Pr. DFD

Monday, January 14, 2019

Morning Prayer Reading 76

Jesus Presented in the Temple

Luke 2

Selective Verses

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant[e] depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.[f] She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Footnotes:
Luke 2:29 Or bondservant
Luke 2:37 Or as a widow for eighty-four years

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Luther's Seal Copyright © Higher Things

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Epiphany 2 Series C

Series C

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

20 January 2019

Isaiah 62:1–5

1 Corinthians 12:1–11

John 2:1–11

The Divine Glory Is Manifested in the Signs of Christ

Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

When Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana, it was “the first of His signs,” by which He “manifested His glory” (John 2:11).

It pointed to His coming “hour,” when He was lifted up on the Cross for the forgiveness of sins and the life of the world (John 2:4; 12:23–32). The glory of the cross is incomprehensible apart from the Word and Spirit of God, but disciples of Jesus recognize that glory in the signs of His Gospel, and so they believe in Him. Jesus does not wait for His disciples to discover Him on their own, but He seeks out the forsaken and the desolate and unites them to Himself. He adorns them with His own beautiful righteousness and delights in them “as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride” (Isaiah 62:4–5). Purified by the washing of water with His Word in Holy Baptism, His disciples confess that “Jesus is Lord,” and they return thanks to Him “in the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3), as they drink the good wine that He pours out for them, which is the new testament in His blood.

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John 2:1

Καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ γάμος ἐγένετο ἐν Κανὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ ἦν ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐκεῖ•

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.

The third day...a climatic event...six days after the baptism...a wedding came to pass... Mary referred to as "the mother of Jesus," again referred to as the same at the cross,

See John 21:2 "Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee."

Could this be the wedding of Nathaniel and Jesus' sister?

John 2:2

ἐκλήθη δὲ καὶ ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν γάμον.

Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.

They were called/invited, even Jesus, to the wedding. Jesus is invited Mary and the disciples were there.

John 2:3

καὶ ὑστερήσαντος οἴνου λέγει ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ πρὸς αὐτόν• Οἶνον οὐκ ἔχουσιν.

When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”

With no wine the feast is over. To leave early or run out was an embarrassment. See the genitive absolute. Mary's concern, "bring your salvation now!" Restore your people..." See Amos 9:13, Isaiah 25

John 2:4

καὶ λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς• Τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, γύναι; οὔπω ἥκει ἡ ὥρα μου.

And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

What’s it to me and to you woman my hour is not yet come.

"Is my concern also that of yours woman...my hour is not come." Our concerns are different here...

Difference between cross and glory. Yet Mary’s word to Jesus, "go and be the savior"

"We will serve no wine until it's time"

John 2:5

λέγει ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ τοῖς διακόνοις• Ὅ τι ἂν λέγῃ ὑμῖν ποιήσατε.

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

His mother said to the sevenths whatever he might say to you do.

Were the servants the disciples? The text does not specify.

John 2:6

ἦσαν δὲ ἐκεῖ λίθιναι ὑδρίαι ἓξ κατὰ τὸν καθαρισμὸν τῶν Ἰουδαίων κείμεναι, χωροῦσαι ἀνὰ μετρητὰς δύο ἢ τρεῖς.

Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.

There were six stone jars containing x 9 gallons two or three.

Six is the number of man, and water into wine is a miracle of transformation.

As six is the number of man and the Son of Man is in their midst – the God-man was among them. Water and wine were in the same vessel! Humanity was carrying deity and this first miracle would prove it.

Six is also the number of days measuring when man was created. Adam was created on the sixth day. There are 6 days before the Sabbath and 6 days = 6000 years of biblical genealogy from Adam till now. Soon, at the end of the 6th day, God will transform us and we shall be changed from the natural to the divine – in His image. Mortal shall put on immortality.

Greek two or three measures μετρητὰς (metrētas); a metrētēs was about 10 gallons or 35 liters

Set these apart. The verb used is "to draw from a well." The old law is set aside...in the new age we shall drink wine. The new wine of Christ offers salvation, life, a new covenant in my blood, new water, new wine.

120 gallons was needed for immersion washings.

John 2:7

λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς• Γεμίσατε τὰς ὑδρίας ὕδατος• καὶ ἐγέμισαν αὐτὰς ἕως ἄνω.

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.

The Jesus said, “fill the water pots with water and they filled them to the top/brim.”

No longer do you wash with it now you drink it. Nothing but Christ and what Christ does wins for you salvation.

The laws regulations pointed to Christ and only found significance in Christ.

John 2:8

καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς• Ἀντλήσατε νῦν καὶ φέρετε τῷ ἀρχιτρικλίνῳ• οἱ δὲ ἤνεγκαν.

And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.

He said to them, draw some and they bore it to the wedding planner/wine steward.

