STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL.

January 21, 2021

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream (3) Dan. 2:1-49

“When the king sent for his wise men to tell them his dream, and the interpretation of it (v. 2), Daniel, it seems, was not summoned to appear among them; the king, though he was highly please with him when he examined him, and thought him ten times wiser than the rest of his wise men, yet forgot him when he had most occasion for him…‘We have found already, in Ezekiel, that Daniel was famous both for prudence and prayer; as a prince he had power with God and by man; by prayer he had power with God, by prudence he had power with man, and in both he prevailed. Thus did he find favour and good understanding in the sight of both, and in these verses we have a remarkable instance of both.’ M. Henry

  1.  Dan. 2:13 “…they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.” Although they were relatively new to the ranks of the Babylonian priesthood, Daniel and his friends were among those destined for destruction by Nebuchadnezzar. God, however, destined them for great things. “How miserable is the case of those who live under arbitrary government, as this of Nebuchadnezzar’s!” M. Henry Is. 10:1-2, Ez. 28:2; 22::27, Eccl. 3:16
  2. Dan. 2:14-15 “Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom Arioch the king’s captain…why is the decree so hasty for the king? He found favour and understanding with men, and prevailed as a prince. Est. 2:15-17; 5:1-8; 6:1-3; 8:2-6
  3. Dan. 2:16-18. “Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time…Daniel went to his house and made the thing known to…his companion. That they would desire mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the wise men of Babylon”
  4. Desiring God for mercies in the midst of challenges. 2Chro. 14:9-12; 20:2-12, Neh. 1:11; 2:2-6; 4:4.
  5. The united prayer of the righteous. Jas. 5:1-18, Act. 1:14; 4:23-26; 12:5, 12.
  6. God has made Daniel and his companions’ radiant, and shining lights in Babylon. Ps. 34:5, Jn. 5:35, Dan. 12:3, Eccl. 8:1, 2Cor. 3:18. They prevailed. Gen. 32:28, Hos. 12:3-4