Daniel 2-4

Daniel 2

Nebuchadnezzar is deeply troubled by recurring dreams

• He demands that the wise men:
  • Tell him the dream AND interpret it
  • OR: “you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap.”
• The Chaldeans say this is impossible 
• The king responds with rage and to kill all wise men including Daniel and friends. 

Daniel requests time and gathers his companions

• They seekGod together
• God reveals the mystery in a night vision
• Daniel responds with a hymn of praise:
  • God changes times and seasons
  • Removes and sets up kings
  • Gives wisdom

“There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…”

• Daniel stops the execution
• Attributes everything to God

Describing the dream.  A great image with:

• Head of gold → Babylon
• Silver → Medo-Persia
• Bronze → Greece
• Iron → Rome
• Iron + clay → divided kingdoms
• A stone not cut by human hands:
  • Strikes the statue
  • Destroys all kingdoms
  • Becomes a great mountain filling the earth (God’s Kingdom) 

Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges: “Your God is God of gods”

Daniel is promoted

Daniel 3

Nebuchadnezzar builds a massive golden image (interesting after his vision)

• Commands all officials to worship at the sound of music
• Refusal results in death

Certain Chaldeans accuse Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego of not worshipping. Nebuchadnezzar confronts them.

• They affirm:
  • God can deliver
  • God may choose not to
• Yet they will not bow

Furnace heated 7x hotter (killing those around it)

• They are thrown in
• A fourth figure appears
• They walk freely, unbound

They come out unharmed

• Not even the smell of fire remains

Nebuchadnezzar praises their God

Daniel 4

Nebuchadnezzar writes a proclamation declaring God’s greatness

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him. 

• A great tall tree:
  • Abundant fruit provides for all
  • Visible to the whole earth
• A “watcher”/ holy one commands:
  • Cut it down
  • Leave the stump bound in iron and bronze

Daniel is troubled by the dream but faithful to interpret

• He interprets the dream:
  • The tree was the King, great and strong
  • However, Nebuchadnezzar will be humbled
  • Will live like an animal
• Urges repentance:
  • “Break off your sins…”
  • Perhaps this can help 

The king boasts in his achievements “Is not this great Babylon…?”

• Judgment falls immediately- he hears a voice from heaven
• He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.

“I lifted my eyes to heaven…”

• Nebuchadnezzar finally acknowledges God
• His reason returns
• His kingdom is restored
• Final confession:
  • God’s ways are just
• He humbles the proud

Application

We are called to remain faithful and obey God even when there is pressure to conform. He is in control even when earthly powers seem all controlling. Give everything to God and remember He is the God of miracles!