John 2:9

ὡς δὲ ἐγεύσατο ὁ ἀρχιτρίκλινος τὸ ὕδωρ οἶνον γεγενημένον, καὶ οὐκ ᾔδει πόθεν ἐστίν, οἱ δὲ διάκονοι ᾔδεισαν οἱ ἠντληκότες τὸ ὕδωρ, φωνεῖ τὸν νυμφίον ὁ ἀρχιτρίκλινος

When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom

Now when the wedding planner had tasted the wine didn't know from where it is. He did not know from where it was. But the servants, they knew, the ones who had drawn it out.

John 2:10

καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ• Πᾶς ἄνθρωπος πρῶτον τὸν καλὸν οἶνον τίθησιν, καὶ ὅταν μεθυσθῶσιν τὸν ἐλάσσω• σὺ τετήρηκας τὸν καλὸν οἶνον ἕως ἄρτι.

and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

The better wine. Every man presents the better wine first...you have reserved/kept the better wine until now. The new covenant, testament is better than the old. Can't put it into old skins.

John 2:11

ταύτην ἐποίησεν ἀρχὴν τῶν σημείων ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐν Κανὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας καὶ ἐφανέρωσεν τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπίστευσαν εἰς αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ.

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

The whole point of the miracle – that His disciples believe in Him.

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Wedding at Cana’ © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Time in the Word - Epiphany 2

Time in the Word

January 14-19, 2019

Preparation for Epiphany 2

Collect for the Baptism of our Lord – Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

Collect for the likeness of Christ—O God, by the patient suffering of Your only-begotten Son; You have beaten down the pride of the old enemy. Now help us, we humbly pray, rightly to treasure in our hearts all that our Lord has of His goodness born for our sake that after His example we may bear with patience all that is adverse to us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A prayer for steadfast faith–Almighty God, our heavenly Father, of Your tender love towards us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and come to life everlasting. .

A prayer for newness of life in Christ–Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon ourselves the armor of life, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal.

Next Week’s Morning Prayer Schedule

Read the following and discuss with your student

Monday 14 Jan-Jesus Presented in the Temple-Luke 2- Selective verses

Tuesday 15 Jan. –The Wise Men –Matthew 2- Selective verses

Wednesday 16 Jan. Chapel Day

Thursday 17 Jan. Jesus’ flight into Egypt-Matthew 2- Selective verses

Friday 18 Jan. Jesus in the Temple-Luke 2- Selective verses

From Luther’s Catechism Baptism Pt. IV; What is Office of the Keys?

The Theme for Epiphany 2, “God’s Glory Manifested In Transforming Power,” can be seen in all three lessons for the week. In the Old Testament lesson God marries His people. God will transform Jerusalem from desolation to delight. In the Epistle lesson The Sprit transforms from “Jesus be cursed” to “Jesus is Lord!” Here the gifts of the Spirit will be outlined for us. In the Gospel lesson, the wedding at Cana, Christ transforms water into wine. Here He manifests His glory and His disciples put their faith in Him.

Collect for Epiphany 2 – Almighty and Everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

Monday, 14 January 2019—Psalm 36:5:9, Antiphon, Song of Solomon 2:4—The Lord brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love. See also Numbers 2:2 and Psalm 20:5 – The king’s love for his bride is displayed for all to see like a large military banner. So is the Father’s love for you. Great is His faithfulness.

Tuesday, 15 January 2019—Psalm 128; key verse, verse 5—May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem. The blessedness of the godly man is the theme for this week’s psalm. It is another word for wisdom concerning hearth and home. The key verse is thought to be a Levitical or priestly benediction or a word of instruction to those assembled from their homes coming to worship at Jerusalem,

Wednesday, 16 January 2019—Isaiah 62:1-5–Isaiah uses the analogy of marriage to express the relationship of Judah to God. He marries His people, His land. It is not the first marriage for God. Like Hosea, He takes His people back again and again. He remarries His people to Himself. What does this say about God’s attitude toward His people? God loves His people “The Lord delights in you” (verse 4). God make His people new – they take, like a bride takes her husband’s name, His name: “You shall be called My delight is in her” (verse 4). God rejoices over His people, “So shall your God rejoice over you” (verse 5). God and His land make a happy couple.

Thursday, 17 January 2019—1 Corinthians 12:1-11–Can we be different and yet one? The church has always been threatened with divisions. It happened in the 1^st Century; it happens today in the 21^st Century. To have peace and unity, must all church members agree and be alike? According to the text, the church is unique in that she can have unity with diversity. This unity is the same Spirit in all, but there is a variety of gifts from the one Spirit. As long as there is one good, sweet spirit in a congregation, it is a blessing for the church to have a diversity of gifts.

Friday, 18 January 2019–John 2:1-1–The custom is to prepare an invitation list for a wedding. The invitation signifies you are important to the one inviting you. It indicates further that you are wanted. The unknown couple in the Gospel put Jesus on their invitation list. And they could be glad they did! Jesus honors them with His presence. He met their needs of wine. He saved the reception from failure. Have you invited Jesus to come into your marriage, your work, your life?

