The God who Reveals (Daniel 2)

Introduction

When it comes to dreams, what is it that you normally dream? Are they completely random dreams that you have? Are your fears and anxieties affecting your dreams? Are your dreams silly dreams? Or maybe scary dreams?

But even moving beyond what kind of dreams you have, what do you make of your dreams? Do you simply think that was random and weird to dream that dream last night? Or is it something more?

For instance, within the last two weeks I dreamed about being with a group of three brothers. Two of them I remembered from the dream and knew exactly who they were. Both are pastors in different parts of the country. I know there was another brother there with us, but uncertain who he was as I could not clearly see his face. But more importantly the dream was not so much remembered about who was in it, as it was what the dream was about. I remember in the dream asking two of these brothers, “I know you recently preached through the book of Daniel recently. What did you have as the melodic line going through Daniel.”

I think from the dream it was pretty clear that the book of Daniel was filling my mind as I was preparing to begin our summer series in it. But the dream meant nothing more or nothing less as far as importance or relevance in my life. And for those that don’t know, in asking what was the melodic line of Daniel, I was simply asking what is the main theme running through the book of Daniel. A bit nerdy, I know.

But do dreams actually mean anything other than revealing what is consuming our minds? In our culture we rarely think that. And that is a good thing for the most part. We should not think much of dreams in and of themselves under most situations.

However, in certain cultures, including in ancient Babylon, dreams played an important part of life. Dreams were thought to reveal some circumstances in the present or future.

In fact, this is still true today in the Middle East where Babylon sat. Many of those of Middle Eastern Culture believe that if they have the same dream twice, they need to take heed to what they are dreaming. That it is something more than a random dream. That it is something they need to seek to understand.

For King Nebuchadnezzer, the king of Babylon, he had a dream one night that was not just any dream. He dreamed a dream that deeply troubled his very spirit and sought to understand this dream in hopes to quiet his spirit. It is this dream that we want to take a look at this morning.

Please then take your Bibles and turn with me to Daniel 2. Daniel 2. Feel free to use your Table of Contents to find Daniel. Or if you are using one of the Red Bibles there in your seat, you can find it in there beginning on page #875.

As we began our time in Daniel last week, we saw that Daniel is a book written in the midst of exile. Daniel, along with others, have been taken captive by Babylon and are now living in exile, away from their homeland. An exile that covers 70 years as promised through the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

Yet, in the midst of this exile, we learned of God’s sovereign work in the midst of it. For it was God who gave his people into Nebuchadnezzar’s hands. And it was God who gave Daniel and his companions favor before both the guard and the king. And this faithfulness of God then enabled Daniel and his companions to live faithfully in Babylon. For it encouraged them that their faithfulness was not in vain.

A faithfulness that we continue to see as we move throughout the whole of Daniel, including here in Daniel 2. Let’s then hear the word of the LORD from Daniel 2.

Read Daniel 2

Main Idea: Give praise alone to the God who is unrivaled by any other and who alone establishes his forever kingdom.

The Unrivaled God

The Forever Kingdom

1. The Unrivaled God

In Daniel 1, Babylon and her king, King Nebuchadnezzar, had laid siege to Jerusalem and taken captive the vessels out of the house of God. They had also taken captive some of the youth from Jerusalem who were nobles of royal birth, seeking to brainwash them into the ways and culture of Babylon.

Yet, as chapter 2 opens, this king who considers himself strong and mighty and powerful is jolted awake night after night with a recurring dream. A dream as we see there in Dan. 2:1-3 left his spirit troubled. Troubled to know the dream and to understand it.

What is this dream? Daniel leaves us waiting to know what the dream was until later in the chapter. But let us briefly look ahead to verses 31-35 so that we may understand why the spirit of Nebuchadnezzar was so troubled. We read (Dan.2:31-35)...

This is the dream that King Nebuchadnezzar was having over and over again. The dream that kept him awake. The dream that kept his spirit so deeply troubled. The dream that begins to show a massive divide between the gods of Babylon and the God of Israel.

