When we Turn to the World | Daniel 2:1-13

Daniel

Oct 2

Sermon Point: I will TURN to God, in whom TRUE wisdom is FOUND

Daniel 2:1-13

2 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. 2 Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3 And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” 4 Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic,[a] “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” 5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. 6 But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.” 7 They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” 8 The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— 9 if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.” 10 The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king's demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. 11 The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” 12 Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. 13 So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them.

Where we turn (vv.1-2)
What we’re told (vv.3-9)
What we find (vv. 10-13)

Where we Turn

Daniel 2:1-2

Where we Turn

Daniel 1:17

17 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Magicians –Horoscopes. They would draw lines or circles in the sky which would then tell you what the future holds for you.
Enchanters – Necromancers. Communicate with the dead.
Sorcerers – Spell casters. Word play sorcery.
Chadleans –Babylonian Academics. Professors of the day.

Where do you turn?

What we’re told

Daniel 2:3-9

3 And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.”4 Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic,[a] “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” 5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. 6 But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.”7 They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” 8 The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— 9 if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.”

Daniel 2:3-4

Chapter 1—Prologue (Hebrew)

Chapters 2–7—Stories about Jews in Gentile nations (Aramaic)

A. Nebuchadnezzar dreams about a statue (four earthly kingdoms and a fifth eternal kingdom) (ch. 2)

B. Faithful Jews (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) face death for refusing to bow to the king’s statue (ch. 3)

C. A proud gentile king (Nebuchadnezzar) is humbled and restored (ch. 4)
C′. A proud gentile king (Belshazzar) is humbled and destroyed (ch. 5)

B.′ A faithful Jew (Daniel) faces death for refusing to pray to anyone but God (ch. 6)

A′. Daniel dreams about four earthly kingdoms and a fifth eternal kingdom (ch. 7)

Chapters 8–12—Prophecies about Jews back in the land (Hebrew)

Daniel 2:3-4

Daniel 2:5-6

5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. 6 But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.”

Daniel 2:7-9

7 They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” 8 The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— 9 if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.”

What We’re Told

What we Find

Daniel 2:10-13

10 The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king's demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. 11 The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” 12 Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. 13 So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them.

I will TURN to God, in whom TRUE wisdom is FOUND

Prayer Guide

Adoration - Draw near to God with heartfelt praise for His majesty and mighty deeds:

Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory, honor and power. You created all things, and nothing is too hard for you. (Pause to adore God)

11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”

Revelation 4:11

Confession - Humbly acknowledge the ways you have turned from Him and broken His righteous commands:

Father, I have turned to my own ways. I have not accepted the things of the Spirit of God. I have been foolish, loving pleasure more than loving You. (Pause to confess to God any ways you have sought the world’s pleasures or unbiblical wisdom)

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

2 Corinthians 2:14

22 “For my people are foolish;
    they know me not;
they are stupid children;
    they have no understanding.
They are ‘wise’—in doing evil!
    But how to do good they know not.”

Jeremiah 4:22

4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

2 Timothy 3:4

Thanksgiving - Give thanks for the mercies the Lord has poured out in your life:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your law, which is perfect and revives the soul. Your precepts are right, filling my heart with joy. Lord, I am grateful for the secret things that belong to You alone and for the truths you have revealed to us and to our children, that we may walk in Your ways. (Pause to give thanks to God for specific blessings)

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,[a]
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;

Psalm 19:7-8

29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 29:29

Supplication - Bring before God your needs, depending on His abundant mercy and provision:

Lord, help me store up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Strengthen me to resist temptation and to take the way of escape You have provided for me. Keep me sober-minded, setting my hope fully on the grace that will be revealed in Jesus Christ. (Pause to ask God for where you need to trust Him more fully)

11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,[a] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:13

(Reflection):

What have I turned to for satisfaction or wisdom instead of God?

Weekly Prayer Spotlight:

GBC Deacons:

For God to grant them wisdom and insight to understand the needs of the people and the truth of God's Word.

GBC Serve Teams:

Pray for Unity and authenticity, that they may serve with one spirit and one mind.

Isai Gutierrez

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