Daniel: Excellence in Exile
Lesson Three: There is A God in Heaven
Text: Daniel Chapter 2:1-49
This chapter launches us into the Gentile portion of the Book of Daniel. Beginning with the answer of the Chaldeans in verse 4, the Holy Spirit directed Daniel to change from Hebrew to Aramaic. To anyone reading the book in its original languages, the change would be abrupt, calling for special attention. It makes us ask why this change is made. The answer is found in the story.
The chapter begins with an account of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The king called all his advisors together and shocked them by demanding they tell him both what he dreamed and what it meant. Verses 10 and 11 record their response:
The Chaldeans answered before the king and said, “There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter … and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods whose dwelling place is not with flesh.
These men not only admitted their own inability, but they also assured the king that no one could meet his demands. No one, that is, except gods that did not make their home with men – gods they obviously did not know and could not communicate with.
At this point, Daniel – the Hebrew prophet – steps into the picture. Standing before the great Gentile king, Daniel declares, “There is a God in heaven that reveals secrets.” The God of the Jews could do what the gods of the Chaldeans could not do. Israel may have seemed to pass from the scene of human history, but Israel’s God was still in control of the events of earth. That is the message of the Aramaic portion of Daniel and the dream God gave to Nebuchadnezzar. The Gentile nations have had their day, but the God of heaven will have the final word.
I. The King’s Requirement – Verses 1-13
A. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (1-3)
1. It was disturbing.
a. According to verse 29, before the dream, Nebuchadnezzar had been wondering what the future held for him and his kingdom.
b. Although he did not understand what his dream meant, it is obvious from the events that followed that the king knew that it held a special message that he dare not ignore.
2. It was divine in origin.
a. Again, verse 29 indicates that God gave the dream to Nebuchadnezzar.
b. This reveals that Nebuchadnezzar was being used as a special instrument to accomplish God’s will.
B. Nebuchadnezzar’s demand (4-9)
1. The assembling of the wise men
a. The magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans represented the various pagan methods for obtaining divine guidance – from science to sorcery.
b. Nebuchadnezzar made his unusual request of them, promising great reward if they complied and brutal punishment if they did not.
2. The appeal of the wise men
a. These wise men prided themselves on their ability to interpret dreams, when given enough information.
b. They assured the king that if he revealed the dream, they could tell him what it meant.
3. The answer of the king
a. It shows his distrust of his advisors, accusing them of preparing lying and corrupt words.
b. It also shows his determination to know the truth. Believing the dream to be important, he didn’t want to be lulled into a false security by a patronizing board of advisors.
C. Nebuchadnezzar’s decree (10-13)
1. It imposed the death penalty on all the wise men of Babylon.
2. It imperiled the life of Daniel and his friends.
II. The Prophet’s Response – Verses 14-30
A. Daniel’s Promise (14-16)
1. Daniel answers Arioch with discernment and discretion.
a. Daniel’s faith is demonstrated by the fact that he did not panic when he heard the news.
? ? b. He discretely inquired after the reason for the decree
2. Daniel asks the king for a delay.
a. In asking for the delay, Daniel promises to show Nebuchadnezzar the interpretation.
b. The king grants Daniel’s request because, unlike the king’s other advisors, Daniel promised the interpretation without knowing the content of the dream. Compare to verses 8-9.
B. Daniel’s Prayer (17-23)
1. Prayer offered and answered.
a. Daniel enlisted the aid of his friends in seeking God’s intervention to spare their lives.
b. In response to their prayers, God to gave to Daniel the details of the dream He had given to Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel acted on faith. Once he knew WHAT the problem was, he knew WHO could provide the solution.
What the wise men of Babylon could not do, the “God of Heaven” could do.
2. Praise offered and accepted
a. Daniel’s praise reveals his gratitude for receiving an answer.
b. Daniel’s praise revels in the greatness of God for executing His will upon the earth and making His wisdom known to men.
The content of Daniel’s prayer of praise gives a clue concerning the answer Daniel received. The king had thought about what the future held for him and his kingdom. God’s answer through the dream revealed that the future is in the hands of God. No king ever rules without God’s approval and no kingdom ever endures longer than God allows.
C. Daniel’s presentation (24-30)
1. Daniel’s assurance – I will shew unto the king the interpretation
2. Daniel’s answer – There is a God in heaven that reveals secrets
a. In verse 27, Daniel cites the inability of the king’s advisor to reveal the dream or its meaning.
This gentle rebuff showed the king that he was looking to the wrong source for the answer he was seeking.
b. Daniel informs Nebuchadnezzar that only God knows what the future holds and He is the only trustworthy Guide for the future.
III. God’s Revelation – Verses 31-45
A. Daniel recites the details of the dream (31-35)
1. The image described
a. Nebuchadnezzar had seen a statue of unusual splendor.
b. It was also of unusual construction, for the head was of gold, the upper torso of silver, a brass belly and thighs, legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay.
2. The image destroyed
a. In his dream, the king saw a great stone cut out without human hands and thrown against the statue’s feet, causing its complete destruction.
b. Then the wind blew the pieces of the statue away (indicating a complete and final destruction) and the great stone grew until it became a great mountain.
c. Most likely, it was these details that so greatly troubled Nebuchadnezzar.
B. Daniel reveals the meaning of the dream (36-45)
1. Earthly kingdoms (36-43)
a. The image represented different world empires.
The head of gold was Babylon.
The upper body of silver was the Medo-Persian Empire. (The two arms suggest the division of power between the Medes and the Persians.)
The belly and thighs of brass represented the Greek Empire. (It is said that the armies of Alexander wore brass helmets, brass armor, and carried brass shields in their conquest of the world.)
The legs of iron referred to the Roman Empire.
The two legs represent the divisions (East & West) of the Roman Empire.
Iron was chosen because it is stronger than the other metals and Rome endured much longer than the other kingdoms – over 500 years.
Iron Rome would break in pieces and subdue all [nations], which the armies of Rome did with ruthless efficiency.
Finally, Rome ruled Jerusalem and sentenced Christ to die, fulfilling the prophecy of Genesis 3:15 that the seed of the woman would be bruised.
The feet and toes represent the kingdom of the anti-Christ that is yet to come.
b. These details were prophetical when Daniel gave them. Today, they are historical, all except for the last kingdom.
2. An Eternal kingdom (44-45)
a. During the days of the ten kings of the last kingdom, God will set up His kingdom that will stand forever.
b. All earthly kingdoms will be destroyed, and fallen men will never again govern the affairs of this world.
c. The Stone cut out without hands speaks of Christ when He returns as the Judge of the earth and the King of Kings.
IV. The King’s Recognition – Verses 46-49
A. Prostrate before Daniel (46) – An act of great respect
B. Proclaiming God’s glory (47) – The king had not yet become a Believer, but His understanding of God was increased and he had made a significant step toward saving faith.
C. Promoting Daniel (48-49)
1. Daniel’s honor – Keeping his word, the king enriched and exalted Daniel.
2. Daniel’s humility
a. In verse 25, Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, was quick to take credit he did not deserve, probably in hopes of securing the king’s favor.
b. Unlike him, Daniel remembers the vital part his three friends have had in this drama and speaks to the king on their behalf, securing their promotion as well.