Daniel 2 What I Dreamt

Nebuchadnezzar asks all the men of wisdom; “Tell me what I dreamt and its meaning.” NO man can. Daniel prays and God gives the answers.

In most of the stories in the bible, when they count time, the day the event happens is called “1” or the “first year.” The first anniversary of the event is the “second year.” This holds true in some countries today, but not in my country; the United States of America. For us the “second year” doesn’t begin until after the second anniversary of the event. I say this because we are given a timeline moment to affix our story to. I’m going to assume that they used the first method of marking time for our story, making this event take place anywhere in between the first and second anniversary of Nebuchadnezzar taking the throne. And Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem during his “first year” (before the first anniversary of taking the throne). So, we are in Daniel’s “first anniversary” or second year period as well.

The reason this is important in my mind is the speed with which God distinguished Daniel above all those around him. Daniel doesn’t have years to develop the wisdom or understanding that he displays. He demonstrates it on a continual basis, including interpreting dreams. We don’t get to see Daniel’s earlier encounters with this gift. What we do see is that HE was sought out as one of the ‘wise men’ who needed to be killed because they failed the king. And we see the respect of his talents in the fact that the sentence is forestalled while he seeks an answer. With these “WOW” events in mind, let’s rejoin our story. Lead on Holy Spirit and we will follow.

♥ ♦ ♥

“Would you look at this place” exclaims Mishael. “And it’s ALL OURS!”

The four friends explore their new home. It isn’t huge, but it has sleeping areas for all of them, a cooking and dining space, an open fireplace, and four chairs resting near it for time spent in casual comfort. It also boasts of a small garden. Waste depositories were on the edge of the city, but this home has an urn that has a cap and can be put on a pole and carried to the depository when ‘nature’ wouldn’t wait for the trip. The friends vow to NEVER use it, as it would be defiling.

The first two weeks in their new home bring up issues they haven’t had to deal with before in their lives. Who does the cooking? Who does the cleaning? What chores MUST be done, and what ones can be let go?

Until coming to this land, each of the young men were part of a family. Their ima’s dealt with the home chores, and their abba’s the outside ones. While in the king’s palace, servants took care of cleaning up after all the young men. And that group could be quite messy! Now, the four friends have to manage all this on their own. It quickly becomes apparent who the ‘messy’ ones are and who the ‘neat freaks’ are.

“You need to clear your dish before dumping it in the bin for washing” Azariah tells Hananiah.

“Who keeps leaving their sandals in the middle of the floor” grumbles Daniel. “I keep tripping over them. They belong by the door.”

“I’m not washing EVERYONE’S laundry on my own! You need to do your own clothes” says Hananiah.

“Whose turn was it to…” becomes a familiar phrase when some task goes undone.

By the end of the second week, they have an equitable schedule of chores established, including weekly turns for washing, as no one person has enough laundry to do alone. Life settles down for them after this.

They all also enjoy the privacy having a home of their own. They still go to the palace daily for their lessons, but their ‘off hours’ are theirs to enjoy in private. The absence of noise from 96 other young men makes their evenings relaxing. They are able to spend time studying without the added distraction.

Daniel is a wonder to behold in and out of the classroom. There is not a subject he doesn’t quickly grasp and find ways to put into practice. His three friends are hot on his heels with their learning as well. But there is one area where Daniel outshines EVERYONE, including some of the king’s best wise men. This area is interpreting dreams.

Daniel KNOWS that this is a gift from his God. He takes no credit for it, and always tells those seeking interpretation exactly where the interpretation comes from. Daniel also credits his ability to learn and put into practice his studies to the Lord. Daniel is a humble young man.

His skills though, have not gone unnoticed by those in authority. They haven’t reached the king’s ears, but his teachers, the guards, and even some of the king’s wise men have heard of Daniel’s gifts. And they have come to respect those gifts and the young man who wields them.

King Nebuchadnezzar wakes in the middle of the night with a start. He has just had the most intense dream. It calls to him even now that he is awake.  He is certain it has meaning that he MUST uncover.

He can sleep no longer, no matter how hard he tries. “I might as well get up and start the day” he tells himself.

As he dresses, he starts thinking about how to uncover the meaning of this dream. “I MUST make certain that the meaning of this dream is true and accurate. Too many times, I have asked for interpretations only to have the ‘wise men’ and ‘seers’ throw out something they think I want to hear.”

