Daniel: Faithfulness In Exile - Week 2
Daniel 2:1-49
〰️
The Everlasting Kingdom
〰️
Daniel 2:1-49 〰️ The Everlasting Kingdom 〰️
We're in week two of our series, Daniel: Faithfulness In Exile. Even if we spent a whole month on this chapter, we could only scratch the surface of what has to offer. Because this is such a lengthy passage, we won't be able to touch on everything, especially in one week. With that said, it'll feel like we're moving at 10x speed, so if there are any observations or things that stick out to you or your people, write them down and share them with your group! As always, these guides are meant to be a framework for your discussion and give a brief explanation of the passage, not necessarily an in-depth commentary.
In Chapter 1, we read a story following Daniel and co.'s experience facing indoctrination. The closing verses of Chapter 1 tell us that God gave them “knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind.” (v17). In Chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar has a terrifying dream that he desperately needs to have interpreted. Here, we see the roots of Nebuchadnezzar’s fear. The king has placed himself on the throne, worshiping and seeking to satiate his own greatness. There are notes of this all throughout Scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments. In Genesis, Adam and Eve took it upon themselves to play god by eating the fruit, attempting to gain divine wisdom (Genesis 3:1-6). Only a few chapters later, people sought to build a tower to reach the heavens and make a great name for themselves (11:1-9). Saul sought control and power, fearful of David's inevitable reign (1 and 2 Samuel). Judas, Jesus' own disciple, desired social power and influence through money (John 12:4-6; Matthew 26:14-16). It's our default, contaminated by sin, to seek to elevate ourselves— and our desires— over anything, even God. Peter writes of this in his letter, too: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world." (1 Peter 5:6-9). In this passage, Peter is warning the readers about self-exaltation and that in the LORD's right timing, He will lift up those who, in humility, follow Him.
When we read Daniel 2, we don't yet know what the dream is about, but we do know Nebuchadnezzar's frantic response. His fear is what led him to the advice and "wisdom" of the sorcerers, magicians, and Chaldeans. This is a common response, especially to something that feels gravely threatening. It's not uncommon for unbelievers to respond to a divine encounter (such as the king and his dream) with anger, violence, and fear. Some of us might not have to think very hard to remember a time when an unbeliever responded with frustration, fear, or anger at the Word of God. God's Word is inherently offensive to us and the way we (sinfully) desire to live and act. It's the same for King Nebuchadnezzar, as he has his whole kingdom placed in view, with the threat of it being brought to ruin. He likely had a hunch as to what this vision meant but looking for a second opinion, wanted someone to explain it away.
Because of the honor and authority given to Daniel in Chapter 1, he has a place in the palace with the opportunity to overhear all that the king is experiencing. Interestingly, Daniel's first response is to return to his community of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, urging them to join him in prayer to the LORD that He might reveal the nature of the dream to them. Daniel's motivation is not entirely clear to us, but it likely stems from compassion for those facing execution and a desire for the king to witness the LORD's greatness. We've touched on this underlying theme of faithfulness to God in a pluralistic civilization, and here, in the face of danger, Daniel reminds the Babylonians that the God of Israel alone is in authority and powerful. Witnessing the world around us looks different for everyone, but we're all called to share the Gospel in word and deed with our coworkers, neighbors, and city (Matthew 28:19-20).
When Daniel returns to the king, we read that the LORD has graciously granted him the meaning and interpretation of the dream: "The mystery was then revealed to Daniel in a vision at night, and Daniel praised the God of the heavens." (v19). The meaning and purpose of the king's dream ultimately ends with the opening of his eyes to God's greatness and (possibly) his own mortality. When Daniel interprets the dream, he tells of the four parts of the statue:
The gold head is the kingdom of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar's empire (605-539 BC)
The chest and arms of silver are the Medo-Persian Empire, the empire that would follow Babylon's reign (539-331 BC).
The stomach and thighs of bronze are the Greek Empire, which would succeed the Medo-Persian Empire (331-136 BC).
The feet of mixed iron and clay represent the repeated rise and fall of the Roman Empire (146 BC-1476 AD in the West and AD 1453 in the East).¹
What is interesting about this statue is that as each successive empire gains strength (gold to silver, silver to bronze, and bronze to iron/clay), their value decreases. With what we now know about world history in mind, the strength of the materials likely represents their harsh rule over the world, and the materials' value (gold, silver, bronze, iron/clay) could represent the moral decline of these empires as they rose to power, creating and influencing culture. The vision ends with the statue and all its parts being destroyed by a stone, representing the Kingdom of God. Verse 34 reads, "As you were watching, a stone broke off without a hand touching it, struck the statue on its feet of iron and fired clay, and crushed them." When reading this with the New Testament in mind, we can learn a few things: 1) that the Kingdom of God itself will destroy and bring to ruin all earthly kingdoms, 2) that Jesus, who lived during the Roman Empire (the feet of iron and clay), would begin the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God, and 3) that it is the LORD alone who establishes rulers, authorities, and nations. Nothing comes or goes without the God’s knowing or approval. We can take comfort in His sovereignty, knowing that there is no U.S. President, foreign power, nation, or local governmental authority who sneaks by our God. Particularly for us in the West, election years can bring out the worst in communities. But we can take a deep breath and remember that the God we love and serve is in control. He alone establishes and removes leaders. This passage clearly shows the LORD's goodness and eternal wisdom as He gave the king this dream. The LORD's knowledge, wisdom, and power go beyond our understanding and can provide comfort and hope.
After hearing the interpretation of his dream, it appears as if Nebuchadnezzar is satisfied with the interpretation of his dream and pays “homage” to Daniel (ESV). CSB translation says that Nebuchadnezzar “worshiped” Daniel, but the original language leans more towards “honor,” rather than actual worship. In the Hebrew language the word for “worshiped” is sᵊḡiḏ, which translates: “to prostrate oneself, do homage, worship.”² This may not inherently mean that Nebuchadnezzar was worshiping Daniel in the sense that we understand it, but he certainly didn’t recognize the LORD as the one and only God.
Regardless, because of Daniel's faithfulness to the LORD, he is promoted in the king's court and is further granted, by God's grace, authority and blessing. When we read such a conclusion to a story, we should not be motivated by the results of faithfulness but by the origin of it. Daniel was not faithful to God because he desired something from Him, but because it was right and honoring to the LORD. If Daniel had remained faithful but received no blessing or favor, the takeaway for us would be unchanged. God blessed Daniel because of his faithfulness in the face of danger.
Discussion Questions
What stood out to you from the passage?
Does anything in this passage remind you of another part of Scripture?
Do you have any questions?
How do you see Jesus in this passage?
In what ways do you want to elevate yourself to the place of "god"?
In v1-13, Nebuchadnezzar is plagued with fear of losing his kingdom. How can we resist this same temptation to glorify ourselves and our accomplishments?
Reread v17-19. What was Daniel's first inclination when presented with difficulty? How does that compare to our instinctual response?
Could someone explain the meaning or interpretation of the dream?
What do the different parts of the statue represent?
Rereading v44, how does this give us hope as we trust in and follow Jesus?
1. Christian Standard Bible: Study Notes (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Daniel 2:31–45.
2. Strong’s H5457 - sᵊḡiḏ