Week 6: The God of Heaven Reveals Mysteries
Week 6 | Daniel 2:25-35
Day 1 Part 1 Central Passage Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.” Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.” 26 The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?”
27 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, 28 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. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: 29 To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. 30 But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind. — Daniel 2:25-30 ESV
OBSERVE DETAILS
Ask and answer simple w-questions: when? where? who? what? how?
Review -- When the guards came to find all the wise men to kill them in accordance with the King’s decree, Daniel asked Arioch, captain of the guards, to explain the urgency. After hearing of the King’s escalating anger, Daniel made an appointment to give the interpretation to the king. Then Daniel and his friends prayed. God gave Daniel a vision. And Daniel praised God as the One Source of wisdom and power.
First Things Said
By Arioch to the King (v25)
By the King to Daniel, whom he calls Belteshazzar (v26)
By Daniel, stated in the negative frame, to the King (v27)
By Daniel, continued in the positive with two parts, to the King (v28)
Man Asked. God Answered.
What was the King thinking about before he fell asleep? (v29)
Who gave Nebuchadnezzar the dream?
What is Daniel’s part in all this? (v30)
The reason God revealed the mystery to Daniel, stated in the negative frame
The reason God revealed the mystery to Daniel, continued in the positive with two parts
OBSERVE DICTION
Ask: Which words/phrases might provide clues to the author’s message? What do they literally mean?
Ex. found > carries the idea of finding something that was covered or forgotten (See Daniel 2:35; 5:11-12, 14, 27, 6:4-5, 11, 22-23)
Ex. astrologers > diviners, determiners of fate
Ex. mysteries > secrets (from an unused root meaning to “attenuate” as in to reduce; figuratively “to hide”)
Ex. thoughts > Super deep meaning this time -- it means “thoughts” , but what is interesting is the pattern. Every time “thoughts” occurs in Daniel, the person’s thoughts are alarming (See Daniel 4:19; 5:6, 10; 7:28).
Historical Context – The phrase “in latter days” is written in Aramaic, but the Hebrew equivalent occurs twelve times in the Hebrew Bible (OT), and each time this phrase refers to the prophetic future (Gen 49:1; Num 24:14; Deut 4:30; 31:29; Isa 2:2; Jer 30:24; 48:47; 49:39; Eze 38:16; Dan 10:14; Hos 3:5; Mic 4:1). Nebuchadnezzar was wondering about the future and for some reason, God decided to indulge the greatest earthly king of the time and tell him about the future. But consider, is it only the future the Lord wants this great king to know?
How to Read Your Bible – The structure of a text supports the message of the text, sometimes to such a degree that it is not simply supporting the message but speaking the message. One way to see the structure of a text is to label what you are reading as positive or negative. When we read Psalm 1 in the Deeper Daniel section of Lesson 3, we were able to see there are only two paths for all humans: God’s path and the path of the wicked. There are no other options for all people of all time. We saw that because we labeled each sentence in this poem as positive or negative. In our text today, we studied Daniel’s contrasting ideas of what man canNOT do v.s. what God CAN do (2:27-28). Then we saw what man does NOT have on his own, but what God DOES give to His own. So when you see those contrasts, start labeling your positives and negatives. Take an especial interest when an author is going negative - - - - and then shifts to a powerful positive + or vice versa. In that shift IS the main idea hidden.
INTERPRET
Ask: Why did the author choose to include these details, use these words, & make any figurative comparisons?
1. Recall that Daniel’s name means “God is my judge” or “God is judge.” But as part of Babylon’s reprogramming scheme, Daniel was renamed Belteshazzar which means “May Bel protect his life” or “May Bel protect the prince.”
How would the King see that God is judge, judge of the wisemen, of Daniel, even the King? (vs27-28)
If the King is paying attention, how would he see that God had the power to protect the life of this royal son of Judah, while Bel was impotent to save...anyone? (vs27-28) Consider Daniel’s risk in stating this truth to Bel’s servant.
2. Daniel again witnesses to the King about the God of heaven, by stating one negative and two positives (vs29-30).
How does Daniel bring glory to the Revealer of mysteries by including He shared with Daniel who then shared with the King of Babylon? Consider: If God wanted the King to know the interpretation, why didn’t He just tell Neb directly?
How does the manner in which Daniel speaks also bring glory to God (and restrain the anger of the king)?
Prayer – Praise God for His Word that reveals truth and mysteries and gives wisdom to you. Proclaim Him as Judge & Savior. Confess any lack on your part to share His Word to those who are dead in their sin, knowing they will suffer eternal separation from God if they do not turn to His Son. Ask the God of heaven to give your wisdom & power to share Who He Is in the world.
Day 2 Part 2 Central Passage Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
“You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. 32 The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze,33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. — Daniel 2:31-35
OBSERVE FIGURATIVE DETAILS
Ask and answer simple w-questions: when? where? who? what? how?
1. The Statue
List the four words that describe the statue in verse 31.
List the composition of the statue from head to feet
head
chest & arms
torso & thighs
legs
feet
2. The Stone
What did Daniel say about the cutter of the stone?
Where did the stone strike?
What happened after the stone stuck?
In what order does Daniel list the composition of the statue after the stone has struck it?
What did the statue become? What did the stone become?
What did the stone fill?
OBSERVE DICTION
Ask: Which words/phrases might provide clues to the author’s message? What do they literally mean?
Ex. was cut out by > either “to cut” or “to determine.” Interestingly “determine” is used in Daniel 2:27, 45; 4:7; 5:7, 11 of diviners as “determiners of fate.”
Ex. all together > literally “one.” The NASB translates it “all at the same time.”
Ex. fill the whole earth > used only of the glory of Yahweh (Num 14:21; Isa 6:3; Hab 2, 14; Psa 72:19) or His knowledge (Isa 11:9).
OBSERVE FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Ask: Which words are not literal? What is their literal meaning or what literal observation can be made?
Ex. gold, silver, bronze, iron, clay
What literal observation can you make about the worth of the materials?
What literal observation can you make about the density of the materials?
What literal observation can you make about the hardness of the materials?
Ex. stone > not cut with literal human hands. Who else could literally cut a stone?
Ex. chaff > literally means the seed coverings and other debris separated from the seed when threshing grain
Ex. mountain> What literal observation can you make about a mountain in general?
INTERPRET
Ask: Why did the author choose to include these details, use these words, & make any figurative comparisons?
If you have read Daniel 2, pretend you have not. Use the details, diction and figurative language observations and try to interpret what they mean in a general sort of way.
1. What general conclusions can you draw about the details and diction used to describe the statue?
2. What general conclusions can you draw about the details, diction, and figurative language used to describe the striking stone?
3. What interpretive contrast between the statue and the stone can be made after reviewing the details, diction, and figurative language of verse 35? Consider also that in the Bible a mountain is often a symbol of a kingdom.
Prayer – Read through Psalm 2 from Lesson 5 again. David warns the world to “Kiss the Son,” but note that his warning is especially given to world leaders. Pray for an unbelieving leader who has influence in your life and in the lives of those you love. Pray for an opportunity to speak God’s truth to him or her.
Day 3 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 – In Lesson 5, you read Genesis 37 to begin our study of two righteous leaders whom God positioned to preserve the nation of Israel. Again, a pattern we see in Scripture is God first walks a leader through refining fire to test his or her character. Last week in seventeen-year-old Joseph’s story in Genesis 37, you likely observed that Joseph did not practice the same discernment with his brothers that we see Daniel practicing with the King and his court. His brothers (minus Reuben) sold him into slavery and God will hold them responsible for that sin, but likely Joseph enters exile carrying some personal regrets.
How does this relate to “How to Read Your Bible”? One way to read stories of leaders whom God positions is to watch how God trains His leaders. 1. While allowing free will, God moves in familiar patterns to train the one He will use to trust and obey Him. Our initial training always includes a test. Joseph failed to practice wisdom with his brothers, yet we must acknowledge that like Daniel, he has suffered great injustice. God allows leaders to suffer injustice. But to what purpose? 2. Following one test, God gives another test. Daniel and his friends passed the test to forsake food God forbade. They were tempted to yield the desire of their flesh, eyes, and pride of life, but they stood firm. Then God gave them a position. Because of this position, they were tested again! But to what purpose?
