Daniel 2

Hope in a hostile world

Part 2

Nebuchadnezzar's reaction to his dream was fuelled by fear - he felt that this could be a warning of a potential threat to his rule. It was an extension of his desire for power and the insecurity that comes from that.

This carrot & stick approach is very reflective of our world today. If you are self-serving then you will lift up those who fight for you, but trample those who get in your way. So it is; not even in arenas like global politics; but in small scale settings like the workplace.

"No man can do this"

The astrologers hit the nail on the head. They knew that the power to do this could only come from a divine source. Fortunately for them, there was one to whom God would reveal himself.

Daniel's first response is prayer. There is no situation wherein God's people cannot pray together for His intervention. God answered with a revelation. We can gain the same comfort that Daniel felt as God reveals Himself to us through His words. Remember there is one with almighty power and wisdom above everything.

The weakness of self-service

The interpretation of this dream confirms Nebuchadnezzar's fears. The grapple for power and pursuit of self-service is a fruitless effort. Kingdoms come and go, given only brief moments of power by a God who has power over it all. The power Nebuchadnezzar had was only enabled by this God.

The rock

What a hope to the exiles this message would have been. Their captivity would be a temporary setback. They could look forward to this eternal kingdom that the rock represents and know that ultimately God would reign over all.

We now know that Jesus is the herald of that kingdom - He is the rock that smashes all other kingdoms away. The mountain that grows is the church of Christ that grew out of His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit.