The Humble Messenger
06.04.24
In Daniel 2, Daniel is faced with a dire circumstance. Deliver the king’s dream with a correct interpretation, or die along with his friends. Daniel is steady in his resolve but not confrontational. He is humble, but transparent of the true power of God.The king, who is lost and troubled, wants to identify what is real (among all of the mystics, employed by his administration) and destroy all that is not.
Daniel, besides wanting to save his life, wants the opportunity to show God’s glory through his life.Daniel, who is made known the king’s demands, goes to Arioch for time. He’s not goveling in desperation, or grasping at straws. He stands at the king’s attention, asks for faith and an opportunity to verify the king’s request, and to show the reality of God’s wisdom and understanding.Daniel told his community to be in prayer (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; Daniel 2:18), and opened his heart to God’s answer.The revelation of the vision and meaning, comes as a humble response from Daniel, which was predicated by the bold move of going before the king to ask for time.The two part request of the king was for one thing to be verified that only he knew, followed by an answer that the Holy Spirit would have confirmed in the king’s heart.Daniel has already shown his discipline, and humble resolve to remain obedient when he was:
- Told not to by the authority of Babylon
- When he was tempted to do otherwise by better food and drink under a different rule set
- While he was not in plain sight of his countrymen of Judah, but among a foreign people who did not expect him to be obedient, and encouraged otherwise.
“I can’t, but I know a guy”He will verify that thing that only you know, and show you the purpose of the dream, which you don’t yet know.In thanksgiving, before facing the king, He prays Daniel 2:21 in the same way Jesus answers Pilate, you have no authority except that which is given to you….(John 19:11)Daniel 2:21-22 He changes the times and the seasons, He removes kings and raises up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those that have understanding. 22. He reveals deep and secret things. He knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with Him.Daniel was not prideful in his discipline, he was faithful. He asked the steward for some leniency on what he had to do. He included the steward in the blessing.
Daniel was not prideful in his ability to discern the king’s request, He made sure all knew the source of the revelation.Your magicians and such couldn’t do it, but I know a guy, He gave you the vision, He has revealed it to me, and here is why.Daniel 2:27-28 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. 28. But there is a God in heaven, who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar, what will be in the latter days…God grant us the boldness for You, and the humility in ourselves to allow You alone to be glorified.