AIM: God gives visions of future events that certainly come
to pass.
A) Nebuchadnezzar’s disturbing dreams are not shared by magicians,
enchanters, sorcerers, astrologers, so he decrees death to “wise men”
(2:1-3) Year 2 Nebuchadnezzar disturbing dreams, demanded
magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, astrologers to tell him his dream, what it
means
(4-6) astrologers Aramaic: they said tell us the dream, we’ll
tell you what it means, king “tell me what I dreamed AND what it means” gifts/honors
or torn limbs, houses heaps of rubble
(7-9) astrologers: again tell us, then we’ll tell you, king
you’re stalling for time, conspired lies, tell me the dream then “I’ll Know”
you can what means
(10-13) astrologers “no one can do it, never been asked,
impossible, only gods and they aren’t here” King furious ordered all wise men
be executed, men sent to find Daniel and friends
Application: When
I'm disturbed by dreams it’s wise to seek help and council from others. God’s
vision is not shared by all the experts but will be shared by a Godly person.
When have I looked to the wrong people for the answers they don’t have.
B) Daniel handles the situation with wisdom, communication
and reliance on God
(14-16) Arioch commander kings guard to kill Daniel, who
handled with “wisdom and discretion”. Daniel asked why such a harsh decree?
(not about himself about the king and decree). Daniel went at once to see the
king, more time to tell what the dream meant
(17-18) Daniel urged friends to ASK GOD show MERCY by
TELLING secret so that ALL wise men spared
(19-22) Daniel gets the
vision and PRAISED GOD in heaven. The name of GOD, he all wisdom and power,
controls world events, kings, gives/reveals/knows wisdom/knowledge/hidden
things surrounded by light
(23) thank/praise God of Israel for YOU gave me wisdom and
strength, answered prayer
Application: When
faced with impossible situations do I urge friends to ask God for mercy and
specifics with purpose of benefiting others?
C) Daniel reveals the dream given by God to the king is true
and will come to pass in the future.
(24 - 26) Daniel first tells Arioch not kill and says first
let me tell the king his dream. Arioch takes him to king “Is it true, Can you tell
me?”
(27-28) Daniel “no
wise men, enchanters, magicians or fortune-tellers can, but God has shown king
future, I will tell you”
(29-30) Your Majesty, dreamed of coming events, God revealed
to you – I’m not wiser, but ”God wants you to understand what was in your heart”
(31-33) Vision: huge shining statue of a man, frightening
sight, head gold, chest/arms silver, belly/thighs bronze, legs iron, feet were
iron/baked clay
(34-35) rock cut from mountain, not by human hands, struck
feet of iron and clay smashing to bits, the statue crushed into small pieces wind
blew them away like chaff but become great mountain
(36-38) What it means to king: greatest of kings, God of
Heaven gave sovereignty, power, strength and honor, ruler of all earth – head
of gold
(39-43) after king, inferior kingdom rises, 3rd
bronze, 4th iron, 5th iron/clay (forming alliances
intermarriage)
(44) “During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven
will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush
all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever.”
(45) That is the meaning of rock cut out of mountain, not by
human hands – Great God showed the king the future.” The dream is true, and
its meaning is certain.”
(46-47) King worshiped Daniel, commanded sacrifices and
incense burned before him, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord
over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this
secret.”
(48-49) Daniel appointed to high position, given many
valuable gifts, ruled over whole province of Babylon, chief over all wise men.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in charge of affairs, Daniel remained in kings
court.
Principle: Ungodly/temporary
kingdoms are used while God is setting up his eternal kingdom. Everything God
says in his word is true and is certain to come to pass.
Application: What
percent of my weekly time and money am I using toward building the kingdom that
will never be destroyed or conquered? How does knowing our world of concrete
and rebar matches up with “iron and clay” described by Daniel 3,000+ years ago
as the final kingdom before the end of time impact my life?
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