In the spirit of soccer camp, I thought I'd use an illustration that was used on Tuesday related
! to our passage for the day. We find ourselves in Daniel chapter 2. I would encourage you even now to open up to Daniel chapter 2.
It's on page 737. And if Daniel's dream is illustrated by this box, the contents of the dream are also kind of representative of what we find in our story today.
But I need two volunteers. Two volunteers. All right, two right in the back, right behind Mr. Hill. Okay, come on up.
Yeah, you too. Come on up. Come on up. Great.
Okay, so this is Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Come on up here with me. All right, good. All of you are also volunteers.
You are the wise men, okay? The wise men who Nebuchadnezzar has called into his palace.
He's asking for an interpretation to his dream. And so those of you who are wise, and I know this is a room full of very wise people,
what is in the box? That's what I'm going to ask you in just a moment, okay?
What is in the box? All right?
But then, why don't you come over here for just a second, okay?
All right. Why don't you take a look and see what is in the box? Don't say. Don't say what's in the box yet, okay?
And then, for you, I'm going to tell you what's in the box.
All right. Okay, good. So, all of my wise sages here, the wise men that I've called, what?
What is in the box?
What's that?
Rubber duck. Good, good thought. No, no.
Somebody in the first service said donuts, and they had dreamed about donuts last night.
I think that's probably a good dream, too, but not what's in the box, okay?
Of these two, who do you suppose is going to be able to tell me what is in here?
The person who looked inside the box, what did you see in the box?
A picture of a statue with a head of gold, a chest and arms of silver, a metal part of bronze, and the legs and feet were made of metal and clay.
You are amazing. Good job.
Very descriptive of what she saw in the box was a bag, but of course, that is incomplete.
It's just part of the picture, but I told you what was in the bag.
What is in the bag?
A Bible is in the bag.
The Word of God had come to Nebuchadnezzar, and God's Word is on display through this dream,
but especially through Daniel, who reveals that Word to Nebuchadnezzar.
Thank you for your help. Good job. You can be seated.
Thank you.
This morning, we're learning about the distinctiveness of God,
and maybe it would have been better to title this not just God is distinct or God is set apart,
but that God is a God who reveals His message, His Word to His people.
We have a God who sets Himself apart as one who desires for His creation to know His revealed Word.
And so here are these captives, eight or 900 miles away from home,
and they're in a different place, and this pagan king who doesn't even acknowledge God,
who thinks that His gods have conquered the God of Israel,
and yet God Himself, the God of heaven, revealing His Word to Nebuchadnezzar.
And this morning, we're going to see what that Word is,
and then next week, we're going to come to understand what that Word means,
as Daniel will interpret that.
But especially, I want us, as we're looking at this passage today,
to recognize the amazing privilege of the revealed Word of God,
that God has instrumentally revealed Himself to His creation.
Not just so they know who He is, but so they can respond to what they know and come to worship.
That ultimately is what God is after.
God is after worship.
The Father seeks such to worship Him.
That's what Jesus told the woman at the well.
That's what God's objective is in giving His Word,
to welcome us into worship, into love of Him.
Of course, we see the revealed messages of God,
even as we look at creation.
We call that general revelation.
That God has revealed Himself in what we see,
in what we observe, in what we experience.
Even just on Friday, John mentioned the thunderstorm.
And as the thunder was thundering,
I was inside the house and just thought to myself,
I just love thunderstorms.
There's something about the thunder and the lightning
that reminds me of the power of God.
And of course, I'm sure if I were to ask you,
what really stands out to you about God's creation,
you would talk about the special things like the stars or the trees,
or some of you who have ever lived near the ocean.
You enjoy the mountains and just the benefits of what God has given to us
through general revelation of calling attention to Himself.
We see so much about God in creation.
Matter of fact, Romans chapter 1 talks about the fact that all of the divine attributes
are clearly seen in what we observe in creation.
His majesty, His wisdom, His power,
even His eternality,
that He is a God who is so infinite,
so magnificent,
so large.
It's beyond our comprehension
in His ability to show compassion
in the order of things that He has made
and how He takes care of His creation.
It demonstrates a God who is overall.
