Bible Study - Impact (2) - Pray Fervently - Daniel 2:13-21, 26-28a - October 25, 2015

Bible Study – Impact (2) – Pray Fervently – October 25, 2015

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Game Changer: How to Impact Your World.”

Our focus scripture is Daniel 2:13-21, 26-28a

Our prayers connect us with GOD’S plan.

Let’s read Daniel 2:1-12: (Background and Setting)

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

1 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled him, and sleep deserted him. 

This timeline could be troubling since Daniel was on a three year training program and apparently had completed it. But as I understand, the first year of the kings reign was not counted, therefore, the second year was actually the third year. Therefore, our focus scripture must have been fairly close to the end of the three year training program because Daniel and his friends apparently had not begun serving the king.

2 So the king gave orders to summon the diviner-priests, mediums, sorcerers, and Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. When they came and stood before the king, 

Those mentioned in this verse are a class of people possessed with occult learning in Babylon. A medium contacted the spirit world, cast spells; sorcerers conjured up spells and portions and had power with evil spirits; diviner-priests discerned truth and recorded sacred writings and the Chaldeans were the elite of the intelligent pool and studied astrology.

3 he said to them, "I have had a dream and am anxious to understand it." 

4 The Chaldeans spoke to the king (Aramaic begins here): "May the king live forever. Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation." 

5 The king replied to the Chaldeans, "My word is final: If you don't tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be made a garbage dump. 

6 But if you make the dream and its interpretation known to me, you'll receive gifts, a reward, and great honor from me. So make the dream and its interpretation known to me." 

7 They answered a second time, "May the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will give the interpretation." 

8 The king replied, "I know for certain you are trying to gain some time, because you see that my word is final. 

9 If you don't tell me the dream, there is one decree for you. You have conspired to tell me something false or fraudulent until the situation changes. So tell me the dream and I will know you can give me its interpretation." 

10 The Chaldeans answered the king, "No one on earth can make known what the king requests. Consequently, no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked anything like this of any diviner-priest, medium, or Chaldean. 

11 What the king is asking is so difficult that no one can make it known to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals." 

12 Because of this, the king became violently angry and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

WOW! It is so great to see the hand of GOD working. All the resources at the king’s hand are null and void. The king has a temper tantrum and likely sees that all his supposedly wise men and those who deal in witchcraft, the occult and study the heavens are frauds.

The king orders all the wise men to be killed. The stage is set for One True GOD to be glorified and get the king’s attention. This leads us into our focus scripture.

Let’s read Daniel 2:13-16:

13 The decree was issued that the wise men were to be executed, and they searched for Daniel and his friends, to execute them. 

This gives us another clue regarding the fact that this was close to the termination of the king’s three year program. Daniel and his friends had not been assimilated into service for the king.

14 Then Daniel responded with tact and discretion to Arioch (EHR-ih-ahk), the commander of the king's guard, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. 

Notice that Daniel was intelligent and diplomatic. He knew that his life was hanging in the balance. The root word used for “guard” carried the idea that person was a killer, thus Arioch was the commander of execution soldiers.

15 He asked Arioch (EHR-ih-ahk), the king's officer, "Why is the decree from the king so harsh?" Then Arioch explained the situation to Daniel. 

Daniel wanted to know, why was the decree from the king so urgent? So Arioch explained the situation to Daniel. Daniel convinced Arioch to take him to the king.

16 So Daniel went and asked the king to give him some time, so that he could give the king the interpretation.

It took courage for Arioch to allow Daniel go before the king. Daniel had confidence and trust in GOD to provide what was needed. It took faith in GOD and courage to ask the king for time.

Let’s read Daniel 2:17-21:

17 Then Daniel went to his house and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about the matter, 

We learn that Daniel and his friends had a house. Daniel goes to those who will pray with him over this matter. It is good to have friends who will join with us in times of need. Of course, this need also involved Daniel’s friends.

18 [urging] them to ask the God of heaven for mercy concerning this mystery, so Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of Babylon's wise men. 

Daniel broke the news to his friends. How do you think Daniel’s colleagues reacted when Daniel told them what the king wanted and what the consequences were if they did not produce the correct response. But likely, in Daniel’s orientation to his friends, he made the point that the king had already given them a death sentence. Now was the time to go before the One True GOD and seek HIS help and guidance.

They went before GOD and asked HIM to show them mercy by revealing this mystery. A mystery is something that will be revealed later. It was time for a serious prayer meeting.

19 The mystery was then revealed to Daniel in a vision at night, and Daniel praised the God of heaven.

A Biblical mystery is truth hidden for a period of time which is revealed later.

GOD revealed the king’s dream to Daniel and he praised GOD for the revelation. Would Daniel believe he had the truth from GOD? 

20 and declared: May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. 

Daniel responded with praises for GOD’S wisdom and power. Daniel recognized that the dream revealed the future. When GOD reveals truth, truth is confirmed in your inner being. It is a knowing. GOD’S reveal resulted in an outpouring of Daniel seeing and acknowledging the eternal nature of GOD and HIS power. Daniel continued to praise GOD and HIS sovereignty over all matters.

21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. 

Daniel saw GOD as totally in charge of all things in the universe and earth. GOD is sovereign and in control of all matters everywhere. GOD is not superficial. 

There is nothing equal to HIM or above HIM.

Do you recall scripture we had several weeks ago found in Acts 13:36?

36 For David, after serving his own generation in God's plan, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and decayed.

GOD has a plan for every person and we are born and serve in a particular time slot of life to accomplish HIS plan and purpose.

