Revealer and Interpreter



Daniel 2:24-49
http://www.esvbible.org/search/Daniel+2%3A24-30/

Having lifted Nebuchadnezzar’s challenge before the Lord and received an answer, Daniel now goes back to the king to share what the Lord has revealed. You may notice that the king’s servant, Arioch, even takes a little credit for finding Daniel and his answer to the king’s question. That’s a risky choice because if Daniel’s answer is unacceptable, Arioch takes the fall with Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar is somewhat dubious at first, having been lied to in the past by his wise men, but gives Daniel an audience.

To his credit, Daniel first and foremost gives all of the credit and glory to God alone for revealing both the dream and its interpretation. Daniel remains true to his faith. Daniel also graciously defends the rest of the wise men by declaring that no human could fulfill the king’s demand. Only God is able to do that. Daniel also points out that the other wise men are wrong about one thing; God is not too distant to consult and He does tell His people what He wants them to know, unlike the Babylonian gods who never speak – of course.

What Daniel does reveal goes far past Nebuchadnezzar and into the Messianic era where Christ takes His throne in heaven. Of course the king does not understand this, but Daniel does, as well as his readers. Even though the king is not a believer, he is still used by God to communicate the future, both immediate and distant to God’s people. God is always sovereign, one of the most common themes found in this book.

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