Daniel 2: Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

Daniel 2: Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

• Setting
• Daniel was a teenager at this time.   He was younger than 17 years old and he was in his second year of training to be official to King Nebuchadnezzar.   Nebuchadnezzar was also in his 2nd year of reign in Babylon.   (Ecclesiastes 5:12)
• Daniel was full of zeal and potential.  His spirit excelled as he was an excellent spirited kid.   He had a great conviction and he was committed to GOD.   
• Nebuchadnezzar was the son of Nabopolassar, who was the king before Nebuchadnezzar.   Nebuchadnezzar was sent to Char Shemesh to attack the Egyptians.   He attacked Jerusalem on his way home to attend his father’s death.    
• History does repeat itself and it tends to go in cycles.   In the early Biblical times they believed that history was ‘His story or GOD’s story’.  
• Man is naturally a skeptic when it comes to prophecies and visions.
• The more detail that is added to a prediction limits its abilities to be fulfilled.
• Verse 1 through 3 is written in Hebrew, where the rest of the verses are written in Aramaic, which was the official language of the Chaldeans.  The Jews did learn Aramaic and it was only used by the Hebrew Scholars.  Many believe that most of this chapter was written in Aramaic because it pertains to the Gentile nations, not the Jewish nation.
• Occult practices could bring a death sentence in the Old Testament.
• Overview
• King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream which troubled him.  He knows the dream concerns him so he goes to his Seers and Astrologers and challenges to tell him the dream and also interpret it.  None of his counselors are able to answer the King, which brings about his death decree.   Daniel is unaware of the decree and asks Arioch, the King's guard to allow him to speak to the King.   Daniel asks the King to let him and his friends pray to their God and that they would provide the King with his dream and the interpretation.
• God used Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan King, to reveal his future prediction of the world.   God also uses a statue as the Babylonians were familiar with their temples, shrines, and gods.  This statue is also stationary in the dream as well.
• Seers or Astrologists used charms, herbs, the stars, and the occult to foresee the future.   They also had manuals which contain different symbols and how they were to be interrupted.   The Kings demand to give the dream and also interpret it had probably never been asked before.   The ‘Cream of the Crop’ were often made Seers.   
• Nebuchadnezzar was a harsh Autocrat.   Authoritarian leaders are commonly referred to as autocratic leaders. They provide clear expectations for what needs to be done, when it should be done, and how it should be done. There is also a clear divide between the leader and the followers.
• Nebuchadnezzar shows his unpredictable and notoriously temperamental side.
• Verse 1:            God Distresses Nebuchadnezzar with a Dream
• The King was worried about the future of his kingdom and his mind was unsettled.   God gave him a dream that distressed him because he could not understand it.

• God would later use Daniel to tell and interpret the dream to have God’s name glorified.  Daniel would also be later rewarded and honored.
• God can use dreams to lead and guide us, but his usual approach is the Holy Spirit.
• Some dreams may not be from God.   (Jeremiah 23:25-32)
• The King had the dream several times, as the word ‘Dreams’ is used.  This must have also troubled him as well.
• Verses 2 - 13:   God Disgraces the ‘Wise Men’
• The King summoned his advisors to not only interpret the dream, but to also tell the dream as well. If they could not do both, they would be put to death as the dream had distressed the King.
• Did the dream distress the King?   The dream was very vivid and the dream had occurred more than once.   Since God did give the dream to Nebuchadnezzar, it would be unlikely that it would had been forgotten.   The King also did verify the dream after Daniel revealed and interpreted it.
• Verses 5 through 8 refer to the King’s edict of judgment to his officials.
• The King was testing his counselors as the King remembered his dream, he pondered over it, and he realized it contained a message for him concerning his kingdom.  The King must had been troubled by the Stone the destroyed the Statue and became a mountain.  His concern was to get the correct interpretation.   He wanted the truth and he did not want to be misled.
• The King also concluded that if his advisors could interpret the dream, they should also be able to tell him the dream as well.   It was a test of their ability.
• Either way, the counselors were humiliated because they were unable to tell the King his dream.   This would have been a great opportunity to receive favors from the King, which is why they tried stalling the King.   This set the stage for Daniel to exalt the one and only living God, who is the only one who can predict the future.   (Isaiah 41:21-23)
• God uses this moment to use Daniel and his friends.  God also uses this moment to challenge the false gods to predict the future and things to come.
• The other counselors used logic and flattery which only made the King mad and he issues his harsh edit.
• In Verse 10, the counselors condemn their own practices.
• Verses 14 - 23    God  Discloses the Secret
• Arioch, the Captain of the King’s Guard and Chief Executioner, goes out to gather all of the King’s wise men so that they can be slain according to the King’s edict.
• In verses 14 through 16, Daniel and his friends were shocked about the edict made by the King as they had not been invited to the special session for the dream interpretation.   Daniel speaks with wisdom and tact to Arioch to allow him to speak to the King.  Arioch took a great risk as he would be disobeying the King.   
• The King must have been surprised to see Daniel and his friends.   His rage must had subsided and he musty had recalled how exceptional the 4 Hebrews has been and how they were superior to the others in wisdom and knowledge.  By faith, Daniel promised to show the King his dream and interpret it as well.
• Verses 17 - 19:    Believing in Prayer
• Daniel and his friends are presented as men of faith and prayer.   (Daniel 6:9).
• Daniel and his 3 friends claimed the prayer of I Kings 8:44-45 and James 5:16.
• The Greek word for secret is “Naz” and it is used 8 times in the book of Daniel.   This same Greek word is similar to the Greek word “Mysterium” (our word for Mystery) which means a hidden truth that is revealed only to be initiated.
• God hid the prophetic truth in the dream to Daniel and he enabled Daniel to know and interpret the dream through Daniel’s prayers to God.
• Verses 20 - 23:   Joyful Praise
• Daniel’s first response was to bless God for hearing his prayer and answering his petition.   Daniel and his 3 friends prayed for wisdom and God gave it to them.   (James 1:5)

• The Babylonians praised and worshipped their gods.
• The God of heaven is also the God of History.
• God can set and change time allotted to rulers and nations.
• Daniel and his friends all shared in the burden of prayer.   They would all later share in the reward as well.
• No one can take credit for anything, the glory and praise all belong to God.   (Psalm 50:15).
• Verses 24 - 45  God Displays his Wisdom and Power
• Daniel again shows his wisdom and tact to Arioch.  He asks that he not be delayed because God has revealed the dream and the interpretation to him.  Arioch was the only one who could stop the process and save the lives of the King’s counselors.
• Notice how Daniel says that he found Arioch in theses verse, but Arioch claims that ‘I have found a man’.   Daniel was not concerned about the credit, only the Glory of God.
• The King was shocked that Daniel mentioned the dream had troubled the King about his kingdom.   Daniel answers that the dream was the answer to the King’s concern.
• The term ‘Last Days/Later Days’ is found frequently in the Bible.   Jesus has ushered in the later days by his death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven.  (Hebrews 1:2, I Peter 1:20)
• God has plans for Israel in the later days, which will climax when Jesus returns.  (Hosea 3:5, Micah 4:1, Joel 2:28-29, 2 Timothy 3:1, 2 Peter 3:1, I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
• The times of the Gentiles was depicted in Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream.   (Luke 21:24).   This period will end when Christ establishes his kingdom here on Earth.   (Luke 21:25-28).
• The dream reveals there will be 4 successive kingdoms.   The 5th kingdom will be our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
• Verses 31 - 35
• Nebuchadnezzar saw a very large statue which was composed of 5 different materials.   The statue was destroyed by a stone that became a huge mountain.    Because of the accuracy of Daniel’s word, the King knew Daniel was speaking the truth.   Only God could had given Daniel this dream and interpretation.