Nebuchadnezzar wrestles with his problem all through his morning meal. Finally, an idea comes to him. “I won’t tell them the dream. If a man can truly see into the spiritual world, he will be able to tell ME what I dreamt, and then interpret it.” The king firmly fixes this plan in his heart.

As soon as he reaches his throne room, Nebuchadnezzar summons from the Chaldean people, all the magicians, the enchanters, and the sorcerers. He paces his throne room as he awaits their arrival. He hears footsteps in the hallway, so he halts his pacing and goes to sit on his throne. It would not do for them to see their king so distraught.

When the men enter, they come in as three separate groups. The magicians stand to the north, the sorcerers to the south, and the enchanters between them. All bow low to the king. Nebuchadnezzar waits until the formalities are concluded. He wants to hurry them, but that would show his anxiousness as well.

All the people are ready. Nebuchadnezzar begins. “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream” (Daniel 2:3).

Nods abound in the three groups. The enchanters are the most skilled at interpreting dreams, so their leader speaks. “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation” (Daniel 2:4).

“Here comes the test” Nebuchadnezzar says to himself. To the groups gathered before him, he says; “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation” (Daniel 2:5-6).

The men in each group look at one another in confusion. “Maybe he doesn’t understand how this works. Or maybe he didn’t hear our teacher ask his question” thinks several of those gathered around him. The spokesperson is one of those wondering at the king’s understanding of the process. He tries again.

“Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation” Daniel 2:7).

Nebuchadnezzar’s voice take on an edge of steel as he restates HIS command. “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— ⁹ if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation” (Daniel 2:8-9).

They all look at Nebuchadnezzar as if he has just grown a third eye! “He has got to be kidding!” they all think in unison. The spokesman continues to act on behalf of all the groups.

“There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean.  The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh” (Daniel 2:10-11).

Nebuchadnezzar’s voice shakes the panes in the windows as he roars. “What do you mean that NO ONE can tell me what I want to know? I DEMAND that someone do so RIGHT NOW or ALL your lives are forfeit!”

All the men tremble as they look to one another. This thing cannot be done, and to pretend will be worse than admitting they are helpless. Nebuchadnezzar waits a full minute, watching to see if anyone will step up. When no one does, he issues another command.

“ALL the wise men in Babylon are to be destroyed!”

“ALL of them, my king? What of the wise men who are not Chaldeans? Such as those in training from Judah.”

“I SAID ALL OF THEM!” roars Nebuchadnezzar.

Everyone scurries from the room. The Chaldeans who were standing before the king are taken into custody immediately. They are brought to the dungeon to await their counterparts.

“Do you think he is really going to kill us? For not being able to tell him his own dream?”

“You saw his face. It was murderous. Our lives are as good as gone.”

As distasteful as the king’s command is, his soldiers begin rounding up all the wise men within the city. They will not stop until every last one is in custody. Once they are all rounded up, the executions will begin.

Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, personally seeks out Daniel and his friends.  He doesn’t have to search hard. They have heard the edict and have come to ask questions regarding it.

Daniel sees Arioch on the street approaching him. He has not heard of the king’s command. He greets Arioch politely.

“I regret to inform you Belteshazzar that I must arrest you.”

“Why? What crime have I committed? What wrong have I done?”

“You have personally done no wrong. But the king has commanded that ALL the wise men in Babylon be killed. I was coming to find you and your friends, as you are among the wise men.”

“I am honored to receive such a title, but why does the king want to kill all the wise men in Babylon?”

“He has asked them to interpret his dream for him, but he will not tell them the dream. He believes that a true interpretation could only come from one who can tell him what he dreamt. When no one could do this, he ordered all the wise men killed. And he is serious about his order.”

“May I go and appeal to the king to allow me the opportunity to do as he asks?”

“I will allow you to do this, but if you fail to answer the king’s demand, I cannot say what he will do to you.”

“You are very kind. You need not worry about me. If I fail, then I will die with the rest of the wise men without complaint.”

Daniel goes to the palace and makes an appointment with the king’s secretary. “I will come tomorrow and, Lord willing, bring the answer the king seeks.”

“I hope you can, for the king is in great distress.”

Daniel returns home and quickly tells his friends what he has learned. “We need to pray. Not just for our own safety, but for all those who advise the king. What he asks cannot be done by man. Only our God can do this. We have to ask for His wisdom.”

