MY young readers know something, I am sure, about the Lion, either from having read of him, or perhaps from having seen one. He is a noble animal, and is acknowledged to be the king of beasts. In the book of Proverbs (30:30) he is spoken of as being “strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any.” He is a fine looking creature, with his handsome mane, fierce eyes, and strong limbs; and his roar is dreadful, resembling distant thunder. Though the strongest among beasts, he is by no means the largest; for the elephant, the rhinoceros, the hippopotamus, and some others, are much larger than he is. Still he is accounted the monarch of the forest, and very few beasts dare encounter him in single combat, for in strength and courage he excels them all.
The Lion is the king of beasts,
And freely in the forest feasts;
No bear or boar but quails before
His mighty rage and fearful roar
The Scriptures contain numerous references to the lion; sometimes in historic narratives, though oftener as a comparison of something that is strong, fierce, and dreadful. It is instructive to observe how frequently God, who inspired His servants and prophets to write His Word, refers to the creatures of His hand. And let us remember that His descriptions and allusions to them are perfect, as coming from Him who is their Creator, and who knows everything about them.
The first incident which most of us would think of is that of Daniel in the lions’ den, the particulars of which are recorded in Dan. 6. Daniel at that time held a high position in the kingdom of the Medes and Persians, and because “an excellent spirit was in him,” “the king thought to set him over the whole realm.” But this raised the envy and opposition of his enemies. He, however, was found faithful both to God and to the king. So his foes, by craftiness, obtained a decree from king Darius; in consequence of which, Daniel was cast into the den of lions. The king was greatly distressed at this, but was unable to alter his own decree, or to deliver Daniel. But he “spake and said to Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee.” And the king was right; for as Daniel said in the morning, when the king visited him, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me.” “So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.” Thus, we see that, however strong and fierce the lions were, God could shut their mouths, so that they should not hurt His faithful servant; for He was able to prevent them from doing any hurt to Daniel. But when God pleased to open the mouths of the lions and to rouse their natural fierceness, for the destruction of the enemies of Daniel, then “the lions had the mastery of them,” and “brake all their bones in pieces, or ever they came at the bottom of the den.”
This striking incident, along with others, especially those concerning the Nazarite Sampson and the stripling David, both of whom, by the power of God, slew strong lions, are doubtless alluded to in Heb. 11:33,33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (Hebrews 11:33) where it speaks of some “who through faith stopped the mouths of lions.” (Judg. 14. and 1 Sam. 17). And the Apostle Paul, telling of his deliverance from the power of his enemies, says, “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion;” by which it is supposed that he meant the Emperor Nero, who at that time reigned over the Roman Empire.
Many, however, in those days, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, were literally devoured by lions in the Colosseum, in the presence of thousands of spectators. In these days, though there is not much outward persecution, the Word of God still warns us to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:88Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8). T.