Daniel 2:1–13

Introduction

Daniel 2:1–13: In today’s reading, King Nebuchadnezzar calls his advisers to interpret a troublesome dream. He refuses to tell them the dream, insisting that only someone who can correctly recite the dream and then explain it is a true interpreter. When they protest that his demand is impossible, Nebuchadnezzar orders the execution of all his royal advisers.

Today’s Key Verse: Daniel 2:11 GNT

[The advisers said:] “What Your Majesty is asking for is so difficult that no one can do it for you except the gods, and they do not live among human beings.”

Read

¹ In the second year that Nebuchadnezzar was king, he had a dream. It worried him so much that he couldn’t sleep, ² so he sent for his fortunetellers, magicians, sorcerers, and wizards to come and explain the dream to him. When they came and stood before the king, ³ he said to them, “I’m worried about a dream I’ve had. I want to know what it means.”⁴ They answered the king in Aramaic, “May Your Majesty live forever! Tell us your dream, and we will explain it to you.”⁵ The king said to them, “I have made up my mind that you must tell me the dream and then tell me what it means. If you can’t, I’ll have you torn limb from limb and make your houses a pile of ruins. ⁶ But if you can tell me both the dream and its meaning, I will reward you with gifts and great honor. Now then, tell me what the dream was and what it means.”⁷ They answered the king again, “If Your Majesty will only tell us what the dream was, we will explain it.”⁸ At that, the king exclaimed, “Just as I thought! You are trying to gain time, because you see that I have made up my mind ⁹ to give all of you the same punishment if you don’t tell me the dream. You have agreed among yourselves to go on telling me lies because you hope that in time things will change. Tell me what the dream was, and then I will know that you can also tell me what it means.”¹⁰ The advisers replied, “There is no one on the face of the earth who can tell Your Majesty what you want to know. No king, not even the greatest and most powerful, has ever made such a demand of his fortunetellers, magicians, and wizards. ¹¹ What Your Majesty is asking for is so difficult that no one can do it for you except the gods, and they do not live among human beings.”¹² At that, the king flew into a rage and ordered the execution of all the royal advisers in Babylon. ¹³ So the order was issued for all of them to be killed, including Daniel and his friends.

Reflect

When Nebuchadnezzar asks for an interpreter, what do the advisers propose (verses 4, 7)? Why does he reject their proposal (verses 5–6, 8–9)? How does today’s reading highlight the difference between human knowledge and divine knowledge? Have you encountered people who claim to understand the secret things of God? Have you started to understand how God works in the world by reading the Bible?

Pray

Lord God, you know all things; your majesty surpasses all we can imagine. Make our hearts humble to hear your voice and to walk in your ways, trusting not in ourselves but in the light of your wisdom. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Daniel 2:14–23: God shows Daniel what the king’s dream means.