Daniel 2

“But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.” (v. 9)

Nebuchadnezzar was wise in the respect that he knew it would be no more impossible for a god to reveal the dream than it would to interpret the dream. He seemed to have his own magicians and seers under suspicion of fraudulent practices, and set forth a challenge for them here. The king exposed the fakery and sham that prevailed in his day, and expounded, by his same decree, the truth through Daniel. He prOBably did not even realize how the Lord used him to expose the frauds, and to exalt the true. The king wanted the truth, as most men do, and despised the lying tongue that he depended on in important matters. No doubt they had let him down before. Much was at stake for the liars of the day, and thank God, Daniel came to the rescue. We see here a picture of the child of God, and the blessing he becomes to those who hate him. Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom represents the world, and Daniel and his three friends represent the children of God.

Isn’t it like our God to refute the idols of others, and to prove Himself true and strong in the lives of His children? He has done it over and over again in scripture. Daniels’ answer was a direct result of prayer, but the amazing thing is that the king already had a lot of respect for him because of his good testimony. Daniel went before the king and asked for more time (v. 16), which is exactly what the soothsayers of Babylon had done (v. 8, the kings’ response), but it was granted to Daniel, while it was refused to them! The Lord allowed Daniel to find grace in the eyes of the king. Then, Daniel tells his friends, and the implication is that they sought God diligently in prayer, and God gave Daniel the answer. God will give us what we need, especially in desperate situations, but we must trust in Him and His grace. They could have all perished, and the king would not have thought much of it, except that he had already noticed something different in Daniel, and began to hope in him, and eventually, in His God. Nebuchadnezzar had a bad memory though, and later he seemed to forget his lesson. Notice that Daniel praised God when his prayer was answered, and that later he testifies to the king, giving all the glory to the God of Heaven, and not taking it unto himself. The result is seen in v. 47, where Nebuchadnezzar also recognizes, if not worships, the “God of gods, and Lord of lords”.