This week's session focuses on Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's prayer. There are some remarkable prayers throughout the book of Daniel. There is so much we can learn and incorporate into our own personal prayer lives as we study Daniel's intercession.

V. 20-23 – Daniel's Prayer:

• Blessed: This has the idea of honor, glory and reverence. This is an acknowledgement of who we are seeking. This is a purposeful redirecting of our thoughts, reverence, and love to him. He is never a means to an end. He is the goal – he should be our pursuit. This week, I would encourage you to use this as a tool of focus. Every time we fret, when we feel ourselves tempted or drifting – bless him. The Psalms are full of this practice (Psalm 103, 14, 104, etc.) Paul also used this tactic, (2 Corinthians 1:3 and Ephesians 1:3). Peter also followed this custom (1 Peter 1:3). That is a pretty good group of people to look to for precedent. Start your prayers with the right focus and orientation. Acknowledge the truth that he is glorious and worthy of honor.

• Name of God: Who he is – his character – his revelation of himself through his Word and history. This is a contemplation of who he is. Daniel, in a few words, is modeling the truth that what we know about God’s character should inform the way we pray and live our lives. This is also a challenge to develop our understanding and intimacy with the Father. The name of God has always been of vital importance, but it was especially crucial in the Old Testament because God used his name to reveal new aspects of his character and will to people. Moses wanted to know which God was sending him to deliver the nation of Israel (Exodus 3:13-14). God is and was unchanging, but in different scenarios, he used his name to reveal himself as mighty, provider, sovereign, creator, righteous, lord of battles, etc.

• Forever and ever: He is eternally faithful. He is the uncreated Creator. He is the source of eternal life and longs to give us his life. Kings will come and go. Nations and power structures will shift, but he remains the unchanging sovereign one. He is the thing that will not be shaken in the end (Hebrews 12:27-29).

• Wisdom and might: This is knowledge/discernment/God’s perspective as well as the empowerment for obedience. He is the source of these things, and the one who enables us to live in accordance with his will. Grace empowers us to obey and to live life from his perspective instead of being swayed by our circumstances or world events. It is no longer our power or struggle (Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 3:20, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:27) – it is his life, might, and wisdom.

• Changes times and seasons: He is literally the Creator and Sustainer, but he is also in control of our lives. He has not ceded the throne. He is still sovereign. You could argue that this phrase is a direct reflection of Daniel acknowledging that God is in control of his personal circumstances. The next half of the verse about kings would relate to external events. Our own prayers should reflect this dual acknowledgment.

• Removes kings and sets up kings: This statement would have been particularly encouraging to Daniel and his friends. They were surrounded by “absolute” power. Their lives were under the sway of Nebuchadnezzar’s whims. They were literally in this situation because of Nebuchadnezzar’s orders. Daniel saw beyond the immediate. He would see approximately 11 kings come and go (between Israel, Babylon, and Persia). He would see world powers change and solidify three times. In the middle of that instability, he acknowledged that God was the Almighty One. He was sovereign over the immanence of power that cast a seemingly inescapable shadow. Again, regardless of how you feel about specific President’s or other government officials, God is still the one who is in control and he will accomplish his perfect will.

• Gives wisdom to the wise…knowledge to those who have understanding: This seems almost unfair. After all, the foolish are the ones who need wisdom. However, as we see multiple times throughout Scripture (especially in Proverbs), the wise get wiser. Why? I would argue, that this is because wise people are pursuing God’s heart. They aren’t simply looking for information – nor are they trying to live by their own understanding. God increases their wisdom because they are seeking his will. Are we pursuing him? Are we gaining wisdom or are we stagnant? Is our ability to discern truth from lies improving or do we find it increasingly difficult to determine God’s will and his perspective? Are we moving on to spiritual maturity or are we still drinking milk (Hebrews 5:12-14)?

• Reveals deep and hidden things: He reveals mysteries. He has revealed himself in his Word and he wants to be known. He didn’t write 66 books so that he could remain unknown. Granted, we will never fully grasp the depth of God’s wisdom and might (Isaiah 40:28 and Psalm 147:5). However, he does not want us to remain ignorant or in the dark. He wants us to progressively learn and study. Sometimes, this learning process seems like an excavation that will never end – and that is exactly true. Learning and understanding the deep things of God will take us through trials, temptations, and engage our mind as well as our hearts. Don’t shy away from those challenges. He is the revelator. He will meet us in the dark nights, and we will know him in ways we could not have otherwise imagined.

• Knows what is in the darkness…light dwells with him: This is, in my opinion, one of the most comforting facts about God. He is not wringing his hands in Heaven wondering if his plan will be accomplished. He is not a clueless or mindless genie. God is sovereign enough that he knows all the details. He is not surprised by our personal pain or by global crises. He knows the evil that Satan intends, but he has already defeated him. However, it is also important to understand that he is not like the mythical deities that understood darkness because they themselves committed sin. God is powerful enough to dwell in light and still know what is in the darkness. He is holy and righteous. He defeated the powers of darkness on the cross – he triumphed over them openly (Colossians 2:15). He is glorious, and nothing escapes his notice.

• O God of my fathers: This is one short statement, but it bears the weight of remembering God’s mighty works on behalf of Israel. He is giving thanks and praise in acknowledgement of what God had just done (revealing Nebuchadnezzar’s dream), but he is also remembering God’s goodness. When trials come, remember God’s goodness and provision. Even in a foreign hostile land, Daniel remembered who God was and how he had delivered. The Psalms are full of this practice. When the Psalmists were struggling, they would remember God’s work on behalf of Israel. They would recount his deliverance and praise his Name. It allowed them to have hope in their present circumstance because they remembered what God had done. This is a practice that we can definitely benefit from emulating.

