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Daniel and the Magicians of Babylon

Daniel the Interpreter of Dreams

Daniel was placed, by God, into an important position within the court of the Babylonian King. He was put there to witness to God's sovereign power over all nations. The lesson for you and me is this: because God controls and directs the affairs of the earth kingdoms we should be mindful that He can and does control the events of your life.

Daniel 1:17-21 God was working with Daniel and his companions through the power of His spirit. God gave Daniel spiritual and intellectual gifts. He understood the literature, culture and wisdom of Babylon... but it would be the interpreting of dreams that would cause Daniel to rise to power in the king's court... where he would serve as God's witness.

Daniel  had proven his obedience through the simple test of not defiling himself with the royal food [either unclean or having been offered to idols]. This is why the book of Daniel begins with a test of obedience!  Acts 5:32 "God gives His spirit to those who obey Him"

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Dream Interpretation

Dream interpretation was an important part of Babylonian wisdom traditions. They believed "the gods" spoke to them through dreams.  But the dreams needed to be interpreted.

Initially, we find Daniel included with all the "magicians" and "enchanters".

The word translated magician literally means engraver/writer/scribe. They maintained a body of Babylonian literature that was astrological and therefore occult in nature. Think of it as a library of rules, spells, omens, and dream interpretation.

The word enchanter means one who used this information to establish contact with the spirit world to get guidance, insight, understanding. Supposedly, such men were in close contact with the spirits and “the gods due to the nature of their studies. That is why they were considered important advisors to the king.

The king wanted the guidance and favor of the gods... this was a means to get it. The Babylonians would have considered these magicians benevolent, not evil and scary.  There would have been unofficial magicians out on the street who dealt in "black magic", love potions, curses, voodoo, but that was not the sort found in the king's court.

It's interesting to consider that Moses grew up learning the wisdom of Egypt which was similar in nature to that of Babylon. God used Moses to record regulations condemning the magic arts Leviticus 19:26, 31; Leviticus 20:6; Deuteronomy 18:10-12. God does not want humans to attempt to communicate with spirits.

However, Israel was offered a way to communicate with the spirit world, but there were strict rules and boundaries: 

Communication was only allowed with YHWH

Communication was facilitated through specific channels: the ordained priesthood and the written word.

Coming before Him required cleanness and atonement for sin.

YHWH also communicated through prophets, and visions... but these are the exception rather than the rule.

How Does God Speak to Us Today?

Hebrews 1:1-2 in this age of the Church God primarily speaks to us through the written word and the understanding of it provided by the power of Christ spirit in us. God manages this through instruction and teaching from an ordained ministry Ephesians 4:11-14; 2 Peter 1:20.

When we go outside the channels authorized by God we open ourselves up to the forces of spiritual wickedness at work in our world. These rules are for our protection.

God Has A Message For Nebuchadnezzar

God has a message for Nebuchadnezzar and all who would follow. Through the bible we have a written record of that message. Its a foretelling of the great Gentile kingdoms to come. Kingdoms which would dominate the people of Israel from that time, until the return of Christ. Here’s what they need to know:

1) I YHWH am in charge of human history, you can do nothing outside what I decree

2) there is a predetermined end to your dominance

3) I speak to you through the messengers of my choosing... not yours

Daniel 2:1-4 these men were not being tricky or deceitful, this was just the way it was done. First, you tell us the dream, then we get out the appropriate books, Then, we apply the standardized rules of interpretation from the manuals that explained the various dream symbols. Kind of like modern psychoanalysis. Note: samples of such manual have been uncovered by archaeologists digging in Babylon.

The king is skeptical of the Babylonian manuals. He wants some sort of proof that they really are allowing him to communicate with "the gods". So he has a test for them... if they could tell him the contents of the dream, that supernatural demonstration would validate their interpretation Daniel 2:5-8.

These verses indicate the king knew and remembered the contents of this dream. He did not withhold it because he had forgotten. He knew the magicians would just provide some standardized explanation from the manuals, but how could he trust that it were correct? This had been a recurring dream so the king knew it was important!

He threatens to execute the whole lot of them.

Daniel Intervenes

Daniel 2:10-16 the magicians and enchanters knew they were not "in touch" with "the gods" and they say as much.

This sets up the introduction of Daniel... a man who would be able to tell the king the content of the dream and provide a reliable interpretation... because Daniel was in touch with the spirit world... he was in touch with YHWH the true/living God. Through Daniel YHWH would prove a point to Babylon, to all the great kingdoms, to all readers of this section of scripture, throughout time. I am, I rule, I communicate with you in the manner I choose, I work with and through those who obey me.

