Bible Study Group ‘A Man of Understanding’ 2:24-49

Time to Reflect

• How good are we at loving and caring for people we have little in common with? • This passage encourages us to trust God completely. Take a few moments in prayer and let us declare our trust in God.

Last week we saw how Nebuchadnezzar was troubled by a dream. He longed for an interpretation of the dream but he, initially, found no one who could help him. Towards the end of the passage Daniel prayed about the King’s dream and the mystery was revealed to him. As we enter the second half of chapter two, Daniel presents God’s interpretation of the King’s dream. He does so in a faithful and humble way, always focused on giving honour, praise and glory to God.

“In giving the dream and enabling Daniel to know the dream and explain it, God displayed His wisdom and power. God has the wisdom to plan the ages and the power to execute His plan.”

(Warren Wiersbe, Be Resolute: Daniel, p43)

Passage Specifics

• Daniel acts wisely (v24) as he approaches Arioch, the Commander of the King’s Guard, with good news. He indicates that the King’s dream can be interpreted but he also intercedes for the wisemen of who were due to be executed. • Daniel shows remarkable concern for the wellbeing of the wisemen. Their beliefs contrasted significantly with Daniel’s faith in God but he still sought to save their lives. There is a real challenge here in how we, as God’s people, can practically love and care for others who we have little in common with. • (v25) sees Daniel being taken by Arioch to the King. Note how Arioch claims that he found Daniel when in actual fact it was the exact opposite. There is no indication that Daniel corrected this mistruth and this is further evidence of his humility and his desire to glorify God. • This God-centred approach reappears in (v27-28) in response to the question that the King asked. The King wants to know if Daniel can tell him about his dream and interpret it. Daniel’s response is packed full of faithfulness. • The beginning of his statement (v27) must have led Nebuchadnezzar to ask ‘where is this going?’ Then the word but appears. What follows must surely have spoken directly into the King’s heart. • Daniel indicates, in the interpretation of the dream, that the King had been worrying about the future of his kingdom (v29) – ‘As you were lying there, O King, your mind turned to things to come…’ • It becomes apparent that the King’s dream was God’s answer to his worries and concerns, “…for God revealed the future sequence of the Gentiles’ kingdoms and how Gentile history would climax with the appearance of an eternal kingdom.1”

1 Warren. W. Wiersbe, Be Resolute: Determining To Go God’s Direction (David. C. Cook UK, 2000), p 38. • Note how God is referred to as the revealer of mysteries (v29). Isn’t it incredible to realise that God is in ultimate control of all things? Like Daniel, we are challenged to trust Him even when we can’t make sense of all that is happening. • For a second time, in this passage, Daniel indicates that the dream was revealed to him (v30). Once again this is pointing the King towards God and not Daniel. • We finally discover what the dream actually was, in (v31-35). There was a statue (see picture) which was composed of gold, silver, bronze, iron and clay. • We discover, in the meaning of this dream (v36-45), that the metals relate to various kingdoms and empires. • The diminishing value of the metals seems to indicate a decrease in power and grandeur of the kingdoms and rulers they represent – from the despotism of Nebuchadnezzar to the democratic senate of Rome. • The metals also symbolise a growing degree of toughness and endurance, with each successive empire lasting longer than the preceding one. • (v34) mentions the appearance of a rock in this dream. It struck the feet of the statue and the image was totally destroyed (v35). Interestingly, this rock became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth. • As Daniel communicates the meaning of this dream he begins by pointing, for a third time, to God (v37). He indicates to Nebuchadnezzar that his power and authority come only from God (v37-38). • From here, Daniel highlights that the Babylonian Empire of Nebuchadnezzar is the gold head of this statue. The Jeremiah referred to Babylon as “…a golden cup in the Lord’s hand” (Jer.51:7). • But what about the other parts of the statue? They also equated to kingdoms. The arms and chest of silver = The Medo-Persian Empire of Cyrus. The bronze belly and thighs = The Greek Empire of Alexander the Great. The iron legs and feet = The Roman Empire *The inclusion of clay in the feet and toes is an indication of weakness in the Roman Empire. While militarily and legally strong this was a diverse empire made up of many different peoples, hence the reference in (v43).* • The destruction of the image represents the coming of Jesus Christ, the Rock, and His Kingdom is eternal. A stone or rock is a frequent image of God in Scripture – and especially of the Messiah. Some specific references are Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 8:14, Acts 4:11, and 1 Peter 2:4-8. • There is a reminder in this passage that earthly kingdoms rise and fall. Leaders come and go. This message is communicated clearly to Nebuchadnezzar and the message was accurate (v45b). • In contrast, the Kingdom of God is eternal and God is above everyone and everything. God’s authority extends over the whole earth (v35) and this, to some extent, was realised by Nebuchadnezzar (v47). • In paying homage to Daniel, and expressing his thanks, Nebuchadnezzar did acknowledge that God was greater than any other god. • What started out as a potential tragedy, the slaughter of human beings, was turned into a moment of revelation and great triumph. And even better, God was glorified and exalted as “…the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries.”