April 7, 2016

Daniel 2:17-23



Rachel Workman: 17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
    wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;
    he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what lies in darkness,
    and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
    You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
A lot of things stand out to me but verse 22 made me stop. He knows what lies in darkness. Our Father does know all too well what lies in darkness. If the veils were removed from our eyes and we could see it also I think we would literally die of fright. Our father is the wonderful protector. He protects us from darkness and the things unseen.

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John Burnett:  17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
    wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;
    he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what lies in darkness,
    and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
    You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.”  The truth Daniel speaks in his praise to God is so refreshing.  V21a is especially comforting in this day and age.  We know that Jesus’s return to reign will be a welcomed change in this wicked world.  Jesus doesn’t need to be raised up like the kings being discuss here.  He already reigns from on high but it shows that He is complete control and that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  God’s complete control of Daniel’s situation is the same complete control He has over the things that are going on in the world today.  All of it will result in the glory of the only One who is worthy of our praise.

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Krista Cook:  17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
- He encouraged his friends to take it to God in prayer.  How much better off we would be if that was our first response.

19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
    wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;
    he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what lies in darkness,
    and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
    You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
- And after those prayers were answered, they give God all the praise!  Let's not forget to thank Him when He helps us.

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Allen Michaels:   17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Daniel did not shrink back in fear, however, but confidently believed that God would tell him all that the king wanted to know. When the king gave Daniel time to find the answer, Daniel found his three friends and they prayed. When we find ourselves in a tight spot, it may be possible to share our needs with trusted friends who also believe in God’s power. The best bet is a proven and obvious Christian friend who not only talks the talk but demonstrates their faith daily in their actions. Matthew 18:19-20 specifically tells us 19 Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”  Prayer is more effective than panic. Panic confirms your hopelessness; prayer confirms your hope in God. Daniel’s trust in God saved himself, his three friends, and all the other wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
    wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;
    he deposes kings and raises up others……
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning. God gives wisdom freely. All you have to do is ask. God governs the world according to his purposes. We may be dismayed when we see evil people prosper, but God is in control. We must maintain confidence and peace no matter what happens.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what lies in darkness,
    and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
    You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
Daniel knew what to do when his life was in danger. He prayed. He asked his three friends to pray for protection. God answered their prayers. Daniel had a dream. In that dream, God showed him what the king’s dream meant. Daniel realised that God had answered their prayers. So he said, ‘thank you’ to God. He gave honour to God. He mentioned some of the things that he knew about God. He knew that God was much greater even than Nebuchadnezzar. In fact, God had appointed Nebuchadnezzar. God appoints all rulers. Even in this election period, when all the candidates seem like morons, God has a plan and the next president will be God’s choice and not ours. He gives people wisdom and knowledge. So Daniel’s wisdom came from God. God knows everything. He understands all mysteries. And God told Daniel about the king’s dream and about what it meant.

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Tomorrow’s reading for Daniel 2:24-30

24 Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”
25 Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.”
26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?”
27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:
29 “As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen. 30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.

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