But we know that general revelation by itself is insufficient.
While it is clear,
and those who see God in creation
know there is an all-powerful, almighty deity,
but they don't know who that deity is
or how to respond to that deity.
So God has also given to us special revelation.
His revealed Word, His prophets,
His Word, the Word of God itself,
and then coming to us through His own Son, Jesus,
who was the Word of God made flesh.
In this way, God is distinct.
God is set apart.
God is separate.
Entirely different from all other things in creation,
all other powers,
all other authorities,
all other beings.
God is distinct in that He demonstrates
His interest in revealing Himself to His creation.
We'll observe this quality of God
in our passage today,
especially from Daniel 2, verse 11.
Look there just for a moment.
This is where I'm drawing out our point
that God is distinct,
and we're going to apply this to the passage at large.
It says this.
These are the wise men who are responding to the king.
It said,
This thing that the king asked is difficult,
and no one can show it to the king
except the gods,
whose dwelling is not with flesh.
And now drop down to verse 19.
Then this mystery was revealed to Daniel.
In a vision of the night,
then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel's God as separate,
as distinct,
as set apart from all other gods,
all other powers,
all other authorities,
because God reveals His Word to His people.
He does that to draw us in
to worship of Himself,
and that's what God is beginning to work
in Nebuchadnezzar's heart.
So, beginning in verse 1,
we're going to see that God is set apart
in giving revelation.
God is set apart in giving revelation.
This is part of the nature of who God is
in revealing Himself to His creation.
He sets Himself apart this way.
Notice in verse 1.
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar,
Nebuchadnezzar had a dream.
His spirit was troubled,
and his sleep left him.
God is speaking to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream.
We're going to just talk about this for a little bit.
But before we get there,
notice the response of Nebuchadnezzar.
He's troubled.
His sleep leaves him.
God speaks to Nebuchadnezzar
in a way that is recognizable.
He gets his attention.
He is seeking to draw the attention to Nebuchadnezzar
that this revelation
is not coming from within Nebuchadnezzar.
It's coming from without.
And so, Nebuchadnezzar takes it seriously.
He recognizes this is coming
from outside of himself.
This opening phrase,
in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar,
it's my conviction
that this is actually
a part of the flow of this narrative.
And it would find itself within Daniel chapter 1.
So this three-year training process
that is taking place there in Babylon
where Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego,
and Daniel are all part of this training process.
And so, chapter 1 kind of deals
with the start and completion of that process.
But inserted in that, I believe,
is this story of Daniel chapter 2
where Daniel is able to interpret
the dream of the king.
Which helps us understand
in Daniel chapter 1 verse 17
how Daniel knew that he had this ability.
As for these youths,
God gave them learning and skill
and all literature and wisdom.
And Daniel had understanding
and all visions and dreams.
How did he know that?
Well, he knew that because of Daniel chapter 2.
And I think it also helps to explain
why Daniel wasn't a part
of this assembly of counselors
that come before the king
here in our narrative this morning.
God had given Nebuchadnezzar a dream.
He had revealed a message to him.
And as a result,
Nebuchadnezzar is troubled.
His mind is,
his spirit is struck.
The root word that is here
means to strike as with a hammer
on an anvil.
Or to strike a bell.
There was this pounding
that was taking place.
It was recognizable.
It got his attention.
It created alarm in his heart.
He knew something significant
was taking place.
Perhaps even refers to the rapid heartbeat
that was taking place
while he was dreaming.
Have you ever woken up
in the middle of the night
after a very hard dream?
This cold sweat that you have
and their heart is racing?
That's the kind of response
that Nebuchadnezzar is having
to this dream.
We also find that his sleep left him.
His sleep was done.
We would call this a nightmare.
His heart is racing.
He's scared.
Any of you kids
who've ever had a bad dream,
maybe what you would tend to do,
what I did when I was a kid,
I would get up
and I would run to mom and dad's room
and ask to lay in the bed with them.
Ever?
I won't ask you to raise your hands.
You know what I'm talking about.
This is what's going on
for Nebuchadnezzar.
