Daniel 2a:

Reading #399 Principles of history

The Son of God was soon able to use Daniel and his friends. Not long after succeeding to the throne, Nebuchadnezzar was visited by the Spirit of the LORD while Daniel was still in the school of indoctrination.

Daniel 2:

Like their counterparts in all ages of the world, these clever men had always been able to work out a favourable meaning to their ruler’s dreams. But this time they were stumped, because the king now required them to know his dream and repeat it. He expected them to get this information from their gods, for they claimed to be in communication with them.

Daniel 2:

In so saying they owned up to the fact that they really didn’t have communication with the "gods". The Spirit of God had organised this so that they would be seen for what they were – impostors.

Daniel 2:

In a sole rule situation such as Nebuchadnezzar had, his slightest wish was obeyed without question, so the guards began rounding up all those classed as wise men in the land, and this included the students. When Daniel became aware of what was happening, his first action was to ask God what to do, and he was assured that he would be able to help both the king and the other wise men of the kingdom, for he was concerned for both. He understood that a ruler is especially guided by God as a locum parent and had often prayed for the king and his officials, knowing that they were human and could make mistakes. So he went to the king and had the executions put on hold by promising to get the information the king required.

While ever the authorities deal wisely within their legitimate sphere of activity, God is able to bless the leaders of the nations. As we saw in the first few verses of last week’s reading, Nebuchadnezzar was better able to handle the world’s problems in a fair way than were the rulers in Jerusalem, and Daniel considered this. It works this way: God trains and inspires a person to take over a kingdom because he is operating from righteous principles, even if he does not know the creator God. However, it is a sad fact that power often corrupts and many called by God turn away from His principles as time goes by and do their own thing, eventually accepting the guidance of Satan and become totally wicked. (e.g. king Saul, 1 Samuel 16:14.)Then it is that a "better" man (in principles) rises and takes over from the tyrant. So rulers last longer or shorter depending on their connection with the principles of righteousness in comparison with their peers. This is why Daniel and Joseph became rulers in their worlds.

Daniel 2:

The good work of those Hebrew students under the training of God was now richly rewarded. While they had made diligent effort to secure general knowledge, the LORD had given them heavenly wisdom. The understanding they gained was of great service to them when brought into difficult places such as this one. And so it will be for us. But we should be aware of the fact that the LORD God will not supply the deficiencies that result from mental and spiritual laziness. When we exercise our faculties to acquire knowledge, to become deep-thinking men and women, that’s when we will be given light. It requires the grace of God and our own diligent effort.

Daniel 2:

Daniel and his three companions had a special work to do. Although greatly honoured in this work, they did not become in any way exalted. They were scholars, being skilled in secular as well as religious knowledge; but they had studied science without being corrupted. They were well-balanced because they had yielded themselves to the control of the Holy Spirit. These youth gave to God all the glory for their secular, scientific, and religious endowments. Yet their learning did not come by chance, or by direct gift, for they obtained knowledge by the faithful use of their powers; and through these God gave them skill and understanding in spiritual things, for true science and Bible religion are in perfect harmony.

God has revealed in His law the principles that underlie all true prosperity both of nations and of individuals. "This is your wisdom and your understanding," Moses declared to the Israelites regarding the law of God. "It is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life". Deuteronomy 4:6; 32:47. The blessings thus assured to Israel are, on the same conditions and in the same degree, assured to every nation and every individual under the broad heavens.

The power exercised by every ruler on the earth is Heaven-imparted; and upon his use of the power thus bestowed, his success depends. To each the word of the divine Watcher is, "I girded you, though you have not known Me". Isaiah 45:5. And to each the words spoken to Nebuchadnezzar of old are the lesson of life: "Break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of your tranquility". Daniel 4:27.

In the word of God only is this clearly set forth. Here it is shown that the strength of nations, as of individuals, is not found in the opportunities or facilities that appear to make them invincible; it is not found in their boasted greatness. It is measured by the fidelity with which they fulfil God's purpose.

When we, as the great witnesses for God and the truth, have understood the vital doctrines concerning salvation, and are given understanding of the prophecies, the glory will be given to the God of heaven as supreme.

In God's providence, Daniel and his fellows were connected with the great men of Babylon, that they might become acquainted with the religion of the Hebrews and know that God rules over all kingdoms. Daniel in Babylon was placed in a most trying position; but while faithfully performing his duties as a trainee statesman, he steadfastly refused to engage in any work that would go against God’s way. This course provoked discussion, and thus the LORD brought the faith of Daniel to the attention of the king of Babylon. The Son of God had light for Nebuchadnezzar, and through Daniel He presented to the king things foretold in the prophecies concerning Babylon and other kingdoms. By the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, the creator God was exalted as more powerful than earthly rulers. Thus, through the faithfulness of Daniel, God was honoured.

The dream:

The king listened with solemn attention as every particular of the dream was reproduced; and being assured of its correctness, when the interpretation was faithfully given he knew that he could rely upon it as a divine revelation.

Daniel continued:

Daniel 2:

Here Daniel pointed out that earthly kingdoms cannot last and will eventually be usurped, a truth that was not as self-evident then as it is now. There had only been two great kingdoms before this – Egypt and Assyria – and they were still in existence as part of the Babylonian empire. (Assyria, and its capital, Nineveh, had been taken over by the Medes and the Babylonians just before Nebuchadnezzar’s reign.)

One other point of this explanation is that each kingdom as it arose to power incorporated more of the people on its boundaries, so that it could be said with great truthfulness, they ALL bore "rule over ALL the earth". Outside of their dominions were only scattered tribes, untouched by Satan’s "civilisation".

Another great truth in Daniel’s words is that each worldwide kingdom would be overthrown by an "inferior" nation. Inferior in size that is, for their very takeover showed that they were superior in physical strength and tactics, and in following the principles of righteousness. Even where the God of heaven is ignored or rejected, if the principles of fair play, honour and respect are cherished to any degree, then that nation or group will prosper over those that do not uphold that system.

Hundreds of years before certain nations came upon the stage of action, the Omniscient One looked down the ages and predicted the rise and fall of the universal kingdoms. God declared to Nebuchadnezzar that the kingdom of Babylon should fall, and a second kingdom would arise, which also would have its period of trial. Failing to exalt the true God as well as His principles, its glory would fade, and a third kingdom would occupy its place. This also would pass away; and a fourth, strong as iron, would subdue the nations of the world.

Daniel 2:

In the history of nations the student of God's word may behold the literal fulfilment of divine prophecy. Babylon, shattered and broken at last, passed away because in prosperity its rulers regarded themselves as independent of God, and ascribed the glory of their kingdom to human achievement.

The Medo-Persian realm was visited by destruction because in it God's law had been trampled underfoot. The fear of the LORD had found no place in the hearts of the vast majority of the people. Wickedness, blasphemy, and corruption prevailed. (In our day we have seen the fall of the Union of Soviet Socialist Russia as an example of this principle.)

Just as brass is inferior to silver, the kingdoms that followed the combination of Media and Persia became even more base and corrupt; and these sank lower and still lower in the scale of moral worth. So God’s view of history is that humanity has fallen from gold to iron in moral character! And that is clearly borne out in the evening news every day – how far would we trust politicians and leaders today?

But we need to leave it here for now, we’ll continue next week.

Bye for now,

Ron

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