RL: Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream: The Great Statue
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· 9 viewsGod directs the course of history to establish His kingdom.
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INTRODUCING THE LESSON
Resource Item 1: Distribute and discuss the information sheet “The Prophet Daniel” as an introduction to the lesson and unit.
Begin by discussing these questions: “Does it ever seem like the world is spinning out of control, with news of wars, scandals, and injustice all around? How do you respond in those moments?”
Through the Book of Daniel, the prophet offered hope to exiled Judah that God is in control over the events of this world. Such a message is just as powerful today. Many in our world feel helpless amid all that is going on around them. In Daniel we find hope that God is in control and will someday vanquish all other kings to establish His kingdom.
1. Nebuchadnezzar’s Mysterious, Distressing Dream
A. A Call for Interpretation
1 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep.
2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king,
3 he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.”
4 Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”
5 The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble.
6 But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”
The Book of Daniel begins with a historical recounting of the Babylonian Exile of Judah (chapter 1). Through the course of events, Daniel (along with his three associates; see chapter 3) came to hold exalted positions in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. Chapter 1 is a powerful example of faithfulness to God in difficult circumstances. Chapter 2 continues to illustrate Daniel’s great faith.
Like most ancient heathen kings, he had at his disposal a group of advisors skilled in the occult (verses 2–3).
Questions for Application
What are examples of astrology and occult practices people seek out today?
How would you respond to someone who asked if it was appropriate for a Christian to use such practices, and how might help you answer?
How would you respond to someone who asked if it was appropriate for a Christian to use such practices, and how might help you answer?
B. A Lack of Interpretation
7 Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”
8 Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided:
9 If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”
10 The astrologers answered the king, “There is no one 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 humans.”
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.
So they informed the king that no one had ever made such a demand of astrologers.
--This was a profound confession; they did not possess the divine wisdom they claimed to have (verses 10–11).
The New Testament records that predictions can be made in the demonic realm (see ). What a powerful reminder that a supernatural message from God cannot be properly interpreted by demons.
Questions for Application
Why do you think the astrologers could not come up with any kind of explanation for the dream?
Have you ever been troubled by a dream? How did you respond?
Have you ever been troubled by a dream? How did you respond?
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Do you think God can speak to a Christian in the form of a dream? indicates that He does. However, we must be prepared to properly understand what He is saying to us. This is true in every circumstance where He communicates with His people. Take a moment to read . How can this passage help you recognize a true message from God?
2. God Reveals the Dream
A. Daniel Seeks God
14 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 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.
19 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 deposes kings and raises up others. 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, God of my ancestors: 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.”
When the commander of the guards came to put him to death, he spoke with wisdom and tact—a reflection of faith and confidence in the Lord.
Note that these three friends are better known by the names Nebuchadnezzar had given them: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (1:7).
Daniel and his friends began to pray fervently that God, in His mercy, would provide the secret that only God knew.
God answered and they responded with a humble expression of praise
Questions for Application
What are some ways in which Daniel and his friends demonstrated trust and confidence in God when faced with certain death?
What does tell you about God, and how can it help guide you in times of prayer?
B. Daniel Approaches Nebuchadnezzar
24 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,
28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:
29 “As Your Majesty was lying there, 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 anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.
he asked that the wise men not be executed. Even in a moment of personal crisis, Daniel sought to preserve the lives of heathen men.
Note that Daniel kept his focus on the one true God when answering the king
Furthermore, Daniel even spoke to what the king was thinking when the dream came: His mind was on the future, and the dream would reveal what the future would bring (verse 29).
Questions for Application
Why do you think Daniel was careful to ask that the other wise men not be killed?
Why is it important to keep your focus on God in tense situations?
Why is it important to keep your focus on God in tense situations?
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
is a testimony of faith in God. Read the verses again, noting how Daniel demonstrated faith. Ponder how recognizing God’s sovereignty over all things will help you maintain your faith. Then review how you have responded in the past during desperate times. How can Daniel’s example help you know how to best respond in future times of testing?
3. Coming Kingdoms Foretold
A. Babylon: The First of Four
31 “Your Majesty looked, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance.
32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze,
33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay.
34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them.
35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
36 “This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king.
37 Your Majesty, you 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 all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.
Resource Item 3: Distribute the information sheet “History in a Statue” as a visual representation of Daniel’s interpretation. Note each kingdom as it is discussed.
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was rich in symbolism, describing the empires that would dominate that part of the world until Christ’s final return.
Babylon was the greatest city of its time. Its walls were roughly 344 feet high and 86 feet wide, and enclosed nearly 200 square miles of territory.
Daniel clearly stated that the king ruled at God’s pleasure. God is forever sovereign over all and as Daniel’s vision continued, this reality was made clear.
Questions for Application
Why do you think Daniel was careful to note that the king was only as powerful as God allowed him to be?
How is your view of social and political power shaped by the knowledge that God is sovereign over all the powers of the earth?
How is your view of social and political power shaped by the knowledge that God is sovereign over all the powers of the earth?
B. Only Christ’s Kingdom Endures
39 “After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth.
40 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron breaks and smashes everything—and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.
41 Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay.
42 As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.
43 And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.
44 “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.
45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. “The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.”
Despite Nebuchadnezzar’s greatness, Daniel informed him that his kingdom would not endure (), a prophecy that came to pass about two decades after Nebuchadnezzar’s death.
Iron and Clay: We might see such powers embodied in historical figures like Charlemagne, Napoleon, and Mussolini, among many others.
In its place will rise a Kingdom that will never be destroyed. and affirm what declares: This is the coming, eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Questions for Application
What lessons can the statue teach us about political powers in force today?
How does your life reflect the reality that Jesus Christ is greater than all powers at work in the world today?
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
reminds us that the present world is in disarray and filled with uncertainty. Many around us do not know Christ, and they desperately need the hope that comes through salvation. Ask the Lord to open doors of opportunity this week, that you might share Christ with someone in need of hope in a chaotic world.
CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP
CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP
Strife and uncertainty create a great deal of stress in our world. As Christians, we have the cure for fear, however. We look forward to a Kingdom that will endure for all eternity. No matter what we might face today, we can find peace and hope in knowing that God is greater than any earthly power, and we can safely place our trust in Him.
Ministry in Action
Ministry in Action
Close in a time of prayer for any in the class who are struggling with desperate situations, or have loved ones facing such a struggle. Pray that God will give them peace that He is in control, and is victorious over all other powers.