"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ..." (II Timothy 3:16)
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11)
When we study scriptures in-depth, we come to the place where we understand that scripture confirms scripture -- that one verse builds upon another -- to bring us to the place of learning and understanding. In many Bibles, there are comparison verses available to make searching the scriptures easier. It is in this context that we continue to look at the book of Daniel.
In previous posts, we learned that Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not eat of the king's meat, nor drink his wine. As a consequence, Daniel and his three companions (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) had ten times more wisdom than all those considered wise within the Babylon Empire -- ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all the king's realm. (Daniel 1:20-21)
Continuing in Daniel 2, we learn that Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled and his sleep brake from him. (Daniel 2:1) Note that Nebuchadnezzar was not the only king who couldn't sleep. In Genesis 41, the Pharaoh was also troubled - "And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh." (Genesis 41:8) "And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, "I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it." (Genesis 41:15) Remember, Joseph had clarified earlier who the interpretations belonged to. Like Daniel, he wanted the One God of heaven to take all the credit. Therein, Joseph asked, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me them, I pray you." (Genesis 40:8)
Similarly, in Esther 6, the king on one night could not sleep so he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles - to have them read before the king. (Esther 6:1) In another place, Nebuchadnezzar saw yet another dream which made him afraid, and the thoughts upon his bed and the visions of his head troubled him. (Daniel 4:5)
So the king commands to call the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to show him and interpret his dreams. Here, the king enquires of them, "I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream." (Daniel 2:1-3) The Chaldeans had also spoke to the king in Syriack, "O king, live forever: tell thy servants the dream and we will shew the interpretation." (Daniel 2:4) Once again, it seemed like no one had the answers. Out of all those considered wise within the kingdom, there was not one who could reveal the king's dream.
If we jump ahead to Daniel 5, we learn that eventually it was the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords that told of a man in the kingdom who interpreted dreams for his father. That is, "In whom is the spirit of the holy gods [God]." She said, "and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods [God] was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans and soothsayers." (Daniel 5:9-12)
Nevertheless, the king answers and said to the Chaldeans, "The thing is gone from me; if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill." (Daniel 2:5; Daniels 3:29)
Of course, this is contrasted with Daniel who tells the dream and the interpretation thereof. We see this acknowledging of the living God in Daniel 6:26-28, when the king makes a decree, "That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for He is the living God, and steadfast forever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions." (Daniel 6:26-27; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 3:29; Daniel 4:2-3, 34)
But we may be moving too fast. In Daniel 2:5, the king has still not found someone who can reveal his dream, and offer an interpretation. The king has threatened to cut the Chaldeans into pieces and turn their houses into a dunghill. Continuing, the king offers a but, saying, "But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof; ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour; therefore, shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof." They answered again of the king to tell his servants the dream -- and then these could shew the king the interpretation. (Daniel 2:4, 6-7)
At the time, the king thought these supposedly wise men were vying for extra time. But the dream was gone from him. The king said, "But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed; therefore, tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof." (Daniel 2:9)
The Chaldeans argued that unless the king tells of the dream, there can be no man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter; "therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician or astrologer or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh." (Daniel 2:10-11)
But as we know there is a man, and that man knows in whom he worships -- the One and Only true God! (Daniel 6:2-29) Pharaoh said to thirty year old Joseph, "Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art; thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou." (Genesis 41:39-40)
Subsequently, the king was angry. As the scripture states, the king was very furious, commanding that the wise men be slain. It is in this context that Daniel and his fellows were about to be slain. (Daniel 2:13; Daniel 1:19-30) When Daniel jumps in "with counsel and wisdom" to Arioch (the captain of the king's guard) which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon, he starts by asking a question. (Daniel 2:14; Daniel 1:19-20) Daniel asks, "Why is the decree so hasty from the king?" Arioch responded by making things known to Daniel. At this point, we are not privy to the conversation between the two, but rather, that Daniel was able to speak to the king. In so doing, Daniel would reveal to the king the interpretation. (Daniel 2:12-16)
What does Daniel do next? Daniel heads home to make the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, his companions -- "That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise [men] in Babylon." (Daniel 2:17-18)
Again, Daniel knew in whom he served. It was here that the secret is revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Similar to Solomon whom the Lord appeared to in a dream by night. (I Kings 3:5) When this happened, did Daniel run out and tell the king first -- that he knew what the dream was, and its interpretation? No. Instead, Daniel chooses to bless the God of heaven. Daniel states, "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might we are His." (Daniel 2:18-20)
Had Daniel in another time read Numbers 12? "And He said, "Hear now My words. If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known unto him in a vision and will speak unto him in a dream." (Numbers 12:6)
As alluded to earlier, Daniel goes on to bless the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removers kings, and sets up kings; He gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to the that know understanding. He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells within Him. I thank Thee, and praise Thee, O ThouGod of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of Thee: for Thou hast made known unto us the king's matter." (Daniel 2:20-23)
Thus, what are the highlights so far? First, Daniel trusted the Lord God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength knowing that every good thing does come to those who wait on the Lord. Second, Daniel was not afraid to stand up for his faith in any matter -- for he knew that the Lord was more than able to deliver him from the fiery furnace. Third, Daniel stood in the gap for others, even though that might have been somewhat uncomfortable. In spite of the king's decrees (and threat to loss of life) Daniel never wavered. but rather stood firm. Fourth, Daniel knew to join himself in prayer with the three like-minded fellows (in one accord) who believed in the scriptures -- as written. Fifth, Daniel displayed his counsel and wisdom to Arioch, which in turn, permitted him to see the king without question. Sixth, Daniel had his priorities in the right place. In other words, it was more important for Daniel to worship the Lord, blessing Him first -- even though the king's order could have brought immediate death. Seventh, Daniel desired the mercies of the God in heaven concerning the dream. Eighth, Daniel prayed that he and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Ninth, Daniel knew from studying other prophets that the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant." (Psalm 25:14)
Tenth, Daniel did not just ask for their lives to be spared, but in blessing the Lord, Daniel displayed a relationship wherein he communed with the Lord.
"Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore." (Psalm 113:2)
"But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord." (Psalm 115:18)
All in all, Daniel wanted the king, the captain of the king's guard, the Chaldeans, the sorcerers, the magicians, and the astrologers (the wise throughout Babylon) to understand that it wasn't David's wisdom and might that saved the day, but the living God of heaven that He serves.
Next time, we will begin at Daniel 2:24. In the interim, stand in the offering plate.
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