DANIEL 2
GOD REVEALS NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM TO DANIEL
Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream that leaves him anxious and unable to sleep. He summons his magicians and sorcerers, demanding not only that they interpret the dream but also that they describe the dream itself without him revealing it. Faced with this unreasonable task, the fortune tellers have nothing to offer, and Nebuchadnezzar orders their execution. When Daniel hears of this, he requests time to speak to the king.
Daniel, along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, seeks God’s mercy and guidance. In response, God reveals both the dream and its interpretation to Daniel. Before reporting to the king, Daniel praises God for providing him knowledge and understanding.
When Daniel stands before Nebuchadnezzar, he boldly declares that it is God who revealed the mystery of the dream. Daniel describes the dream for Nebuchadnezzar, stating that his dream consisted of a giant statue made of four different types of metal: a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, middle and thighs of bronze, and legs and feet of iron and clay. In the dream, a large stone struck the feet of the statue, causing all four layers to collapse and crumble into dust.
Daniel explains the meaning of this dream, telling Nebuchadnezzar that the head of gold represents the Babylonian empire. The sections of silver, bronze, and iron, represent the three successive world powers following Babylon. From a historical context, these kingdoms will be Persia, Greece, and Rome, though this is not known to them at the time. The stone that destroys the statue represents God’s eternal kingdom, which will eventually overthrow all earthly kingdoms. Daniel trusts that God’s kingdom will be eternal, while man-made kingdoms will fall.
Nebuchadnezzar falls to his face and honors Daniel, acknowledging God as the one who revealed his dream. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are given higher positions of power within Babylon.
Daniel 2:20-22 - Daniel answered and said: “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.”