And what's interesting
is it says not only
did he have a dream,
but he had dreams,
which means it was likely
this recurring event
that would happen
night after night after night
and it continued to torment him.
He recognized that God was at work.
Of course, dreams in the ancient world
were considered significant.
They were considered indicators
of what was yet to happen.
And Nebuchadnezzar knew
that this was no ordinary dream.
It arrested his attention.
And in fact,
God was speaking to Nebuchadnezzar.
God was doing here
what he did repeatedly
throughout the Old and New Testament
when prophets were not present.
We find 21 times
throughout the Old Testament
that God speaks to
various individuals
through dreams.
So that in Genesis chapter 20
to King Abimelech.
Abimelech, if you remember,
took Abraham's wife Sarah
to be his wife,
to be a concubine.
And God shows up
to King Abimelech
in the night
and says,
you are a dead man
because the woman
whom you have taken,
for she is a man's wife.
And Abimelech's like,
what?
God speaks to Abimelech
in a dream.
Of course,
God speaks to Jacob
who is running
to Laban's house.
And God reveals
to Jacob
through angels
ascending and descending
on this ladder,
this confirmation
of the covenant promises
that he had made
to Abraham
and also to Jacob's father Isaac
and now were extended
to him
and to his children.
God, of course,
would give dreams
to Joseph.
Joseph,
who would have a dream
of the sheaves
that were bowing down to him
and also a dream
of the sun
and the moon
and 11 stars
that were all bowing down
to Joseph.
God would speak
to his people
through dreams.
It was meant
to get their attention.
It was meant
to be this vivid picture,
this message,
this revelation
of God
to his people
to give them
this repeated understanding,
this stressing
the significance
of what was about
to happen.
God is speaking
to Nebuchadnezzar
as well,
revealing the future
to Nebuchadnezzar,
warning him,
helping him
to take notice.
Not only does he have
this dream,
but this dream
is not enough.
While it is revelation,
Nebuchadnezzar understands
that it's significant,
it's come from God
and he doesn't leave it there.
He wants to know
the interpretation
and that's where
we turn next.
Nebuchadnezzar,
he seeks an interpretation.
He's kind of moving
our way through
this narrative,
helping to draw attention
to the transitions
that are taking place.
Nebuchadnezzar recognizes
that this dream
is important.
He wants to know
what it means,
so he sends
for an interpretation.
It says in verse 2,
then the king commanded
the magicians,
the enchanters,
the sorcerers,
and the Chaldeans
to be summoned
to tell the king
his dreams.
So they came in
and stood before the king
and the king said to them,
I had a dream
and my spirit is troubled
to know the dream.
Then the Chaldeans
said to the king
in Aramaic,
O king,
live forever.
Tell your servant
the dream
and we will show
the interpretation.
Of course,
Nebuchadnezzar
wants to know
what this dream means.
So he sends
for the experts
in the kingdom
so that he might know
what this dream means.
There are four distinct groups
that are present.
Magicians,
enchanters,
sorcerers,
and Chaldeans.
Magicians would be those
who meticulously
chronicled
the configuration
or the constellation
of the stars,
the movement
of the heavens
as it were.
And as significant events
would take place,
they would capture
those and chronicle
those events
so that any time
that event would reoccur,
they could have a way
to interpret
the current events
that were taking place
before them.
Enchanters were also
astrologers
or conjurers.
These were those
who used magic spells
and incantations
were believed
to be able to communicate
with the other world,
the spirit world.
sorcerers
were those
who were thought
to speak to the gods.
They used omens
and studied them
to understand the future.
They used astrology
and even used techniques
like using a sheep's liver
to decide
what was going to happen
in the current situation.
These Chaldeans
are also astrologers.
These are the ones
who were priests
or astrologers
or magicians
or soothsayers.
These are the ones
who were called in
who were expected
to be able
to communicate
with the spirit world
and bring an answer.
There's one thing
that's common
to all these groups.
Their
association
with the spirit world,
with the supernatural.
We tend to dismiss
the supernatural
as being either irrelevant
or bogus
or unimportant.
But the scripture
would teach otherwise.
