Chapter Three:
DANIEL
INTERPRETS NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM
TEXT:
Daniel chapter 2: 1 – 49
Dreams
with vivid meaning are not foreign to the scriptures. Obviously, we must
acknowledge God’s handiwork in these dreams. Note also that many of the
“pagans” gave great credence to dreams and their meanings. Nebuchadnezzar was
NOT a godly man. While there are “moments,” as we shall see, the fact remains
this king is one of many idol worshipping kings who had supremacy over the
Jews. His dreams were many (vs. 1) and therefore his troubled nights were
plentiful. It appears evident from verses 1 – 3 the king had dreamed the same
dream many times. We are seeing God’s handiwork in this experience, and through
such providence, the rise of Daniel to greater power. Bible students will note
several similarities between Daniel and a much earlier forefather
named Joseph. Not only is the ability to interpret dreams similar to Daniel’s,
but exceptionally righteous conduct is a noted comparison. The student will
find such comparative study profitable.
The king’s dream, evidently repeated
to him many times, grew increasingly troublesome. His pagan beliefs sought the
council of pagan guides: magician, astrologers, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans.
While these “claimed’ the ability of interpretation of dreams, the king wisely
demanded they first tell him the dream.
Therefore, their accuracy would be more credible when these are wise enough to first repeat the dream. Further, the
king demanded proof of their verbalized abilities. They must first declare his
dream, then the interpretation of the dream, or they would be cut in pieces and
their houses (which would include their families) be made dunghills. This is
was an idle threat! It expresses the king’s confidence in his own compatriots –
a confidence obviously misplaced and undeserved. The threat also placed demands
on these men: their works much not match their words! This is another lesson we
can learn for the improvement of our lives as Christians. It is one thing to
“talk the talk,” and another to “walk the walk.” But
to do BOTH requires absolute honesty and readiness to prove the facts (one
Thessalonians 5:21).
The conditions of the king’s orders
proved defeat for these “braggarts.” Their insistence of the king revealing the
dream (which he could not – it was “gone from him” ---- wonder how?) proved
their intentions of lying and giving the king corrupt words by which to “buy
time” and/or save their lives! The king was now well aware of their
inabilities. While they plead with him saying, “This is a rare thing … no king,
or lord, or ruler can ask such a thing” the king remained adamant. Yet note
carefully the words of the Chaldeans: “There is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” The
statement shows the matter required the ability of something greater than
mortal man. They refused to recognize the God of
heaven … and at this particular time, so did
Nebuchadnezzar!
Note carefully verse 13: “And the decree went
forth that the wise men should
be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.” Yes, the king
was angry enough to kill ALL HIS PERSONAL SERVANTS. His was a selfish
proclamation, and one that if carried to its full conclusion would eliminate
even those who could enlighten the king. Do you see God’s hand in protecting
the “remnant?” Daniel’s wisdom and counsel permitted him audience with Arioch, the king’s captain in charge of killing these men.
When Daniel received the information, he sought audience with king telling him
he could interpret the dream. This Daniel shared with Hananiah,
Mishael and Azariah, and together they besought God for favor concerning this
secret, and that they would not die with the wise men of
At this point of our study, consider
the value of PRAYER. List below some passages of Scripture that assure us of
gaining the petitions we desire of God. The example of Daniel and his
companions praying to God should encourage brethren today in the manner of
their prayers. It is evident they shared a COMMON INTEREST, a COMMON NEED and a
COMMON LOVE for God.
Daniel takes an incredible risk in
speaking to Arioch and telling him, “Do not destroy
the wise men of
Daniel is very humble in his reply
to the king. Note the wording: “Daniel answered in the presence of the king,
and said, The secret which the king hath demanded
cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh
known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what
should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth
secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I
have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the
interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know
the thoughts of thy heart.” This is the first personal introduction of God to Nebuchadnezzar as far as the text
is concerned. The “test” of “pulse verses the king’s meal” was certainly known
the officer in charge of these men, and the result of that testing was known to
the king. However, as far as the text is concerned, this is the first that
Nebuchadnezzar certainly knows of
God’s ability. Notice carefully Daniel accepts none for himself! As we will see
later in our study, God’s ability and not Daniel’s is key to convincing this
pagan king of God being in complete charge of all things! How vital it is for
us as Christians to realize this same fact: we are in charge of nothing – we
are simply humble servants of the most high God!
Daniel describes the dream as
follows:
A great and awesome image with a
head of gold, breast and arms (i.e. torso) of silver, belly and thighs of
brass, legs of iron and feet of iron and clay mixed. Additionally, the king had
seen a stone cut out without hands. The stone struck the image at its feet and
subsequently the image collapsed and became as the dust of a threshing floor,
blown away with the wind. The stone became a great mountain and it filled the
whole earth.
While it was
Daniel that told the dream, note from verse 36, “we will tell the
interpretation.” “We” are all four of our friends. There is no further
discussion of this matter, yet it is important we know Hananiah,
Mishael and Azariah were
equal partners with Daniel in telling the interpretation of the dream. That one
of several receive notice for such things is not
uncommon in Scripture. Peter is credited with the sermon on
Pentecost, yet if we examine Acts 2:14, we read: “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up
his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell
at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:” Since the
people head “these men” speak, we cannot assume Peter spoke and all the rest
are silent. Likewise with Daniel and his friends, the
interpretation was revealed by them all.
The dream pertained to the changing
of kingdoms. Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold. He was the greatest of these
kings and God recognized this fact. Yet, his kingdom would fall to a power
inferior to his. This is an interesting statement – a kingdom as great as the
Babylonian kingdom falling captive to a kingdom of inferiority in comparison! We must acknowledge the hand of God in this
plan. The kingdom of silver would be the kingdom of the Medes and Persians; the
king of whom was Cyrus. The third kingdom (belly and thighs of brass) was the
Macedonian empire (Greeks, lead by Alexander the Great). The fourth kingdom was
the Roman kingdom (legs of iron). The symbolism of the mixture of iron and clay
shows the division of the kingdom. While strong (as in iron) the Roman kingdom
divided into ten parts (the ten toes) and eventually, the power struggles kept
them from agreement due the joining with “seed of men” meaning they gave way to
selfish desires (see 1 John 2:15 – 17) which would not permit the continuance
of strength.
Daniel’s prophecy with verse 44 is well known as pertaining the coming of the Lord’s church
– the
The king’s gratitude showered many
gifts upon Daniel. He was set as ruler over the whole