For in the midst of his troubled spirit, King Nebuchadnezzar orders the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to be brought before him, so that they may tell the king his dream and what it means (Dan. 2:2).

Magicians, enchanters, sorcerers all seem pretty straight forward. But what are these Chaldeans? The Chaldeans are a people of southern Babylon. Yet, this title is often used to describe a particular class from there, a class of wise men. Wise men as even those who came in Matthew 2. And so these Chaldeans, along with the magicians, enchanters, and sorcerers are summoned by the king to tell him of his dream to quiet his troubled spirit. Dan. 2:4…

Let it be noted again that from this point until the end of chapter 7, the original manuscripts of Daniel were written in Aramaic. This emphasizes its global significance rather than just for the people of Israel.

And it is with this global significance that this group who has been summoned by the King seeks to encourage his troubled spirit. By paying him honor in saying O king, live forever! And then in inviting the king to tell them his dream so that they may then tell him the interpretation of it. This was the normal means that the sorcerers, magicians, enchanters, and wise men worked.

The troubled spirit of King Nebuchadnezzar however left him irrational in his thoughts. Irrational and unwilling to trust even those whom he himself called and practiced the arts of his very own pagan religion. Dan. 2:5-6…

These whom the king has called can either tell him the dream and its interpretation and live and be rewarded. Or they cannot and then they will die. But then a second round of this plays out in Dan. 2:7-8 with an even stronger irrational statement being made in Dan. 2:9 which says ...

In his irrational and troubled spirit, the king presumes the very ones he has called to himself to reveal this dream are going to lie to him and speak corrupt words. And they are again told to tell the dream and its interpretation.

Yet, a humbling truth begins to set in for this group who have been brought before the king. They cannot do what the king demands. And they speak up to the king. Dan. 2:10-11…

The Chaldeans recognize the impossibility of man to know another’s dream and to tell and interpret it. And they point that this is not something that man can do. They tell the king that no one except the gods can do this. The gods whose dwelling is not with flesh.

These are the gods of the Babylonians. Gods who do not dwell with their people. These gods are those who don’t let in, who don’t let see. They conceal and don’t let their people near so that no one knows what is going on.

See that this acknowledgment of inability to do what the king has asked allows his irrational and troubled spirit to only amplify. He now turns in anger towards these to follow through on his threat to have them all killed. Dan. 2:12-13…

Yet, here comes one whose God does reveal. One who has been given favor in all wisdom and has the understanding of all visions and dreams. Daniel in a wise manner asks what is the urgency of this decree. Then the matter is made known to Daniel. Allowing now Daniel to plead to be brought before the king to show the king what his dream is and what it means (Dan.2:14-16).

And now, Daniel, understanding what is taking place is able to go and round up his companions and the four of them turn to the LORD. Dan. 2:17-18…

The four turn to seek mercy from the God of heaven, their God, concerning this mystery through prayer.

Prayer is most prevalent when we recognize our needy dependence on God. Prayer is most lacking when we think we can overcome the challenges before us in our own strength.

And it is in the midst of this prayer, we begin to truly see that this God of Daniel, YHWH, is unmatched and unrivaled by any other. For where the gods of the Babylonians did not dwell with flesh or give the ability to hear when one cried out, YHWH does. YHWH hears the prayer for mercy from the four and he answers. Dan. 2:19…

Just as God gave the vision to King Nebuchadnezzar, he revealed to Daniel through a vision about what the dream was and its interpretation. YHWH draws near to his people and he hears their prayers of dependence.

This answered prayer then leads to thanksgiving and praise to God by Daniel. One commentator draws out, this comes even before he tells his companions or goes to the king. Thanks and praise flow from Daniel’s tongue blessing the almighty for who he is! So who is this God?

There in Dan. 2:20, we see that this God is the one whose name is to be blessed forever and ever. For it is he to whom all wisdom and might, that is power, belongs.

