Here we have one of the most famous prophetic passages in the Bible. In this passage, God reveals to Nebuchadnezzar the future of his empire, as well as of the Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman empires.
Ultimately, God makes clear to Nebuchadnezzar that as great as these human empires might be, they would only be temporary, and could not compare to the kingdom that would come, God’s kingdom.
God’s kingdom would sweep away all other kingdoms and would stand forever.
But as interesting as this prophesy was, I find the words of Nebuchadnezzar’s astrologers in verse 11 even more interesting.
Nebuchadnezzar demanded that they not only interpret the dream he had, but that they tell him the dream itself. In that way, he could tell that their interpretation was true. The astrologers complained that they could not do it, saying,
There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer.
What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men. (10-11)
The Babylonians had many gods, but to the astrologers, they were inaccessible, at least to do what Nebuchadnezzar commanded them to do. “Our gods do not live among men,” they said.
But Daniel served a God who does walk among men. And when he heard of the king’s edict to kill all the wise men of Babylon, he asked for more time to seek God.
When God revealed the mystery and the dream to him, he worshiped God saying,
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king. (Daniel 2:20-23)
The same God who walked with Daniel, walks with us as well. Jesus is Immanuel, “God with us.”
So let us never think of God as one who is far away or inaccessible. But when we face problems and troubles in our lives, let us do as Daniel did: humble ourselves before him and seek his face.
And just as he was with Daniel, he will also be with us.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 