All the friends agree. They join together, kneeling towards Jerusalem. “Lord God of Heaven and Earth. You are above all that is and ever will be. You reveal the mysteries to those whom You choose. You have begun to reveal something to King Nebuchadnezzar. We know that You are using him to judge Your people. Please protect Your people who are under his hand. Reveal to him the answer he seeks as it will protect Your people as well. In ALL things have Your way. Lead, and we will follow, as Your willing servants.”

After completing their prayer, the friends ready for bed. They all believe that, if God is going to reveal this mystery to any of them it will be Daniel. The friends pray silently for him as they lay on their pallets.

Daniel wonders if he will even be able to sleep tonight. Not out of doubt regarding God’s ability to do this thing for Nebuchadnezzar, but out of excitement as to what the Lord will do. “Will the Lord use me as His messenger? Or will he provide the answer another way?”

During the night, a vision comes to Daniel. It is the same dream that God had given Nebuchadnezzar. Along with the vision comes understanding. God reveals to him every portion of the dream and hides nothing. When the dream is over, Daniel wakes. “No wonder the king felt so strongly about this dream. It is indeed one he needs to understand” thinks Daniel. His next thought is to send thanks to the Lord. Daniel climbs from his bed and goes to the window in his home that faces Jerusalem. Here he kneels and offers a prayer of thanks giving to his God.

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter” (Daniel 2:20-23).

Daniel’s friends hear him as he prays. Daniel’s words let them know that the Lord has answered their prayer. No one can sleep the rest of the night. If it weren’t for the fact that the king and the man Daniel needs to see are certainly asleep, Daniel would have rushed from the house as soon as his prayer concluded. Instead, the four friends talk the rest of the night away.

Daniel is at the gates of the garrison as soon as the first rays of the sun lighten the darkness. “I need to see Arioch, the commander of the guard on a matter of utmost urgency” Daniel tells the guard.

The guard knows Daniel and that he is a man of integrity. Surely, he would not make such a request if it were not so. “I will take you to him at once.”

Daniel stands on Arioch’s quarters doorstep in minutes. He doesn’t know how this man takes to being awakened so early in the day. He is almost afraid to knock. He is saved from doing so as the guard pounds soundly on the door.

“Who is it” calls Arioch.

“It is the guard of the door with the young man Belteshazzar. He says he has urgent business with you.”

Arioch throws open his door after only a moment’s wait. “Belteshazzar! What brings you to me at this hour?”

Daniel needs no more encouragement. “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.”

“We will go and see him at once. If he is not awake yet, we will wait for him.

The two set out for the palace at a fast-paced walk. There is no time to waste. Arioch speaks with the gate at the door. “We must see the king immediately.”

“I will go and see if he is receiving petitioners.”

“Tell him it is in regard to his dream and its interpretation.”

Arioch and Daniel are escorted in as a servant is sent to the king.

Nebuchadnezzar hasn’t slept since the night of his dream. He is awake when the servant comes to him.

“My lord, Arioch asks for an audience with you at once. He says it concerns your dream.”

Nebuchadnezzar quickly dresses and goes to his throne room. Arioch and Daniel stand to one side. As soon as Nebuchadnezzar is seated, Arioch brings Daniel to the middle of the room. After a bow from both, Arioch addresses the king.

“I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation” (Daniel 2:25).

Nebuchadnezzar’s face is excited as he addresses Daniel, whom has been named Belteshazzar. “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” (Daniel 2:26).

Daniel knows that he has to get this conversation going in the right direction from the first. He cannot allow the king to assign this gift to him.

“No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.

“You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

“This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation. You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all—you are the head of gold. Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these. And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay. And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure” (Daniel 2:27-45).

By the time Daniels is through revealing the king’s dream and explaining it to him, Nebuchadnezzar is in absolute awe. He falls flat on his face before Daniel and begins honoring him for what he has done. “Great is Belteshazzar, for he is the servant of the highest order to both his God and his king.” He rises to his knees and calls out to those in the room; “Offer incense in honor of Belteshazzar’s great wisdom and understanding!”

Daniel is uncomfortable with this praise being offered to him. “My king, this dream and interpretation comes from my God, not from my own powers. Honor belongs to Him and Him alone. I am but His humble servant.”

Nebuchadnezzar is even in greater awe of Daniel because of his humility. He honors Daniel’s request by honoring Daniel’s God. “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery” (Daniel 2:47).

