lord that he did not consider sparing his own life when God’s principles were about to be trampled underfoot. Daniel’s faithfulness is an example of what our faithfulness must be when God’s Law is substituted for man’s law. A death decree is waiting for God’s people in the near future when the Sunday law will be enforced. We have to learn obedience to God now in order to be found faithful in that time.
Daniel continued to pray three times a day as his custom was. He prayed toward Jerusalem on his knees, with thankfulness to God, even in times of trouble. He did not hide his praying and thus it was easy for his enemies to catch him in the act. His enemies then reported Daniel to the king, reminding Darius of the unalterable decree that he had made. Daniel was accused of disregarding the king’s decree and so the king was forced to abide by his own decree. “Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.” Daniel 6:14–15. Displeased with himself, the king tries to deliver Daniel but Daniel’s enemies keep reminding him that he must abide by his decree.
Finally, Daniel is thrown into the lion’s den, yet the king is hopeful that the God whom Daniel serves will deliver his servant. The den is closed with a stone and sealed. It appears that Daniel’s enemies have won. He is in the lion’s den and it is sealed, yet could any “seal” by man ever keep God from accomplishing His plans? “Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.” Daniel 6:18. It is not the house you live in that enables you to sleep. Peace does not come from material things. Peace comes from God. There are a lot of people in life who think, “If only I had something else, it would give me peace. If I had a new house, that would give me peace. If had a new car, that would give me peace. If I had new shoes, that would give me peace. If I had a new suit, that would give me peace.” The reality is that when you know God, it gives you a peace in your heart—a peace that enables you to face unusual circumstances with confidence, with joy and with hope. This is what was happening to Daniel; although he was put in a dangerous place, God gave him true peace. When the king came to the lion’s den in the morning, asking Daniel if he was ok, Daniel says, “My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” Daniel 6:22. Daniel says, “My God,” not some god. Not any god. “My God has sent His angel, and shut the lions’ mouths.”
Are you facing some problem in your life today, and feel as if you have been dropped into a pit of lions? Have you struggled with impatience? Have you struggled with anger? Have you struggled with lust? Have you struggled with resentment, and cannot conquer it? The lion seems to be roaring in your ears, but today you can say, “Lord, tame the lion. Lord, shut the lion’s mouth.” And God, the great Lion Tamer, will come to your lion’s den, and He will put all those lions to sleep. May we all learn from the example of Daniel, who is an excellent example of what it means to “seek ye first the kingdom of God.” Matthew 6:33. Also, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29. I thank God that He still tames lions. I thank God that He still shuts lions’ mouths. I thank God that He still renders the lions of my life powerless. He did it for Daniel, and He can do it for you. Amen!
Nicholas Anca