Daniel (2)Home groups 22nd November 17
Read Daniel 1 verse 18 to 2 verse 49.
In introducing his readers to this chapter Wiersbe asks, ‘Why is there such a sudden shift in tone from chapter 1 to chapter 2? What does this say about the path Daniel’s life is about to take? How does the inconsistency of the king help to underline the consistency of God in Daniel’s life?
It is the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. He is trying to establish control over his new kingdom. It is possible that Daniel and his friends are still completing their training programme. However Mesopotamian ‘sorcerers’ (who cast spells) and ‘astrologers’ a priestly guild of diviners had been added to the king’scourt of wise men.
The king has dreams and is troubled by them. The plural ‘dreams’ may indicate a recurring dream (also called a vision in 2.28), that literally strikes Nebuchadnezzar’s sprit, stops him sleeping and causes anxiety to him as he seeks to establish his rule.
What is the nature of the challenge faced by the ‘wise men’ as the king sets out his demands in verses 2 to 9?
In their response to the king the tone of the ‘wise men’ moves from respect to despair – they are in an impossible place and their lives depend on a solution being found.
What do they say to the king in verse 11 and what are the implications of this (focus on the last phrase of v 11)? What is different about our God (verse 18)?
As new graduates Daniel and his friends were not present at the session that had gone so badly for the ‘wise men’. When Artioch came to get Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah their lives were at great risk.
How did Daniel react (verse 14)? Compare Daniel’s actions with the words of the Apostle Paul in Colossians 4 vv 5 & 6. What do Daniel’s actions and Paul’s words speak into our lives?
Artioch took a great risk when he responded to Daniel’s question and explained the situation, an even greater one when Daniel ‘went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him’.
Daniel is faced with a life or death situation – he has indicated that he will try to interpret the dream. What does he do next and what is the important lesson for us here? What reasons underpin any hesitancy we might have to do what Daniel did?Mercy v 18 stems from the Hebrew word ‘compassion’.
Prayer is answered. In his thanks to God, what does Daniel’s praise of God tell us about Daniel’s vision of God? What can we take from this?
The NIV’s ‘praised’ in v 19 can also be rendered ‘blessed’ – meaning to kneel in gratitude, honour and recognition of God. What is our attitude when we come before God in prayer?
Daniel is taken in to see the king (interesting introduction from Arioch v 25!).
The mention of Daniel as an exile highlights his aloneness and his religious heritage, bringing to mind the opening of this book (1 vv 1 – 7). It also subtly reminds Nebuchadnezzar of the God he thinks he has beaten by subjugating Jehoiakim.
In his response to the king’s question (verse 26) Daniel begins his answer with the words ‘No wise man’. This was a high-risk strategy, it was certainly not what the king wanted to hear, but Daniel quickly follows this with the words, ‘but there is a God in heaven’.
Pause for a second to reflect on how quickly we can bring God into a conversation with people who have no faith in Him. Are we always as ‘quick’ as we should be to do this?
How might Daniel’s praise in vv20 – 23 have helped him as he stood in front of the king?
Verse 28 is a defining moment in the narrative as God’s ability is set against Daniel’s inability. In chapter 1 verse 20 we read that, ‘In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom’. So in terms of ability Daniel was ten times better than the ‘wise men’ of Babylon, yet Daniel presents to the king the fact that it is God, and Him alone, who is meeting the king’s need. The wise men’s assertion to the king that divine knowledge is inaccessible is countered by Yahweh’s gracious willingness to share wisdom with his servant.
With the knowledge afforded him by God, Daniel interprets the kings dream (we don’t have the time to consider the meaning of the dream now….. but maybe in the future we will return to Daniel to look at the prophetic dreams and visions in the Book).
How does the king react to the interpretation of his dream (verses 46 to 49)?
Although Nebuchadnezzar recognises that God alone is worthy of honour and praise, chapter 3 indicates that he did not hold this view for too long!
As we draw our study to a close, of all the things that might have encouraged us in it this evening, what stands out?
Prayer:Building on the week 1 prayers – in which we prayed that we would not compromise our faith or God’s calling, instead we would resolve to bring glory and honour to His name; and praying that in our lives our holiness might be seen and that we will stand out and be different – pray also tonight for one another that we might all ‘be wise in the way we act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity, letting our conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to answer everyone’.
Next time – What do we worship (Daniel 3).
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