Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.

This week’s reading: Daniel 2, Psalm 118, Isaiah 8:11-22, Mark 1:15

Before you begin to read Chapter 2…

Remember Chapter 1.

We learned how Daniel and his friends, teenagers chosen for their talents and nobility, were educated in Babylon but resolved not to defile themselves with the king’s food. Despite this, they proved healthier than everyone else and found favor in the eyes of the LORD and King Nebuchadnezzar. 

– Read Daniel 2:1-30–

What happened?

Chapter 2 opens with a powerful King Nebuchadnezzar who is powerless over his sleep. He was deeply troubled by disturbing dreams and sought interpretation from the Chaldeans. According to the Babylonians, dreams were important messages from the gods, and the Chaldeans sought to explain them through the specific study of astrology. Their inability to recount and decipher his dreams angered King Nebuchadnezzar. He wanted the real truth, and they could not deliver it. So he ordered the execution of all the Babylonian wise men, which included Daniel and the boys.

Amidst the impending death penalty, young Daniel responded with prudence and prayer. He sought an appointment to interpret the dream for the King, and after went home to pray with his friends to their LORD– the God of Heaven. Daniel then received the dream and its interpretation from the LORD. He praised Him for his authority over the physical world and the political world. 

With humility, Daniel approached the King to interpret his dream. In doing so, he acknowledged that neither he nor any wise man could have revealed the dream, but “there is a God in heaven” who did. This moment underscores the book’s theme: Daniel’s God is supreme over all man-made gods and actively involved in revealing truth. 

What to remember?

• King Nebuchadnezzar troubled by dreams (2:1-11). Troubled by disturbing dreams, he sought to understand their divine message.
• King Nebuchadnezzar ordered an execution (2:12-13). Infuriated by the Chaldeans’ failure to interpret his dreams, Nebuchadnezzar ordered the execution of all the Babylonian wise men, including Daniel.
• Daniel sought a solution & prayed with his friends (2:14-18). Facing execution, Daniel sought a solution through prayer with his friends.  
• The LORD revealed & Daniel praised (2:19-23). The LORD revealed the dream and its interpretation to Daniel, who in turn praised the LORD for His sovereignty over all realms.
• Daniel approached King Nebuchadnezzar with humility & truth (2:24-30). He approached the king with humility—crediting the interpretation to the LORD, not himself—and with honesty— this interpretation was the truth. 

Meditation

• Daniel prays with his friends.

With their lives on the line, Daniel goes home to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azaraiah to “seek mercy from the God of heavens” (2:18). Unlike the Chaldeans who went to their astrology books to interpret dreams, Daniel went to his LORD with his friends. He was convinced that ultimate truth comes from the LORD and he has a direct line to Him through prayer.

Truth is found in the LORD and we can seek Him through prayer. What adversity do you find yourself facing today? Have you considered seeking the LORD in prayer with your friends?

• Daniel has a personal relationship with the LORD.

Re-read Daniel’s prayer in 2:20-23. Notice how the prayer begins general and ends personal. The God who changes the seasons and kingdoms is the same God who Daniel has a personal relationship with. Notice the pronouns in 2:23, “I give thanks”… “you have given me wisdom”… “you have made known to me wisdom and might.” 

The God who rules all also wants a relationship with you. Does the way you relate to God feel like a personal relationship?

Prayer

Father, 

I praise You for being the ultimate source of truth and wisdom, in the times of Daniel and today. 

As I face trouble and uncertainty, help me to seek Your guidance through prayer, knowing that You are both sovereign over all things and deeply personal in my life.

Thank you for Jesus, your Word spoken to me.

Amen

–Read Daniel 2:31-49–

What was the dream? (2:31-44)

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream featured a giant statue, described as “mighty and of exceeding brightness,” with a head of gold, a chest of silver, a torso of bronze, legs of iron, and feet partly of iron and partly of clay. A stone, not made by human hands, struck that statue and shattered it into pieces that were carried away like “chaff of the summer threshing floors.”  The metaphor referred to a complete dissolution. A once mighty statue was soon blown away and insignificant. The stone that struck the statue then grew into a mountain that filled the entire earth.

What did the dream mean? (2:36-45)

After recounting the dream, Daniel provided its interpretation, which also served as a prophecy of future events. 

The different parts of the statue represented successive kingdoms: the golden head symbolized Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon. The LORD had given him his power and glory, but it had an expiration date. The chest of silver represented the Medo-Persian Empire, which, though larger, was morally inferior. The bronze torso stood for the Greek Empire, led by Alexander the Great, which dominated the known world. The iron legs symbolized the Roman Empire, known for its strength and brutality, which “breaks,” “shatters,” and “crushes.” The feet and toes of mixed iron and clay are debated as representing either a continuation of the Roman Empire or future divided kingdoms. 

The key element of the dream is the stone “cut from a mountain by no human hand,” which destroys the statue and fills the whole earth. This stone is God’s kingdom, which will ultimately replace all earthly empires and endure forever. Hence, the prophets spoke of a stumbling block (Isaiah 8) and Jesus referred to himself as that stone (Luke 20). The vision points directly to Jesus Christ, who showed up and proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). This everlasting kingdom that Nebuchadnezzar was dreaming about was inaugurated at Jesus’ first coming, and will one day be consummated at His second coming. 

What happened after? (2:46-49)

After the interpretation, King Nebuchadnezzar praised the LORD, recognizing Him as the supreme God above all other gods. Nebuchadnezzar also honored Daniel, promoting him to a high position. Daniel, in turn, secured promotions for his friends (as a good friend does!).

Meditation

• The kingdoms of earth will pass.

Through Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the LORD was saying two things. First, all kings and kingdoms are a derivative of the LORD’s sovereign power. Second, all kings and kingdoms will crumble. Babylon fell. Persia fell. Greece fell. Rome fell. Just as the LORD said they would.

Be it a 21st century nation or a personal kingdom constructed on instagram, our worldly kingdoms will pass. Survey your own life. Have you placed too much value in a passing kingdom? 

• The Kingdom of God will stand forever.

Re-read 2:44, “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.” Jesus has brought us a kingdom that will never end, and that will one day crush all other kingdoms. 

What would it look like for you to prioritize the kingdom of God today?

Prayer

Gracious God, 

Thank You for the reminder from Nebuchadnezzar’s dream that Your kingdom is eternal and unshakeable, surpassing all earthly powers. 

Help me to recognize and value Your kingdom above all worldly things. 

Guide me in aligning my life with Your truth—the truth. 

May I seek Your kingdom first and trust that You reign forever.

Amen