Discussions in Daniel (7) Daniel 2:17-23
Daniel 2:17-23 Daniel entreats God for Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream and its meaning
Julian (11): Every time I read this chapter I am stunned by Daniel’s incredible faith. He doesn’t fear what he is about to do but he prays about it. He doesn’t panic even if death is imminent! He puts his trust in the Lord and he is saved.
Nick: “he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.”
Daniel 2:22 ESV
This is a comforting verse to read. God knows what’s in the darkness and He the light source is waiting for us to plug into Him. If we sit in darkness we cannot see a way out, however as we pray and worship the king of kings hope rises, and through Jesus the light, we see clearly. John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.
Keith: What my eyes see that have not perceived before.
It is not that the kingdoms disappeared one by one finally followed by the eternal kingdom of the rock, but that the destruction of the kingdoms was the ever increasing manifestation of the kingdom that will last forever.
The wonderful glorious fact is that just as Babylon, media-Persia, Greece and Rome were physical, visible kingdoms on earth, so shall the final kingdom be. Christs reign on earth is certain. “Jesus shall reign where e’er the sun doth his successive journeys run. His kingdom stretch from shore to shore.” Come quickly Lord Jesus.
Ian: It was right for Daniel to involve his 3 friends because they, too, were on death row. This, indeed, shows the power of corporate prayer. They realised their total dependency on God, and they had the faith and fervour to PUSH (pray until something happens). It was God who had given Nebuchadnezzar the dream in the first place, so I think this was part of God’s training plan for Daniel and his friends to grow in faith and faithfulness.
Mary: I love how this story builds.
Daniel and his friends honour God (through diet); God honours them (through physical & mental supremacy, and by having them promoted).
How they were overlooked when Nebuchadnezzar was looking for a dream interpreter is a mystery, but the end result is that greater glory goes to God.
So again, Daniel honours God by relying on Him to disclose the dream and its meaning.
Their lives depended on it. In one sense, he had nothing to lose by getting involved, and everything to gain.
He and his friends had already experienced God’s faithfulness; now it was time to be stretched further.
I can imagine the relief and the joy when the Heavenly download came. No wonder he burst forth into that magnificent prayer.
For us too, each step of trust and obedience strengthens and equips us for the next faith level.
Let us embrace these lessons as Daniel did. Let us encourage one another to do the same.
And let us remember like Daniel to give all the glory to God.