• Verses 36 - 45  The Meaning of the Dream
• The Head of Gold represents King Nebuchadnezzar and the other Babylonian king’s reign (636 BC until 539 BC).
• Nebuchadnezzar was followed by Nabonidus and then Belshazzar.
• Jeremiah refers to Babylon as ‘a golden cup in the LORD’s hand   (Jeremiah 51:7).
• As we go from Gold to Silver to Bronze to Iron, we see the metal gets stronger and stronger, but the density of the material decreases from material to material.   (Density - Compares the weight per size of the Material).
• The Breast and Arms of Silver refer to the Medo-Persian empire which overthrew the Babylonian empire   (539 BC until 330 BC).
• Cyrus did not attack Babylon by going through the walls, but under them by using the Water Pipes. This will be looked at later when we look at the ‘Handwriting on the Wall’ which is also found in Daniel.  
• Cyrus is followed by Cambyses, Darius, Xerxes, Artaxerxes, and then Darius II.
• The Belly and Thighs of Bronze refers to the Grecian Empire which overthrew the Medo-Persians   (330 BC until 63 BC).
• Alexander the Great conquered the Medo-Persians in 11 years of battle.   In 31 years, Alexander the Great never lost a battle. He died after 32 years in reign from pneumonia.   His kingdom was then divided up amongst his 4 generals.
• The Legs of Iron and the Feet of Clay and Iron refer to the Roman Empire (63 BC until 475 AD).
• Iron represents strength and Clay represents weak.   Rome was strong in organization, law, and military might.   Rome had many different peoples that it ruled which created its weakness.
• Rome fell due to immorality.
• 10 nations will come together to under a strong leader to unite Europe and drive it against Israel.
• The Stone represents the 2nd coming of Christ.   He will judge his enemies and establish his universal kingdom
• God is in control of history.  God also knows the future as he is in control.   God also does have plans for the future as well.
• Even though evil does exist, God can accomplish his divine purpose.
• God can also take away those he has put into power.
• Nebuchadnezzar knew his kingdom would end, but he did not know when.
• Jesus will destroy his enemies when he returns. and establishes his kingdom here.
• Stone is a frequent image used in the Bible to depict God.   (Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 8:14, Isaiah 28:16, Matthew 21:44, Acts 4:11, I Corinthians 10:4, I Peter 2:4-8).
• Nebuchadnezzar’s dream also shows that the human enterprises decline as time goes on.   The image changed in value from head to toes.   The statue was top heavy.   Nations will appear to be strong, but they will have the dangers of falling.
• We can see this decay in our society through time.
• Thoreau made a quote that ‘improved means to unimproved ends’
• We can travel fast from place to place, yet we are unable to solve war, violence, famine, and loss of liberty.
• Our modern day conveniences also bring new problems along with them.
• In the end, it will be hard for things to be held together.
• The Clay robs Iron from holding things together.

• Treaties that can be broken, promises ignored, traditions forgotten, organizations disbanding, money-making organizations failing.
• ‘Without Hands’ is used in scriptures to mean ‘not by human hands’ or ‘something that only God can do.   (Colossians 2:11, Hebrews 9:11, 24)
• It appears that the Roman Empire will in some ways continue until Christ’s return with the mention of 10 kings. (Daniel 7:24-27, Revelation 17:3, 12-18)  A crisis will occur that will rid evil and prompt Christ’s return.   Christ will destroy the 4 Gentile Kingdoms and establish his own kingdom.
• Our hope is in the LORD, not in laws, political alliances, or moral crusades.
• People’s hearts need to be changed by the grace of God.
• The only citizens of Christ’s kingdom will be those born again by the spirit of God.   (John 3:1 - 18)
• Nebuchadnezzar should have been humbled by his dream.   God enabled him and gave him his entire empire.   He forgot his lesson later on in Daniel 4:30.
• Nebuchadnezzar did fall on his face and acknowledged Daniel’s God.
• Remnants of these kingdoms remain today: Babylon is modern day Iraq, Medo-Persia is modern days Iran, Iraq, Greece, and Italy.