• Given me wisdom and might: God gave Daniel insight, discernment, and understanding. He also gave him might – which carries the idea of courage and power. Daniel acknowledged that everything he had – came from God. There is no faster way to disrupt God’s manifest power in our lives than to take credit for his work in our lives. It is “From him and through him and to him” (Romans 11:36). Daniel understood that he was helpless apart from God.

• Made known what we asked of you…the king’s matter: It is important that Daniel distinguishes these two revelations. Yes, on some levels, this is an acknowledgment that God answered their prayer. God solved the immediate problem of their immanent demise by revealing Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. However, it is important that we understand that Daniel and his friends initially prayed for mercy and that they would not be destroyed (v. 18). Daniel obviously believed that God would give him insight regarding the king’s dream, but in this acknowledged distinction of God’s revelation, Daniel is highlighting a truth that will continue to be a theme of the book. God made known his mercy and preservation in the middle of the trial. He revealed himself first – and then the solution to their problem. In almost every circumstance, the solution that we need is a revelation of God – not just the actual answer to our “problem.” Be sure that you don’t miss the beauty of salvation and revelation in the trial. It is easy to thank God for solving our issues. Daniel reminds us that we must also praise him as he reveals himself.

V. 24-29 – Daniel has a solution and Arioch seems quite relieved that he won’t have to commit mass murder. I have always found it interesting that Arioch doesn’t ask for any form of verification – he just trusts Daniel. I’m not sure if he figured no one was crazy enough to fake this kind of knowledge or if he had met Daniel before and knew Daniel’s character. Regardless, Daniel is immediately taken before the king. It is also important to note that Daniel’s Babylonian name is listed here (Belteshazzar which means favored by Marduk). Daniel specifically notes that wise men, magicians, and astrologers cannot give the king a correct interpretation. This distinction and Daniel’s statement in v. 28 highlight that no “favor” from Marduk or other false deities will reveal truth. Only God can give the insight demanded by the king’s request. Daniel is very clear that he cannot answer the king’s demand, but God in heaven can and has revealed the mystery. It is important that Daniel situates God in Heaven – above all. He is not the God of Israel (although he was). He is not the God of Babylon or confined to a Temple made by men. He is above it all and yet he still sees and intervenes.

V. 30 – Daniel could have used this situation to boast or jockey for political position. Instead, he remains humble. He acknowledges that this revelation is from God alone and that is was given to Daniel so that he could explain it to the king. Again, God was working his divine plan and orchestrating his will.

V. 31 – A great image is seen. This likely served as a building block for the image Nebuchadnezzar builds in the next chapter. It is terrifying. We aren’t told why, but apparently it was a deeply unsettling vision.

V. 32-36 – This is the dream – so this answers the first part of Nebuchadnezzar’s demand. Daniel was able to perfectly explain what Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed without any insight from that man.

V. 37-38 – This starts the interpretation: Head = Gold = Babylon (specifically Nebuchadnezzar). His kingdom was remarkable, but its glory quickly diminished after his death. The kingdom of Babylon did not last a particularly long time as a world power. It was stunningly beautiful (the hanging gardens were a wonder of the ancient world), but it did not endure. They were used by God to accomplish his purpose, but ten they were quickly deposed.

V. 39 – Chest and arms = Silver = Medo-Persian Empire (split into two branches like that nation). Middle and thighs = Bronze = Greece – Alexander the Great’s empire stretched over the majority of the known earth. However, even aside from his corporeal conquering – Greek culture continued to spread even after that nation was dissolved. Rome practically adopted their deities and many societal practices.

V. 40 – Legs = Iron = Rome – the first incarnation of that nation that held sway in Jesus day. While at its height of power, they broke apart pretty much everything or anything that interfered with their plans. Rome eventually split into eastern and western kingdoms (hence legs).

V. 41-43 – Feet and toes = Clay/Iron mix = End times – as we cover more details regarding prophecy in the latter chapters of Daniel, we will see how the 10 horns or 10 kings in Revelation have echoes of these earlier kingdoms, but they are of mixed strength.

V. 44-45 (v. 34) – The rock is Christ. He was not created by human hands. His origins are not from earth, but rather he was sent by God to redeem. He will return to earth the second time to break all previous world systems into dust. He will destroy them by his own strength, and then he will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. He is eternal and never changes. He will stand when all else has fallen and failed (Job. 19:25). The dream is certain (complete/unchanging/prophecy that will not be altered) and the interpretation is sure (Daniel is completely confident that what he has told the king is the truth and a revelation from God).

V. 46-47 – Nebuchadnezzar is so blown away that he thinks Daniel is possessed by the spirit of God and wants to worship him. Daniel had already told the king that it wasn’t about the interpreter of the dream – but about God’s power. While Daniel’s response is not recorded here, apparently, he refused to receive worship. In verse 47, there is a shift and instead of Nebuchadnezzar continuing to try and worship Daniel – he acknowledges that Daniel’s God is above all other powers.

V. 48-49 – Instead of worship, Nebuchadnezzar backs off and instead bestows more traditional gifts on Daniel in the form of wealth and power. An eighteen year old (approximately), becomes one of the most powerful men in the world. He is put in charge of the other wise men. Talk about creating some jealousy! Daniel asks that his friends be promoted with him, but Daniel is singled out to serve directly in Nebuchadnezzar’s court – in the presence of the king.

So, what do our prayers sound like? Do we trust that what we need is a revelation of God more than we need rescue from our present circumstances? Are we confident in God’s revelation? Are we prepared to serve where God has placed us without compromising truth? We have so much that we can learn from Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. One some levels, the only extraordinary thing they did was obey what God said. How extraordinary might our lives be if we too dared to do what God says?