2. The supremacy of God (vv. 28-29)
“But there is a God in heaven who revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king, Nebuchadnezzar, what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed are these: As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter; and he who revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.”
God had given the king a dream about the “latter days,” which refers to the final portion of a time period. In this case Daniel was referring to the time of the Gentiles, extending to the millennial kingdom.
3. The attitude of Daniel (v. 30)
“But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.”
Daniel wouldn’t take any credit for knowing the king’s dream. God is the revealer of secrets. Daniel knew he had been used by God for His purposes.
Conclusion
Daniel was a man for a time of crisis. He was composed and courageous. His relationship to God was strong as seen by his communion with Him in prayer. And he had the right attitude toward others, revealed by his compassion and humility. Daniel was a rare man, and that’s why God used him the way He did. He was a choice servant.
Focusing on the Facts
1. What did George Washington mean when he said, “Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder” (see p. 1)?
2.What virtue of Daniel put him in a position to be greatly used of God (see p. 1)?
3.What was the king’s response to the dream that he received from God (Dan. 2:1; see p. 2)?
4.When was it normal for God to reveal truth in dreams? Why would it be abnormal today (see p. 2)?
5.What action did the king initially take to find answers to his dream (Dan. 2:2-3; see p. 2)?
6.What did the king’s advisors believe about dreams? What tools did they use in their analyses (see p. 3)?
7.Why did the king decide to put his court wise men to the test (see p. 4)?
8.Why didn’t God allow Nebuchadnezzar to remember his dream (see p. 4)?
9.According to Daniel 2:8-9, what was the king’s analysis of his advisors and their dream-reading system (see p. 5)?
10.What is the only source that can accurately predict the future (Dan. 2:11; see p. 5)?
11.Explain why the king wanted to destroy the wise men of Babylon (Dan. 2:11-12; see p. 6).
12.Why didn’t Daniel panic under the threat of death (see p. 6)?
13.What is significant about Arioch’s coming to arrest Daniel (see p. 7)?
14.What did the king grant to Daniel that he refused to give to the wise men (see p. 7)?
15. What gave Daniel boldness to go before Nebuchadnezzar (see p. 7)?
16.What did Daniel and his friends do with the time they’d been given to determine the dream and its interpretation (Dan. 2:17-18; see p. 8)?
17.What do we learn about God from Daniel’s prayer (Dan. 2:19-23; see pp. 8-9)?
18.How did Daniel reveal his compassion (Dan. 2:24; see p. 9)?
19. Why might Daniel have had reason to be proud? How did he demonstrate his humility (Dan. 2:30; see pp. 9-10)?
Pondering the Principles
1. Do you personally know people who consult mediums and horoscopes to gain direction for their lives? Have you offered them the Word of God as the most trustworthy guide for living? Make a brief study of the following passages to learn what you might share with them to help lead them away from their dependence on the occult to faith in God:
* occultic practices condemned by God (Ex. 22:18; Lev. 19:26, 31; 20:6; Deut. 18:10-12; Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 22:15)
* the tendency of the occult to overshadow divine truth and authority (1 Sam. 15:23; Isa. 8:19-20)
* demonic influences behind the occult (Acts 16:16-18)
* the impotence of occultic practices before God (Isa. 44:24-25; Acts 16:18)
* the association of the occult with false prophets (Jer. 27:9-10)
* the consequences of occultic practices (1 Chron. 10:13-14; 2 Chron. 33:6, 9-11)
Use these passages to direct your friends toward faith in God: Deuteronomy 29:29; Isaiah 46:9-10; 55:6-8; John 8:12; 16:13.
2.How does your character hold up under crisis? What was the last crisis you faced? How long did it take before you prayed to the Lord for guidance and strength? Do you feel you were fully trusting God for the outcome? Are you spiritually prepared for the next crisis? How do you feel you can best prepare yourself for it? Meditate on the following to increase your confidence in the Lord’s protection and deliverance: Psalms 4, 23, 27, and 34.
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
