Daniel 2 (Bible Study)
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The Beatitudes
[Jesus] said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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Introduction
Daniel 2 takes place after Daniel and his friends entered the king’s service as educated counsellors, advisors, and administrators. Daniel Chapters 1& 8-12 are written in Hebrew and Chpters 2-7 are written in Aramiac. The text is written in Aramiac from Daniel 2:4 and continues until 7:28. Aramaic was the international language of the known world at that (as English is today).
Daniel is the only book of the Bible written in two languages. As a bilingual book, its message is intended not just for Jews but for all the nations of the world. It is very applicable to us today, about how Christians are to live in the world but not of it.
“The astrologers answered the king in Aramaic” — Daniel 2:4
Despite being super powerful Nebuchadnezzar has dreams that trouble him (see 2:31-35)? What does this say about powerful leaders and how can we apply this to ourselves? Read 2:1-3.
First, often the people with the greatest drive for power are the most anxious and fearful. Reinhold Niebuhr believed that fear and uncertainty lay at the roots of most political tyranny. The lust for power is born, “‘in the darkly conscious realisation’ of the basic insecurity of[human] existence.”1 Fear is often the reason for the super-confident veneer of many powerful people.
Second, even if fear is not at the root of a rise to power, it later develops. Those who climb high will not feel more secure, but less. They are the objects of more jealousy and in the ‘sights’ of more opponents. The higher the climb in wealth, power, fame; the greater the chance of a fall and there is much to lose.
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is an eruption of these fears. No powerful person likes to find they are weak underneath. The giant in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is the vision he wanted the world to have of him: "an impregnable giant, towering over the world”—but the weakness of the feet expressed his fears. 2 This does not mean that God had no message for the world in the dream. We should, however, also recognise that this expressed the king’s heart condition.
This dream and his fears gives insight into the king’s mind and we see further evidence of it in Chpt 4.
Application
First, while our fears may be different to Nebuchadnezzar’s, they are not that different. When we build our lives on earthly success, relationships, or circumstances, we experience a great deal of anxiety, much of it unconscious. Because earthly achievement and delight has “feet of clay.” Any project, condition, bank account, career, or person is vulnerable, the precariousness and fragility of life will be revealed. Either God is our security or we truly have none.
Second, God often shows us our need for him by giving us a glimpse of what is really in our hearts. We are in denial about how angry, fearful, and selfish we are. Then something brings out the worst in us, and we are shocked that we are capable of such thoughts and actions. These are warnings. God is not trying to punish us, but to awaken us.
Third, success will never be enough. Nebuchadnezzar was a man who had found power, yet he was insecure. Getting to the top did not give peace and security. Another kind of riches & power is needed.