Daniel is very pleased to hear the honor given where it is due. Nebuchadnezzar is still grateful to Daniel for his service. He wants to do something to reward him. “Belteshazzar, I would reward you for your service. I appoint you chief prefect over all the wise men in Babylon.”

“I am honored, my king. May I make a request?”

“You may request anything, up to half of my kingdom, and I will grant it.”

“You have three other servants whom I know would serve you well. They are skilled in wisdom and understanding, as well as servants of my God. They follow His leading, as I do. They would make excellent overseers.”

“Then they shall be placed over the provinces of Babylon. All I need to know of them is that you trust them and their judgment.”

“With my own life, my king.”

“Have them before me before the day is done.”

Daniel goes back to his home in great excitement. It is still early enough in the day. It is not time yet for them to go to the palace for their lessons, so Daniel knows that they will be waiting for his return. As soon as he opens the door, the questions begin.

“Did you see the king?” “Are we safe?” “Why are you smiling so broadly?”

“One question at a time. I did see the king. All the wise men are safe, now that the king has his answer. And my smile is because the king has elevated each of us to positions of authority. He knows the power of our God and trusts us to walk in His ways. He wants to see you all before the day is done to confer on you your new positions.”

The four friends begin hugging one another, and shouting praises to the Lord. Once their initial exuberance is exhausted, they ready for the day. Lessons first, then the king. They were not told to come immediately, so they believe they should honor their commitment to their studies.

All four friends approach the guard at the door of the throne room after their lessons have concluded.

“Hello Belteshazzar. It is nice seeing you again today. I was instructed to bring you in to see the king at once, when you arrive.”

“Has he been waiting on me all day? I did not realize he wanted to see me immediately.”

“No. He just left orders that you were to stand before him whenever you came.”

Daniel breathes a sigh of relief. He does not want to offend the king so soon after being elevated to a position of authority. “I have brought my countrymen whom I spoke with the king about earlier today. He said to have them here before end of day.”

“I will announce all of you.”

Daniel gives the guard his friends Babylonian names. It only takes a moment before the guard is back and ushering the four into the throne room.

“Belteshazzar, I’m pleased to see. Are these the countrymen you spoke of?”

“They are, my king. We came together as captives from Judah. We have all been training in the courses you set out. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and our people through in this fashion. This is Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego.” Daniel points to each as he calls out their name. They each bow as well when their Babylonian names are spoken.

“You will each serve over the affairs of the provinces of Babylon to the extent that your training has prepared you. You will also continue your training as apprentices to those who serve currently. There is much to learn of this great empire.”

“We have no doubt, my king. We are honored to be of service.” All nod in agreement with this statement.

“You will begin tomorrow. I will leave word with Ashpenaz as to your new status. He will arrange appropriate positions for each of you. As for you Belteshazzar, you will remain here as my personal advisor as well as chief over all the wise men of Babylon.”

After leaving the throne room, the four friends cannot stop talking about this day. They talk long into the night before Daniel reminds them all that they need to be fresh for their ‘new lives’ in the morning.

Things will never be the same again for these young men. They firmly believe that the Lord has a purpose for each of them in this foreign land.

(to be continued)

I wonder how uncomfortable Daniel felt while receiving the king’s praise. Did he stop him? Did he believe it best to remain silent? We aren’t told in scripture, but I have a feeling that he ‘gently’ redirected the king’s focus. Daniel KNEW where the gift came from.

I have a hard time accepting ‘praise’ for things that I do. For my voice when I sing, for the stories I write, for my sewing projects, for the village I’m building, even for how I care for my husband. I KNOW that these are all gifts from the Lord. I am excited to be able to use them to help others. I don’t know where to draw the lines though in accepting ‘praise’ for my ‘work’. I DO NOT want to become ‘puffed up’ or proud. I want to be part of blessing someone. But I also want what I do to be noticed, appreciated, and admired as good. Is this last part wrong? This is an area that I need to ask God for His direction.

Father God, THANK YOU for allowing me to bless others. I PRAY that I am not being puffed up or proud as I move into actually publishing the stories You have given me. Help me ALWAYS give the honor to You for what You have created. Help me know how to accept the portion of ‘praise’ that You deem mine to carry. I want take NONE of what belongs to You. I know I’m a LONG way from becoming ‘famous’. I pray that You help me learn the lessons I might need, if that ever actually happens. Let me serve like Daniel did. You FIRST, and then where You place me second.