Bible Study: Daniel 2 (Part 1)

Introduction

Good Morning

Let’s share any prayer requests and praises.

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Let’s pray

Text: Daniel 2:1-11

Daniel 2:1–11 ESV

1 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. 2 Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3 And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” 4 Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” 5 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. 6 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.” 7 They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” 8 The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— 9 if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.” 10 The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. 11 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.”

A Hopeless Situation

Verse 8: “You are trying to gain time.”

By worldly standards the decree of the king seem like a hopeless situation.

So the Chaldeans try to by some time to figure out what to do.

But time cannot help them.

They even try to negotiate with the king to at the very least let them know what the dream was so they can interpret it.

But Nebuchadnezzar knows that if he reveals his dream they can just make up an interpretation...

Especially with their lives on the line.

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This hopeless situation is what many unbeliever face in this world.

Impossible situations without the hope of Christ.

This results in desperate bargaining.

This results in a victim mentality that builds excuses for a situation.

Man Can’t Help

Verse 10: “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand.”

By worldly standards no man can interpret the dream.

No man can meet the demand of the king.

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They believe the situation is impossible.

They don’t know the truth that is found in God’s Word in Luke 1:37:

Luke 1:37 ESV

37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”

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With God impossible is not an obstacle or the end of the story.

By worldly standards, man cannot be used by God.

In fact, they believe hat their “gods” are not accessible.

The “gods” Can’t Help

Verse 11: “no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”

By worldly standards they believe in useless gods that supposedly can interpret the dream but can’t help them out.

This is very convenient for those with worldly thought.

They claim their “gods” have power...

But in reality they have no way to prove it.

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This is similar to the false claims of the world that they do not have proof to make such claims...

But they go ahead with the lie anyways.

Text: Daniel 2:12-16

Daniel 2:12–16 ESV

12 Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. 13 So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them. 14 Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. 15 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. 16 And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.

Godly Action

Verse 14: “Daniel replied with prudence and discretion.”

In contrast to the worldly reaction of the Chaldeans...

Daniel replied with prudence and discretion.

Daniel reacted in a calm manner.

Daniel’s reaction is based on whom he puts his trust in.

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For when you put your trust isn the Lord you have the characteristics of the Spirit.

Remember what it says is Galatians 5:22-23:

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

We must keep the fruit of the Spirit in mind in all our dealings with others.

Godly Wisdom

Verse 16: “Requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.”

Despite the seriousness of the king’s decree...

And despite the fact that his life and others are on the line...

Daniel is able to stay calm and use Godly wisdom in this situation.

Daniel asks for more time but shows that he intends to show the king the proper interpretation of his dream.

Daniel here is displaying much wisdom and understanding.

This lines up with what Scripture says in Proverbs 2:6:

Proverbs 2:6 ESV

6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

As James records if you do not have wisdom then ask the Lord as it says in James 1:5:

James 1:5 ESV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Text: Daniel 2:17-23

Daniel 2:17–23 ESV

17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 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. 19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. 21 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; 22 he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. 23 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.”

Power of Prayer in Numbers

Verse 18: “Told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery.”

Once Daniel knew of the dire circumstance for him, his companions, and the rest of the wise men...

He immediately went to his three friends and they prayed for God to have mercy.

They full well knew that God was in control so it was to Him they ran to.

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This is a perfect example on what we need to do when trouble hits us.

We must find our companions...

We must find our brother and sisters in Christ...

And we must get on our knees and pray.

Consider the truth found in Ephesians 6:18:

Ephesians 6:18 ESV

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

And consider this truth as well in James 5:13:

James 5:13 ESV

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

God Reveals the Mystery

Verse 19: “The mystery was revealed to Daniel.”

No matter the size of the obstacle or the difficultly of the situation...

We must remember our God is not threatened by anything...

Our God is always able.

We need to pray and see if He is willing because He ultimately knows best.

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In this event, God did what the word said was impossible.

God had mercy and revealed to Daniel both the actual dream of the king and it’s meaning.

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We should not be surprised when God does this.

Remember: Our God is always able.

Daniel Blessed God

Verse 19: “Daniel blessed the God of heaven”

Daniel then blesses God by praising Him and His attributes.

Daniel praises God in verses 20-23.

The praise of Daniel brings attention to God’s amazing name...

And how it should be praised forever.

Daniel’s praises God as the true source of wisdom and might.

Daniel’s praise brings attention to the absolute sovereignty of God...

We see this when he praises God for controlling the seasons and the times.

He praises God for removing and setting up world leaders.

He is the source of wisdom and knowledge and gives these gifts to whoever He pleases.

He praises God for knowing all mysteries even if they are hidden to man.

He praises God for both knowing what is in the darkness but Himself being light.

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In our thanksgiving and praise to God let us remember to bless God.

Let us praise Him for His amazing attributes.

Let us praise Him for being so good and merciful to us.

Let us keep in mind Psalm 71:8:

Psalm 71:8 ESV

8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.

Text: Daniel 2:24-30

Daniel 2:24–30 ESV

24 Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.” 25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.” 26 The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” 27 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, 28 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: 29 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. 30 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.

An Honest Answer

Verse 27: “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, ”

Daniel made sure from the very beginning that he made it clear that it is not him who can reveal and interpret the king’s dream.

We must remember this.

We must not boast in ourselves.

We must instead boast in our mighty God.

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Let us not take credit for something where that credit belongs to God and God alone.

The Credit Belongs to God

Verses 28 & 30: “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.” and “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.”

Daniel immediately follows by giving the full credit to God.

He tells the king and all who are witnessing this interaction that there is only one true God and He sits in the heavens and He is the only one that can reveal a true mystery.

Daniel explains how the dream the king had is related to future events...

Yet this interpretation is not due any wisdom of Daniel.

The reason God is using Daniel is to reveal what God has already told the king through a dream.

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So along with not boasting in one self, remember to give full credit to God.

Like in this situation it is an opportunity to evangelize and share about the goodness of our God.

God Reveals His Mysteries To Whom He Pleases

Verse 29: “He who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be.”

Notice that Nebuchadnezzar is a pagan God that is hostel to Judah and the true living God...

Yet God is using him...

In fact, God already used Nebuchadnezzer and Babylon for His own purpose when He used them to discipline Judah.

So, God again uses this king for His purpose.

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This is a reminder that God is in control of everything and everyone.

There is no exceptions for status or role or position.

Remember Proverbs 21:1:

Proverbs 21:1 ESV

1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

Closing Prayer

Please join me one more time in prayer.