Ephesians chapter 6
verse 12
says this,
We do not wrestle
against flesh and blood
but against rulers,
against authorities,
against the cosmic powers
over this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces
of evil
in the heavenly places.
There is a battle,
a struggle
that is taking place
and it is not
a physical one.
It is a spiritual one.
It is not a one
that you can see.
It's a one
that's invisible to you.
The real struggle,
the real conflict,
the real battle
that is happening
in this world
is a battle
that's taking place
in the invisible realm.
And God
has entrusted
spiritual forces
with real
spiritual power.
Make no mistake.
So then in Ephesians
chapter 2
verses 1 and 2
we find
you were dead
in your trespasses
and sins
in which you walked,
once walked,
following the course
of this world,
following the prince
of the power
of the air,
the spirit
that is now at work
in the sons
of disobedience.
There is delegated
power
that God
has given
to Satan
and also
to his demonic
forces.
That power
is real power.
power.
So that
even Moses,
you remember the story,
you've watched the movie,
the power
that Moses
wields in Egypt
is a mimicked
power
that is also
reflected
in the wise men
of Pharaoh's court.
So that in Exodus
chapter 6
verses 10 and 11,
excuse me,
7,
10 and 11,
it says this,
So Moses and Aaron
went to Pharaoh
and did just
what the Lord
commanded
and Aaron
cast down
his staff
before Pharaoh
and his servants
and it became
a serpent.
Then Pharaoh
summoned the wise men
and the sorcerers
and they,
the magicians
of Egypt,
also did the same
by their
secret arts.
It's real
power.
It's delegated
power.
Power that God
has delegated
to
spiritual
forces
to carry out
the plans
that they have
in this world.
Then Moses
turns the water
of the Nile
into blood
and we find that
in Exodus
chapter 7
verse 20.
Moses and Aaron
did what the Lord
commanded
in the sight
of Pharaoh
and in the sight
of his servants.
He lifted up
his staff
and struck
the water
in the Nile
and all the water
in the Nile
turned to blood.
Then in verse 22,
but the magicians
of Egypt
did the same
by their
secret arts.
This is sobering.
Miracle
after miracle
that
Moses
performs,
it is
emulated
and mimicked
by
these wise men.
So that
even bringing
the plague of frogs
that we find
in Exodus
chapter 8.
So Aaron
stretched out
his hand
over the waters
of Egypt
and the frogs
came up
and covered
the land of Egypt,
but the magicians
did the same
by their secret arts
and made frogs
come up
on the land
of Egypt.
Miracle
after miracle,
power
after power
was reflected
in these wise men
until the third
plague of gnats
in Exodus
chapter 8
verses 17
to 19.
Aaron stretched
out his hand
with his staff
and struck
the dust
of the earth
and there
were gnats
on man and beast.
All the dust
of the earth
became gnats
in all the land
of Egypt.
The magicians
tried by their
secret arts
to produce gnats
but they could not
so there were gnats
on man and beast
and the magicians
said to Pharaoh,
this is the finger
of God.
But Pharaoh's heart
was hardened
and he would not
listen as the Lord
had said.
While they do
have power,
there are limits,
there are boundaries,
there are constraints
to the power
that they have
but they do
have power,
make no mistake,
so that by the time
we get to the end times
in Revelation chapter 13
we also find
this power
of the false prophet
who is working
in concert
with the Antichrist.
We find this,
then I saw another beast,
that's the false prophet
rising out of the earth.
It had two horns
like a lamb
and it spoke
like a dragon.
It exerts all the authority
of the first beast
in its presence
and makes the earth
and its inhabitants
worship the first beast
whose mortal wound
was healed.
It performs great signs
even making fire
come down from heaven
to earth
in front of the people
and by the sign
that it allowed
to work
in the presence
of the beast,
it deceives those
who dwell on earth
telling them
to make an image
for the beast
that was wounded
by the sword
and yet lived.
Make no mistake,
the spiritual forces
of darkness
have power.
They're not to be trifled with.
And here,
Nebuchadnezzar calls in
this spiritual group
of individuals
to work that power
that he has seen
no doubt in the past,
he has recognized,
he knows
that this is not pretend.
