Satraps' Trap
The king of Babylon had plans for Daniel. His highness intended to appoint the young Jewish man as an administrator over the satraps, or provincial governors, in a portion of the kingdom. The satraps were not in favor of Daniel’s appointment because he was a Jew and because Daniel’s “exceptional qualities” would likely hinder their ability to govern the way they pleased. He was upright and honest. He would not be tempted by bribery or other political shenanigans.
But the satraps were to get another unfortunate surprise. Due to Daniel’s exceptional qualities, the king trusted him, so his majesty expanded Daniel’s authority and appointed him administrator over the whole kingdom! Well, that set the satraps in motion. They could not have this Jew running Babylon. So they looked for grounds to charge Daniel with some wrongdoing.
The satraps’ set the trap for Daniel, but in the end it was to their own demise.
Get this. They could not find anything. There was no basis for a charge against Daniel’s conduct in governmental affairs! Just think about that in the context of our current political environment. How many of our elected or appointed officials are free from any basis of misconduct? If you know any, please let me know in the comments below.
Daniel was upright in all his dealings with people. The king was wise to move him to the highest administration in the kingdom. The Bible says that Daniel was neither “corrupt nor negligent.” The man did his job honestly, and he did his job completely.
Where would the satraps go to bring accusations against Daniel? They would have to rely on his devotion to “his God.” They could not find any legitimate reason to disqualify Daniel. So they schemed up a plan to make Daniel have to choose between God and the king of Babylon. Fast forward, all the satraps, along with their entire families, got eaten by lions.
How are you living? Would people have a difficult time finding fault with how you conduct your job or live your life? Would they have to rely on deception to bring accusations against you? Would they need to get the king to proclaim an edict, set up a punishment of death by starving lions, and arrange the circumstances to make you choose between God and their authority? Are you, like Daniel, devoted to God?