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Daniel 2:36-38 “This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king. 37 You, O king, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; 38 in your hands he has placed mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.”
NOTE first of all Daniel says, “we will interpret it to the king.” There is no “I” in Daniel’s vocabulary. God has invited Daniel to partner with him to proclaim future events. The LORD God, Daniel and his three praying friends are a powerful team. As a Christian, you are never alone. “We” is a good example for you and for the church. King Nebuchadnezzar has to be very encouraged as Daniel begins to reveal and interpret the king’s dream. Daniel affirms the king as the “king of kings”. Even here this is not Daniel’s acclaim but the Lord’s title for the king. God announces this in Ezekiel 26:7 “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: From the north I am going to bring against Tyre Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, with horsemen and a great army.” Obviously this is not to be confused with the Bible’s declaration of God’s deity and sovereign majesty: Revelation 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. God was declaring to Israel he had chosen Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon’s throne. Daniel also repeats the king’s absolute power over man and animals spoken in Jeremiah 27:6 Now I will hand all your countries over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him. In God’s will, Nebuchadnezzar is the statue’s head of gold – the most powerful authority on earth. As we continue to learn from Daniel, be mindful Daniel’s role in the Jews’ exile to Babylon is intertwined with the prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah. All three were God’s messengers to his people in exile and to Babylon. God was assuring all, even the pagan king, he was in control. Keep this in mind as you view the pagan world around you. Be persistent to stay in God’s Word. Know your faith life is connected to Jesus’ church across the globe and through the ages to proclaim the Lord God is the King of Kings. Revelation 17:14 “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Daniel 2:28b-30 “Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you lay on your bed are these: 29 As you were lying there, O king, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen. 30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.”
DANIEL has life-saving information. He could shout, “I’ve got it! I did it! I’ll tell you, King, what your dream is!” Instead, he remains humble to quickly indicate, “the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen.” Daniel declines to take credit for God’s revelation. God didn’t reveal the dream for Daniel’s needs, nor to glorify Daniel. God revealed what is going to happen, so the king, “may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.” Daniel knows this: God has chosen him to be his messenger to a specific person for a particular purpose. You know God has chosen you for the same reason, don’t you? As you confess, “I’m a Christian.” you do so not because you are wise but because the Triune God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who reveals salvation, has opened your mind to eternity. In response, you are to be God’s humble messenger: Romans 1:17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Just as Daniel’s physical life was saved through God’s revelation, your spiritual life is saved through the gospel’s revelation. And even more, you have received this knowledge, as did Daniel, to be heaven’s messenger to particular people who need to know. We’ve learned from Daniel that our physical and spiritual lives are formed for God’s purpose. Fear God. Gain wisdom. Act in knowledge. Glorify God’s grace. Be God’s messenger. 2 Corinthians 4:10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. Daniel 2:24-28a Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.” 25 Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.” 26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” 27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about 28a but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.”
DANIEL leaves no doubt God in heaven reveals mysteries. He pointedly declares, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about.” God’s faithful servant stands firmly and humbly with his LORD. Just as fear is necessary to know God (See yesterday’s lesson.) humility is essential to activate our knowledge as we reverently serve God. Again we go to the wisdom literature: Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. And here is a wonderful encouragement toward humility in Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger. Humbly seek what is right and be saved. Daniel knows this. He was aware of God’s history of grace and power to protect his people. He knew of the Flood, the Exodus and the Promised Land journey. He knew of Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel and others who have humbly submitted to God’s will. He learned of David’s success as he humbly sought the LORD. And he understood David’s sin when he pridefully rejected God. He also knew he was exiled in Babylon because his forefathers pridefully turned from God. Daniel saw, too, that God’s true power comes to us when humility guides our hearts and minds. He was humble to pray, to trust God and to praise God. With humility, he knew there is a God in heaven. Proverbs 18:12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Daniel 2:19-23 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
VERSE 23 is a wonderful praise to God, isn’t it? Daniel is in awe that God has given him wisdom and power to reveal the king’s dream! He rejoices that God has made known to me what we asked of you But do you know God gifted this wisdom, power and knowledge to Daniel and his three friends because they had an appropriate fear of God? Yes, it’s true. God’s Word teaches the fear-to-wisdom-to-power-to-knowledge connection: Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. And Ecclesiastes 12:13 Here is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commandments, for this is the entire duty of man. 14 For God will judge us for everything we do, including every hidden thing, good or bad. Yes, your life is in his hands. To fear God is to know he is holy – pure in every way. You live in reverent worship, loving God and desiring to know him. This reverent heart leads you to seek God’s wisdom – his commands, his mercy, his grace, his love. Knowledge is moving wisdom into action, empowered to act into God’s will. This was Daniel’s lifestyle. The fear of God was his core value that led him to gain an incomparable wisdom that continually praises and glorifies the LORD throughout his life. You are called in Christ today to this same fear. The LORD God has spoken through the ages to reveal his truths. “What is right? What must I do? What is God’s will” are not mysterious questions when you seek God’s wise counsel. He reveals what no man can know because he is the One who changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. Luke 1:49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. Daniel 2:17-18 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
