1 A DREAMER OF DREAMS A Commentary on the Book of Daniel The Feast of Belshazzar Daniel 5:24-28 “Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. 25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” 2 A DREAMER OF DREAMS A Commentary on the Book of Daniel Dr. Stanford E. Murrell 3 Table of Contents Daniel Chapter 1 A Young Man Named Daniel Of Dreams and Visions Doctrine of Visions Doctrine of Dreams Daniel Chapter 2 Matter for God's Mercies A Further Study of Dreams and Visions Seven Things that a Vision from God may Accomplish How to Identify Dreams and Visions Six ways to Recognize False Dreams and Visions Six Questions that must be Asked Twelve Expectations for a Dream or Vision Non Biblical Reasons for Dreams Categories of Dreams The Dreams and Visions of the Apostle Paul Practical Suggestions A Prayer of Praise The Tributes of God The Wisdom of God The Power of God The Omniscience of God The Holiness of God There is a God A Panorama of History Where is America in Biblical Prophecy? Daniel Chapter 3 Setting the Stage for Suffering Is it True? The Fourth Man in the Fire Daniel Chapter 4 Descent into Madness The Beast of Babylon Daniel Chapter 5 Belshazzar: The Grandson of A Converted Sovereign People of Israel The Night a Nation Died 4 Daniel Chapter 6 The Dangers of Envious Man The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin With Daniel in the Lion's Den The God who is Able Daniel, a Type of Christ Eight True Things about God Daniel Chapter 7 From Babylon to Rome The Ancient of Days Divine Judgment, Divine Justice Hope for Hurting Hearts Alexander the Great Troubling Thoughts The Enemy Daniel Chapter 8 A Witness and a Guide The Biblical Prophecies of Daniel And Historical Chronologies The Anti-Christ The Doctrine of Anti-Christ Practical Lessons Daniel Chapter 9 The Prophet's Prayer Fifteen Principles of Prayer The Going forth of the Commandment Something better than Requested The Greatest Prophecy ever Fulfilled Daniel's Prophecy of Seventy Weeks An Unexpected Answer to Prayer Daniel Chapter 10 The Vision of the Majestic Messiah Daniel Chapter 11 Angels in our Midst The Doctrine of Angels Kingdoms in Conflict Antiochus Epiphanes: The Satan from Syria Daniel 11:1-45: An Expanded Translation Daniel Chapter 12 Until the End of Time 5 A Dreamer of Dreams A Devotional Commentary on Daniel Chapter 1 A Young Man Named Daniel: Daniel 1:1-6 One of the great biblical heroes is the prophet Daniel. His story is one of interest for he lived during a tumultuous time in Jewish and world history. The narrative begins in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), king of Judah. Jehoiakim was 25 years old at his accession of power. He was the second son of the good king Josiah. His elder brother Johanan should have been the crowned king but Pharaoh Necho of Egypt raised Jehoiakim to the throne instead. This was done over the choice of the people who had nominated Jehoahaz to be king. Jehoahaz was Jehoiakim's younger brother. Pharaoh Necho thought that he could control Jehoiakim. The king of Judah was expected to pay tribute to the Egyptian ruler for Josiah's part in siding with Babylon against Egypt. At first, the tribute money was paid. Jehoiakim taxed the people (2 Kings 23:33, 34; Jer. 22:10-12; Ezek. 19:4). But then, Pharaoh Necho suffered his devastating defeat from Babylon at the Battle of Carchemish. As a result of that battle, the ruler of Egypt lost all the territorial holdings between the Euphrates and the Nile. He left Judea and never returned (2 Kings 24:7; Jer. 46:2). As the king of Judah, Jehoiakim reigned for eleven years. He was a ruthless and ungodly ruler. "His eyes and heart were only for covetousness, shedding innocent blood, oppression, and violence" (Jer. 22:13-17). "He built his house by unrighteousness and without mercy, using his neighbor's service without wages." Jehoiakim had built by forced labor a splendid palace which violated the Law of the Lord (Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:14, 15 cf. Micah 3:10; Heb. 2:9; James 5:4). The personal good life and temporary political freedom from Egyptian servitude came to an end in the third year of his reign. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon returned from Carchemish, marched to Jerusalem and subdued the king. It was the original intention of Nebuchadnezzar to take Jehoiakim in bondage to Babylon but the Chaldean ruler had a change of heart. Remembering his former ally Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar decided to make Jehoiakim a vassal. Later, he would regret that decision. In place of the king, Nebuchadnezzar took a large portion of the great wealth of the house of God (1:2) plus political hostages in selected children of Israel (Dan. 1:3). By allowing these things to happen God manifested His justice. Once the people of the Lord had brought the images of other gods into His temple. Now the Lord allowed the holy vessels to be carried into the treasuries of other gods. Once the people of the Lord absorbed the children of other nations. Now, the children of Judah would be held captive in exile (Matt. 7:1-5). When Nebuchadnezzar made his decision to deport the children of Palestine, he entrusted the matter to Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs. The young people had to meet six specific qualifications (1:4). 6 The young people had to be physically sound. The young people had to be intelligent. The young people had to possess a great capacity to learn. The young people had to be teachable. The young people had to have gift for languages. To honor those selected for deportation, Nebuchadnezzar appointed them the best food and drink of the kingdom (Dan. 1:5). In all of this the king was politically wise for he was building for the future. In the years to come, the young captives would be assimilated into the Chaldean culture but still able to function as ambassadors to foreign nations or conquered territories. Among those selected for service were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The Hebrew name Daniel means "God is judge." He was of the tribe of Judah and a member of the royal family. In time Daniel would be honored for his great wisdom and deep devotion to the Lord. Ezekiel paid honor to him (Ezek. 28:3) and placed him in the esteemed company of Noah and Job (Ezek. 14:14). Josephus called Daniel one of the greatest prophets. Even the angel respected him for Gabriel called him a man greatly beloved. Daniel was destined to lead a long and active life in the courts and councils of some of the greatest rulers ever to have lived reflected in the persons of Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, and Darius. It is believed that Daniel finally died in Persia at Susan, where he lived to a very old age. If little is known of the end of Daniel's life, his earlier fate and that of his friends, is more familiar. As captives of Nebuchadnezzar, all of them had a change of names. Name Hebrew Meaning Daniel God is my judge New Name Chaldean Meaning Belteshazzar The keeper of the hidden treasures of Bel Name Hebrew Meaning Hananiah The grace of the sun New Name Chaldean Meaning Shadrach sun god Name Hebrew Meaning Mishael He that is the strong God New Name Chaldean Meaning Meshach Of the goddess Shach (Venus) Name Hebrew Meaning Azariah The Lord is help New Name Chaldean Meaning Abednego The servant of shining fire 7 From the vantage point of time, the opening words of the narrative seem almost exciting. The romance of war is in the air. There is the trauma of young people being carried away captive to a foreign land to be reared in a golden palace. There is the opportunity for the captives to be educated by the greatest men of science. There is the comfort of being among a few faithful friends. The story throbs with life, danger, and political greatness. What must not be forgotten is that a nation was being destroyed bit by bit. Judgment came in part because a corrupt king was sitting on the throne of what was once the theocratic kingdom. So great were his sins that the LORD gave Jehoiakim into the hands of the king of Babylon. Rulers and leaders should remember that all power and all positions in life are in the Lord's hands. The Lord gives such honor and the Lord can take them away. As the narrative is reviewed, several spiritual lessons come to mind. It is always sad when the people of God and the possessions of the Lord find their way into the house of false gods. When the Lord allows this to happen, there is usually a greater truth to be learned and that is God demands worship with a right spirit. When adults of the covenant violate their holy commitments, the children suffer as greatly as all others. The world is anxious to transform God's people by force if necessary (Dan. 1:1-2) by change of names if possible (Dan.