• Verses 46 - 49  God Distinguishes his Servants .
• BY paying homage to Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar was acknowledging the true God was greater than the Babylonian gods.   This was his first step in believing in the Hebrew God.
• Daniel and his friends saved the lives of the King’s counselors by telling and interpreting the dream.
• The King kept his word and promoted Daniel with great honors.   Daniel became the ruler of the province of Babylon.   At Daniel’s request, his 3 friends became high ranking officials in different offices with the providence as well.   Daniel sat at the King’s gate with authority.
• Conclusion
• The hero of this chapter is GOD, who reveals deep and secret things.  (Verse 22).
• Why don’t we expect God to speak to us in dreams?
• There is a God in heaven who reveals dreams.
• What keeps us at times from remembering to praise God?
• How can we best pray for people in our world who have opportunities like Daniel had?   How can we pray for our world leaders?
• Daniel teaches us how to answer in consul and wisdom.   He shows us there is power ion guarded and discerning speech.  We should have the boldness of faith which was demonstrated by Daniel.   We should also seek mercies from God as well. Just like Daniel, we should use the power of prayer and respond spiritually to the events in our life.
• True praise and worship is spontaneous and never forced.
• God sees the darkness ahead of us.   When we feel limited, we should know that God is limitless.
• Other Famous Dreams.
• Jacob (Genesis 28), Joseph (Genesis 37), Pharaoh's Cupbearer and Baker (Genesis 41), Gideon’s Warriors (Judges 7), Solomon (I Kings 3), Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2, 4, and 7), Joseph the Father of Jesus (Matthew 2), and Pilate’s Wife (Matthew 27).
• Enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers rely on the occult.   We should avoid such things as horoscopes, psychic hotlines, tarot cards, Ouija boards, and Pokémon to name a few things as they do involve the occult. 

Daniel 1 - Daniel's Training in Babylon

• Resources for this study
• Book - Daniel: Determining to Go God’s Direction by Warren Wiersbe
• Book - The Handwriting on the Wall by Dr. David Jeremiah.
• Radio Broadcast series - Skip Heitzig
• History
• The Book of Daniel
• The book of Daniel is a book of History and also Prophecy.

• One third of the Bible is considered Prophecy.
• To give a historical account of the faithful Jews who lived in captivity and to show God is in control of heaven and earth, directing the forces of nature, the destiny of nations, and the care of his people.
• The Book of Daniel is not written in chronological order.  To read in the proper order of events they should be read as chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, and finally chapter 12.
• Contains very detailed predictions compared to other prophecies found in the Bible.
• The Hebrew Bible contains 3 sections: the Torah (Teaching or Law), Nevi’im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings).   The Hebrews did not see Daniel as a prophet because he worked as a royal official.  Jesus did recognize Daniel as a Prophet (Matthew 24:15).
• Gives a helpful insight into the Book of Revelation.
• The Highlight - Daniel 2:44 from the Dream of Nebuchadnezzar.
• The Key Verse - Daniel 2:22
• Chapters 8 through 12 give Daniel’s apocalyptic visions.  They give a glimpse of God’s plan for the ages, including a direct prediction to the Messiah.
• A prophet was required to be 100% accurate or they could be stoned by a decree from the King.
• Critics claim the Book of Daniel must have been written after the events he prophesied because of how accurate they were.  They included predictions about Alexander the Great, the building of the Roman Empire, and they also included Antiochus Epiphanies.
• 4 key prophecies.

• The 4 Empires - Babylonian, Medo-Persia, Greek, and Roman.
• The 70 Weeks - relates to Jesus’s birth, death, and final return
• Isaiah also mentions King Cyrus by name 200 years ahead of time (Isaiah 45: 1, 13)
• Old Testament verses that show that Daniel did exist.   (Ezekiel 14:12-14, Ezekiel 28:1-5.