For many, life is empty. Our lives may be as empty as the stone jars. When we come to Jesus, as Mary did, for help, Jesus not only fills us up to the brim, but gives us an excess. The six stone jars provided 120 – 180 gallons of wine! Note, too, the generosity of Jesus in feeding the 5,000 – twelve baskets were left over. Jesus is able not only to meet our needs, but to exceed them.

Just like the Nike commercial, Mary told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to do. “Just do it!” She had learned to respect His words. If the servants had not obeyed, there would have been no wine out of water. A miracle will take place in our lives when we “do whatever He tells us.” To obey is a test of faith when the command seems illogical and ridiculous. The need was wine and Jesus commands getting water! He has other seemingly illogical demands: “Give and it shall be given you,” “He who loses his life shall find it.”

Saturday, 19January 2019—Matthew 2:1-12; Ephesians 1:9; John 18:26-27; John 1:29 - Sunday’s hymn of the day is The Star Proclaims the King Is Here (399 LSB). This is yet another wonderful Epiphany hymn. Despite outward conditions, nothing will change concerning God’s dealings with His people. As the Wise Men were directed to find the infant Lord Jesus, so to this day the Lord will make His presence known to you as He comes through His means of grace. This is how He chooses to communicate to you – in tangible ways. Not in myth, not in the spectacular or the supernatural but through simple means. Wise men still seek Him. Look for Him in those places He has promised He will be found.

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Epiphany 1 - The Baptism of our Lord

BAPTISM OF OUR LORD - Series C"

(First Sunday after the Epiphany)

13 January, 2019

Luke 3:15–22

In Baptism we receive the whole Christ

Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

At His baptism Jesus received the Spirit and heard God declare that He was God’s Son. It was an experience in which Jesus heard the voice of His Father. For us, our own baptism too is an experience in which we communicate with God. Baptism is more than an objective affair. In baptism we are given the Spirit which enables us to will and to do the Father’s good pleasure.

Our society seems almost at times obsessed demanding to have only natural products (examples). When it comes to our Savior He gives us that one thing needful. He gives us Himself.

1. John becomes the Forerunner of Christ.

A. John’s ministry had people asking whether he might be the Christ. The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ (v.15)

1. They were in expectation.

2. John’s preaching had accomplished its purpose. “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” (Vv.7-14)

B. John’s response to their question “Not me”

1. One mightier than he is coming. In comparison to Jesus, John is not worthy. John answered them all; “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come. The thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. (v.16)

2. His work will be greater than John’s

a. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. (v.16c)

b. He will bring in the harvest and separate the wheat from the chaff. The harvest will be in His hands.

2. Jesus is the one who is to come – the Christ.

A. Jesus’ baptism is a public proclamation of His ministry.

1. Jesus becomes the central figure. He must remain the central focus in all we do. In this New Year may Christ be the center of everything we do. May our focus be on Him.

2. The witness of the Spirit is shown in His descent as a dove.

3. The blessing of the Father is on His “beloved Son”. “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1) The baptism of Jesus was his official initiation into the messianic office. With the descent of the Spirit comes His anointing for the work He will do.

B. Jesus’ work begins for us as the beloved Son.

1. He is the real deal.

2. This, His first act of His ministry Jesus publicly receives His commission – to enter our world and be our Redeemer.

3. He must be the center of our lives as our Redeemer. His baptism proves this. As He entered the waters He entered into your world. He took to Himself your flesh which means He took all of your hurts, your sorrow, your concerns as His own. Walking into those muddy waters of the Jordan Jesus carried them all.

In the final analysis, nothing matters except this One who was baptized in the waters of the Jordan. He was not an imposter or traveling preacher. He was the One to whom all the prophets pointed for He is the Beloved Son of the Father.

Words-800

Passive Sentences-7%

Readability-78%

Reading Level-5.3

Friday, January 11, 2019

Morning Prayer Reading 71

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

Luke 1 (selective verses)

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah,[a] of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Illustration from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden (The Book of Books in Pictures). © WELS used by permission for personal and congregational use.

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Morning Prayer Reading 70

Daniel and the Lion's Den Part 2

Daniel 6

(Selective Verses)

19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”

28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Illustration from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden (The Book of Books in Pictures). © WELS used by permission for personal and congregational use.

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Morning Prayer Reading 69

Daniel and the Lion's Den Part 1

Daniel 6

(Selective Verses)

Daniel and the Lions' Den

6 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

6 Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement[a] to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! 7 All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. 12 Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 13 Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”

Footnotes:

Daniel 6:6 Or came thronging; also verses 11, 15

English Standard Version (ESV)

Illustration from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden (The Book of Books in Pictures). © WELS used by permission for personal and congregational use.