Daniel 2

​Nebuchadnezzar is a world leader whom God had a word. But how do you reach the king of the strongest empire on the planet, Babylon? Answer is you send him a dream. The king had a sleepless night (something that happens in Scripture not infrequently) and his spirit is distressed. The king comes up with a most interesting proposal to his fortune-tellers. He commands them to tell him what his dream is or else they will be ripped to smithereens. The soothsayers think he is being unreasonable and offer a good dose of common sense. They say that no human being can do what you’re asking so be fair. But Nebuchadnezzar’s word is firm and since they are stalling and scheming ways out of it the king orders their destruction. In the process of eradicating his wise men, one of them, Daniel by name is dragged to be destroyed. Daniel though tactfully asks what all the commotion is about. Arioch the king’s henchman explains to him the situation. Daniel went to the king asked for some time that he might show the king the interpretation. Strange enough, the king grants Daniel time.
Daniel heads straight home and calls together his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. They had a prayer meeting and sought the mercy of God concerning this mystery. Sometime in the night the same God that sent Nebuchadnezzar the dream is the same one who sent Daniel the dream with its interpretation.  Once Daniel receives it he takes it as an occasion to bless the Lord. His priorities are toward the Lord.
Daniel ends up being rushed in to the king’s presence. After a brief exchange, Daniel wants to give a disclaimer before he goes ahead with the dream’s interpretation. It is simply that it is not about how wise a person I am but that God wants you to know the thoughts of your mind. The humility Daniel exudes with is a character of a righteous man in exile. He is humbled by all the events occurring and trusts God’s rule in human affairs.
Daniel then proceeds to tell the king the dream. It is a tall image of a man made of various metals from head to toe. Along with this is the drama of a stone, uncut by human hands crushes the statue, but the stone became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. The following is the interpretation of the dream according to Daniel:
Nebuchadnezzar you are given a kingdom to rule here on the earth by God. You are the head of gold.
Two more kingdoms shall come after yours and then the fourth kingdom (Daniel spends most time on this one)… which has partly iron and partly clay mixed together. These two elements do no mix together and are weak. But God will set up a kingdom that will bring an end to all these kingdoms. In the end, God’s kingdom alone will last and reign supreme. O king, pay attention to that stone because it is not made with human hands and is divine in origin. It is this kingdom that breaks apart all the kingdoms of the world. God alone who is great has made this known to you so that you see what is to come. As sure as I am standing here it will come to pass.
Nebuchadnezzar is floored. He praises the God of Daniel and gives gifts and offerings to him. The king’s confession is not one to overlook: truly your God is Lord of kings and reveals mysteries. Daniel is lifted up in the kingdom of Babylon along with his three friends. God is good.
This dream is sent from God to show the enduring power of the kingdom of God and the futility and brittleness of human fiefdoms. This rock is the One that triumphs over all. God sends it, God relativizes, God endures because He is the King of this kingdom. Jesus Christ is the king of this kingdom who shall never pass away. Become His loyal servant today and come to life in the kingdom of God and believe the good news…Jesus Christ is our king, let us worship Him today. Amen.

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