June 16 – A Nagging Dream – Daniel 2
In today’s story King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has an unordinary dream with a significant meaning, but the problem came when he tried to recall the dream to get an interpretation. All of his wise counsels to interpret the unknown dream. Of course they are unsuccessful. Daniel is called to help in this supernatural quest. Daniel immediately asks his friends to pray earnestly to God for mercy, and to show Daniel the dream and interpretation. With God’s guidance, Daniel is able to reveal the dream and interpretation of the dream.
Many books have been written about this single chapter in the Bible, but it is important not to get caught up in the different opinions, instead acknowledge what Daniel emphasizes. The dream is about a statue that signifies the different Empires leading to the day and age we live in now. The materials of the statue continue to depreciate in value but increase in strength as you move down the body from the head of gold. We are living in the age of the last empire made of iron and clay. Some believe this empire is pointing to America as it has become a melting pot of all religions and races. Even more so, America has the character traits of a rapidly declining in morality and a very divided Country. These are the same character traits of the last “Babylon.” Daniel put emphasis on the Cornerstone (Jesus) that will eventually knock down the entire statue. Our focus should be on Jesus as well.
It is sad that Nebuchadnezzar never accepted Jesus as Savior or God as the one and only true God. In verse 47, Nebuchadnezzar does acknowledge Daniel’s God as being superior, but still believes the Israelites God is part of a pantheon of gods. Today many people believe in God, but do not believe He is the one and only true God. Many people believe that Jesus existed and died on the cross, but do not believe He is God in the flesh, the very Son of God. It becomes hard for some folks to believe that there is only one way to Heaven, and that is through Jesus Christ.