For it is this God who Daniel says there in Dan. 2:21, changes times and seasons. That even they are under the power of his Sovereign rule! But not only does this God have power over the times and seasons themselves, but over kings and nations. For he adds there, “he removes kings and sets up kings.” Daniel here acknowledges the fullness of God’s might and power over all the kings throughout the world and over history.

But that is not all. Not only is YHWH the Sovereign LORD who changes, removes, and sets up, he is the God who gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. Wisdom and knowledge that he has given here to Daniel and knowledge that he has even given to Nebuccadnezzar through this dream.

But that is not all, not yet! Daniel praises God because he unlike the gods of the Babylonians doesn’t conceal but reveals. He reveals that which is hidden. He knows what is hidden in the darkness and brings it to light.

And finally we see this prayer of praise conclude there in Dan. 2:23, where we read...

This God, YHWH, is able to do what the gods of the Babylonians were unable to do. This God stands above them and is distinct from them. He makes himself and his plans and his ways known. Truly to him alone belongs all wisdom and power.

And it is this God that we too are called to come and trust in. To praise him alone as the God who is unrivaled by any other god.

The unrivaledness of God is then further amplified as Daniel comes before Nebuchadnezzar in Dan. 2:24-30. Daniel here is brought in by haste by Arioch before the king. Arioch tries himself to take credit for all of this, saying that he has found Daniel rather than Daniel approaching him. And yet, as Daniel is brought before King Belteshazzar, he is asked if he is able to do what is at hand. If he is able to make known the king's dream and then to interpret it.

Look there though at Dan. 2:27…Daniel here affirms what the Babylonian wise men did, that no man can do this. But he didn’t leave off where they did. Daniel points to his unrivaled God, Dan. 2:28…

The Prophecy of Daniel: A Commentary He Declares His Readiness to Interpret the Dream (vv. 24–30)

Man cannot perform that which is the prerogative of God alone. [1]

This is why Daniel emphasizes that it is his God who has revealed to the king mysteries of what is to soon be. And it has too been then revealed to him to help the king know and understand these things. Daniel continues to point to this God as the one who reveals rather than conceals.

Application, particularly how no other is worthy of worship! None other can compete with God.

Beloved, let us behold our God, for nothing can compare to him. Come let us adore him! Adore him who has all wisdom and might! That is point #1, the unrivaled God.

2. The Forever Kingdom

Again there in Dan. 2:31-35, Daniel tells King Nebuchadnezzar the dream that he had, proving he was able to reveal the dream with its interpretation to him. The dream that had so deeply troubled the king down to his very spirit. But what is with this frightening image with this head of gold, chest and arms of silver, middle and thighs of bronze, legs of iron and feet of partly iron and partly clay?

As Daniel stated back up in Dan. 2:28, it is a vision that God has given him of what will be in latter days. A vision that starts with Babylon herself. Dan. 2:37-38…

Babylon is the golden head. For God has set King Nebuchadnezzar as a great king who rules with great power over many things and peoples. He even has the beasts of the field and birds of heaven under his rule. King Nebuchadnezzar has great glory. And yet, his glory, his greatness, his kingdom are not his doing.

King Nebuchadnezzar, to borrow from Sinclair Ferguson [2],

“[we] will never rise higher than being a spectator of the building of the kingdom of God.”

And eventually then his glory will fade, as will his kingdom. Other kingdoms will rise after King Nebuchadnezzar’s. A second and a third will follow. Dan. 2:39…

Two inferior kingdoms will follow the great Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar’s rule. They will be less impressive and less strong. Yet, nonetheless, they shall rule over all the earth. We even see the decline from gold, then silver, then bronze in these three. Gold is considered more valuable and of a greater worth, then silver, then bronze. And yet, these are the kingdoms that will be set and then will be removed by the God who removes kings and sets up kings. And then there will be a fourth. Dan. 2:40-43…

This fourth kingdom is strong and breaks and shatters all things from its strength. Yet, this fourth kingdom will be unstable itself as it is divided. The division among it will make it unable to hold together.

