creating a lasting legacy
“In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him.” (Daniel 2:1)
The second chapter of Daniel does not necessarily provide for us a presentation of Daniel’s first encounter with the king; in fact, it is very likely, based on the academic fervor, success, and esteem of these exiles, that Daniel and his fellow captives were often involved in the king’s affairs. Therefore, what we are shown is an intentional move of God within the Babylonian empire; or, more specifically, the compassionate movement of God for the heart of Nebuchadnezzar. And, while Daniel may have performed his required courtly duties on many previous occasions, the author (Nebuchadnezzar himself) gave his readers a chance to walk through the origin story of a most unexpected friendship; through the second chapter of Daniel we learn of a significant interaction between Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel that formed a relationship that would later transform into far more than service and counsel. Because of the disturbing dream of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel was given an opportunity to stand out as a wise sage with religious authority beyond that of the other academics. However, the opportunity presented, the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar, came dramatically and with potential for terrifying consequences.
“And the king said to them, ‘I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.’ Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, ‘O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.’ The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, ‘The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.’” (Daniel 2:3-6)
The task presented before the court, to say the least, was an impossible task. All of the certified leaders and recognized academics of the day knew the importance of appeasing the king, but there was no doubt of the impossibility of his demand. It is within this outrageous circumstance that we witness the impactful faith of the prophet Daniel; however, before engaging in the heart of the story, we are first informed that the heart of the king was far from understanding and merciful.
“The Chaldeans answered the king and said, ‘There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.’ Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them.” (Daniel 2:10-13)
In the story to follow, it is made clear to all that Daniel was responding to the dire death threats of a wrathful king; Nebuchadnezzar was a vicious conqueror who maintained his bloodlust even within his own palace—his demands were final, and his responses were severe; this confession of the author (again, Nebuchadnezzar himself) potentially reveals the humility gained later in life while also setting the stage for the significance of the redemption to come. But, for now, having finally been given insight into the cold heart of the king, the story begins with Daniel’s reaction.
“Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion.” (Daniel 2:14a)
Prudence and Discretion. Here, we should note that neither are defined as hesitancy or cowardice as it so often is (unintentionally) today. Instead, in the verses to follow, we are free to assume that prudence and discretion are best considered to include responding boldly with faith, confidence, and prayer. After setting the understanding for the type of reaction Daniel had, we are then led to follow the almost immediate actions of this man of faith.
“And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.” (Daniel 2:16)
Daniel acted in faith long before he was given understanding; no vision had yet to be granted, and no prayer had yet to be prayed. But, Daniel acted as though the prayer he has yet to pray was already answered. He request a meeting to accomplish the impossible task that no other advisor would dare to attempt; more than this, similar to his so-called request from the first chapter, Daniel’s “request” to fulfill the unreasonable demands of the vicious king resembled that of a confident demand instructing the man assigned to be his executioner.
“Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.” (Daniel 2:24b)
He spoke boldly and definitely; he instructs the executioner to ignore the orders of the bloodthirsty tyrant while including the guarantee of his success—again, all done before seeking the mercy of the LORD through prayer. Daniel’s confidence does not arise from a lack of prayer but rather from the knowing that he will pray and that his prayers will be heard.
“Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.” (Daniel 2:17-18)
Daniel sought the LORD, but he first gathered with the remnant of believers and sought the LORD through prayer while within community; it is true that seeking to inform his brothers of a fate that they are condemned to share is a logical first step—but the meeting is not informational. He gathered with the believers to pray. Moreover, from the verses to follow (Daniel 2:20-23) we know that Daniel prioritized praising God for his goodness, mercy, and faithfulness. It is only then—after communion, prayer, and praise—that Daniel approached the opportunity before him.
“Daniel answered the king and said, ‘No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.’” (Daniel 2:27-28a)
There is much in the answer to Nebuchadnezzar that will be explored later; however, while focusing on the person of Daniel, we witness the wisdom of not first answering the demands of the king. Despite the relentless, bloodthirsty command of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel prioritized taking the time to declare the truth of the God of Heaven. While this response may appear simple, the impact was of eternal importance. Nebuchadnezzar was forced to accept the impossibility of his demand, to meet the God of all glory who far exceeds any of the numerous gods of Babylon, and accept that this God is beginning a work that includes himself and his reign. Additionally, we should recognize that Daniel shifts the potential glory far away from himself and, instead, places it where it rightfully belongs: with the God of Heaven.
Daniel provided the interpretation to the dream and revealed a message of apocalyptic significance that will be revisited multiple times in the rest of the writings, but the reaction of Nebuchadnezzar was the focus at this stage of the narrative. In short, Daniel was promoted and Nebuchadnezzar was willing to accept the God of Daniel as, at the very least, being deserving of being included in the long list of gods recognized within the empire. It might not seem significant, but it was the start that Nebuchadnezzar needs on his long journey of faith; and, it was due to the boldness of faith demonstrated by a man of God.
“Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. The king answered and said to Daniel, ‘Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.’ Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.” (Daniel 2:46-49)
The actions of faith, the prudent wisdom of Daniel, created a lasting legacy of Biblical proportions that would have a significant impact for hundreds of years to come. It must be observed that Nebuchadnezzar made Daniel “chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.” We already know that Daniel and his fellow captives were required to become scholars in Babylonian wisdom including algebra, literature, and even astrology (a practice of divination that was founded within Mesopotamian society); but we are never informed of what Daniel introduced in his role as chief prefect. What we do know is that, more than 500-years later, wise men from the East followed a star in search of a king.
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” (Matthew 2:1-2)
These wise men did not simply travel to follow a star; they knew its meaning and were able to explain it with ease. In the Gospel of Matthew, we can read their explanation; they said:
“So it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” (Matthew 2:5b-6)
The magi quoted Scripture that they believed. They knew the message of the prophets. They knew the significance of the coming Messiah and appeared to understand and value His mission as a king, priest, and sacrifice. Perhaps the magi were educated in a Babylonian school that included memorizing the words of the prophet Micah which is why they were able to so easily cite and apply Scripture when questioned of the intent of their journey. The words of prophecy from the book Numbers were also likely studied intently because we see that they searched for the event that would be signaled by the rise of a star. It is not difficult to propose that Daniel introduced Bible study courses within the king’s court, but it is amazing to consider the lasting impact it had hundreds of years later.
“And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.” (Matthew 2:9b)
“A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17b)
In the apocrypha, there is an account of a man named Tobit who was exiled to Babylon (primarily in the region of Nineveh) after the assault of the Assyrians on the northern kingdom of Israel. The narrative is of an account older than that of Daniel by approximately 100-years; but scholars date the writing of the account to be between the years 300-200 BC (200-300 years after the life of Daniel). And, whether or not one accepts the narrative of Tobit to be of Biblical significance, through it we can see the continued legacy of Daniel’s spiritual leadership and the direct impact it would have had on the magi of the nativity. The magi described in Matthew appeared to see themselves as the fulfillment of prophecy from the narrative of Tobit—bearing gifts for the King of Heaven.
“A bright light will shine to all ends of the earth; many nations will come to you from far away, the inhabitants of all the remotest parts of the earth to your holy name, bearing gifts in their hands for the King of heaven.” (Tobit 13:11a)
Returning to the book of Daniel, important for the remainder of the story of Nebuchadnezzar, we again should read “But Daniel remained at the king’s court.” Daniel chose to remain in a position of influence which is to say that he chose to remain in relationship with Nebuchadnezzar. This is a decision that the author (Nebuchadnezzar) included potentially because of the impact it would later have on his redemption.