Nebuchadnezzar has a dream...and he wants proof that the interpretation is correct.
the story says this happens in the 2nd year of Nebu's reign; but chap 1 said that daniel had been in school 3 years.
options:
- 2 was originally 12 (old greek translation of the LXX [there are two main LXX versions])
- 2 counts with ascension year (ascension year, first year, second year, like europeans count floors)
- this happens before the events of chapter 1 are complete
- josephus says 2 years after egypt was sacked
So Nebu puts his interpreters to a test: tell the dream and the interpretation (or else).
Everyone says it can't be done, the king orders their execution. Daniel says, "hold on".
Daniel prays, Daniel asks for prayer, God tells Daniel the dream and interpretation.
The dream predicts the nations that will arise after Babylon - not the sort of thing you want to tell the king.
But it's hard to argue since Daniel demonstrated the supernatural origins of his information.
The king is impressed and promotes Daniel to be "ruler over the province of Babylon".
Things to note:
Daniel's character:
daniel has concern for the wisemen, sorcerors, etc...v24 "do not destroy the wise men of babylon"
interesting note on caring for pagans there (those who disagree with our religion)....
Daniel's use of prayer:
after daniel hears the king's decree, he asks for time, and then...uses his time to pray.
plomp in the middle of a chapter about god's control over history, daniel makes time to pray.
so - is god in charge? yes
should prayer be a big part of how that works? yes
Daniel's praise of God:
as soon as the king asks if he can interpret the dream, daniel points towards god :
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.
Statue with 4 parts, each representing a different kingdom, all destroyed by a rock (not cut by human hands) that becomes a mountain.
What the passage tells us for sure:
1. Golden head == Babylon (v37)
2. Different parts of the statue are different kingdoms (v39, 40)
3. Statue destroyed by a rock "not cut by human hands" that becomes a mountain that fills the earth, God's kingdom. (v34,35, 44,45)
4. The prophecy concerns the 'latter days" (v28)
What is usually inferred (guessed):
1. Silver == Persia (or Media)
2. Bronze == Greece (or Persia)
3. Iron/Clay == Rome, and/or some future kingdom (or Greece)
some argue that the legs are rome, and that the feet of clay/iron are a future kingdom which will rule when christ comes back.
danger mouse:
back when the eu was formed, the eu had 10 nations. americans freaked out and started saying the end times were on us.
now the eu is bigger, and many say that '10' is a figurative number meaning 'many'.
let this be a listen to us.
4. The rock that becomes a mountain == 2 options
- The Church (the amillenial/postmillenial option)
- The Reign of Christ when he returns (the premillenial option)
well. this requires explanation i guess.
but keep it short.