Who are these four nations that are told about in this vision? One is made abundantly clear, the golden head is that of Babylon herself. She is the first kingdom. The other three kingdoms then, most scholars agree, think that these are the Medo-Persion Empire, the Greek Empire, and then the Roman Empire.

For these nations would have been the kingdoms that historically would have followed the days of Babylon. Later visions will set up a repetitive nature of the rising and falling of kingdoms. Until a final kingdom is once and for all fully established. But that is to come. Here in this particular vision that Daniel interprets for the king, this makes complete and logical sense that it is these three kingdoms.

This dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had is telling what is about to unfold in human history of these major kingdoms to come. Yet, all of them are but pawns, spectators in seeing God’s purposes and plans unfold. For though these kingdoms would rise to great power and rule much of the known world at that time, none of them would last.

But there was coming a kingdom after them that would last, as it would break all the others to pieces. Dan. 2:44-45…

The God who removes kings and sets up kings was about to set up another kingdom. A kingdom that will not be destroyed. A kingdom that will never be overtaken by another people. A kingdom that will never end, but last forever. A kingdom that will be his kingdom! A kingdom that he will establish by his rock breaking into pieces all other kingdoms. The kingdom of gold, the kingdom of silver, the kingdom of bronze, and the kingdom of iron and clay.

God’s kingdom was going to come and be fully established. It is this truth that is being made known to King Nebuchadnezzar in this dream. A dream that is certain to come! And indeed has come!

Consider this stone that was cut from a mountain by no human hand. This stone that breaks into pieces all other kingdoms. This is the stone of Israel promised in Genesis 49:24. It is the stone that was to be tested and become the cornerstone as prophesied by Isaiah in Isaiah 28:16.It is none other than the Son of God, Jesus. For he was the one who became the cornerstone after being rejected.

And upon this Christ, the kingdom is now being built. For upon the cornerstone of Christ, a spiritual house is being built, a holy people of faith. Faith in Christ alone! For is this not what Peter writes about this stone?

1 Peter 2:4–8 ESV

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

Therefore the stone has come to break the nations into pieces. But it was first rejected by men as Jesus was nailed to a cross. Yet in the cross, the curse of sin and death was defeated through Jesus’ sacrificial death paying for the guilt of our sins. But this Jesus did not remain dead. He rose on the third day. And has now ascended into heaven and is seated with the Father. And is presently building a spiritual house, a holy people who will be with Jesus in God’s forever kingdom.

Friends, this is the hope of the gospel! God’s eternal kingdom has come in Jesus in his first coming, and is continuing to be built as the gospel advances. And will be fully consummated when the King returns! God’s kingdom is a forever kingdom! And it will stand while all others are broken to pieces!

Application for believer, set-up for non-believer with Dan. 2:46-49…

King Nebuchadnezzar paid honor to Daniel who had revealed these things to him. And then honor to Daniel’s God in recognizing him as the God of gods and Lord of kings in his revealing of mysteries. The king promoted Daniel and his companions because of all of this.

Yet, in his marveling, King Nebuchadnezzar had not yet repented of his sin. And he had not yet come to the place of humble faith in this God and his promises.

Friend, you may marvel in hearing about the unrivaled God and his forever kingdom. You may marvel even because of the Sovereign power and wisdom that comes from this god. But unless you turn from your sins and humbly come to this God by faith in his King, King Jesus, you will not belong to his kingdom nor his people. And you too will be broken in pieces along with the kingdoms of the world from your unbelief. Hear the words of warning. Repent and believe today!

Let’s pray…

Endnotes

[1] Edward J. Young, The Prophecy of Daniel: A Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1980), 70.

[2] Sinclair Ferguson. The Preacher’s Commentary: Daniel. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1988). 55.

Scripture Reading & Prayer

1 Corinthians 15:20–28 ESV

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.