Praise the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty! We are blessed with yet another week in our spiritual journey and we enjoy His presence, protection, and provision in our life more than ever before in addition to His unfailing love and kindness during the few days of our life on earth. God is good and He is faithful and His compassion and loving kindness never fails (Exodus 34:6; Lamentations 3:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

The passage for this week’s Scripture for the Week meditation is taken from Daniel 2:20-23. This passage is part of the praise and worship Daniel offered before the God of heaven for answering the prayers he and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego presented before the God of heaven, particularly for revealing king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its meaning. Seeing dreams while sleeping is a world-wide phenomena and I am sure that every one of us might have had the experience of seeing dreams at least a few times in our lives. Some dreams make us happy, some dreams makes us sad, some dreams trouble our hearts and minds, some dreams make us afraid, and some dreams just come and go and it might not make us feel anything special. Out of all the dreams we see in our sleep, some dreams we will remember only for a while but some dreams we do not forget for years. Some dreams are exceptionally interesting and some dreams are extremely disturbing. The terrifying dreams sometimes continue to trouble our hearts and minds. If we are unable to remember the contents of such dreams, it will take away our happiness, peacefulness, and disturb our sleep. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had such a dream that troubled his mind and he was not able to sleep.  This caused lots of problems for the wisemen of Babylon, some even life-threatening. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who served in the royal administration of king Nebuchadnezzar were also counted among the wisemen of Babylon. However, Daniel’s timely intervention saved his life, his friends lives, and the lives of all of the wisemen of Babylon from hands of king Nebuchadnezzar. We will discuss the details of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its aftermath briefly in connection with our meditation in a little while.

Before we go any further with our meditation on Daniel 2:20-23, let us try to know briefly about the life and work of Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel was a Jewish captive who served as a high rank officer in the royal administration of king Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:19; 2:48; 5:29; 6:28). Along with Daniel, his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego also served in high positions in Nebuchadnezzar’s administration (Daniel 1:19; 2:49; 3:30). They passed the training and the tests related to their work in the royal administration of king Nebuchadnezzar and performed far better than any of the wisemen in the whole kingdom of Babylon. Along with these four godly people, thousands of Jews from Judah were brought to Babylon as captives by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar when he captured Judah with the approval of the God of Israel due to their sin against Him.

In this context, we must understand the reasons why God was angry with His chosen people Israel. From the history of the Israelites – the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we can understand that they were a chosen nation (the nation of Israel) and they were the ‘one nation’ that God separated from all other nations for His special purpose, which was to bless all other nations on earth through them. Thus, they had a very special place before God and He blessed them more than any other nation on earth. God gave them His righteous laws and decrees to follow. However, they neither wholeheartedly followed Him, nor kept His righteous laws and decrees. God warned them every time they sinned against Him and every time they repented and returned to Him, He forgave their iniquities and accepted them as His very own. Yet, their repentance would last only for a while and then again they would make Him angry and provoke Him by worshiping foreign gods and their idols (Deuteronomy 32:16). Despite all the warnings through His prophets, they continued to disobey His righteous laws, decrees, and commandments (Jeremiah 9:13-14; 25:4-7; Zechariah 7:11-12). In several occasions, God raised their enemies against them to punish and discipline them to draw them back to Himself (Jeremiah 2:13; 26:1-6; 36:1-32 [refer: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16; Ezekiel 23:1-49]). When they became too stubborn and stone-hearted in their dealings with their redeemer God, He sent both the kingdoms (Israel and Judah) into captivity. God raised the Assyrians against Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and they defeated and destroyed Israel and deported the surviving people to Assyria (BC 722) because of their sin against their redeemer (2 Kings 17:1-41; 18:11-12; Hosea 13:9-16). Although, the Southern Kingdom Judah saw the captivity and misery of the Northern Kingdom Israel by the Assyrians, they neither stopped sinning against the God of their fathers nor returned to Him with a repented heart, rather they continued to provoke the Lord God with their detestable deeds. About one hundred and twenty years after the fall of Israel, the Lord raised the Babylonians against the Southern Kingdom Judah (BC 605-586), and they fell under the Babylonians and went into captivity (2 Kings 24:1-25:21; Jeremiah 25:1-11). Daniel was among the captives who were taken to Babylon (Daniel 1:1-6; 6:13). Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:3), Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (Daniel 1:6) were also among the prominent people whom the king of Babylon took as captives from Jerusalem to Babylon, along with thousands of others. Prophet Ezekiel continued to serve the God of Israel as prophet in Babylon (Ezekiel 1:1; 33:21), Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego entered in the service of king Nebuchadnezzar in addition to serving the God of Israel in the land of their captivity (Daniel 1:19; 2:48-49; 3:30; 5:29; 6:28).

