Daniel 2:1-16, The God of Israel or the gods of Babylon

 We need to have a proper perspective about who we are in this sinful world.  When I say “we” I am talking about the people of God, Christians, the Church!  This world is not wrapped up in “Republican vs. Democrat,” conservative vs. liberal, union vs. management.  I am not saying these contests might not touch on the real battle, but they are not the battle.  We are in a battle; and this world is the battlefield.  The battle is for the souls of men.  They are currently ruled by the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience (Eph. 2:2).  Yet, by the authority of the Creator, they belong to His Christ (Psa. 2:6-9).

This battle was raging in the days of Daniel.  It was not Daniel vs. Nebuchadnezzar or Daniel and his friends vs. the magicians of Babylon.  It was the one and only true God vs. the gods of Babylon, and beyond, the gods of this world.  It is as it was in Egypt, when it was not really Moses vs. Pharaoh but God showing His power against the gods of Egypt.  It is as it was in the days of Joshua, who called the people to choose between the gods of the Amorites or the LORD (Josh. 24:15).  It is as it was on Mt. Carmel, when Elijah challenged the people, “How long will you falter between two opinions?” (1 Ki. 18:21).

God already brought honor to Himself when He worked through Daniel in Ch. 1.  Now it happens again.  It happens because Daniel trusts and honors God.  As in the first story, Daniel never takes a combative stance with his “captors” but rather, respectfully, gets permission from them to allow God to demonstrate His power. 

The story takes place in the Daniel’s second year in Babylon, while he is still in “college” (2:1).  Amazingly, God spoke to Nebuchadnezzar, the Gentile king.  The king had dreams that troubled him.  They were so troubling he wanted to be sure he got a true interpretation of them.  Thus, the Babylonian king put the Babylonian wise men (the Chaldeans) in a difficult spot, where they could not make up an answer (v2-11).  The king was no fool.  He knew the obvious, that people around him were prone to say things they thought he might like to hear.  Nebuchadnezzar wanted the truth. 

Some have theorized that the king was using this situation to gain control over the Chaldeans, who wielded a lot of power.  But the Scriptures tell us that what the king was doing was seeking the truth.  What he got was delay, stalling tactics.  So, the decree began to be implemented (v12-14).

We like to point out one important truth that the wise men of Babylon espoused.  They rightly pointed out that the gods of Babylon did not dwell with flesh (v11).  It’s a fact.  There is only one God who ever became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1:14).  There is only one God of grace like that, Who was so “mindful” (caring) of humans, that He visited them (Ps. 8:4).  Because of this the wise men of Babylon were in great trouble.