• Babylon
• The city of Babylon was built along the Euphrates River which is now in present day Iraq.  It may have been the largest city between 1770 and 1670 BC and also again between 612 and 320 BC.
• The Palace in Daniel 4:28-29, is the same palace that Saddam Hussein had restored.
• Nebuchadnezzar bought Babylon to a great peak in history and he was proud of what he had accomplished.  He had forgotten that the God of Israel had given him the power and authority to overthrow Israel.
• Babylon was at one time considered one of the 7 wonders of the world.   Its walls were 300 feet tall, 80 to 85 feet thick, 60 miles long, and contained 350 watchtowers which stood 100 feet tall.
• Nimrod was an important figure in this area.  (Genesis 10:8-11).
• The Tower of Babel was built in Babylon.   (Genesis 11:1-8)
• Babylon has been the roots of many evil spiritual overtones.
• Aramaic was the primary language of Babylon.
• Aramaic and Hebrew are the two languages used in Daniel.  Hebrew is used in Daniel 1:1 to Daniel 2:4a and Chapters 8 through 12, Aramaic is used from Daniel 2:4a to 7:28. The Aramaic language was the common language used in Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian communication.  Aramaic is found also in the Ezra 4:8-6:18, 7:12-26 and Jeremiah 10:11
• Daniel and his 3 friends: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
• Daniel is estimated to be between the ages of 12 and 17 when he was taken captive in the 1st attack.
• Daniel and his friends were possibly Eunuchs for the King.   (Isaiah 39:6-7)
• A eunuch is a man who may have been castrated, typically early enough in his life for this change to have major hormonal consequences.
• Daniel (God is my Judge) is renamed by Nebuchadnezzar to Belteshazzar (the Treasures of Baal).
• Hananiah (God is Gracious) is renamed Shadrach (Illuminated by the Sun God).
• Mishael (Who is the LORD) is renamed Meshach (Who is Venus).
• Azariah (The LORD is my Help and Strength) is renamed Abednego (the Servant of the Fire God).
• Daniel served in the Government in Babylon for about 60 years during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus.
• Daniel was an important influence to the Babylonian and Medo-Persian Kings during his service in Babylon.
• Timeline
• 606 BC - God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to take the first group of Israelites captive to Babylon.   Daniel was part of this group.   Nebuchadnezzar also took some of the gold and silver vessels from Solomon’s Temple.
• 602 BC - Nebuchadnezzar has his dream about a large statue.
• 598 BC - The prophet Ezekiel is taken captive with 10,000 other Israelites.
• 593 BC - Ezekiel becomes a Prophet.
• 588 BC - Habakkuk ends his ministry as a Prophet
• 587 BC - The Babylonian army breaks through the wall s of Israel.   The Temple of Solomon was destroyed on the 9th day of the month of Ar.
• This also happens to be the same day in 70 AD when Herod’s Temple is destroyed by the Romans.
• 586 BC - Jeremiah ends his ministry as a Prophet.
• 553 BC - Daniel has his first vision in Chapter 7, the vision of the 4 Beasts.
• 539 BC - Babylon falls to the Medes and Persians.  Daniel is thrown into the lion’s den.
• 538 BC - Daniel has his vision of the ‘70 weeks’.   The first exiles return to Judah with Nehemiah.
• 536 BC - Daniel ends his ministry as a Prophet.
• Setting
• God had warned the Israelites many times that if they strayed from God’s word that they would be captured.   The Hebrews would sing the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1-43) which warned them about straying from God’s word.   The people of Israel had become just as evil and possibly more evil then the neighbors around her.
• Related Prophecies about Babylon (Isaiah 13:1-4, 39:1-8, Micah 4:10)
• The Israelites began to worship the god Baal after the kingdoms had split into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms.
