Week 5: The God of Heaven Gives Wisdom & Power
Week 5 | Daniel 2:14-24
Day 1 Part I Central Passage Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon; 15 he said to Arioch, the king’s officer, “For what reason is the decree from the king so harsh?” Then Arioch informed Daniel of the matter. 16 So Daniel went in and requested of the king that he would give him a grace period, so that he might declare the interpretation to the king.
17 Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, 18 so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. — Daniel 2:14-18 NASB
OBSERVE DETAILS
Ask and answer simple w-questions: when? where? who? what? how?
1. Briefly list Daniel’s actions.
2. What do we infer Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah then did?
OBSERVE DICTION
Ask: Which words/phrases might provide clues to the author’s message? What do they literally mean?
discretion and discernment > when two strongly related nouns like discretion and discernment are used instead of a noun with an adjective to modify it, that is called a hendiadys. The NET translation flips this hendiadys back to an adjective + noun combination by translating it as “prudent counsel.”
grace period > A word for “time,” but Daniel uses zǝmān, not iddān, the word Nebuchadnezzar used to accuse the Chaldeans of buying time. When Daniel employs this word (11 occurrences in the book), it usually means an appointed time as in a predetermined duration.
God of heaven > This title was used more commonly for God during the exile and postexilic times to distinguish Yahweh from pagan gods. See Ezra 1:2; 5:12; 6:9-10; 7:12, 21, 23; Nehemiah 1:4-5; 2:4, 20; 2 Chronicles 36:23.
INTERPRET
Ask: Why did the author choose to include these details and use these words?
We are continuing our topic on “conversations with the world” from last week. When we think of engaging with unbelievers, our first instinct might be to prepare WHAT to say rather than prepare ourselves as the person WHO is called to speak salt and light.
1. In two different crises, Daniel has approached court “staff” and advocated for himself and others. Read below to see the emerging pattern for how Daniel’s conversations end.
Crisis #1
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. Daniel 1:8
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” Daniel 1:11-13
Crisis #2
Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. 15 He declared to Arioch, the king's captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. 16 And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king. Daniel 2:14-16.
In this court, what might be so refreshing yet intriguing about Daniel that he, an exile from Judah, is given such favor?
In what ways might someone in the world at school or work or in the community see you as being refreshing, yet intriguing?
2. How do Daniel’s actions reveal to Arioch (and whoever made his appointment with the king) that he trusts the sovereignty of God?
3. Why might Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah address God as the God of heaven?
Prayer – In Lesson 4, we had this Prayer Prompt: “What is something God has given you that you do not understand, something you are “troubled” to know or experience? It could be a difficult circumstance for you or someone you love, something in His Word that perplexes you, a decision you must make, a relationship requiring wisdom to navigate.... Whatever it is, maybe it keeps you up at night or when you have a moment of silence in your life, it “thrusts” its way into your thoughts.”
Choose one trouble from your list you made in Lesson 4 that you want to pray about each day this week. Write down anything that comes to your mind during this prayer time below. Here is the purpose for that. In prayer we learn discernment. We learn to distinguish between our thoughts and God’s thoughts, our desires and God’s desires.
Day 2 Part II Central Passage Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; 20 Daniel said, “May the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. 21 It is He who changes the times and the periods; He removes kings and appoints kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to people of understanding. 22 It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. 23 To You, God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”
24 Thereupon, Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to kill the wise men of Babylon; he went and said this to him: “Do not kill the wise men of Babylon! Take me into the king’s presence, and I will declare the interpretation to the king.” — Daniel 2:19-24 NASB
OBSERVE DETAILS
Ask and answer simple w-questions: when? where? who? what? how?
1. How is the secret dream revealed to Daniel? (v19)
2. What does Daniel immediately do after God reveals the dream?
3. Why does Daniel bless God? (v20b)
4. How long does Daniel call God’s people to bless the name (character) of God? (v20)
5. Who is God?
What is God sovereign over (v21)
How does God move history along? (v21)
What does God reveal and how is He able to do that? (v22)
What title does Daniel give God? (v23a)
What did God give Daniel? (v23b)
What did God do? (v23c)
To whom did God make known the King’s matter? (v23d)
6. Who is Arioch, again? (2:14)
What is apparently listed on Arioch’s job description? (infer from 2:24)
What is the first thing Daniel says to Arioch?
Given Arioch’s position, what privilege is he allowed to do?
What does Daniel commit to do in the king’s presence?
OBSERVE DICTION
Ask: Which words/phrases might provide clues to the author’s message? What do they literally mean?
light > illumination
dwell > to loosen or set free is how this word is used elsewhere in Daniel (3:25; 5:6, 12, 16). See also Job 37:3; Jeremiah 15:11; Ezra 5:2.
INTERPRET
Ask: Why did the author choose to include these details, use these words, make these figurative comparisons, and organize all these elements with this structure?
1. What do Daniel’s words reveal about his biblical view of God and...himself? Work verse by verse. Use your details and diction boxes.
2. How do Daniel’s actions show that he has a biblical view of God and...himself? Work verse by verse. Use your details and diction boxes.
