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Israel, by using Babylonian Empire to crush them. Has God been blocked in His plans? Is He unable to help them? Has He stepped aside from history? NO, NO & NO!
God is NOT defeated! God is NOT absent! God is NOT out-witted!
(Daniel and friends faithful to God, and come into high favour)
warp (lengthwise) and weft (crosswise) with which he weaves a pattern. So here - God Rules and God Reveals are woven together. At the end, it is the finished piece we admire; so here too.
- In night this mighty King, Nebuchadnezzar, is terrified by a dream, and cannot sleep; calls for "wise-men". They cannot help (Tell us the dream, etc.). He refuses to tell them, for he has a deep-seated distrust of them (young king, for old men's counsel?) ""Tell me the dream's contents, then I'll know you can tell me what it means!" He threatens them, then condemns them. "Hopeless Helpers!" Don't listen to such - shun horoscopes, tarot, palm-readers, and all such who "mutter and peep". Satan delights to trick people using such things; some may even seem to foretell the future by his power, but he is the master of lies, and trouble awaits.
(Isa 8:19) And when they shall say to you, Seek to the
mediums and to wizards who peep and mutter; should not a people
seek to their God, than for the living to the dead?
- Daniel and friends included in death warrant - Daniel wins favour from executioner, for time to answer (wise-men stalled for time, but Daniel asks time to pray - all the difference, for he trusted in God; they only in themselves).
- Daniel and friends pray - private prayer is vital, but prayer with others is to be used when we can get it! See what it works with God - God gives the dream itself, and its meaning.
- They praise and bless God - vv20-23, which we should always be ready to do, esp. when He gives a great answer and a great deliverance.
- Daniel tells the King the dream and its meaning, thus saving his own life and those of all the wise men.
- King is overwhelmed, falling down and declaring Daniel's God is great.
- Nebuchadnezzar Though fierce tyrant, ruler of much of world, is at God's mercy - a word from God and he is un-hinged. His power and wealth cannot get him even a night's sleep!
- God raises up a man (He uses men; pray for men of God to be raised up in His church), Daniel, at right place and time (both in God's plan), to serve Him and preserve the people.
- God raises kings up and puts them down - v37,38 "For the God of heaven has given you..." vv39-43 the other kingdoms too. V21
- God promises a new Kingdom, with a new King, whose rule shall never fail.
- God causes the proud tyrant to fall on his face before God's servant, and to declare that "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of Kings."
- God causes Daniel to be promoted to the highest office in the kingdom, Governor of the central province of his kingdom, and chief over all the wise men, and his friends as the chief ministers under him.
- V22 - He reveals secrets - even things totally in the dark to us. Things men cannot see into at all. (Psa 73:20) like a dream when one awakens; so, O Jehovah, when You awake, You shall despise their image. Elusive - so often lost before we know it. He knows my every thought, and yours too. This should make us tremble, but if we know His mercy in Christ, to bless Him that covers all our sins (word, thought and action) beneath the dying blood of Jesus, His Son.
- He reveals things that men would never have thought of - a Kingdom and a King that will never fail, and that is of His Son, the Saviour of the world, and in particular, of those who believe. Left to ourselves, if we think of God at all, we think in terms of how we can earn His favour, and avoid his justice. He blows this all away, with a mercy and a salvation totally and utterly of grace - that is, FREE. This offends many, who refuse a mercy they have not worked for. Fools! - if you worked for it, it would not be mercy, but wages. But the only eternal wages for a sinner without Christ is DEATH, Ro 6:23; never be such a fool as to ask God for what you deserve! "I want my rights!",; God may in justice do just what you ask).
- He reveals history that is to come - Babylonian (head of gold), Medo-Persian (Silver), Grecian (Bronze, under Alexander The Great) and Roman empires. All glorious in their ways, all to fall and disappear like dust blown away.
- He reveals the nature of this everlasting kingdom that is to come.
- It is God's doing, not men's - v44, v34 (stone cut-out without hands)
- It will survive all kingdoms v44 "never be destroyed"
- It will consume all other kingdoms - ancient and modern (e.g., Iron and Bamboo curtains, all false religions, rich western neglect) - See how the stone becomes a mountain that filled the whole earth v 35.
"I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" Mt 16:18.
- This kingdom must have a King, who likewise will never fail, nor die anymore (for wonder of wonders, He must die once, for me - Gal 2:20) , nor be deposed. There can only be one King, and this is King Jesus. 1 Pet 3:22, at God's right hand.
Will you acknowledge His rule? (you will one day - either now as you rightful King, in loving and grateful praise for His dying salvation for you - or at the last, as a condemned rebel before the Judge, when all is too late)
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Last changed 6 May 2007
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