Daniel: Far From HomeНамуна

Chapter 2 has opened with Nebuchadnezzar having a troubling dream that no one can interpret. The death penalty awaits the king’s advisers. This includes Daniel and his three friends.

In verse 17 we saw Daniel explain this situation to his friends, and urge them to plead for mercy (v. 18) so that they would not be executed. In the book, Daniel and his friends (who are called by their Jewish names in this chapter) represent God’s people in exile. If the king carries through with his threat, it seems that the promises of God made earlier to Abraham and David will not be fulfilled.

The issue that faces the exiles leads them to respond in prayer. In verse 19 we see the answer to the prayer. The Lord reveals the mystery of the dream to Daniel. In a situation that threatens the lives of the exiles and threatens, therefore, the fulfilment of the promises of God, we see that God is in complete control.

The revelation of the mystery leads Daniel to praise in verses 20 to 23. Daniel moves from the general to the specific. He first acknowledges the eternal nature of praise for God. He is worthy of praise for ever and ever. Daniel acknowledges that God has wisdom and power. The Lord stands in contrast to Nebuchadnezzar. He thinks that he has power, but doesn’t have the wisdom to understand his dream.

In verses 21 to 22 Daniel continues to expound on the character of God. He is sovereign over nature and sovereign over human rule. Further, wisdom and knowledge are His to give. He knows what people do not.

There is a shift in the praise in verse 23. Daniel’s praise becomes personal. He acknowledges God’s faithfulness – He is the God of his fathers. This God has given Daniel wisdom and power. It is He who has made known to Daniel the king’s dream. God has answered the prayer of the exiles and will, therefore, be faithful to His promises.

Here we see the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of His people working together. God is the one in total control, the one who, alone, can reveal the mystery of the king’s dream. And yet we see God’s people responding to the threat from the king in prayer.

Reflection

Real faith means that we believe that God is the one in complete control of all that happens in our world. Real faith also means that we pray for God to fulfil His promises for His people.