Daniel and the King's Dream

Daniel and the King's Dream

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, and he wanted his wise men to interpret the dream for him. Of course, this was an impossible task for the king’s wise men. So, the wise men plead their case, arguing that no one could do what the king wanted because the king wanted the wise men not only to interpret the dream, but also to do so without the king telling them what he had dreamed.

When the wise men told the king no one could do what he asked, the king became furious. Then the king ordered all the wise men to be destroyed. However, when they came for Daniel, Daniel asked why they were to be destroyed. Armed with this new information, Daniel requests time to interpret the dream.

Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; Daniel said, "Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. "It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. "It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. "To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king's matter” (Daniel 2:17-23).

What a beautiful picture of trust in God’s sovereignty. Daniel enlisted his friends to pray for God’s compassion. Then the Lord answered and revealed the interpretation to Daniel. He, in turn, revealed it to the king. Notice that Daniel does not take credit for the revelation.

Daniel answered before the king and said, "As for the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, conjurers, magicians nor diviners are able to declare it to the king. "However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. This was your dream and the visions in your mind while on your bed (Daniel 2:27-28). So Daniel reveals the dream to the king, and Daniel and the wise men are spared. Daniel displayed tremendous faith and courage in a most difficult situation. 

Let us learn these lessons from Daniel. With God, all things are possible. In God’s economy, all things work together for good to those who love God. Finally, we should always take our needs to God in prayer because the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.