Along with several itinerating colleagues, I teach a Bible class at our local congregation. Teaching schedules are determined by which dates we can attend our home church. Imagine my concern when I was scheduled to teach the lesson on Daniel 2, a prophecy that I have preached many times, but also one that most of my class attendees would have often presented.
Searching for a fresh approach, I determined to present a verse-by-verse exegetical presentation of practical lessons that arise from the prophecy. Next time you are called upon to plow familiar furrows, try a fresh approach of asking what God says in the story behind the prophecy.
(Daniel 2:1) Pay attention to what keeps you awake. God may be trying to get a message through. He may use insomnia to arrest your mind.
(2) Desperate people will try anything. The magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers all proved to be charlatans.
(5) People will turn against those who deceive them. Never underestimate the wrath of those who have been deceived.
(12, 13) Good people get caught in the turmoil of the wicked. All will suffer the consequences of rebels.
(17, 18) Small groups have great power. When Daniel and his friends prayed, heaven moved!
(19, 20) God cares for His people. God does not act without revealing His secrets to His servants, the prophets.
(21–23) God remains in control. He sets up and takes down kings. His throne remains the constant of history. Never doubt His power to work in your own circumstances.
(24) Righteous believers spare the wicked. Just as God was willing to spare Sodom if a few righteous were found there, the lives of Babylonian soothsayers were spared because of Daniel and his friends.
(25) Some nonbelievers make correct judgment calls. Arioch acted quickly to resolve the death decree.
(26) Don’t be intimidated by the skeptics. Nebuchadnezzar could hardly believe that a novice would provide answers that “wise men” had missed. He discovered that wise answers, indeed, can come from unexpected sources.
(28–30) Don’t take credit for someone else’s wisdom. Daniel was quick to credit the God of heaven as the source of all truth.
(31–35) Plainly proclaiming facts brings conviction to your listeners. The king was so amazed by the truth that he never doubted the application.
(37, 38) Always begin with the good news. What despotic king could resist the appeal of “Thou art this head of gold” (KJV)? (37, 38) But keep everything in perspective. “For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory” (NKJV).
(39) Watch your backside. Your downfall could come at the hands of a weaker force. Heaven sometimes uses inferiors to bring judgment.
(39) History demonstrates the reality of devolution. Humanity grows worse, not better. Just as silver is inferior to gold, brass to silver, and iron to brass, the natural order of a sinful world is progressive degeneration, not evolutionary progress.
(40–42) Historicism is proven by history. The historicist approach to understanding Bible prophecy has been validated by the fl ow of human history. God’s Word can be trusted with the few prophecies yet unfi lled.
(43) Iron and clay don’t mix. The strength of iron is compromised by the fragility of ceramic pottery. Human efforts to forge strength from weak ingredients always fail.
(44) Kingdom-building belongs to God. Nebuchadnezzar as well as succeeding empires discovered that God has been setting up His kingdom—first His kingdom of grace; ultimately His kingdom of glory—”in the days of these kings.” (45) We live in history’s latter days. Great prophetic way marks have moved “past the kingdoms four, down to the feet—part of iron, part of clay, soon to pass away” (song written by Franklin Belden, 1886).
(45) The dream is certain; the interpretation is sure. Without help from human hands, God will set up His kingdom. His kingdom of glory is next! God’s judgment, God’s fiat creation, and God’s permanence will stand. The conclusion is as certain and as sure as the original dream.
(46) Truth tellers are exalted. In a world engrossed with counterfeits and overwhelmed by falsehood, those who testify to truth will be rewarded.
(47ff) End with the good news. Prophetic messages lead to conversions. Understanding God’s truth develops trust in His promises. Preach that the God who moves through history is still on His throne. With His plan, His promise, His providences secure, His return is as certain as the dawn!