Nebuchadnezzar
is not interested
in parlor tricks,
he's not gullible,
these guys
are the real deal
and they're not
to be messed with.
So Nebuchadnezzar
calls them in
to interpret the dream,
he knows
that they have
some connection
with the spirit world
and he knows
that his dream
has come
from the other side.
But we find
in verses 4 to 11
that his counselors
admit their limitation.
In this case,
God is preserving
his word,
he is preserving
the integrity
of the message
that he has given
to Nebuchadnezzar
and he binds
or restricts
these counselors
from being able
to know the message
that God has given
to Nebuchadnezzar.
Notice verse 4.
Then the Chaldeans
said to the king
in Aramaic,
O king,
live forever.
Tell your servants
the dream
and we will show
the interpretation.
The king answered
and said to the Chaldeans,
the word for me
is firm.
If you do not
make known to me
the dream
and its interpretation,
you shall be torn
limb from limb
and your houses
shall be laid
in ruins.
But if you show
the dream
and its interpretation,
you shall receive
from me gifts
and rewards
and great honor.
Therefore,
show me the dream
and its interpretation.
They answered
a second time
and said,
let the king
tell his servants
the dream
and we will show
the interpretation.
The king answered
and said,
I know with certainty
that you are trying
to gain time.
If you do not
make the dream
known to me,
there is but one
sentence for you.
You have agreed
to speak lying
and corrupt words
before me
till the times
change.
Therefore,
tell me the dream
and I shall know
that you can show me
its interpretation.
The Chaldeans
answered the king
and said,
there is not a man
on earth
who can meet
the king's demand
for no great
and powerful king
has asked
such a thing
of any magician
or enchanter
or Chaldean.
The thing
that the king
asks is difficult
and no one
can show it
to the king
except the gods
whose dwelling
is not
with the flesh.
Right at the outset
we see in verse 4
this progression
of interaction
that's taking place
between the king
and these counselors.
First,
it begins in verse 4
with great respect.
Notice,
O king,
live forever.
Recognizing his position,
seeking prosperity
and the continuance
of his reign
but then it all
ends in complete
defiance.
Verse 10,
there is not a man
on earth
who can meet
the king's demand
for no great
and powerful king
has asked such a thing
of any magician
or enchanter
or Chaldean.
You're insane.
This is ridiculous.
Your request
is impossible.
You are out
of your mind.
What in the world
are you thinking,
king?
What a turn.
What a change
has happened.
So why is the king
so resolute?
Well,
the king is resolute
because the king
understands
that in that era
these wise men
and astrologers
did have some skill
in interpreting dreams.
There were manuals
that had explained
the various dream symbols.
Samples of those
in Akkadian dream manuals
have been discovered.
So all the wise men
needed were to know
what the symbols were,
how those symbols
interacted with one another.
They could look up
in their index,
in their manual,
and they could provide
some approximation
of the dream
and its interpretation.
But Nebuchadnezzar
was not interested
in an approximation.
Nebuchadnezzar understood
this message
was from God
and he wanted
the real interpretation.
And if they couldn't do it,
the consequences
were severe.
I'm going to tear you
limb from limb.
I'm going to burn
down your houses
and turn it into ruins.
Why would Nebuchadnezzar
be so willing
to dispose
of all of his wise men?
Well, I believe
it's because Nebuchadnezzar
understood the seriousness
of the dream that he had.
He recognized
that in some way
his kingdom
or he
was represented
in this image
and when this rock
is cut out of the mountain
and thrown at the statue,
it blows into bits.
Nebuchadnezzar
has some indication
that something significant
is about to happen
and it's not going to be good.
He wants to know
the specifics.
He wants the interpretation
to be clear.
He's not messing around.
He does not want
an approximate answer.
He wants the real answer.
And he's convinced
of the integrity
of this message.
And in this way,
Nebuchadnezzar
perhaps
even here
is preserving
the message
of the word
even more
than most of the captives
that came out of Judah.
Those captives
who had had
the word of God
but did not
align their hearts
to respond
to that word
and that's why
they were in captivity
in the first place
because of their idolatry,
because of the rebellion
against God,
their unwillingness
to hear
and obey
the message
that God had sent
to the prophets.
