Daniel 2 - There is a God in Heaven

Chiasm - is a literary device in which a sequence of ideas, words or themes in a text are presented and then repeated in reverse order.

A

B

C

C’

B’

A’

Example: You forget what you want to remember and you remember what you want to forget.

A = Forget

B = what you want

C = remember

C’ = remember

B’ = what you want

A’ = forget

In many cases this is one additional element that is not repeated, which the author adds to emphasize or highlight the importance something.

A

B

C

D

C’

B’

A’

When you see this, you know the main point the author is trying to make.

1. Nebuchadnezzar Responds to His Dream (2:1–2)

2. Babylonian Wise Men Fail to Convey the Dream and Interpretation (2:3–13)

3. Daniel Speaks with the Captain of the Guard (2:14–16)

4. Daniel Praises God for Answering His Prayer (2:17–23)

3′. Daniel Speaks with the Captain of the Guard (2:24–25)

2′. Daniel Succeeds in Conveying the Dream and Interpretation (2:26–45)

1′. Nebuchadnezzar Responds to Daniel’s Interpretation (2:46–49)

GOD IS TOTALLY SOVEREIGN OVER LEADERS AND THEIR ACTIONS [VV1-2] & [46-49]

Nebuchadnezzar Responds to His Dream (2:1–2)

Nebuchadnezzar Responds to Daniel’s Interpretation (2:46–49)

GOD IS TOTALLY SOVEREIGN OVER THE SUCCESS AND FAILURES OF LIFE [VV:3-13] & [26-45]

Babylonian Wise Men Fail to Convey the Dream and Interpretation (2:3–13)

Daniel Succeeds in Conveying the Dream and Interpretation (2:26–45)

GOD IS TOTALLY SOVEREIGN OVER LIFE AND DEATHE SITUATIONS [VV14-16] & [24-25]

Daniel Speaks with the Captain of the Guard (2:14–16)

Daniel Speaks with the Captain of the Guard (2:24–25)

GOD IS TOTALLY SOVEREIGN OVER HOW HE REVEALS HIS FUTURE PLAN [VV17-23]

Daniel Praises God for Answering His Prayer (2:17–23)