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By Dr. Howard Batson Pastor, First Baptist Church Amarillo, Texas

Studies in Faith Under Fire (A Study of )

Lesson Three The Dream Revealed

Focal Text Daniel 2:31-49

Background Genesis 41

Main Idea This passage demonstrates God’s sovereignty over his people’s past, present, and future and gives His people continued confidence and hope.

Question to Explore Daniel used his position for kingdom purposes. In what practical ways can you use your position, gifts, and abilities for God’s kingdom?

Teaching Aim To lead adults to learn that the highest form of devotion is to always seek to exalt God ahead of themselves.

Quick Read The dream and the interpretation were both from God, most of which is now factual history. And the best is yet to come.

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Introduction The king was clearly in a crisis. Having been troubled by a terrible nightmare, Nebuchadnezzar could find no one—not a magician, conjuror, or sorcerer—who could both re-tell and interpret his dream. In a fit of frustration, he demanded that Arioch, his chief bodyguard, destroy all the wise men of .

Despite their ineptness, the Chaldean wise men spoke truth to the king, “The thing which the king demands is difficult, and there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods, whose dwelling place is not with mortal flesh” (v. 11). Seeking to destroy all the sages as commanded by the king, Arioch approaches Daniel and his friends to kill them (v. 13). In the midst of much prayer, however, God delivered to Daniel both the dream and its interpretation. Approaching the king, Daniel echoed the Chaldean wise men when he too admitted that no conjuror, magician, or diviner is able to declare the king’s dream. Daniel continued, “However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days” (v. 28).

In our present lesson, Daniel both delivers the long-awaited dream and makes known the mystery that had troubled the king.

Commentary

The Statue (2:31-33) Doing what the Chaldean sages could not, Daniel declared the king’s dream with clarity. In the dream, the king saw a gargantuan statue, one of extraordinary splendor. In ancient near-Eastern dreams, gigantic figures were a frequent theme.1 For example, Marneptah, the 13th century pharaoh, had a dream envisioning a giant statue of Ptah, the Egyptian creator god.2 Not only did large statues inhabit the dreams of ancient kings, they were also a part of the greater culture. Herodotus (1.183), in fact, reports that at the temple of Bel in Babylon there was a figure of a man, twelve cubits high (approximately 20 feet tall), made entirely of solid gold. As in Nebuchadnezzar’s nightmare, the use of precious metals to form such statutes was also quite common.3 Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, however, was unique in that it depicted not a god, but the course of the kingdoms of history.

Nebuchadnezzar’s nightmare contained a statue made with a casting of a combination of different metals. While the layered metals seem odd to our sensibilities, statues built in Babylon and Persia often contained a combination of precious metals including bronze and iron joined and covered with gold and silver.4

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Daniel 2:31-49, The Dream Revealed

While the text itself makes no mention of the monetary value of the various metals, the careful reader will quickly note that the value of the metals employed in making the statue decline in value from head to toe; the head is cast out of fine gold while the feet are a combination of iron and common clay. Although many modern translations describe the statue as “awesome” (v. 31), a better translation would be “dreadful.5 Taken as a whole, the various metals suggest a combination of both costliness and strength. Yet, as we cast our eyes to the bottom, to the feet, we realize that the brittle clay represents vulnerability in what would otherwise be a foreboding figure for any nightmare. Surely this statue anticipates the statue to be formed by Nebuchadnezzar himself in chapter 3.6

The Stone (2:34) Two characters create the plot in Nebuchadnezzar’s nightmare—the statue and the stone. The stone does not represent something created, as it was “cut out without hands.” All cosmic elements are divided between the created and the creator. Therefore, we can conclude with some confidence that the stone represents the creator himself. The plot unfolds as the stone strikes the statue’s one point of vulnerability, the clay feet. David’s smooth stone, which struck the armor-covered giant, comes to mind. In David’s case, of course, the vulnerable target point was the head and not the feet.

The Chaff (2:35) As the stone struck the feet, the entirety of the statue was demolished. The crushing was so comprehensive that all the precious metals were simultaneously broken apart into chaff-like particles which were simply blown away by the wind, leaving no trace of the once-fearsome figure. Surprisingly, the striking stone was transformed into an enormous mountain capable of filling the whole earth.