They treated
the word of God
as common.
But Nebuchadnezzar
recognizes
the significance
of the word
and wants to preserve
the integrity
of that word
and demands
this impossible request
so that he can know
for sure
what God says.
Although
we'll see
that Daniel
is not a part
of this group
and it puts him
at risk,
this is another way
that God
is preserving
the integrity
of his messenger.
Because if Daniel
had been a part
of this group
and we know
that he had risen
through the ranks,
he had established
himself
as being
ten times wiser
than all
of the wise men
of Egypt,
or excuse me,
of Babylon.
If he had been here
and been part
of this group
and been part
of the solution
of interpretation,
God's word
would have been
corrupted
in that
it would have come
from the collective
and not come
from God.
God himself
is preserving
his word as well.
Notice as we turn
to verse 12
and 13,
the king's attempts
to get an answer
are frustrated.
His desire
to understand
the dream
and its interpretation
is frustrated.
Notice,
because of this,
the king was angry
and furious
and commanded
that all the wise men
of Babylon
be destroyed.
So the decree
went out
and the wise men
were about to be killed
and they sought Daniel
and his companions
to kill them.
Nebuchadnezzar
is hot.
We're going to see
this rage
that's going to come out,
this violent rage
of Nebuchadnezzar
is going to come out
time and time again
throughout this narrative.
Probably
not just because
of the fact
that his wise men
let him down
but also because
of the insults
he received.
He feels
a little duped.
He feels
as though
his power
is limited.
He is frustrated
about the fact
that a message
has been given
and he can't
discern
its interpretation.
Perhaps he also
feels weak
invulnerable
a bit embarrassed
a bit challenged
a little foolish.
He wants to remove
this threat
against him
he doesn't know
where that threat
lies.
So he sends
out this urgent
command to destroy
all the wise men
of Babylon.
Babylon.
And it was
carried out
immediately
and thoroughly.
And then a man
named Ariok
comes
and begins
and knocks
on Daniel's door.
Ariok
his name means
lion-like
and I can imagine
that he got
that name
for obvious
reasons.
This was not
a puny
emaciated
kind of person.
He was probably
renamed
because of his
appearance
because of his
job
and because of
the way he
carried out
his orders.
He was
ferocious.
And let me tell you
Ariok didn't get
this job
for nothing
either.
He knew how
to follow orders
he was skilled
in his craft
and I think
it's safe to say
he was not
a man of mercy.
He was cold
he was methodical
and he was
unstoppable.
You could not
come against
this lion-like
man.
He was a
champion
of death.
He wasn't
going to be
reasoned with.
He receives
his orders
and he executes
them without
question.
No life is
spared.
But he shows
up at Daniel's
door
and the
remarkable
happens.
Because God
not only
sets himself
apart
as giving
revelation
but God
sets himself
apart
in providing
a spokesman
providing
a servant.
The general
revelation
that God
had given
to Nebuchadnezzar
was insufficient
was not
enough
and so
God
has set
himself
a servant
a spokesman
to communicate
his word
to Nebuchadnezzar.
He desires
Nebuchadnezzar
knowing
his word.
So notice
verse 14
Daniel
replied
with prudence
and discretion
to Ariok
the captain
of the king's
guard
who had
gone out
to kill
the wise
men of
Babylon
he declared
to Ariok
the king's
captain
why is
this decree
of the king
so urgent?
Then Ariok
made the matter
known to Daniel
and Daniel
went in
and requested
the king
to appoint
him a time
that he might
show the
interpretation
to the king.
Daniel
is not
surprised
at this
opportunity
that God
has placed
in his
lap
to be
a spokesman
for the
message
that God
has given.
