Here, in a series of posts, are some observations I've made of 'buts' appearing in the book of Daniel. If you’re looking for a text to read through a little at a time, I invite you to grab your copy of the Scriptures, and follow along. You can find my observations of chapter one here.
I suggested at the end of chapter one that, perhaps, the narrative structure of the first six chapters of Daniel would be helpful to readers when they get to the predictive structure of second half of the book. I think these observations of chapter two will serve to strengthen that perspective.
Give Daniel chapter 2 a read.
The first part of this chapter sets the scene. King Nebuchadnezzar was having troubling dreams. He did what kings would do--he called together all his diviners. I picture Madam Marie's beach-side fortune telling booth, for some reason. Anyhow, the kings soothsayers assembled figuring to hear the dream and to give him some sort of an answer that would please him. But the king was so deeply troubled by this dream, he wanted more than a fraudulent answer. He surmised that, were there a true diviner among them, they would be able to tell him what the dream was as well as explain the meaning of it. So he gave that order constructed around a big but:
"If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut to pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor." (NIV)
Do you suppose it would be an opportune time for a career change? The magicians and astrologers pled with the king to first tell them the dream and then to let them interpret it for him. He didn't relent, saying:
"You have conspired to tell me lies in hopes that something will change. But tell me the dream and then I will know that you can tell me what it means." (NLT)
It is very interesting to note the conclusion the king's diviners come to: "No one could reveal this except the gods!" That word 'except'--that's sort of like a really big but, now isn't it? Furious, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered all the magicians, seers, and astrologers to be killed. You know it's a bad day at the office when...
Because Daniel and his friends had also been known to interpret dreams and visions (recall back to chapter one) the order to execute diviners would include them. Daniel asked for an opportunity to assist the king.
Note in verses 17-19: Daniel calls upon his friends to pray with him--together, they all wait upon God to deliver them from this mess. In answer to their prayers, the mystery was revealed to Daniel.
Let me suggest to you that Daniel's praise of God in verses 20-23 is a wonderful passage to behold. And, as I've suggested earlier, will be most helpful to recall when we get into the future (where chapters 7-14 will take us). Who is forever and ever? God. Who holds kings and kingdoms in his hands? God. Who holds times and seasons? God. Who has wisdom and knowledge of all things? God. Who reveals secrets and mysteries? God. Don't forget this.
Notice that as Daniel begins his ministry to Nebuchadnezzar, he starts exactly where the king's seers had left off:
"No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries."
As Daniel continues his prepares to give the king his dream and its meaning he assures the king that the mystery wasn't revealed to him because he was somehow more skilled than the other wise men the king had consulted, "but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation." In other words, sort of like the Blues Brothers, Daniel recognizes that he is on a mission from God.
The narrative ends with Daniel giving an explanation of the dream--and one that has fueled much eschatological debate (theories of the end times). But I say, look first at what is here. There will be crises arising in which longing for knowledge, understanding and revelation will be great. Who holds such knowledge? There will be kings and kingdoms making unreasonable demands and leveling terrible threats. Who is in control? In such settings, who will protect His own? Who will you look to? I say these lessons will all come in handy.
Your thoughts?
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