1. Read Genesis 39:1-6a.
How do you see that the Lord was with Joseph in his exile?
How do you see Joseph responding to his circumstances in a way that pleases God?
2. Read Genesis 39:6b-18.
How do you see Joseph being tested as Daniel and his friends were tested regarding the King’s food?
How does Joseph respond in a way that pleases the Lord?
3. Read Genesis 39:19-23. How do you see the Lord is with Joseph in his new home of exile?
Prayer – How is this passage leading you to think about God as your Leader & yourself as His servant? Enjoy seeking God with those thoughts.
Day 4 Deeper Daniel Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
Read Genesis 40.
1. What similarities do you continue to see in Joseph and Daniel’s circumstances in exile? Consider how God is with them.
2. What similarities do you continue to see in Joseph and Daniel’s spiritual giftings and God’s intended effect of these giftings on others?
3. What similarities do you continue to see in Joseph and Daniel’s character and God’s intended effect on others?
Prayer – How is this passage leading you to think about God as your Leader & yourself as His servant? Enjoy seeking God with those thoughts.
Day 5 Deeper Daniel Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
Review your comparisons of Daniel and Joseph’s experience as leaders God is developing for the sake of their own character and relationship with Him, but also for God’s people and even those who are not His people. In Day 4, you noted how God’s training for these two leaders is similar enough to see in general how God works.
But how are you also seeing that God has the right to do things differently in each emerging leader’s life for His own purposes? Consider how He allows different types of events and hardships, different lengths for tests, different favors, etc.
Prayer – Part of the purpose for Deeper Daniel is to develop us as leaders God can use. Knowing that God works in similar yet different ways in each leader’s life, are you willing to surrender to allow Him to develop you as He chooses? If you are, pray through some verses we reflected upon last lesson using the words of these verses in your surrender.
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
Group Reflection Faithful in Exile
Time & Materials Needed –
Leaders, please allow at least 45 minutes for the Group Reflection this week.
You are going to meet together with your triad or quad. Make sure everyone has a pen and manila folder or notebook. A rulerfor each group would be helpful. Hopefully, people brought different colors of post-its. If so, you might want a different color for each person in your group and you will need for today a minimum of two post-its for each person. If possible, get 6-8 of each color per person in your group so that you have these ready for subsequent weeks. Can you get by without different colors? Yes.
Our Bold Prayer Move
Our desire is to deepen our intimacy with God while making an eternal impact on our community and a global community. We commit to consistently pursue God in prayer together this semester and share our testimonies of how God answered our prayers.
1. (20 minutes minimum) With your triad or quad you will share the one personal prayer request and the one request for an unbeliever that you would like your little accountability group to bring to the Lord on your behalf. Likely you will share a bit of context along with your requests. As you are sharing that context, pass around the prayer requests you wrote down before coming to group so they can copy them on two different post its.
2. (5-10 minutes) How to set up a prayer wall...
on a manila folder –
Open up the folder so that the long side is lying horizontally, not vertically.
Divide the horizontal side into three sections by drawing two horizontal lines across both sides of the folder. If you have a ruler, then measure 3 ¾ inches and draw your first line. Then measure 3 ¾ inches from that first line and draw the second line. If you don’t, then eyeball it based on the 3” post-it and use another person’s manila folder to draw your line.
The top section is where you will put your friends’ personal prayer requests. The middle section is where you will put your friends’ request for their unbelieving friend or family member. The bottom section is where you will write the request for the global missionary your group is choosing to partner with.
in a notebook –
On your first page, put the request for the global missionary on a post-it.
On the back of the page, put the personal request for friend #1 and then on the page next to it, put the unbeliever request for his/her friend or family member. The point is when you open the notebook you can see all requests for each friend as you open your notebook.
So then continue to use facing pages for each friend in your group with his/her personal request on the left and his/her unbeliever request on the right.
Prayer
Praise our God for Who He Is as the One to whom we can bring such requests. Praise Him for His many attributes that make coming to Him and trusting Him possible.
Pray that we would be faithful to persevere in prayer and that He would change us in this process.
Pray for the elders and for those they lead. Pray for the children of Grace and those who lead them.
God’s joy & strength to you!