• The Israelites were held captive for 70 years as a punishment for how they treated the land, which was sacred in God’s eyes.  They were to plant and harvest for 6 years and then let the fields rest the 7th year.  After the 7th cycle, the year of Jubilee was declared.  Here the slaves and prisoners would be freed, debts would be forgiven and the mercies of God would be manifested. (Leviticus 25:8-13)   Approximately 490 years had passed since God’s decree, which would equal 70 Sabbath years.   (2 Chronicles 36:15-21).
• God was very patient with his people and warned them through the Prophets.
• The Jewish people had become comfortable with the Babylonian lifestyle there as only 50,000 returned with Nehemiah and Ezra later.
• Overview
• The main message of the Book of Daniel: GOD is sovereign over all human history: Past, Present, and Future.
• The Importance of the Book of Daniel: We should spend less time wondering when future events will occur and more time learning how we should live now.   
• Verses 1:1-4    History of the Attack and Capture..
• It was typical for Babylon to take the young, powerful, wealthy, and well educated and train them.  The most promising trainees would become officials and mentors to the King.   This included a 3 year training period where they learn the Babylonian literature, language, customs, and philosophy.
• God gave them knowledge and skills in literature and wisdom.
• Nebuchadnezzar would also brainwash his captives to change their ways of thinking.  This is the same ploy that Satan and his demons can use on us as well.
• Jehoiakim was King of Judah during the besiege by Nebuchadnezzar.   (2 Kings 24:1-4, 2 Chronicle 36:5-8)
• Verses 1:5-10   The Training of Daniel and his 3 friends.
• In verse 8 we see that Daniel did not compromise himself to the Babylonian lifestyle.   Later in verse 12 he offered a solution as a test.
• The Chaldean diet was not kosher according to the Jewish law.   Meat and wine were both offered to the pagan gods of Babylon.
• To resolve means to be devoted to principle and committed to a course of action.   Daniel was resolved not to defile himself, he was being true to a lifelong determination to do what was right and not give in to the pressures around him.   Daniel and his friends made their decisions to be faithful to the laws of GOD before they were faced with the King’s decrees.   They stuck with their convictions.
• In verse 9, GOD moved with an unseen hand to change the heart of the Babylonian official.
• In verse 10, by disobeying the King, the official could had been executed.   Even though this seems to be a small matter, the official feared for his life.
• Countenance is defined as ‘appearance’.
• Verses 1:11-17   Daniel’s Compromise.
• Daniel negotiated with the official so that he did not compromise on living by GOD’s standard.   Daniel negotiated an experiment or test instead.   Even though Daniel and his friends were being schooled on the Babylonian ways, they all remained loyal to GOD.
• Verses 1:18-21   The Appointment of Daniel and his Friends to Serve King.
• Nebuchadnezzar put Daniel and his friends on his staff as advisors.   This staff also included magicians and enchanters.   These were astrologers who claimed to be able to tell the future.   There messages were made authoritative to make it sound like it came from the God’s.   
• GOD blessed Daniel and his friends with wisdom and understanding, helping them to be accepted by the King.
• Daniel was a spokesman for GOD to the Babylonians as Babylon was a wicked nation.   Daniel was an influence upon the Babylonian Empire during his time.
• Conclusion
• Daniel and his friends refused to live it up as the Babylonians did.  This is a good example for us today, and especially for our children.
• Daniel had wisdom, which Solomon had also prayed for as well.
• There's a difference between Knowledge and Wisdom.
• Definition of Knowledge: information, understanding, or skill that you get from experience or education; awareness of something : the state of being aware of something
• Definition of Wisdom:  knowledge that is gained by having many experiences in life, the natural ability to understand things that most other people cannot understand, knowledge of what is proper or reasonable, good sense or judgment
• Wisdom is a gift from GOD which we should be thankful for.   We will be held accountable for the gifts God has given us.   (Acts 17:26)
• If you were in Daniel’s shoes, do you think you would deny the King's decree for diet?
• Daniel used a diplomatic approach when denying the King’s request.   How do we tend to respond to others when we disagree with them?
• Do we conform to the ways of the world?
• What 1 or 2 things did you learn from this lesson from Daniel 1?