What actions reveal Daniel’s faith in the God the Bible reveals?
What actions reveal a biblical understanding of man’s posture and actions as God’s servant?
How does 1 Corinthians 2:11-16 support Daniel’s song of praise about God as the Giver of wisdom and power?
3. Trials reveal the strength of our relationships.
Reflect on what we have seen in Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah’s relationship with God and with one another.
What do you see in these relationships that you enjoy in your relationships with God & believing friends?
What do you see that you would like to see more present in your relationship with God & believing friends?
Prayer – Continue the prayer prompt from Day 1. Write down anything you want to remember about this prayer time.
Days 3-5 Deeper Daniel Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
How to Read Your Bible – One way to see God’s pursuit of His glory in His story in the Hebrew Bible is to study the righteous leaders He positioned to preserve the nation of Israel. These could be patriarchs, judges, prophets, kings, men who left previous professions or lifestyles to heed God’s call; these could be women who guarded the seed line of the Messiah in some way or advised with great wisdom or acted with great prudence. One purpose in studying these leaders is to see how God uses humanity in His plan to redeem humanity. Any leader God anoints must first walk through the refining fire of suffering, for suffering builds character (Romans 5:3-5). One pattern we see in the Bible is that the enemy’s intent for evil appears to be victor until...the greater story of God’s intentions, His will for our good and His glory, are realized (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28; 12:19-21).
Day 3 As we have been reading Daniel, many have noted the similarities between Joseph and Daniel’ circumstances, character, and spiritual gifts, and God’s purposes for their lives. You will get started in thinking through these similarities for Days 4-5; but for today, meditate on the verses below and write some observations.
And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
— Romans 5:3-4
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive. — Genesis 50:20
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. — Romans 8:28
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. — Romans 12:19-21
Prayer – Continue the prayer prompt from Day 1. Write down anything you want to remember about this prayer time.
2. Days 4-5 Read the account of how God gave revelation to Joseph when he was a youth in Genesis 37. Take some notes under the categories below that compare and contrast Joseph and Daniel as God’s leaders in the making. Enjoy!
Joseph and Daniel’s similar spiritual gifts and how each engages these gifts --
Joseph and Daniel’s similar circumstances and how each is put into these circumstances --
Prayer – Continue the prayer prompt from Day 1. Write down anything you want to remember about this prayer time.
Group Reflection Faithful in Exile
Share what you learned about prayer by bringing the same prayer request to God each day this week.
We have been studying Daniel as a model of a resilient disciple in exile. He is resilient because he practices the Godward rhythms of Word and prayer together with his friends, and we have been following right along with him by intentionally pursuing intimacy with Jesus. Resilient disciples, we are going to follow his lead again today!
Daniel gathered his believing friends to ask the God of heaven to save their lives and the lives of the other wise men. But before asking God, Daniel asked the captain of the guards for time so that he could hear the exact content of the dream and its interpretation from God. That was a bold prayer move.
In lesson 3, you reflected on a key decision you made to obey God and then listed other obedient decisions that followed that one as way to reflect on your “ascent” to faithfulness. Daniel’s bold move followed his upward trajectory toward trusting the God of his fathers whom he took risks to know.
Our Bold Prayer Move
With your community group review the idea below for deepening your intimacy with God and making an eternal impact on our community and a global community as you consistently pursue God in prayer together this semester. You can modify the idea after talking it through together.
1. Divide your group into smaller groups of 3-4 people who are willing to pray for two prayer requests for one another and for one global partner of Grace for the remainder of this semester.
Regarding the two prayer requests for one another -- The first will be a personal ask and second will be for an unbeliever. Both requests should be of the same tenor as Daniel and his friends bold ask for themselves and the wise men of the court. You could describe them as impossible mountains to move or asks to save those caught in circumstances where spiritual or physical death seems imminent.
Regarding prayer for one global partner at Grace, your leader has those instructions.
2. To help us remain faithful and learn how to grow in discernment as we pray, we will each make a portable prayer wall that we can carry from home to group, from group to home and back again. We will make these prayer walls in group next week. How we will use them will be next week’s group reflection time. Please prepare to participate:
Bring a manila folder or a notebook. If you can bring one color of 3x3 inch post-its to share, that would be great!
Pray about which personal prayer request you should bring to group.
Pray about the unbeliever in your life you would like your group to lift to the Lord. Your prayer request could be for a situation he/she is in or it could be a request for their salvation.
Write down both prayer requests on separate post-its or on one-quarter of a sheet of paper.
3. Your leader has been praying about how to group you into prayer triads or quads. After your leader shares about those smaller groups, gather with your triad or quad.
Decide how many times a week you will be in prayer for each other’s two prayer requests.
Although you will be praying alone, perhaps your group will want to pray at the same time each day. If so, choose that time and set your alarm. If not, choose a time for yourself to pray for your group’s requests and set your alarm.
This week pray for the people in your triad/quad that God will press on each heart those two prayer requests that each will bring next week. Pray for God’s wisdom and power to be given to us all.
Prayer –
Pray for the third diamond under #3.
Pray for our pastors and the worship team at Grace.
God’s joy & strength to you!