The Interpretation (2:36-45) Daniel, apparently, was not above using a little flattery in revealing the mysteries of the megalomaniacal king’s dream. He began his interpretation by describing Nebuchadnezzar as the “king of kings, to whom the God of heaven had given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory.” “King of kings,” a superlative title, was also applied to Nebuchadnezzar in Ezekiel 26:7. It was used, likewise, as a title for Persian monarchs.7

Despite Daniel’s kind words to the king, however, we must not miss Daniel’s central message: God is the maker and breaker of kings and kingdoms. Already in his song of thanksgiving, Daniel had declared that God “removes kings” and “establishes kings” (v. 21). Now, though packaged in praise, Daniel was communicating, once again, that Nebuchadnezzar held power only as a gift from the God of heaven. God himself gave Nebuchadnezzar his kingdom, power, strength and glory (v. 37). Lest the reader miss

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Daniel 2:31-49, The Dream Revealed

Daniel’s message, he repeated it again in verse 38, where he restated that he (the God of heaven) had placed all creatures under the rule of the king. Thus, because of God’s own choosing, Nebuchadnezzar was, for the moment, the head of gold (v. 38). Great debate exists, however, concerning the identity of the other kings/kingdoms in Nebuchadnezzar’s nightmare.

While we should not miss the overarching message that God is sovereign and kingdoms rise and fall, we will attempt to deal, nonetheless, with the details concerning the identity of the future kingdoms. Below are two interpretive schemes that represent the two most common readings of the kingdoms of Nebuchadnezzar’s nightmare.

Five kingdoms of Nebuchadnezzar’s nightmare Elements of the Scheme 1 Scheme 2 Dream Head of Gold Nebuchadnezzar/Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar/Babylonian Empire Empire (605-539 B.C.) Arms and chest of Medo/Persian Empire Medo Empire silver (539-331 B.C.) Belly and thighs of Greek Empire Persian Empire bronze (331-146 B.C.) Legs of iron/feet Roman Empire Greek Empire of iron and clay (146 B.C.-A.D. 395) Stone/mountain Kingdom of God Kingdom of God

We can be certain of the identity of the head of gold, as we are told by Daniel that it is Nebuchadnezzar, meaning the Babylonian Kingdom. Likewise, we can surmise with certainty that the stone/mountain represents the overpowering kingdom of God, which both crushes all kingdoms of men and fills the earth with God’s reign and rule (v. 44). The only uncertainties concern the earthly kingdoms that fall in between.

The two most popular views among scholars are designated as the “Greek view” and the “Roman view.” The Roman view is held by most conservative scholars and actually can be traced back as early as . This first-century Jewish historian pointed to the duality of the hands and shoulders, implying that the second kingdom was a combination of the Medes and the Persians. (A.D. 347-420), an early interpreter famous for his translation of the Bible into Latin, agrees with Josephus’s designation of the combination of the Medes and Persians as the second kingdom.8 Perhaps the Roman view is strengthened by the fact that throughout the the author seems well aware that Media and Persia were not two separate world kingdoms, but a united empire (see 6:8, 15; 8:20).9

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Daniel 2:31-49, The Dream Revealed

Those who hold the Greek view believe that the Medo Empire is represented by the arms and chest of silver, and the belly and thighs of bronze represent the Persian Empire. They, therefore, conclude that the Greek Empire is the legs of iron/feet of iron and clay. Behind the rejection of Rome as the fourth empire is the notion (false, in my opinion) that Daniel 2 could not possibly contain predictive prophecy. According to the Greek view, therefore, the reference could not possibly extend beyond the scope of the writer’s present reality, as Rome, at that time, was not a foreseeable world power.

While Daniel made little mention of the second and third kingdoms in his interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s nightmare, he shared a little more detail about the fourth kingdom. He mentioned the following characteristics of this kingdom:

(1) Powerful. Though not as powerful as the stone which crushed all earthly kingdoms, this fourth kingdom was depicted by iron because it crushes and shatters things (v. 40, 41b).