Daniel
sees
God
through this
he recognized
that this
is God's
revelation
he recognizes
that he
has been
specially
and uniquely
set aside
for this
very task
Daniel
knows
that God
provides
spokesman
he's seen
that through
the course
of the history
of Israel
and here
he rises
to the occasion
and recognizes
that God
is at work
and God
has chosen
him
to speak
for God
before Nebuchadnezzar
there is a
calmness
in Daniel
I imagine
this commanding
figure
while he's
still young
still commands
this respect
he's not
demanding
he's not
argumentative
but he's
confident
and calm
Daniel
knows
that God
is in
this
he doesn't
need to worry
he doesn't
need to run
he only needs
to follow
God's lead
he only needs
to be available
for the plan
that God
has put
into place
and Daniel
seems genuinely
interested
in the king
Daniel
is interested
in the message
that God
has given
to Nebuchadnezzar
and you get
the sense
in Daniel's
questioning
of Ariok
that Daniel
is genuinely
interested
in the welfare
of the king
himself
and in this
way
God's servants
are also
distinct
we're going to
see this
throughout the
narrative
of Daniel
that God's
servants
care
for people
not just
their friends
that God's
servants
as Jesus
will say
in the
sermon on the
mount
they bless
those who
curse
them
they bless
and curse
not
that's what
Daniel is
doing
Daniel could
have viewed
this as a
golden opportunity
this was his
ticket to
eliminate the
competition
this was his
opportunity
for Nebuchadnezzar
to carry out
his sentence
and destroy
all the other
wise men
of Babylon
but Daniel
cares for them
as well
he cares
about them
even though
they were
mixed up
in this
dark arts
Daniel
replies
with wisdom
and prudence
Daniel is
careful
to respond
to Ariok
in a way
that leads
to the
right response
from Ariok
one commentator
puts it this
way
quote
the word
translated
discretion
is related
to the
Hebrew word
taste
here it
conveys
those
spiritual
instincts
of judgment
discernment
and what
we might
call
a sense
of the
realities
of the
situation
Daniel's
wisdom
was well
developed
this shows
his
spiritual
sense
of taste
end quote
he knew
how to
talk to
Ariok
he had
this
commanding
presence
and was
able to
speak
with him
in a way
that was
convincing
we're not
given the
words that
Daniel said
but perhaps
something along
these lines
Ariok
I can
answer
the
king's
impossible
request
and if
you take
me to
the
king
you'll
get the
credit
for
finding
me
what do
you have
to lose
after all
Ariok
if I'm
wrong
you can
kill me
anyway
so Daniel
stands
before the
king
and what
we find
is fascinating
notice this
phrase
and Daniel
went in
and requested
the king
to appoint
him a
time
again
we see
that God
is working
because remember
the wise
men had
requested a
time
and in
Daniel
chapter 2
verse 8
I know
with certainty
you are just
trying to gain
time
and Nebuchadnezzar
says no
way
but here
with Daniel
Daniel
requests a
time
and Nebuchadnezzar
gives him
time
God is
working
and Daniel's
confidence
in God
is coupled
with faith
he knows
that God
is able
to answer
Nebuchadnezzar's
request
he knows
that God
has given
instrumentally
this dream
and desires
for Nebuchadnezzar
to be led
in understanding
of who God
is
and finally
we find
in verses 17
and 18
Daniel asks
God
for the answer
Daniel knows
where to go
he doesn't go
to the counselors
he goes to God
the dream
has come
from him
notice
then Daniel
went to his house
and made the matter
known to Hananiah
Mishael
and Azariah
his companions
and told them
to seek mercy
from the God
of heaven
concerning this mystery
so that Daniel
and his companions
might not be destroyed
with the rest
of the wise men
of Babylon
Daniel goes home
he tells
his three friends
they bow their hearts
in their heads
before the God
of mercy
and they plead
with God
to reveal
to them
the answer
this word
for mercy
is the word
compassion
the word
for kindness
it's the description
that God
uses of himself
when he shows up
to Moses
in Exodus chapter 34
where it says
the Lord
passed before him
and proclaimed
the Lord
a God
merciful
and gracious
slow to anger
and abounding
in steadfast love
and faithfulness
this is the God
to whom
Daniel
and his friends
pray
this is the God
they seek
God
delights
in mercy
and Daniel
recognizes
that God
is present
to show mercy
not only
to he
and his friends
but especially
to Nebuchadnezzar
another commentator
says this
I think it's helpful
for us
quote
why this
concentration
on mercies
were they concerned
primarily
for their own skins
were they self
centered
in asking God
