God is sovereign over Babylon. He is sovereign over your captivity. Do you find yourself in captivity? God can reveal Himself. Daniel and his friends were in danger of losing their lives.

1 – A king’s dream (vs. 1)

The king was fearful as this is how the Babylonians believed their gods spoke to them. It was the Lord God who had given the king the dream. Nebuchadnezzar, for all his great position in life, did not have the wisdom to know what the dream meant. God speaks to man through dreams. He even speaks to people who do not have a relationship with Him through dreams.

2 – The king’s demand (vs. 2-11)

He wants to know what he dreamt. Maybe he had forgotten or just he wanted to see if their abilities were real. The text suggests that he could not even remember the dream, much less interpret it. Twice he says of the dream, “the thing is gone from me” (vs. 5 & 8).

3 – A king’s death threat (vs. 12-13)

The king gathered together the so-called “experts” but they can’t give an answer. Nebuchadnezzar put his advisors on the spot. If they couldn’t reveal and interpret his dream they faced ruin. But if they were successful they would receive great reward and honour. The king is furious when they say they can’t provide an interpretation without knowing the dream. They will be cut to pieces and their homes destroyed if they cannot reveal the dream and interpretation. What is it that threatens you? Our God is not distant. He helps us when we are threatened.

4 – The power of words (vs. 14-16)

Daniel was calm and composed even though his life was on the line. Daniel uses wisdom and tact. Daniel is talking to the executioner! Most of us would have put on our running shoes and made a run for it. Daniel chooses his words carefully. It was a time to speak rather than to run. Tact means using the appropriate words. Daniel has direct access to the king through the king’s own executioner. Instead of executing Daniel, Arioch apparently arranged an audience with the king for him!

5 – The power of prayer (vs. 17-19)

Daniel got some time to pray from his words. He got together with his friends to pray. We all need friends. We all need to be accountable to someone. Friends pray for each other in crisis times. God needed to show up or else they will all die. God has the answer and they asked God to reveal it to them. God answers their prayer. There was no sleep for all those concerned. Daniel didn’t look to men’s wisdom or in dream books; he got on his knees. God’s man in a crisis doesn’t take his troubles to other people; he takes them to God. He may ask other people to pray with him as Daniel did, but he knows God is the source.

6 – The power of praise (vs. 20)

Daniel has got the dream And interpretation in his head but goes off to praise God. He is thankful for God’s wisdom and understanding. It is God who is to be praised and not Daniel. Daniel will not be taking the credit. In this pain there was a purpose.

Categories: Daniel