DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 2.46

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Two

                                   The Dream of Nebuchadnezzar               

(The Rise and Fall of Empires)

 

 

Preface

In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign as king of Babylon, he had a disturbing dream but was unable to recall his dream. After summoning Babylon’s wise men of magical arts, the king requested they not only tell him the dream but also give its interpretation. There was a great reward if they did, but if they did not do as the king desired, the death penalty was enacted.

 

According to Chapter 1, God blessed and gifted Daniel and his three friends with wisdom and knowledge. But, Daniel was additionally endued with understanding in visions and dreams (1:17). When the Chaldeans were unable to meet the king’s request, a death sentence was pronounced on all the Babylonian wise men, including Daniel and his three friends.

 

Daniel boldly spoke out to his superior and requested an audience with the king, for he was confident and assuredly able to meet the king’s demand. Daniel was granted permission. Thus, he correctly told the dream of a statue of a man having five different metal parts, each representing world's succeeding empires leading up to the end of the age.

 

Following the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel had accordingly:

1. Extolled God for the dream’s revelation of future events

a.  Concerning Babylon

b.  Concerning world empires

c.  Concerning the end of the world

d.  Concerning Israel

e.  Concerning Israel's God

2. Confirmed to the King the dream was trustworthy

3. Assured Nebuchadnezzar the dream was true

 

Continuing the narrative…

Outline

1. The Dream of Nebuchadnezzar (2:1)

2. The Demands of Nebuchadnezzar (2:2-11)

3. The Decree of Nebuchadnezzar (2:12-13)

4. The Decision of Daniel (2:14-23)

5. The Disapproval of Daniel (2:24-30)

6. The Disclosure of Daniel (2:31-35)

7. The Details of the Dream (2:36-45)

 

 

Once again Daniel is seen standing before the King, however, now in a different light…

8. The Declaration of Nebuchadnezzar (2:46-49)

(Verse 46)

 

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

 

Daniel, through the power of the God of Heaven, was able to accomplish the impossible, by telling the dream and giving its interpretation thereof. In doing so, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the sovereignty of Daniel’s God, while at the same time the inadequacy of the Babylonian gods.

 

It appears Nebuchadnezzar worships Daniel. However, it is also clear from the next verse and elsewhere in Scripture, Nebuchadnezzar solely recognized Daniel as a representative of his God. So, Nebuchadnezzar proceeds to honor Daniel by making four different gestures:

1. He fell on his face (prostrated himself) before Daniel

2. He gave reverence to Daniel

3. He commanded everyone to give him an oblation (offering)

4.  He burned sweet odours (incense) to exalt Daniel

 

Note: The aforementioned was a heathen practice and had nothing to do with Jewish protocol.

 

 

(Verse 47)

 

The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a Revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

 

The Praise

It became evident to the King that all the Babylonian gods had not measured up to Daniel’s God, the true God of Heaven (cf. Daniel 2:18-19, 37, 44). Therefore, in his moment of exhilaration, Nebuchadnezzar acquiesced, not to the pantheon of Babylonian gods, but to Daniel’s God with three attributions:

1. His God is a God of gods

2. His God is a Lord of kings

3. His God is a revealer of secrets (mysteries)

 

Even though Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the true God of Heaven, at this juncture, he still had not fully pledged allegiance to Him. But as a result, Daniel’s revelation of the King’s dream enhanced his reputation…

 

 

(Verse 48)

 

Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

 

The Promotion

Upon earning tremendous respect, Nebuchadnezzar kept his promise (cf. Daniel 2:6) and abundantly lavished Daniel with wealth and power. Ironically, a Jew of captivity was appointed ruler over the Province of Babylonian, a Gentile entity nonetheless. This unprecedented gesture of Nebuchadnezzar included:

1. Daniel being magnified as a great man

a.  A similar elevation was awarded to Joseph (cf. Genesis 41:41-45)

 

2. Daniel was given many great gifts by royalty

a.  One such gift was an elaborate palace

 

3. Daniel being made administrator over all of Babylon

a.  Babylon consisted of a conglomerate of many provinces subordinate to the city of Babylon (cf. Daniel 3:2)

 

4. Daniel being elevated to chief of the wise men in Babylon

a.  This advancement allowed Daniel not to participate in the craft of magical arts and divination

 

 

(Verse 49)

 

Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

 

The Positions

Daniel’s advancement did not go to his head. Not forgetting his loyalty to Daniel’s three companions, he queried the King to place Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in prominent administrative positions as princes over the activities of the province of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar approved what Daniel had asked. But, Daniel was further awarded a judgeship, and to sit at the gate of the King’s Palace. It was the actual courtroom of King Nebuchadnezzar.

 

City Gates

In biblical times, the gates of a city or palace were not just entranceways, but prominent places and complexes for several important activities.

 

Old Testament Examples

Such included:

1. A judicial bench where magistrates would arbitrate controversial matters, both civil and criminal

a.  When the Israelites came into Canaan, Moses appointed judges to officiate in its city gates and settle disputes

Deuteronomy 16:18 - Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

 

2. A court where laws and contracts were adjudicated

a.  At the city gate of Mamre, Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah for Sarah’s burial place

Genesis 23:17-18 - And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

 

3. A platform where there was the reading of the Law

a.  After the return of the captives to Jerusalem

Nehemiah 8:1-3 -  And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the Water Gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the Law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the Water Gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the Book of the Law.

 

New Testament Examples

1. John and Peter healed a lame man while walking through the city gate of Jerusalem

Acts 3:2, 6, 8 – A certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the Temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the Temple;…Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk... And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the Temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

 

2. Not being ashamed while at the city gate of Corinth, Greece Paul preached the Gospel to the Gentiles and Barbarians, a premise for his letter sent to the Romans.

Romans 1:14-15 – I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you who are in Rome also.

.

3. In the New Heaven and Earth, the city gates are described by the Apostle John as remaining eternally open.

Revelation 21:21, 25 - And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass…And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

 

Summary

God punished Israel and Judah with seventy years of captivity for their indulgences in idolatry. He sovereignly rose up Nebuchadnezzar as king of Babylon. God also endowed four men of faith (Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) with wisdom and knowledge to serve as His representatives.

 

Daniel, having an added gift of interpreting dreams, purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. He was determined and committed to the true God of Heaven, even at the cost of his life. By his uncompromised faith, God exalted him to a position of great honor and power, like Joseph in the Pharaoh’s court in Egypt (cf. Genesis 41:37-44). Thus, Daniel serves as an example of a man of prayer, faithfully obeying God in every situation.

 

The following study embarks on a new chapter. Now, filled with pride, Nebuchadnezzar erects an immense self-image of gold to be worshipped. Daniel and his three friends are once again put through vigorous tests.

 

 

 QUESTIONS:

1. Why did Nebuchadnezzar find favor with Daniel?

2. What assurances did Daniel relay to Nebuchadnezzar?

3. How did Nebuchadnezzar attempt to honor Daniel?

4. Whom did Nebuchadnezzar finally acknowledge?

5. As a result, how did Nebuchadnezzar promote Daniel?

6. How were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego rewarded?

7. What are the significance of city gates?

 

 

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