According to Daniel 2:1, king Nebuchadnezzar had a dream during the second year of his reign that troubled him very much. The reasons why the dream troubled him were: (i) he could not remember the dream when he was awoken, (ii) he did not understand the meaning of the dream, and (iii) his heart was troubled and he was not able to sleep after of the dream. So the king summoned all the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers and demanded them to tell him the dream he had and to interpret its meaning to him (Daniel 2:2-3). The king also let them know in advance the consequences if they were unable to do so – he will have them cut into pieces and their houses turned into piles of rubble. To the one who could tell him the dream and interpret its meaning the king assured gifts and rewards and great honor (Daniel 2:5-6). However, the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers could neither tell the dream to the king nor its meaning because it was impossible to do so. They responded to the king, saying:

There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans (Daniel 2:10-11)

The collective response of the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers made the king so angry and furious that he threatened to kill them all instantly (Daniel 2:5,12). Daniel and his friends were unaware of the situation until the king issued a decree to kill all the wisemen of Babylon: The king ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death (Daniel 2:12-13). Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, and his soldiers were sent to begin to put to death all the wise men of Babylon and they searched for Daniel and his friends also to put them to death along with the wisemen of Babylon.  When Daniel learned about all the commotion that was going on in the royal courtyard of king Nebuchadnezzar and about the decree king Nebuchadnezzar issued regarding the execution of all the wise men of Babylon, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him (Daniel 2:14-16, 24). Daniel knew that it was impossible for the wisemen of Babylon or any person to reveal such deep and hidden things. Daniel also knew that nothing is impossible with the God of heaven and every hidden thing is wide-open before His eyes, as it is mentioned in Hebrews 4:13 that Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Daniel understood that the wisemen of Babylon (the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers) depend on their own ability to interpret the dreams and visions but they needed to first hear the dream from the one who had the dream. In the case of interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the wisemen of Babylon would not be able to do so because the king who had the dream could not remember the dream he had. If they knew the dream, they could give their own interpretation based on the content and the context  of the dream (usually they gave interpretations that please the king, otherwise their life would be in danger). Now, the king is unable to tell them the dream to them because the dream itself is hidden from him. So, he summoned all the wisemen of Babylon so that they could tell him the dream he had and interpret its meaning to him.

Daniel trusted in the God of Israel and believed that only God can reveal the king’s dream and its meaning. Daniel knew that our knowledge is very limited and we only know what we see, hear, touch, taste or smell. Even our thinking ability and imaginations are based on the things we are familiar with. But God, being the creator of this universe and everything in it (Genesis 1:1-31; Psalm 24:1) knows everything and there is no limitations for His understanding (Psalm 119:96; Romans 11:33). Daniel, as a passionate member of the Jewish-faith-community and a devoted worshipper of Yahweh, the God of Israel, instead of depending on his own ability, he trusted in the God of heaven who is able to reveal the dream as well as its meaning. Since it was an emergency situation, Daniel returned to his house without any delay and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, and they together pleaded for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon (Daniel 2:17-18). God heard their plea and granted their request. The Scripture states that during the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision (Daniel 2:19). As soon as Daniel and His friends received the revelation from the Lord God regarding the dream king Nebuchadnezzar had and its meaning, they praised God. This means, before going into the presence of king Nebuchadnezzar to tell him the dream he had and its meaning, Daniel and His friends went into the presence of God, who revealed the mysteries, to give Him the glory, honor, and praise for revealing the dream and its meaning. This shows the integrity of their heart and their faithfulness to the God of Israel:

20 Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king (Daniel 2:20-23)

As the believers in the New Testament era, we need to analyze and learn the way Daniel and his friends understood how the power and authority the God of Israel manifested and how He works in times of need for everyone who waits upon Him.

