The Daniel Files: 03 – Who Rules? The Ridiculous and the Righteous

(Reflections and notes on Daniel 2 – click here for Part 1 and here for Part 2 of the series so far.)

Nebuchadnezzar, to all intents and purposes is the most powerful man in the known world as far as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah are concerned. He oversees a kingdom that spans a fair distance from east to west and north to south. A man of such power is not to be trifled with. When he drops a word, it’s to be taken very seriously indeed.

Imagine how the court of advisors felt when Nebuchadnezzar essentially said the following:

I had a really disturbing dream. Yeah, it was really disturbing. What did it mean? Tell me what it means. Oh and tell me what the dream was as well while you’re at it. And if you don’t I’ll punish you in the most brutal and fatal ways possible with your family as well, because I think you’re a deceptive lot, really, and you’re winding me up most of the time.

That’s a good definition of a bad day if you’re in that court of advisors. What makes the scenario all the more intriguing is how Daniel responds when he sees Nebuchadnezzar’s public service announcement that all advisors are set for a torrid end.

Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.

Daniel 2:16 (ESV)

What is in Daniel for him to respond to this tough edict because of this seemingly ridiculous demand? The set-up, however, is in what is said about those who can be able to both outline a dream and then give the meaning. As the king’s advisors rightly pointed out, this information would only be available to divine beings directly. Of course when they said that, they were referring to theirs which because they were useless left them as relatively useless. Meanwhile Daniel knew the Divine Being who could indeed intervene in the situation.

It’s still a remarkable act of faith for Daniel to say that he’ll have answers for the King by the set period of time. Once more the role of the companions are crucial, because although Daniel is the frontman for the enterprise, he knows only too well that he’s a part of a band of brothers. Clearly a band of praying brothers. Those that clearly believe in their God who is able to come through for them. The righteous can come in even in times that look ridiculous … as well as perilous.

The prayer of praise from Daniel in verses 20-23 is a noteworthy one for what Daniel affirms about the character of God. In a day and age of political turmoil and great uncertainty, this God has not changed. He still brings forces into power and He still removes. Times and seasons runs to His agenda. What is great to know about this God is that He is real and He communicates to those who seek Him. Daniel and his companions have already shown themselves to prefer the wisdom of God to the practices of even the greatest power of the day. That preference and desire puts them in a good position to receive from God as they ask Him in their time of need.

This particular dream is fitting to come from one of God’s people, because the meaning has everything to do with the rule of God. That which no human hand can construct will overwhelm and establish an everlasting rule to replace every human effort at dominance. This is Daniel’s God. He is the one who sees and rules and appoints times and knows that however great empires and kingdoms will become, they cannot stop the inevitable rule of God.

It’s one thing for Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge this and confer the due promotions to Daniel and his companions. Consider, however, what a word of comfort that is to the man who is a stranger in a strange land. Think about how Daniel and his companions must feel hearing about the change of times but the reassurance that in it all and at the end of it all their God rules.

Questions from Daniel 2

What do you learn about God in this chapter nd how does that affect your relationship with Him?

What needs to happen to exercise the faith like Daniel to trust God to come through in perilous times?

Who can you pray with to support you when it comes to crunch times in life?

Where does favour play a role in this episode of the life of Daniel? Where do you need favour to play a role in your life today?

What difference does it make to your life in the world living for the everlasting Kingdom of God?

What importance does the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream have on you today?

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden