Daniel Chapter 2c Series

b. Daniel Reveals the Dream to Nebuchadnezzar (2:24-49)

i. The Proclamation (2:24-30)

(1) Daniel’s Testimony

Verse 24

Yet again we can see the type of person Daniel was. He has kept his testimony every time something is thrown at him, no matter what it is. The diet, the death sentence and now he has the perfect opportunity to get rid of any rivals in the kings court. He has the answer and interpretation of the king’s dream. Daniel literally holds the lives of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans in his hands. Surely they deserved death anyway.

These “wise men” were the devils breed. They did not know God and certainly did not worship Him. Daniel show’s us the example of loving your enemies. Matthew 5:44-45 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

How can we expect people (even our enemies) to come to know Christ as their Saviour if we acted in the flesh every time… Yes I’m sure we can all think of people we would like to see God judge, but that is not our call. You make sure that you are constant with your witness and testimony regardless of who the person is, friend or foe.

Verse 25

Look at the contrast between Daniel and Arioch. Daniel is looking out for others and Arioch is looking out for himself – I found the man!!! Daniel remains silent, he doesn’t say, “Well actually I found Arioch, I asked what I could do to help…” Daniel doesn’t mind Arioch trying to take the credit for finding him, he will make sure that ultimately God gets the glory.

Verse 26

I wonder how we would have answered this question. Would we have said, “I’ll show him….” and taken the credit for ourselves.

Many times in our daily walk we try and tell the world about Christ, there comes a point where a prayer is answered and deep down we want to shout out to the world, “I TOLD YOU SO!!!” But will that reaction give God the glory?

How does Daniel answer the king’s question?

(2) The Wise Men’s Frailty

How humble Daniel is. By the way, he doesn’t walk up to the king and bow down before the king and say, “Live forever, O king.” He walks in there and stands before him and says, “I’ve got the answer to your problem.” By the way, when you kneel before God in prayer, you can stand before any man. When you’ve been in the audience of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, you’re not intimidated by any other person.

Verse 27

Daniel immediately makes a distinction between the wisdom of Babylon and the wisdom of God. The apostle Paul wrote, 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? [25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

This was not a question but a statement of fact. Now I believe the reason Daniel specifically wanted to say this was to prove a point to the king. Those in whom he was trusting for an answer have no power to declare to the king what he needs to know. They are a false religion from the devil himself.

Daniel had learnt not to fear man, however powerful they might be (even the king himself). Proverbs 29:25-26 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. [26] Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.

When we think about the fear of man, we often picture Simon Peter denying Christ while warming his hands at the world’s fire.

Daniel did not fear the king, or his supposed wise councillors. He had firmly put his trust in the Lord. Having been trained by some of these men it would have been easy for Daniel to be swayed by them. However, if it meant compromising his beliefs and his faith, he wasn’t going to be moved, he had certainly not pinned his flag to their mast, so to speak.

(3) God’s Sovereignty

Verse 28

Now Daniel introduces Nebuchadnezzar to God. He goes on to say that only the true God has the answer, none of these people can answer you, BUT there is a God in heaven Who can speak and reveal this secret. Now the point there is that Daniel is saying to Nebuchadnezzar, there is ONLY one God and He alone can reveal secrets to people. This would show the king that his polytheistic ways were false and that there was only one God and He alone is worthy of worship.