• • In their worship, Daniel praised God for His Sovereignty and who He is (2:20)
    • Praise and honor belongs to the God of heaven (v.20a)
    • The name of the God of heaven is praised for ever and ever (v.20b)
    • The wisdom and power belongs to the God of heaven (v.20c)
  • In their worship, Daniel praised God for His Omnipotence in the things He does (2:21)
    • The God of heaven is the One who changes times and seasons (v.21a)
    • The God of heaven deposes kings and raises up others (v.21b)
    • The God of heaven gives wisdom to the wise (v.21c)
    • The God of heaven gives knowledge to the discerning (v.21d)
  • In their worship, Daniel praised God for His Omniscience and Omnipresence in revealing the deep and hidden things even if they are hidden in the darkness (2:22)
    • The God of heaven reveals deep and hidden things (v.22a)
    • The God of heaven knows what lies in darkness (v.22b)
    • The God of heaven is the source of light and light dwells with Him (v.22c)
  • In their worship, Daniel praised God for His faithfulness to His servants for answering their prayers (2:23)
    • Daniel worshipped the God of heaven (v.23a)
    • Daniel thanked and praised the God of his ancestors who is the God of heaven (v.23b)
    • Daniel acknowledged and praised God for giving him wisdom and power (v.23c)
    • Daniel praised and worshipped the God for answering their prayers (v.23d)
    • Daniel praised God for unveiling the hidden things and the mysteries to them (v.23e)
    • Daniel thanked and praised God for revealing the dream of the king to them (v.23f)

When God revealed the dream and its meaning to Daniel (and his friends [Daniel 2:36]), Daniel approached Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, to take him to the king so that he can tell the king the dream he had and interpret its meaning and Arioch took Daniel to the king (Daniel 2:24-25). When Daniel presented himself before the king to tell him the dream and interpret its meaning, the king was initially doubtful in Daniel’s ability to tell him the dream and its meaning (Daniel 2:26), but Daniel, being an ardent believer in the God of Israel, assured the king that there is a God in heaven who can reveal the dream and its meaning to the king: Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come (Daniel 2:27-28).

Daniel narrated the dream and interpreted its meaning to king Nebuchadnezzar. Since we have very limited time and space at hand, we will not be restating either the dream or its meaning in here but anyone who is not familiar with the dream the king Nebuchadnezzar had or the interpretation of its meaning can read it in detail in the book of Daniel 2:29-45. God revealed the mystery to Daniel and his friends while they were praying at night (Daniel 2:36]). It was a life changing situation in the life of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon (Daniel 2:36-38, 45b-47), in the lives of the wisemen of Babylon – the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers (Daniel 2:2, 24b), and in the lives of Daniel and his friends (Daniel 2:48-49). The king kept his word and honored Daniel and his friends – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 1:6-7; 2:6, 48-49):

• • The king placed Daniel in a high position (v.48a)
  • The king lavished many gifts on Daniel (v.48b)
  • The king made Daniel ruler over the entire province of Babylon (v.48c)
  • The king placed Daniel in charge of all its wise men (v.48d)
  • Upon Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon (v.49a)
  • Daniel continued to remain at the royal court of king Nebuchadnezzar (v.49b)

Looking at what happened during this time in Daniel’s life, we can see that:

• • Daniel understood that the dream king Nebuchadnezzar had (which is hidden from everyone including the dreamer himself) cannot be revealed by any human being but only by the God of heaven.
  • Daniel was wise enough not to depend on his own ability or anyone else in the world rather trust in the God of Israel for everything in his life (for wisdom, strength, understanding, discerning ability, etc, etc)
  • Daniel recognized that Nebuchadnezzar had the power and political authority to kill anyone (wise or strong) in his kingdom
  • Daniel knew that God is the creator and He reign over all His creation
  • Daniel knew that God is the One who establishes a king or removes a king from his throne
  • Daniel knew that God is the one who gives wisdom or strength or authority to anyone whom He desires
  • Daniel was bold and courageous and placed his trust/confidence in God
  • Daniel allowed himself for God to work in and through his life in order to fulfill God’s purpose in the world

In addition to being honored during king Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Daniel was also honored on two other occasions:

1. 1. 1. During the reign of the Babylonian king Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1-29) where Daniel was able to read and interpret the meaning of the writing appeared on the wall of the banquet hall. King Belshazzar honored Daniel and he was clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he was to be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom (Daniel 5:7b, 16b, 29).
      2. During the reign of the Medo-Persian king Darius (Daniel 6:24-28) where Daniel was accused by his colleagues (the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors) before the king Darius who planned to set him over the whole kingdom because of his exceptional qualities in administering the government affairs (Daniel 6:1-2). His contenders could find no corruption in Daniel, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent (Daniel 6:3-4). Although he was thrown in to the lions den (Daniel 6:6-17) for being faithful to his God, the God of Israel, and being faithful to the king and in administering the government affairs, and for not wronging anyone; the God of Israel delivered him unharmed and there was no wound found on him (Daniel 6:19-23). The king honored Daniel for being faithful to his God, the God of Israel, and being faithful to his king (Darius) and in administering the government affairs (Daniel 6:1-28), but at the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones (Daniel 6:24)

King Darius not only punished those who falsely accused Daniel but also he made sure everywhere in his kingdom that the God of Daniel is to be worshipped, the true and living God who endures forever; and whose kingdom will not be destroyed, and his dominion will never end:

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: “May you prosper greatly! 26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions” (Daniel 6:25-27)

Due to Daniel’s loyalty to His God, the God of Israel, He was thrown into the lions’ den (not during the Babylonian rule but during the Persian rule) but God delivered him from the mouth of the lions without even a minor wound (Daniel 6:1-28).  Due to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s loyalty to their God, the God of Israel, they were thrown into the blazing furnace (during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign), but God delivered them unharmed from the blazing furnace without any burning their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them (Daniel 3:19-27)

One of the Jewish patriarchs, Joseph, also went through so much opposition and struggle for being faithful to his God, the God of Israel. His brothers hated him (Genesis 37:8, 23-24), he was sold to the Ishmaelite merchants (or the Midianite merchants) coming from Gilead and going down to Egypt (Genesis 37:26-28), he faced imprisonment because of false accusations against his integrity. God blessed him with the ability and power to interpret dreams and visions (Genesis 37:5-11; 40:1-41:40). God delivered Joseph each time he faced a trouble/problem and finally he was elevated to the second highest position in the nation of Egypt. God had been faithful to Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and He will be faithful to everyone who places their trust in Him wholeheartedly.

As the followers of Jesus Christ, we need to learn from the examples of Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego the ways and means to escape when someone falsely accuses us or when an enemy attacks us for being faithful to God and others. We need to understand that neither Joseph nor Daniel nor Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego ever took things in their hands or tried to solve the problem by themselves when they encountered these trials, temptations, and problems, including life-threatening situations. Instead of trusting in their own ability to solve the problems they faced, they sought out the help of God every time they faced a problem in their lives. They were faithful to the God of their fathers, the God of Israel, even in the midst of their servitude or captivity in a foreign land (Daniel 1:8; 3:13-18; 6:10). God promised us His presence to go with us at all times: The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8). Hebrews 13:5 says, Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Jesus said: I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:18), … surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20b). The Lord God Almighty is faithful and He will not leave us as orphans and He will be there for us. Let us believe it, let us receive it, and let us dedicate our life for His service. May the Lord God Almighty bless us all! Amen!