22 He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.

GOD reveals all hidden things and probes the depths of all things. If a person needs a resource, nothing can top what HE can do or reveal. This is a message to all of us to never ever limit what GOD can probe, reveal or accomplish. GOD knows what is hidden in the dark and HE can expose it to HIS light.

23 I offer thanks and praise to You, God of my fathers, because You have given me wisdom and power. And now You have let me know what we asked of You, for You have let us know the king's mystery. 

When GOD answers our request, we break out in praise and thanksgiving. 

GOD’S response blew Daniels mind because he knew that only GOD could provide the information in the king’s dream which HE had revealed to Daniel. Daniel knew that he had not dreamed up the answer. He was excited. I don’t think Daniel’s excitement was as much over the fact that GOD revealed the king’s dream to him but that GOD was with him in a wicked nation and GOD would be revealed to the king. I think he was excited to reveal to the king what the One True GOD of Israel could do that the king’s wisest and his gods could not do. Armed with the power of GOD, Daniel was ready to meet with the king.

24 Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had assigned to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He came and said to him, "Don't kill the wise men of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will give him the interpretation." 

Daniel’s first request to Arioch was for him and his men to stand down because he had what the king wanted. Confidence in what GOD reveals is vital and taking action on what HE reveals is equally vital. The One True GOD of the Israelites would also be revealed to Arioch and his soldiers.

25 Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king and said to him, "I have found a man among the Judean exiles who can let the king know the interpretation."

Notice that Arioch did not hesitate. He responded quickly and seemed to be excited that Daniel knew the king’s dream and had the interpretation.

Let’s read Daniel 2:26-28a:

26 The king said in reply to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are you able to tell me the dream I had and its interpretation?" 

27 Daniel answered the king: "No wise man, medium, diviner-priest, or astrologer is able to make known to the king the mystery he asked about. 

28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has let King Nebuchadnezzar know what will happen in the last days.

Daniel makes it a point that the king’s cadre of wise men, diviner-priest or astrologers could not answer the king’s question but Daniel knew the One True GOD in heaven WHO did. The proof of the pudding is always in the eating. 

What do you think was going through the king’s mind as Daniel was speaking? 

Daniel was confident and excited to reveal what the One True GOD of the Israelites had revealed to him regarding the king’s dream.

Let’s read on.

Let’s read Daniel 2:28b-49:

28b Your dream and the visions [that came into] your mind [as you lay] in bed were these: 

29 Your Majesty, while you were in your bed, thoughts came [to your mind] about what will happen in the future. The revealer of mysteries has let you know what will happen. 

GOD’S knows our thoughts. God is the only ONE WHO can reveal the things that are hidden.

30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.

The Dream's Interpretation

31 "My king, as you were watching, a colossal statue appeared. That statue, tall and dazzling, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was terrifying. 

32 The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its stomach and thighs were bronze, 

33 its legs were iron, and its feet were partly iron and partly fired clay. 

34 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. 

35 Then the iron, the fired clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were shattered and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 

36 "This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation. 

37 Your Majesty, you are king of kings. The God of heaven has given you sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. 

GOD had put the king in place to accomplish HIS plan and purpose. GOD always reserves a remnant of HIS chosen to carry forward into the next generation.  

38Wherever people live-or wild animals, or birds of the air-He has handed them over to you and made you ruler over them all. You are the head of gold. 

39"After you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours, and then another, a third kingdom, of bronze, which will rule the whole earth. 

40 A fourth kingdom will be as strong as iron; for iron crushes and shatters everything, and like iron that smashes, it will crush and smash all the others.

41 You saw the feet and toes, partly of a potter's fired clay and partly of iron-it will be a divided kingdom, though some of the strength of iron will be in it. You saw the iron mixed with clay, 

42 and that the toes of the feet were part iron and part fired clay-part of the kingdom will be strong, and part will be brittle. 

43 You saw the iron mixed with clay-the peoples will mix with one another but will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with fired clay.

44 "In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not be left to another people. It will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself endure forever. 

This is the Kingdom established by JESUS the CHRIST.

45 You saw a stone break off from the mountain without a hand touching it, and it crushed the iron, bronze, fired clay, silver, and gold. The great God has told the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation certain."

Nebuchadnezzar's Response

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell down, paid homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present an offering and incense to him. 

The king saw truth revealed and he responded. The king knew he was in the presence of the One True GOD’S messenger.

47 The king said to Daniel, "Your God is indeed God of gods, Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery." 

The king did not relinquish his gods, he only elevated the GOD of Daniel to a higher level. The king did not want to make his gods angry. GOD’S desire is to be preeminent in our lives. Our GOD is a jealous GOD and HE does not share HIS children with anyone or thing. 

48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. 

49 At Daniel's request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court.

The king saw that the GOD of Israel was truly the One True GOD and that his reign was ordained by GOD. The king’s dream carried history to 476 A.D.

Does Daniel’s relationship with GOD encourage you to have this same relationship? You can.

It is GOD’S desire for all Christians to have this intimate, loving, trusting relationship with HIM. Ask HIM to help you have this intimate relationship for the purpose of carrying out HIS plan and purpose.

GOD never overrides our right to choose. Each of us has to choose to have this relationship. Is this the same as salvation? No! Once we accept CHRIST as our Savior, we still have choices. Do we desire to serve our flesh or serve our LORD?

Salvation is just the beginning of the sanctification process and each Christian must choose how much of his or her life CHRIST will control. Do you trust CHRIST with your life? Do you trust HIM enough to respond as HE leads and guides you by the indwelling Holy Spirit? The choice is up each Christian. Blessings!!!