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We last left Daniel in a precarious position. King Nebuchadnezzar had ordered that all the wise men of Babylon would be killed because they could not tell him his dream. Daniel and his three friends, as wise men in the kingdom, were to be sought out and killed, as well.
Daniel 2:14-24 (KJV)
14
Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
15
He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
16
Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
17
Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
18
That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19
Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21
And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
22
He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
23
I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
24
Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.
Who had gone out to carry out the king's command (verse 14)? Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, had gone out to slay the wise men. He finally came to Daniel. With what characteristics did Daniel answer Arioch? He answered with counsel and wisdom. What did Daniel ask Arioch (verse 15)? He asked him why the king was so hasty in his decree. Arioch then explains what had happened. What does Daniel request from the king (verse 16)? Daniel goes in to the king and asks for some time. Then he would be able to give the king the interpretation of the dream. Where does Daniel go (verse 17)? Daniel goes to his house. What does he do there? He tells Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about the king's decree. In verse 18 what do Daniel and his friends do? It appears that they pray together for God's mercy, that God would tell them the king's dream, and that the four of them would not perish with the rest of the wise men. What happens in verse 19? Daniel receives the information that he requested. How does Daniel receive it? He receives it through a night vision. What is a night vision? How is this different from a dream? A vision occurs when one is awake, while a dream occurs when one is sleeping. So in this case, Daniel received the needed information from God during the night while he was awake. What was Daniel's response? He blessed the God of heaven. Verses 20-23 relate Daniel's prayer. What things does Daniel say God is like and is able to do? Daniel says that God is wise and mighty (verse 20). He says that God changes the times and seasons, sets up and removes kings, gives wisdom to the wise, and gives knowledge to those of understanding (verse 21). He reveals secret things because he knows everything (verse 22). What does Daniel do in verse 23? Daniel thanks and praises God for giving him the information that he needed. What happens in verse 24? Daniel goes back to Arioch, tells him not to slay the wise men, and to bring him in to the king.
What can we learn from this section of Scripture? We see how wise Daniel was. The first thing that he did when facing a difficult time was pray. He gathered his friends together and they all prayed. Is this how you handle trying times? Then when Daniel received something that he had asked God for, he responded in thanksgiving. Do you remember to thank and bless God when He showers good things on you?
Next time, we'll see what happens as Daniel meets with the king.
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