Lesson 3: Nebuchadnezzar's Nightmare

Daniel 2:1-30

In this lesson we learn how God elevated Daniel in the eyes of Nebuchadnezzar.

Proverbs 16:7, "When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."

The king who was about to take Daniel's life suddenly embraced him as a result of a revelation of wisdom from God to Daniel.

NEBUCHADNEZZAR AND HIS DREAM (Daniel 2:1-11)

1. His Dream Daniel 2 records how God spoke to the king in a dream. Although the king didn't know it, it revealed God's plan for the times of the Gentile.

2. His Determination Nebuchadnezzar immediately called in his brain trust the day after he had his terrible dream (Daniel 2:1-2). His cabinet comprised of four different groups: the magicians (or scholars), the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans (or "wise men").

3. His Dilemma After the men had been gathered, Nebuchadnezzar told them why they had been summoned, and they asked to hear the dream. But the problem was, the king could remember his deep terror caused by the dream - but he couldn't remember the dream itself. In ancient culture in that religion, a forgotten dream was a very bad omen.

4. His Demand Nebuchadnezzar demanded that the men not only interpret his dream for him, but they describe the dream in all its particulars. If they cannot do this demand they would suffer three things: death, dismemberment, and disgrace (Daniel 2:5)

5. His Decree When the men were unable to comply, Nebuchadnezzar gave the order for all Babylon's wise men to be executed. The order went out into every part of the kingdom.

DANIEL AND HIS GOD (Daniel 2:12-23)

1. Daniel's Problem Daniel and his friends were not with the wise men who had been called to the palace, but nonetheless the king's executioner went to find and execute them (Daniel 2:12-13) When Arioch, the king's executioner, came to Daniel's house to carry out the king's order, Daniel asked why the king's orders were so urgent (Daniel 2:14-15).

2. Daniel's Poise Daniel is such a charismatic person that when he asked Arioch for an explanation, the executioner gives him one. Once again, Daniel's poise wins the day. He quickly came up a proposition for the king.

3. Daniel's Persuasion Daniel petitioned the king and asked for more time to do what the king demanded (Daniel 2:16). And unlike the king's other wise men, he gets it. The king must have sensed that this man wasn't asking for more time to stall, but to really solve the dilemma. And so he grants the request.

4. Daniel's Prayer He and his friends petition God to spare them from the king's deadly decree (Daniel 2:17-18).

5. Daniel's Performance Soon thereafter, God revealed to Daniel not only the dream, but its interpretation (Daniel 2:19).

6. Daniel's Praise The first thing Daniel did was praise God. He did not get on the chariot and go straight to the kin g. He gathered all his friends together and they held a praise service to God. (Daniel 2:20-22)

DANIEL AND NEBUCHADNEZZAR (Daniel 2:24-30)

Daniel then appears before Nebuchadnezzar, tells him his dream and gives him its interpretation. He is careful to let the king know that his ability is not from himself, but from God. Daniel, in himself, could never have complied with the king's demand; but Daniel, as a servant of the Most High God, could.