(2) Divided kingdom. Just as brittle potter’s clay does not mix with iron (v. 41), there will be a number of divisions in this final, earthly empire. This may be an indication that the last kingdom will be more of a federation than a powerful single state.10

(3) Mixed (v. 42-43). Represented by both iron and clay, part of the kingdom will be strong, and, yet, other portions of the kingdom will be as brittle as common clay. The odd statement, “…they will combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another…,” is, perhaps, an indication that the fourth kingdom will include the intermingling/intermarrying of diverse races, and, yet, they will never form a single people.11

The fifth and final kingdom is clearly the kingdom of God. The rock was not hewn by human hands, thus having a mysterious presence. This fifth kingdom, the stone, destroyed the statue, the other four worldly empires. During the Roman reign (iron and clay), the stone came in the birth of a Bethlehem baby who declared, “…the kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15). The kingdom does not fully arrive, however, until the return of Christ.

Daniel was bringing a good word to those who were oppressed, exiled from God’s land. God himself causes the rise of worldly kings and kingdoms and will, in due time, defeat all such forces that seek to oppose God. God’s kingdom, and God’s kingdom alone, will expand and take over the world; in fact, it will become an all-consuming mountain.12

The Response (2:46-49) The king was awed, but not converted.13 As a polytheist, the king was more than willing to acknowledge the power of foreign deities, giving Yahweh credit for the power displayed in Daniel’s ability to decipher the dream. Some scholars seem surprised that Page 5 of 8 Premium Commentary. Faith Under Fire (A Study of Daniel)--Lesson Three. Copyright © 2020 BAPTISTWAY PRESS©. A MINISTRY OF THE Baptist General Convention of Texas. Go to www.baptistway press.org or call 1-866-249-1799 toll-free for additional Bible study materials for all ages. This lesson is not to be sold or distributed beyond the subscription agreement. The copyright notice and identifying information in this note must be included on any copies made.

Daniel 2:31-49, The Dream Revealed

Daniel allows Nebuchadnezzar to approach him with acts of worship, such as falling prostrate, presenting an offering, and burning incense. Jewish tradition, however, asserts that Daniel did not and could not have accepted such veneration.14 Given the context of our story in which Daniel does nothing but assert the omnipotence of Yahweh, we can be sure he had no intention of receiving worship for himself. In fact, in verse 47, the king immediately gives glory to Daniel’s God and not to Daniel. Daniel, moreover, had already made clear that he himself would not be able to solve the king’s mystery (v. 27), but there was a God in heaven who could reveal the truth (v. 28). Daniel was honored simply because he was clearly in touch with the God of heaven.15

Earlier, Nebuchadnezzar was described by Daniel as the “king of kings” (v. 37). Employing another superlative, the text asserts that Yahweh is actually “the God of gods” (v. 47). He is also, moreover, the “Lord of kings.” This very title is used in an ancient document entitled “Letter of Adon to Egypt,” dated in the early years of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. The letter begins, “To Lord of Kings, Pharaoh, thy servant Adon….”16 Though we cannot claim that the Chaldean king was converted, we can conclude that he acknowledged what Daniel had been saying all along: God is the maker and breaker of kings (compare 2:21).

As a result of Daniel’s both stating and interpreting the king’s dream, Daniel was given a high position. This text describes him as “ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon” (v. 48). Apparently, Daniel’s position was twofold. First, he administrated the key province of the empire, the very one that included the capital city, Babylon. Second, he was appointed chief counselor to the king with authority over all the other wise men.17

Daniel, however, did not forget his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. With a masterful stroke of transition, the author of Daniel mentions Daniel’s Judean friends to prepare us for their very prominent story to be found in chapter 3.

Conclusion There are many lessons to be learned from contemplating the characters, images, and actions found at the end of chapter 2.

1. God is actively working in human history. Though kingdoms rise and fall, Yahweh is not surprised by the seating and unseating of kings. The best way to approach this text is not to become fixated on which countries or kingdoms are represented by the various elements of the statue. On the contrary, the writer has used broad strokes to paint a picture of God’s active role in the rising and falling of kings and kingdoms. The writer was hoping that his readers, then in exile, would find hope even at their darkest moment.

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Daniel 2:31-49, The Dream Revealed

2. Ultimately, God’s kingdom is all that matters. The end of the vision, the crushing stone, represents the kingdom of God. With the enormity of a mountain that fills the entirety of the earth, the kingdom of God will prevail. That kingdom, indeed, has already begun in the person of Jesus, whose primary message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). Indeed, did he not teach his disciples to pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come….” Ultimately, despite the coming and going of worldly kingdoms, God’s kingdom will prevail. The apostle John, in his , states, “The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). Though the kingdom has already arrived in the person of Jesus, we await its full consummation upon his second advent.

