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The Book of Daniel Chapter 2 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Copyright © 1984-2001 by Dr. Richard W. Fry Published by Promise of Life Ministries. Printed in the United States Of America. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or database, or translated into any human or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, photocopying, recording, manual, or otherwise, or disclosed to third parties without the express written consent of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Making copies of any part of this publication for any purpose other than your own personal use is a violation of United States copyright laws. Verse 1 He dreamed many dreams! He has just conquered the world and has everything! One would think this would be a very peaceful time of his life, yet he is filled with unrest and troublesome dreams.
Verse 2 Magicians: Those skilled in sacred writings. They were only scribes who wrote in hieroglyphics.
Astrologers: The practice of incantations. From the verb: to whisper or blow. They were highly trained in:
Sorcerers: The practitioners of magic arts with intent to do mischief to men or beasts, and to delude and pervert the mind.
Chaldeans: The priestly caste, through witchcraft & idolatry, they kept the people under control. They were very powerful men.
Soothsayers: The determiners (deciders). They cast nativities from the (from v.27) place of one’s birth, and by various acts of computing and divining, foretold the future, fortune, and destiny of people and nations. They were the pagan counterparts of Biblical prophets, and held in the highest position of all.
These 5 Positions Made Up Nebuchadnezzar’s State Department
Verse 4 Syriack is actually Aramaic, and Aramaic is used from here to chapter 8.
Nebuchadnezzar was no fool! He knew that if he told them the dream they would fabricate and interpretation.
Verse 5 Here, and again in verse 8, it appears as though Nebuchadnezzar has forgotten the dream. However, not only did he remember the dream, but it is also the only thing he thought about.
What he is actually saying here is that he has issued an official decree!
He is serious about finding out what this dream is all about.
If they do not produce the dream and the interpretation they will be drawn and quartered.
The sentence is then extended to their households; wives, children, etc. Their palaces will be razed to the ground, their hacked bodies dumped on the site, and the whole area made into a public toilet.
Verse 6 It is not a good idea to attempt to purchase the gifts and graces of God! cf. Acts 8:17-23
Verse 7 They recognize this as their only hope, so they are not entirely stupid!
Verse 9 Till The Time Be Changed: Until he either drops the issue or reveals the dream to them.
Therefore Tell Me The Dream: The king obviously has the trump card!
Verse 10 They realize that to come out second best means their death. Their great minds have failed, so they now employ three gimmicks! There Is Not A Man Upon The Earth That Can Shew The King’s Matter: F #1: This is the no-man gimmick. It is impossible for a man to do this thing the king has demanded.
F #3: This is the pantheon gimmick. Only the gods could possibly know this thing the king has asked, so why ask of us? It is futile to inquire of men those things only the gods know of.
Verse 12 Nebuchadnezzar Commanded To Destroy All The Wise Men Of Babylon: They have definitely overplayed their hand on this one.
Verse 14 Counsel: Advice based upon doctrine!
Wisdom: Application of doctrine to experience!
Verse 17 Daniel wisely decides not to muscle through this on his own and enlists the aid of his friends.
Verse 20 God gets the glory!
Verse 21 Time advances because of God.
Verse 23 ALL 4 OF THE HEBREWS UNDERSTOOD THE DREAM!
Verse 25 Typical glory grabber: Daniel went to him (v.24)!
Verse 26 Art Thou Able: Trying to give Daniel credit!
Verse 27 Daniel begins by stating that the men of the State Department cannot do this thing. He then boldly declares that God can!
Verse 28 Daniel agrees with the astrologers (v. 10) that no man can reveal the king’s dream to him.
Verse 30 But For Their Sakes: He is either talking about his friends (not likely) or he is making a reference to all of the astrologers.
Verse 34 Stone: A stone so large it had never been reduced in size - CHRIST!
Which Smote The Image: Second advent (Revelation 19:11-21) And Brake Them In Pieces:
Verse 35 Then: When? At the second advent!
Chaff: Lake of fire for unbelievers!
No Place Found: Could not enter the millennium
kingdom (Revelation 19:21) Millennium Kingdom.
Verse 46 Worshipping the wrong person!
Verse 48 Daniel is now second in command of all of Babylon! |
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