Daniel Explains The Dream

I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves one above the other, and the taller we grew in Christian character the easier we could reach them. I now find that God’s gifts are on shelves one beneath the other. It is not the question of growing taller, but of stooping do … More

Humility

Having received knowledge of the dream from God Daniel goes to Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard and informed him that he was ready to interpret the king’s dream (v. 24). Arioch brought him into Nebuchadnezzar’s presence claiming credit for having found an interpretation for the king’s dream (v. 25). The king asked Daniel to interpret his dream (v. 26). Daniel replied that not even the smartest person in all the world can do what you are demanding, but the God who rules from heaven revealed your dream while you were sleeping (vv. 27-29). In fact Daniel made it plain that he was only able to do this because there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries (v. 28). How different was the attitude of Daniel! He claimed nothing for himself but instead gave all the glory to God (v. 30).

In brief words Daniel sketched first the king’s dream (vv. 31-35). In his vision Nebuchadnezzar had seen a great majestic image of a man standing upright. It was composed of four different metals: (1) the head was made of gold; (2) the breast and arms of silver; (3) the belly and thighs of bronze; (4) and the legs of iron, with clay mixed in at its feet. These metals not only decreased in value from top to bottom, but also diminished in splendor and glory. This image was said to be both excellent and terrible. Representing a world power, it is excellent to those who profit by it, but terrible to those, (and they are many) who suffer oppression at its hand.

As Nebuchadnezzar viewed this image in amazement, suddenly and without warning a “stone cut out without hands” smote and completely destroyed it. The stone then became a great mountain filling the whole earth.

Application

It is easy to be tempted like Arioch, to take credit myself for something the Lord did through someone else? I need to give the Lord credit for everything, because without Him I would  not have the mind or strength to do anything.

Daniel 2:24-35 (English Standard Version)


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