Isaiah 47:12-13 God was not a fan of Babylon’s approach

The Power of Prayer

Daniel 2:17-19 Daniel's life in the kings court was perilous, for the second time he faced punishment and death. In this time of trouble his response is prayer, and he asks his friends to to pray with him. In contrast to the magicians of Babylon, Daniel seeks answers not from the library of human wisdom but from the personal, living God, who is sovereign over all. And the God of Israel answers Daniel.

Daniel's Offers Praise and Thanks

The bible could have simply said "and Daniel praised God", but it does not. Daniel's prayer of thanks is recorded for all who read the scriptures so that we do not miss the importance of what God is accomplishing through Daniel. YHWH is declaring [and proving] Himself to be ruler over all human history and communicating through those He chooses.

Nebuchadnezzar will get his supernatural proof when Daniel tells him the content of the dream. Readers of scripture will get their proof when they see the prophecies of this dream play out in actual human history.

Daniel 2:20 YHWH alone is worthy of praise.

Daniel 2:21a YHWH rules over human history in all eras. All human governments derive their authority from Him. He changes them at will.

Daniel 2:21b - 22 The interpretation is not a matter of human reason, logic, or rationalization. The interpretation is revealed by God and could never be figured out using only the power of the human mind. Only in YHWH, the God of scripture, can such things be found.

Daniel 2:23 here Daniel's thanks is very personal: I, Me, My, Us, We. God's answer is given in response to Daniel's personal heartfelt request. Also, shows the importance of collective prayer.

Takeaway: when God answers prayer be sure to say thank you!

Daniel Gives the Content of the Dream

Daniel 2:24-28 Daniel sets the matter in proper perspective: telling you the content of your dream and what went on in your mind is not something any human being can know. It is a demonstration of God's greatness. This is not about Daniel's great power. Key phrases:

"There is a God in heaven" - one of the repeated themes of this book and its prophecies [some fulfilled, some yet to come]. There is a true God, as opposed to man-made Gods, exalted political leaders, and false spiritual teachers. The living God is the one in charge.

"in days to come" - literally, in "latter part of days". This message and these prophecies will be important until the end of the age and the return of Christ.

Daniel 2:29-35 features of the statue: 1) it is "awesome" literally to be feared because it has authority and power... 2) each successive stage is of less value BUT stronger except for the clay... 3) "feet and toes of mixed clay"- the entire dazzling and awesome  structure is built on a foundation that was weak, brittle, and of little lasting value.

Features of the rock: 1) it is of God - not cut of human hands 2) it had greater power 3) it annihilates the statue  4) it is a system of government [holy mountain] 5) its scope was worldwide.

Daniel Interprets the Meaning of the Dream

I am not going to make many comments about the giant metal statue. I plan to cover that later by comparing it to Daniel's own vision of the 4 beasts from the sea.

Daniel 2:36-45 the dream is about kingdoms, [ie. governments/empires]. It begins with Babylon, then Persia, then Greece, then Rome. Most agree these identities are clearly spelled out in scripture and history. These are the kingdoms that dominate Israel until the time of the end. All these will be replaced by a government which is of God and which will cover the whole earth.

Nebuchadnezzar's Response

Since Daniel had told the contents of the dream before interpreting it Nebuchadnezzar had his proof that this was truly of "the gods". The king does not acknowledge YHWH as the only god, rather as the chief god. He is profoundly impressed with Daniel's God but not converted to the biblical faith. The practical outcome is that Daniel is put in a position to continue his witness to the true living God throughout the entirety of Babylon's remaining time.

Your Response

God wanted some important understanding to be written down and embedded in human history. He would prove its truthfulness through prophecies made and fulfilled. This witness was to Babylon and all successive kingdoms... but it is also a witness to you and me:

· YHWH communicates with humanity in a manner of His own choosing. He is not summoned by our religious rites. We come before God as HE dictates.

· YHWH gives understanding through human instruments of His own choosing, not ours. He gives the spirit of understanding to those who obey Him.

· YHWH is in control of world history - therefore He is also in control of your personal life

· YHWH is all knowing about people and kingdoms - therefore He knows everything about you

Knowing these truths let us obey Him in matters great and small, and present ourselves to Him in fear and trembling at His word. 

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