THE GREAT IMAGE
CHAPTER 2 – PART 1 

DATE: 

TEXT: Daniel 2:7

INTRODUCTION: 

Chapter two is a chapter that reveals the world’s history. The more that we understand it, the better we will understand the events of the Gentle governments. A real good understanding of Daniel chapter 2 and 7 will assist us in the study of the Book of Revelation and other Bible prophecies.

It is worth your tine to look at the diagram that you have in the front of the study and study carefully the diagram of the image.

The chapter easily divides itself into four divisions:
	Daniel’s perils:	2:1-13
	Daniel’s prayer:	2:14-23
	Daniel’s prophecy:	2:24-45
	Daniel’s position:	2:46-49.

There are two verses that to me holds the key to the understanding of this chapter, as well as to the whole book, and these two verses ought to be a blessing to each and every believer:

“But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets,  - Daniel 2:28

“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:” Daniel 2:44

Daniel was not reserved at all in the declaring 6f this God as being the God of all gods.

Daniel in this chapter declares God to be the God of heaven and in heaven: (2:19, 28, 44)

God is to be blessed for ever: (2: 20)

God as a God of wisdom and might: (2:20)

God as the controller of the events of time and the seasons of time: (2:21)

God as the Sovereign One over the kings of the earth: (2:21)

God as the giver of wisdom and understanding to whom He wills: (2:21)

God as the revealer of dark sayings and thoughts, and things that are unknown to man; for God knows the dwellers of the darkness because He is light: (2:22; 2:28)

God as the God who had placed Nebuchadnezzar in his kingdom: (2:37)

God as the God who will establish:, an everlasting kingdom on earth: (2:44)

These above nine things ought to cause a great joy and peace in the heart of every believer, because the believers are the only people in the world today that knows this God, the God of Daniel, and He is their Father in and through Jesus Christ.

When there is an unadulterated faith in God, as Daniel had, then there should be no hesitation about being a true witness for Him.

I. DANIEL’S PERILS. Daniel 2:1 13

Daniel and the three Hebrew men were innocent of the circumstances, but yet they were victims of the circumstances. I

It is believed when Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem and conquered it, that he was serving under his father, Nabopolassar. Nebuchadnezzar, the next in line for the kingdom, became king fully shortly after arriving back into the country. This answers the doubt that could Come from the phrase, “in the second year of the: reign of Nebuchadnezzar” in chapter 2:1, since Daniel

and the three Hebrew men were caught up in the circumstances but had to be trained some three years before they were considered a part of. the wise men (1:5)

A. Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams. Daniel 2:1

Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams that caused his soul to be distressed. The reason was, that he was not able to remember them nor to interpret them.

The verse speaks of “dreams” more than one dream, but it could have been easily the same dream but at different or many times.

B. Nebuchadnezzar’s demands. Daniel 2:2-9

Nebuchadnezzar demanded the wise men of the land to give him -
The description of the dreams:
The interpretation of the dreams.

The reason for this was that anyone could have given an interpretation, but it was impossible to give the dream itself since they had not dreamed it, unless the gods were in and with them. (2:8 9)

(Remember that their gods didn’t know either)

Again I think it is very important to see and to understand that each trial and each testing faced by Daniel and the three Hebrew men, is one of the gods verses the True and Living God.

This is why Daniel so carefully answered with these words of great importance to the king:

“But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.” (2:28)

In chapter 1:8-16 it was the meat and wine of the Babylonian’s gods verses the pulse that they would eat before Daniel’s God.

Results: “And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.” Daniel 1:15

In chapter 1:17-21 it was the wisdom and knowledge of the Babylonian’s gods verses the wisdom and knowledge of Daniel’s God.

Results: “And in all matter of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” Daniel 1:20

Remember that the demands of the world are very harsh and greater than you will ever be able to perform, but the God within you is greater than the gods of the world.

C. Nebuchadnezzar’s decree. Daniel 2:5-6, 10-13

The decree of the king was two-fold:

The decree of the curse:
“The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill” .  Daniel 2:5

The decree of the blessing:
“But if ye flew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.” Daniel 2:6

The king didn’t have much faith in his wise men, thus, he made himself clear in what he would do, “there is but one decree for you.” (2:9) if you don’t answer correctly.

The decree was to include all the wise men as the king put them all in the same boat.

This included Daniel and the three Hebrew Men. Remember that Satan is a murderer (John 8:44) and he would delight in seeing these men of faith dead, but never fear, “greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.”

(I John 4:4)

Remember that in this world the believer will always face perils of some kind.

Jesus said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye night have’ peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

II. DANIEL’S PRAYER.

Daniel 2:14-23

Daniel in understanding the peril that he was facing, faced it with courage.
	He faced the captain of the guard:	(14 15)
	He faced the king:	(16)
	He faced the challenge before him.	(17-18)

We must understand the courage that was displayed by Daniel was a product of his faith in God.
	Hebrews 11:32-40

Daniel sets before us some truth in how we are to face serious situations in our lives.

A. Daniel used wisdom. Daniel 2:14-15

He didn’t just jump to conclusion, but sought out from reliable source what the problem was. Too often we fly off the handle over the circumstances that we are facing before we know

the truth of the matter, and long before we have sought the face of the Lord.

Wisdom must be exercised or we will probably face worse crises.

James 1:5 says: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth, to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall e given him.”

Daniel sets this example before us.

B. Daniel used workers. Daniel 2:17-18

Daniel was not afraid to share the burden with his fellow-workers. We ought never to feel that we are to carry the burdens of our crises alone, but we should feel the real need of the help of others.

Daniel called them “his companions” (2:17). Paul helps us to see this truth also in I Cor. 3:9; “for we are labourers together with God.”

Daniel shared with them the peril that they were facing:	(2:17)

Daniel shared with them the motives for their prayers: (2:18)

Daniel shared with them the purpose: (2:18)

There is strength in numbers, and how much greater should our strength be when we join together in prayer.

Jesus said: “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 18:19)

Daniel testified of this truth. (2:23)

C. Daniel worshipped. Daniel 2:19-23

Daniel prayed with his companions and waited upon the Lord for the answer. (2:18)

The answer came at the proper time. (2:19)

Note that Daniel faced the crises;
Daniel prayed for wisdom;
Daniel received the answer;
Daniel worshipped before delivering the answer to the king.

How we must learn from this truth, that we are to approach God with an unadulterated faith in God and wait patiently for Him to answer, and then worship Him with thanksgiving.

Keep in mind that these tests or trials were the gods of the Babylonians against the •God of heaven.
Note the confession of the wise men:

“And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” (2:11)

Note these truths:

They believed no man was capable of answering the king’s request:

They believed in many gods:

They believed that their gods didn’t dwell with flesh.

Note the confession of Daniel:

“I thank thee, and praise thee, 0 thou’ God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now. what we desired of thee: for thou hast made known unto us the king’s matter.” (2:23)

Note these truths:

Daniel believed in One God:
Daniel believed in a God who revealed unto His servants His will:
Daniel believed that His God dwelt with His people.

Daniel	worshipped Him because 
	He is God  2:19)
	He is wise and powerful  (2:20)
	He is Sovereign  (2:21)
	He is a revealer  (2:-22-23)

CONCLUSION:

Daniel and the three Hebrew Men teaches us: how to face crises in our lives, and that we as God’s people should never back up for “greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.”

I John 4:4

We will study part 2 of chapter two in another lesson.