Daniel 2:1-23
“And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams.
So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.” (Daniel 2:1-3)
About a year and a half after Daniel had been taken captive, and even before he had completed his college course, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that woke him up. They left him upset and unable to get back to sleep. Since he didn’t like missing his sleep, he called for everyone who seemed to have any kind of knowledge beyond what everybody knew to tell him why he was having the dreams.
Magicians are people who know how to do things that seem impossible, usually through some kind of deception, but it appears real. Their efforts to understand and apply mechanical and chemical properties laid a foundation for modern day science.
Astrologers are people who believe the stars control what happens on earth, and attempt to explain them by observing the stars. The present day sciences of Astronomy and navigation are products of their observations.
Sorcerers claim to have access to supernatural knowledge from spirit beings, often using drugs or trances to access the information. Frequently they have books of information other sorcerers have supposedly learned. Much of modern day medicine is an outgrowth of their efforts to learn the effects of different plants and concoctions on the human body.
The Chaldeans were culture that had developed shortly after the flood and were one of the first groups to develop a system of writing. They had historical records dating back to the flood. They could compare the current events to what had happened in the past to get a feel for what was happening and would happen at the present time. In essence they were the earliest historians and philosophers.
In calling for these four groups, Nebuchadnezzar was seeking the advice of the best scientific, historical and medical advice available for an explanation as to why he was having the dreams. Unfortunately, because they wanted to profit from their knowledge, most of them tried to conceal the source of their information by claiming they had received it through some supernatural process.
“Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.
The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. But if ye show the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore show me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.” (Daniel 2:4-6)
Before they could compare it to other historical events to make a prediction, the Chaldeans needed to know what the dream consisted of. They asked in the ancient Syriack language to make the question seem more impressive.
Part of what made it so troubling was that Nebuchadnezzar couldn’t remember the dream, but he wasn’t stupid. If their knowledge really came through supernatural knowledge, surely one of them would know what the dream was without his having to tell them. When they described it, he was sure he would remember enough to know if they were telling the truth, and the fact they were right would indicate they probably were giving a valid translation. The inability to tell the dream would indicate their supernatural powers were fraudulent. While he was willing to pay for valid information, Nebuchadnezzar would not stand for being lied to. It is too bad more leaders don't insist on verifying their advisors qualifications before taking their advice.
“They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation of it.
The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation thereof.” (Daniel 2:7-9)
Like Nebuchadnezzar, the wise men were sure he would remember the dream and know if they were making it up, so they insisted he had to tell them. This convinced Nebuchadnezzar they didn’t really have supernatural powers and were just looking for time to make up a good enough story to fool him. He would execute them if they couldn’t tell him the dream.
“The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” (Daniel 2:10-11)
The Chaldeans rarely claimed supernatural powers, although they were held to be smarter than most people because of their knowledge of history. They insisted that it was unfair to ask anyone, even those who claimed supernatural powers to tell what one had dreamed. Even lesser spirits than a god would be unable to answer such a question.
“For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.” (Daniel 2:12-13)
Concluding they were all a bunch of frauds, Nebuchadnezzar ordered that every educated person be executed, including the students. As students, Daniel and the other captives were to slain also.
“Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king?
Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation.” (Daniel 2:14-16)
When they came to execute him, Daniel did not accuse them of being unfair or threaten them. Instead he asked why there was such a r ush to kill them when he wasn‘t even aware of a problem. Upon learning the reason, Daniel asked to speak to the king. He then asked Nebuchadnezzar for time to pray and see what God would say. Recognizing it was a reasonable request, Nebuchadnezzar gave him permission.
“Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.” (Daniel 2:17-18)
Daniel enlisted his friends in praying that God would give the answer so they didn’t have to be killed even if all the others were.
“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.” (Daniel 2:19-23)
When God answered their prayers, Daniel took time to thank God for his answer, acknowledging his power to establish or destroy kings and his great knowledge and wisdom, and that hw allows man to know some of what he knows. .
