Daniel Chapter 2 - Programmed and Positioned to Bring Clarity
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Daniel chapter 1 - Recap
As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.
Daniel Chapter 2
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him.
Had dreams -
Throughout the Bible, dreams were used by God to communicate His will.
The prophet Joel asserted that even in the last days God would give young men visions and old men would dream dreams (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17).
When God sends a dream it is authoritative, a manifestation of His will.
God came to Abimelech in a dream and spoke to him, warning him to stay away from Sarah (Gen. 20:3, 6–7).
Jacob, the patriarch, saw and heard the Lord speak, instructing him in dreams at Bethel (Gen. 28:12–15; 31:10–13).
The Lord also warned Laban in a dream not to harm Jacob (Gen. 31:24).
God often spoke to His prophets in visions and dreams (Num. 12:6).
In Genesis, God used dreams as a way to communicate His will for and through Joseph (Gen. 37:5–41:32).
And the doubling of Pharaoh’s dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about.
Do I believe in dreams sent by God? I must say I do, but there is a purpose.
We can’t seek the ability to dream but not seek to follow the Spirit and God’s word.
His spirit was troubled
Spirt - Frame of mind
Troubled — to be or become characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need.
His Sleep left him.
This dream was sent by God…
Read Daniel 2:2-4
The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins.
Chaldeans: A group of men who served Nebuchadnezzar as magicians. Also: Astrologers
But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.”
Read Daniel 2:7-10
The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
Read Daniel 2:12-14
He declared to Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.
Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
“Seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery”
Daniel knew that God was the source of revealing the meaning of the dream.
Seek mercy!
Seek: to request (ask for) v. — to express the need or desire for; ask for.
Mercy: compassion (kindness) n. — kindness shown in action regardless of merit.
This is why we need wisdom!
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
Prayer before Panic!
Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding;
he reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what is in the darkness,
and the light dwells with him.
Blessed: to bless (verbally) v. — to speak words of excellence about.
Times: time (situational) n. — time as it relates to a specific situation.
To you, O God of my fathers,
I give thanks and praise,
for you have given me wisdom and might,
and have now made known to me what we asked of you,
for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”
Read Daniel 2:24-26
Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:
To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.
The king needed clarity for his thoughts.
He was troubled
Couldn’t sleep!
He had money and power
But..... God has a way to get a persons attention!
Daniel was programmed and positioned to bring clarity to the King!
Read Daniel 2:31-35
“This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation.