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Daniel 2:1–23 (The king’s dream)

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called Daniel: Stories and Visions, and today’s passage is a story which involves two visions (two for the price of one): the initial dream God gave to King Nebuchadnezzar, and then the vision God also gave to Daniel in answer to prayer. (Read Daniel 2:20–21 and pray.)

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Today we want to talk about power and wisdom. As humans, we like to think we are powerful and wise, but even the most powerful person on earth pales in comparison to God’s power, and the wisest person on earth does not even come close to God’s wisdom. All true power and wisdom belong to God, and any power or wisdom we exercise here on earth comes from him.

Our passage today begins with a focus on the king’s power, then moves to a focus on Daniel’s wisdom, and finally brings us to our main focus, which is the power and wisdom of God.

I. The king’s power (1–13)

Let’s look at the king’s power first.

   A. A troubling dream (1–4)

King Nebuchadnezzar’s story begins with a troubling dream. Look at verses 1–4:

In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.” Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” (Dan. 2:1–4)

This takes place early in Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. He has a series of dreams, or more likely a recurring dream, that troubles him so deeply he can’t sleep. He calls for the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers—basically everyone who might help him with the dream—to tell him what he had dreamed. Notice he summons them so they can tell him his dream, not so he can tell them his dream. This could simply mean telling him what his dream meant, but we will soon see he means this very literally.

Daniel tells us they answered the king in Aramaic, and at this point the text actually shifts into Aramaic for the rest of chapter 2 and all the way through chapter 7. We mentioned this in our introduction to the book of Daniel. Although most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, there are a few sections written in Aramaic (Ezra 4:8–6:18; 7:12–26; Daniel 2:4b–7:28; Jeremiah 10:11; and even a short phrase in Genesis 31:47). This section in Daniel is the longest of them. Aramaic was the common language of the empire at that time. All the action in these chapters takes place in Aramaic, so Daniel writes it down in Aramaic as well.

The astrologers begin by addressing the king: “O king, live forever!” This was a common phrase of courtesy when addressing the king. Yet it’s ironic here, because his dream will soon reveal that he’s not going to live forever, nor will his kingdom.

They then ask the king, “Tell us the dream, and we will interpret it.” As far as they knew, the king had made a reasonable request. This is exactly what they were trained to do. They even had “dream manuals” in those days with all sorts of instructions for interpreting various types of dreams.

   B. An unreasonable request (5–11)

However, they apparently misunderstood him, because the king wants them to tell him both the dream and its interpretation. This was, of course, an unreasonable request. Look at verses 5–7:

The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.” Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” (Dan. 2:5–7)

They are happy to give him the interpretation if he will only tell them the dream, but the king insists that they provide both the dream and the interpretation. He tells them he has “firmly decided.” His mind is made up, and he threatens severe punishment if they fail to comply. At the same time, he promises great reward if they succeed.

The wise men repeat their request, but they don’t make any headway. Look at verses 8–9:

Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me the dream, there is just one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.” (Dan. 2:8–9)

They keep going back and forth. The king keeps saying, “Tell me the dream and the interpretation.” The wise men keep responding, “Tell us the dream, and then we we’ll give you the interpretation.” But the king insists, “Tell me the dream, so I will know you are giving me the right interpretation.”

The king is losing patience. He thinks they are stalling (and they probably are). He accuses them of conspiring together. If he tells them the dream now, they might simply make something up. This dream troubles him deeply, and he wants to be sure he gets the right interpretation. He threatens punishment again, but this time there is no offer of reward. The wise men are caught in an escalating conflict with the king, and the king holds all the power.

Still, they continue trying to persuade him. Look at verses 10–11:

The astrologers answered the king, “There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.” (Dan. 2:10–11)

The wise men offer three objections. First, “There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks.” That’s a true statement. Secondly, “No king has ever asked what the king asks.” This may or may not be true, but it is the only instance we have recorded. Thirdly, “What the king asks is too difficult. Only the gods can do that, and they do not live with men.” The irony for us as Christians is that the wise men are right—yes, only God can do what the king asks—but they didn’t know that one day God would come to live with men in the person of Jesus Christ.

   C. A foolish decree (12–13)

The king now moves from an unreasonable request to a foolish decree. Look at verses 12–13:

This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death. (Dan. 2:12–13)

The situation continues to escalate. The king’s threat now becomes an official decree. He is so enraged that he orders not only the execution of the men standing before him, but of all the wise men of Babylon. This includes Daniel and his friends. They are not magicians or astrologers, but they are still counted among the king’s advisors.

This is a foolish decree. The king has power, but he has no wisdom. He can speak a single word and all the wise men in his empire will be executed. That’s power, but there is no wisdom in it. It is pure foolishness. First, he is demanding something that is impossible for them to do. Secondly, it’s foolish because he didn’t even consult all the wise men, only some of them, yet he intends to execute all of them. And thirdly, it’s foolish because once he kills them, he won’t have any wise men left, and he clearly needs them, because he is not very wise himself. The king has power, but he has no wisdom at all.

II. Daniel’s wisdom (14–18)

Next, the story shifts from a focus on the king’s power to a focus on Daniel’s wisdom.

   A. A wise response (14–16)

In contrast to the king’s foolish decree, we now see Daniel’s wise response. Look at verses 14–16:

When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. (Dan. 2:14–16)

When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard (also known as the chief executioner), goes forth to carry out the decree, Daniel speaks to him with wisdom and tact. We’ve already seen Daniel’s wisdom in the way he approached the royal guard back in chapter one. Now he approaches Arioch in the same way.

First, he establishes common ground. He asks, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” It seems everyone recognizes that the king’s order is both harsh and unreasonable, but what can you do? He’s the king. After Arioch explains the situation, Daniel goes to the king and asks for more time. Arioch likely arranged this meeting for him, since you couldn’t simply walk in on the king unannounced.

God shows Daniel favor. When the astrologers asked the king for more time, he accused them of stalling. But when Daniel asks for time, the king grants it. Remember, the king was especially impressed with Daniel and his friends after their initial training. Daniel must also have approached the king with wisdom and humility, because he succeeds in persuading the king to give him time to interpret the dream.

   B. A plea for mercy (17–18)

Daniel then wisely gathers his friends and urges them all to pray for God’s mercy and help in this situation. Look at verses 17–18:

Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. (Dan. 2:17–18)

Daniel goes to his friends and asks for help. Notice that they are identified by their Hebrew names here. Babylon may have given them new names, but they maintain their identity as God’s people.

Daniel urges them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven. Daniel knew that only God could do what the king demanded. The gods may not live with men on earth, but Daniel knows that the true God can speak with men on earth. And so, Daniel and his friends engage in an all night prayer meeting. (It’s amazing how attendance at prayer meeting increases when your life is on the line.)

Daniel showed wisdom in all of this. He persuaded Arioch, the commander, to give him an audience with the king, and he was able to convince the king to grant him additional time.

He was also wise to ask his friends to join him in prayer. Why? Because Daniel had wisdom, but he did not have power. He was not able to tell the king both the dream and its interpretation. So, he very wisely turned to God in prayer. It is always wise to pray, and even wiser to enlist the prayers of others.

III. The power and wisdom of God (19–23)

The final part of our passage focuses on the power and wisdom of God. It’s interesting how these twin themes weave throughout the entire story. The king had power but not wisdom. Daniel had wisdom but not power. But God has both. In fact, power and wisdom belong to God. Look at verses 19–20:

During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.” (Dan. 2:19–20)

Sure enough, during the night, God reveals the mystery to Daniel. Whether God did this through a vision or a dream is not clear, but God gave Daniel both the dream and its interpretation.

Daniel’s first response is to praise the God of heaven. Rather than rushing to his friends or hurrying to the king, Daniel pauses to worship. And so, we have this beautiful prayer recorded for us in verses 20–23. The narrative would still flow smoothly if we skipped from verse 19 straight to verse 24. But thankfully, Daniel didn’t skip saying this prayer or preserving it for us.

Power and wisdom belong to God. They originate with him. Any power or wisdom we possess in this life comes from God, because he is the source of all power and wisdom. Daniel understood this, and as he thanked and praised God for answering his prayer, he especially praised God for his power and his wisdom.

   A. God’s power – over creation and history (20–21)
      – Genesis 1:14–15, 8:21–22

First, he focuses on God’s power over creation and history. The king had earthly power, but God has ultimate power. The king could execute anyone he wished within his kingdom, but God has sovereign power over all creation and history. Look at verses 20–21:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.” (Dan. 2:20–21)

Here we see God’s power displayed in two ways: first, in his sustaining of creation, and secondly, in his sovereign control over human history and events.

When Daniel says that God “changes times and seasons,” he is speaking of God’s power over creation. From the very beginning, God created the times and the seasons and set them in motion with the creation of the universe (Gen. 1:14–15). The more we learn about the universe, the more I am amazed at the incredible power of God—the delicate balance of forces and gravitational pulls required simply to keep the earth spinning on its axis and revolving around the sun. These are all necessary for the changing of the times and the seasons.

But God not only set these things in motion. He continues to sustain them by his awesome power. After the flood, God told Noah: “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Gen. 8:22). Only God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, could make and keep such a promise.

Daniel tells us God also has power over human history and events. In verse 21 we read that God “sets up kings and deposes them.” As we will see later in the chapter, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is all about the rise and fall of kingdoms and God’s power and sovereignty over the affairs of men. When God revealed the dream and its interpretation to Daniel, Daniel could only worship him for his awesome power over human history and its events.

   B. God’s wisdom – revealed to man (21–22)
      – Isaiah 55:8–9; Matthew 11:25–26; 1 Timothy 1:17

Now, can you imagine if you or I had such power? Can you imagine a Hitler or a Mussolini with that kind of power? So much power concentrated in a single human being is a terrifying thought—the power to do whatever you wanted, whenever you pleased. I know I couldn’t handle that. I don’t have the wisdom to handle such power correctly, to know how to use it for the good of the world rather than for harm.

But God is not only all powerful; he is also all wise. 1 Timothy 1:17 describes him as “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God.” God is perfect in wisdom. We may be wise in some areas and deficient in others, but God is wise in all things.

And so, Daniel praises God not only for his power but also for his wisdom. And he especially focuses on God’s wisdom as revealed to man. Look at verses 21–22 with me now:

“He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” (Dan. 2:21–22)

Nothing is hidden from God. He knows what dwells in the darkness. He knows every secret. He knows your past, he knows your struggles in the present, and he knows what lies around the bend. He knows your deepest needs and understands exactly what makes you tick. He knows you better than you know yourself.

But God not only knows the deep and hidden things. He also reveals them. Jesus prayed to the Father concerning the kingdom of God: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure” (Matt. 11:25–26).

God knows what lies hidden in the darkness, and light dwells with him. Daniel praises God for his wonderful wisdom in revealing to him the king’s dream and its interpretation.

   C. Our response – thanksgiving and praise (23)

So what should our response be to all of this? We should offer thanksgiving and praise to our all wise and all powerful God. That’s exactly what Daniel did. Look at verse 23:

“I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” (Dan. 2:23)

Any power or wisdom we enjoy in life comes from God, and he is worthy of all praise. Daniel gave thanks and praise to the God who answered their prayer and made known to them the king’s dream.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, God is sovereign. Power and wisdom belong to him. He rules over creation and history. He imparts wisdom to man and reveals the deep and hidden things. Our proper response is praise and worship, thankfulness and humility.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is called the power and wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24). This is because God’s salvation of sinners was accomplished through Christ. It has been said that more power was needed for salvation than for creation, because creation met with no opposition, but salvation met head on with the full resistance of sinful man. The Bible calls creation the work of God’s fingers, but salvation the work of God’s arm (Ps. 8:3; Luke 1:51).

Salvation was not only a work of God’s power; it was also a work of God’s wisdom. God loved us and did not want to punish us, yet he is also a just God and must punish sin. In his love, he desired to forgive sin, but in his justice, he could not overlook sin. Only the wisdom of God could reconcile human sin with divine justice, and God accomplished this through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus offered himself on our behalf as the perfect sacrifice for sin. He died on the cross and rose again by the power of God, and now everyone who places their faith in him receives the free gift of eternal life.

Jesus Christ is the power and wisdom of God. Let us trust him, seek him and follow him. Let us worship him and serve him with our lives.

© Ray Fowler

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