3. Beware of applauding human achievements. Nebuchadnezzar was more than pleased to be called the “king of kings” and be depicted by the “head of gold” (2:37-38). And, to be sure, Daniel himself received accolades that approximated worship, as the king prostrated himself and presented an offering. In the midst of the accolades for human achievement, we must remember what Daniel himself had said: “God alone can do what men cannot.” Perhaps the best takeaway line in the whole chapter is found in verse 28: “However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries….”

THE ROCK— an Aside Christian readers, of course, have good reason to identify Christ himself as the stone. This Messianic interpretation of the stone not only belongs to Christians but is also found in rabbinic sources.18 Many interpreters believe Jesus’ virgin birth makes a parallel point to the description of the rock breaking off without human involvement.19 In the midst of the Roman Empire, Jesus himself came announcing that the kingdom of God had arrived. The stone which the builders rejected, therefore, became the corner stone (Acts 4:11). Jesus, too, saw that the kingdom was growing from an unrecognized beginning until it filled the whole earth (Matthew 13:31-32; the small mustard seed becomes a tree in which the birds can nest). With Jesus’ birth, the kingdom had come, and its powers were released in the world. In a fuller sense, however, the kingdom will only be ultimately present when Christ returns.

The New Testament teaches that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15). And we have received the kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). In fact, our Lord taught us to pray looking for that day: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come…on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10).

Many New Testament writers have applied the image of the stone to the Christ (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17; Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6, 8, a reference to Isaiah 8:14 and 28:16; 1 Peter 2:7, a reference to Psalm 118:22). Most telling is Page 7 of 8 Premium Commentary. Faith Under Fire (A Study of Daniel)--Lesson Three. Copyright © 2020 BAPTISTWAY PRESS©. A MINISTRY OF THE Baptist General Convention of Texas. Go to www.baptistway press.org or call 1-866-249-1799 toll-free for additional Bible study materials for all ages. This lesson is not to be sold or distributed beyond the subscription agreement. The copyright notice and identifying information in this note must be included on any copies made.

Daniel 2:31-49, The Dream Revealed

Luke’s allusion to Daniel 2 when he writes, “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust” (Luke 20:18).

Meet the Writer: Dr. Howard Batson Howard K. Batson has served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Amarillo since 1995. A native of South Carolina, Dr. Batson holds a business administration degree from Lander University, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Baylor University.

Dr. Batson has served as chairman of the board of regents of Baylor University and as a member of the Administrative Committee of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He has also taught for Denver Seminary, the Uganda Baptist Theological Seminary, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Baylor College of Nursing, and Truett Seminary. His hobbies include church architecture, cooking, exercise, and reading. He and his wife Lisa have three daughters, Ryan, Jordan and Chandler. BaptistWay Press®

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1John J. Collins, Daniel (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993), 162. 2John J. Collins, Daniel, 162. 3John J. Collins, Daniel, 162. 4Ronald W. Pierce, Daniel, Teach the Text Commentary Series (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2015), 40. 5Ronald W. Pierce, Daniel, Teach the Text Commentary Series, 41. 6John E. Goldingay, Daniel, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word Books, 1989), 57. 7John J. Collins, Daniel, 170. 8John J. Collins, Daniel, 170. 9Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, The New American Commentary (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 1994), 95. 10Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, The New American Commentary, 98. 11John J. Collins, Daniel, 170. 12Tremper Longman III, Daniel, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 83. 13Sinclair Ferguson, Daniel, Mastering the (Dallas: Word Publishing, 1988), 67. 14John J. Collins, Daniel, 171. 15Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, The New American Commentary, 103. 16Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1978), 95. 17Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, The New American Commentary, 104. 18John J. Collins, Daniel, 171. 19Chrysostom, as quoted in John E. Goldingay, Daniel, Word Biblical Commentary, 60. Page 8 of 8 Premium Commentary. Faith Under Fire (A Study of Daniel)--Lesson Three. Copyright © 2020 BAPTISTWAY PRESS©. A MINISTRY OF THE Baptist General Convention of Texas. Go to www.baptistway press.org or call 1-866-249-1799 toll-free for additional Bible study materials for all ages. This lesson is not to be sold or distributed beyond the subscription agreement. The copyright notice and identifying information in this note must be included on any copies made.