to see them
in their plight
and come to their aid
on the contrary
they sought mercy
from God
because they recognized
that they
and perhaps
they only
were his appointed
servants
there in Babylon
they were men
of destiny
who had been placed
in Babylon
for his glory
to make his name known
it was because
their lives
were so intimately
intertwined
with God's glory
that they sought
his mercy
in order
that his glory
might be displayed
in Babylon
in revealing
the dream
and its meaning
Daniel explains
that God
had a purpose
in Nebuchadnezzar's
life
as well
even there
he stresses
that the mystery
had been revealed
quote
for our sakes
that's in
verse 30
end quote
Daniel
recognizes
that he and his
friends are there
in Babylon
as representatives
of the God
of mercy
they are there
to reveal
this dream
to Nebuchadnezzar
to help him
to understand
who God
was
so that Nebuchadnezzar
ultimately
could bow the knee
before that God
and could be rescued
himself
God has also
allowed us
to be agents
of mercy
in how we reveal
the word of God
to those around us
and just like
we find in our story
we are to reveal
God's gospel
God's message
in two different ways
first we reveal
God's message
God's gospel
in the way
that we
behave
Philippians chapter 1
verses 27 and 28
says this
only let your conduct
be worthy
of the gospel
of Christ
so that whether
I come and see you
or in absent
I may hear
of your affairs
that you stand fast
in one spirit
with one mind
striving together
for the faith
of the gospel
and not in any way
terrified by your adversaries
which is to them
a proof of perdition
but to you
of salvation
and that from God
God has called us
as his children
as followers of Christ
to be distinct
from the world
as God is distinct
be holy
for I am holy
and that's what
positioned Daniel
and his friends
for this significant
task
they had resolved
in their hearts
that they would not
defile themselves
with the king's food
they set themselves
apart
they desired to live
in a worthy way
and so God was able
to use them
we're called
to the same thing
we're called
to have worthy lives
and as Paul
will pray
he says
Lord that we would
walk worthy
so that we'd be filled
with the fruits
of righteousness
which are to the praise
and glory of God
we can show
the gospel
through our life
we must show
the gospel
through our life
but that is not enough
not only general revelation
but also special revelation
as we find
in our final verse
in Romans chapter 10
verses 14 and 17
it says this
how then shall they
call on him
in whom they have not
believed
how shall they believe
in him
on whom they have not heard
and how shall they hear
without a preacher
and how shall they preach
unless they are sent
as it is written
how beautiful
are the feet of those
who preach the gospel
of peace
who bring glad tidings
of good things
so then faith
comes by hearing
and hearing
by the word
of God
all of us
who are called
to God
through the word
are now given
the privilege
of sharing
that gospel word
to others
so they too
can know
the God
who saves
come to terms
with their own sin
ask for forgiveness
and bow the knee
to Jesus Christ
and enjoy him
as the one
who forgives their sin
and leads them
to life in God
have you done that
this morning
have you ever
come to a place
of recognizing
yourself as a sinner
and asking God
for forgiveness
have you ever
bowed the knee
to Christ
and recognized
that he alone
is the one
who can save you
from your sin
if not
now is the moment
you can believe
and for those of us
who have believed
we have this
amazing opportunity
to show
the gospel
and to speak
the gospel
through our life
and through our words
may God help us
to be faithful
let me pray
oh Lord
we thank you
for the example
of Daniel
thank you
that he recognized
that the God
of heaven
was over
this dream
and he was willing
to be useful
for you
to trust
in your revelation
to him
so that he could
speak to the king
the interpretation
God I pray
that you help us
as well
help us
not
to
be
selfish
with this word
help us
not to constrain
that word
to ourselves
but help us
to be faithful
and gracious
in distributing
that word
to others
because we know
that faith
comes only
through hearing
and hearing
through the word
of God
and God
there is
a world
around us
that is dying
and will ultimately
be separated
from you
and we have
the words
of life
the words
that we received
from your son
and so Lord
I pray that you
help us
to be faithful
help us
to be faithful
agents
of the gospel
in Jesus name
amen
God bless you
have a great week