“And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams.
So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.” (Daniel 2:1-3)
About a year and a half after Daniel had been taken captive, and even before he had completed his college course, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that woke him up. They left him upset and unable to get back to sleep. Since he didn’t like missing his sleep, he called for everyone who seemed to have any kind of knowledge beyond what everybody knew to tell him why he was having the dreams.
Magicians are people who know how to do things that seem impossible, usually through some kind of deception, but it appears real. Their efforts to understand and apply mechanical and chemical properties laid a foundation for modern day science.
Astrologers are people who believe the stars control what happens on earth, and attempt to explain them by observing the stars. The present day sciences of Astronomy and navigation are products of their observations.
Sorcerers claim to have access to supernatural knowledge from spirit beings, often using drugs or trances to access the information. Frequently they have books of information other sorcerers have supposedly learned. Much of modern day medicine is an outgrowth of their efforts to learn the effects of different plants and concoctions on the human body.
The Chaldeans were culture that had developed shortly after the flood and were one of the first groups to develop a system of writing. They had historical records dating back to the flood. They could compare the current events to what had happened in the past to get a feel for what was happening and would happen at the present time. In essence they were the earliest historians and philosophers.
In calling for these four groups, Nebuchadnezzar was seeking the advice of the best scientific, historical and medical advice available for an explanation as to why he was having the dreams. Unfortunately, because they wanted to profit from their knowledge, most of them tried to conceal the source of their information by claiming they had received it through some supernatural process.
“Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.
The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. But if ye show the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore show me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.” (Daniel 2:4-6)
Before they could compare it to other historical events to make a prediction, the Chaldeans needed to know what the dream consisted of. They asked in the ancient Syriack language to make the question seem more impressive.
Part of what made it so troubling was that Nebuchadnezzar couldn’t remember the dream, but he wasn’t stupid. If their knowledge really came through supernatural knowledge, surely one of them would know what the dream was without his having to tell them. When they described it, he was sure he would remember enough to know if they were telling the truth, and the fact they were right would indicate they probably were giving a valid translation. The inability to tell the dream would indicate their supernatural powers were fraudulent. While he was willing to pay for valid information, Nebuchadnezzar would not stand for being lied to. It is too bad more leaders don't insist on verifying their advisors qualifications before taking their advice.
“They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation of it.
The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation thereof.” (Daniel 2:7-9)
Like Nebuchadnezzar, the wise men were sure he would remember the dream and know if they were making it up, so they insisted he had to tell them. This convinced Nebuchadnezzar they didn’t really have supernatural powers and were just looking for time to make up a good enough story to fool him. He would execute them if they couldn’t tell him the dream.
“The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” (Daniel 2:10-11)
The Chaldeans rarely claimed supernatural powers, although they were held to be smarter than most people because of their knowledge of history. They insisted that it was unfair to ask anyone, even those who claimed supernatural powers to tell what one had dreamed. Even lesser spirits than a god would be unable to answer such a question.
“For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.” (Daniel 2:12-13)
Concluding they were all a bunch of frauds, Nebuchadnezzar ordered that every educated person be executed, including the students. As students, Daniel and the other captives were to slain also.
“Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king?
Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation.” (Daniel 2:14-16)
When they came to execute him, Daniel did not accuse them of being unfair or threaten them. Instead he asked why there was such a r ush to kill them when he wasn‘t even aware of a problem. Upon learning the reason, Daniel asked to speak to the king. He then asked Nebuchadnezzar for time to pray and see what God would say. Recognizing it was a reasonable request, Nebuchadnezzar gave him permission.
“Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.” (Daniel 2:17-18)
Daniel enlisted his friends in praying that God would give the answer so they didn’t have to be killed even if all the others were.
“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.” (Daniel 2:19-23)
When God answered their prayers, Daniel took time to thank God for his answer, acknowledging his power to establish or destroy kings and his great knowledge and wisdom, and that hw allows man to know some of what he knows. .
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