DANIEL and his friends’ lives are threatened by the king’s anxious rage to know the meaning of his dream. Their only recourse is to pray that God would mercifully reveal the king’s dream and save their lives. We continue from our last lesson to look at three more aspects of effective prayer. Two, pray in Jesus’ name. This does not mean it is necessary to close every prayer with, “in Jesus’ name”. But it is to pray in faith that Jesus’ name has power. Jesus said: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” (John 14:13). Praying in Jesus’ name, you are praying in God’s will for the power of God to act. You will know what to say and what God is saying when you trust the power of Jesus’ name. Third, pray in agreement with God’s perfect will. This is his desires, intentions, plans and purposes. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14) Such an awareness will take time. The deeper you are into prayer, greater is your opportunity to hear God’s will. Fourth, live into God’s will. If you expect him to respond positively to your prayers, obey him. Jesus tells you to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Know God; and do his right ways. He is your Father who expects his children to obey. As God’s children, we must always remember that God is Father in heaven. We are taught to pray, “your will be done” to remind us to seek God’s will, not ours. The LORD answers your prayers in harmony with his will for the world, eternity and your life. Pray in faith. Submit to his answers, even the, “No.” and “Not yet.” Daniel knew the Lord God could answer his prayers. But he didn’t know if God would do so in Daniel’s desire. Still, he was faithful and fervent to plead for God’s answer. If he had simply resigned himself to the evil king, there would be no story to tell. Never resign to evil. Pray and seek the Lord. Rejoice that you can tell his story of his love and salvation. Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Daniel 2:17-18 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
THE only way Daniel could know and interpret the king’s dream would be to hear from God. Evil is threatening God’s people in Babylon. It’s time to fervently pray – to plead for God’s mercy. Do you trust prayer? Or do you wonder, “Does God hear me? Do I really know how to pray? Why do my prayers seem like a one-way conversation with God?” Much has been written about prayer because it is so essential in the Bible. We see it first in Genesis 4:26 At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord. We see prayer in the praises of Revelation 19:5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!” Jesus taught us a model prayer to know a pattern of prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 "This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Yes, God’s Word reveals prayer is vital in our relationship with him. And there are some essentials to effective prayer. Let’s look at four; the first is below and three are in the next lesson. First, you pray faithfully in your heart knowing God is listening. Jesus taught: “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). Jesus does not promise you will always get what you want. His promise is that the Triune God is listening and will answer your prayers in union with God’s desires. This is one reason we pray, “Our Father in heaven.” Effective prayer is to address a personal God, who is listening to you. When you speak to someone who is intently listening to you, you are confident in their response. Trust God hears; trust he will respond in his will. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually Daniel 2:14-18 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15 He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16 At this, Daniel went in to see the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. 17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
THERE is one truth about all people God appoints to particular tasks: God prepared each person to serve with God’s power. How is Daniel now ready to be God’s minister in Babylon? First, Daniel was born to live in Judah. God birthed him into a family of God’s learning. He gifted Daniel with physical traits to demonstrate confidence. Daniel has a brain to gain knowledge. The LORD anointed Daniel’s spirit to worship God only, even in the food he ate. The LORD caused Nebuchadnezzar to favor this Hebrew man and his friends. And remember this preparation: Daniel 1:17 Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. Above all, God blessed Daniel, too, with a sure, living faith to trust God in all circumstances. In faith then, Daniel can confidently go before a very angry king to ask for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. Staring death in the face, Daniel relied on God. With faith, Daniel and his friends then exercised God’s gift of prayer. Faithful, corporate prayer is a powerful tool to reveal God’s will. Daniel is about to experience the power of the tools God has given him. Consider how God has gifted you in the same ways as Daniel. Yes, he has. You, too, were born to know God, worship him only and determine your life under his rule. Faith grows in you as you seek God’s wisdom. Faith becomes your anchor as you live and speak into the words God teaches you. Faith resolves your needs and answers your questions when you pray alone and with others. Faith gifts you to know and trust the Lord’s response. Faith is a catalyst to seek God’s mercy. Faith is God’s gift to effectively labor in the Kingdom of God. Faith knows God is your ultimate authority. I pray you lovingly use God’s gracious gift. Matthew 8:9 “For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” Daniel 2:10-13 The astrologers answered the king, “There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.” 12 This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.
SUCH roles as magician, enchanter, sorcerer and astrologer were men who could interpret dreams, cast spells and exorcise demons. Or so they said and people believed. But suddenly, they cannot meet the king’s demand. Suddenly these supposed “wise men” have no wisdom to answer the king’s anxiety. In response, sin’s rage erupts into a deadly command. The death sentence included even the faithful Daniel and his friends. Why include these men in whom the king found no one equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. (Daniel 1:19) When evil destroys, it holds no reprieve. How quickly rage clouds the heart and mind. Anger strikes as a lightning bolt, killing quickly without warning. The king sees all under the label, “Betrayer”. His judgment is as swift as it is merciless. Is it any different for us? How quickly mistrust infects our minds. We react on a whim to avenge perceived wrongs. Our mouths speak judgment. We condemn all without regard to truth. Our anger often betrays even those who lovingly seek to correct our errors. Always be aware sin seeks to disturb your mind and to destroy loving relationships. The apostle Paul teaches how to live in God’s care: Galatians 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want…20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions (are acts of the sinful nature). Verse 20 is surely Babylon’s culture – our own world culture, too. Is it yours? Live, then, in vss 16-17 as you experience the Spirit’s blessings: Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23a gentleness and self-control. This is a wonderful way to think, speak and live, isn’t it? We are about to see how the Spirit led Daniel to respond to Nebuchadnezzar. Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. |
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January 2025
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