Daniel - God Gives Wisdom
Continuing the "Holiness and Hope" series, this message explores Daniel Chapter 2, where King Nebuchadnezzar is troubled by a dream that threatens the lives of every wise man in Babylon. When the king demands both the revelation of the dream and its interpretation under the threat of execution, Daniel responds with wisdom and tact, turning to his friends to plead for mercy from God through prayer. This sermon highlights that God is the revealer of deep and hidden things who gives wisdom generously to those who ask, encouraging believers to pray with expectant faith and look to Jesus as the ultimate wisdom of God.
Deep Dive Podcast
Study Guide for Daniel Chapter 2
This guide is designed to review the key events, themes, and theological concepts presented in the sermon on Daniel chapter two. It includes a short-answer quiz, an answer key, potential essay questions for deeper reflection, and a glossary of important terms as defined within the source material.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quiz: Short Answer Questions
Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences, based on the provided sermon transcript.
What specific, two-part demand did King Nebuchadnezzar make of his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers regarding his dreams?
What was the king's furious reaction when his wise men ultimately failed, claiming that only gods could fulfill his request?
How was Daniel personally affected by the king's decree, even though he was not present for the initial confrontation?
Describe how Daniel chose to interact with Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, when he learned of the execution order.
What did Daniel ask of his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah after he was granted more time by the king?
The speaker contrasts Babylonian and Hebrew systems of justice. What key difference is highlighted in the text?
In Daniel's prayer of praise after receiving the vision, what are three attributes or actions he ascribes to God?
According to the speaker's reference to the book of James, how does God respond to those who ask for wisdom without doubting?
The speaker acknowledges that evil or demonic forces can grant supernatural abilities. What is the stated purpose for this deception?
The sermon concludes by stating that believers have a greater resource for wisdom than Daniel did. What is this resource?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answer Key
King Nebuchadnezzar demanded that his wise men not only interpret his troubling dreams but also first tell him what the dreams were. He refused to tell them the content of the dream himself, making it a test of their true supernatural ability.
When the wise men confessed that no human could meet his demand, the king became so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men in Babylon. The decree was absolute and encompassed everyone in that category, not just those who had spoken to him.
Daniel was affected because the king's decree was for all the wise men of Babylon, a category Daniel and his friends belonged to. Therefore, even though Daniel was innocent and had not failed the king, he was subject to the death sentence and was sought for execution along with everyone else.
When Arioch came to carry out the execution, Daniel did not panic or react with anger. Instead, the text states that he "spoke to him with wisdom and tact," asking why the king had issued such a harsh decree and ultimately using this approach to gain an audience with the king.
Daniel returned to his house, explained the life-or-death situation to his friends, and urged them to plead for mercy from God. They collectively prayed for God to reveal the mystery so they would not be executed with the rest of Babylon's wise men.
The speaker highlights that Babylonian justice was arbitrary and subject to the king's anger, as seen in the sweeping death sentence. In contrast, Hebrew justice was more structured, requiring multiple witnesses for an accusation and even providing cities of refuge for those who caused accidental death.
Daniel praises God for many things, stating that wisdom and power are His. He specifically mentions that God changes times and seasons, deposes and raises up kings, gives wisdom to the wise, and reveals deep and hidden things.
Referencing James chapter one, the speaker explains that God gives wisdom generously and liberally, without playing favorites. However, to receive it, one must ask in faith and not be like a wave tossed by the sea, doubting that God will answer.
The purpose of evil forces granting abilities like dream interpretation is to deceive people. If a person with a demonic source provides an accurate interpretation, the seeker will then trust that person and their evil source, allowing the enemy to gain influence over them.
The sermon states that believers have it "way better" because they have the incarnate picture of wisdom in Jesus Christ, whose life is recorded in the gospels. In addition to prayer, believers can look to the life of Jesus and have the Holy Spirit within them to receive wisdom continually.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Essay Questions for Deeper Reflection
The sermon series is titled "Holiness and Hope." Using Daniel's actions in chapter two as described in the source, explain how he demonstrates these themes when faced with a life-threatening decree.
The speaker discusses two ways of praying for wisdom: one hesitant and one confident. Analyze Daniel's approach to prayer in this chapter and connect it to the speaker's advice on how believers should pray, referencing the book of James.
The speaker makes a point that "there will be things in your life... that go poorly for us, and we receive the negative ramifications, even though we had nothing to do with the costs." Discuss how this principle is illustrated in Daniel's story and how the inverse of this principle is also shown.
The text highlights Daniel's use of "wisdom and tact" when interacting with authority. Compare this approach to the "shouting" culture the speaker describes and analyze the effectiveness of Daniel's method in the narrative.
Explore the theme of God's sovereignty as presented in Daniel's prayer of praise. How does Daniel's understanding of God's power over kings, seasons, and hidden knowledge shape his response to the crisis?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glossary of Key Terms
Term
Definition from the Source Context
Holiness and Hope
The title of the sermon series, focusing on how Daniel, as a follower of God, stands up for his faith in a culture that pushes back against him.
Nebuchadnezzar
The ruler of Babylon around 603 BC. He has troubling dreams that agitate him because they hint that his authority will be threatened, leading him to issue a life-or-death challenge to his wise men.
Babylon
The culture and empire where Daniel and his friends were captives. It is depicted as a place with a harsh and arbitrary justice system, where the king's word is absolute law.
Magicians, Enchanters, Sorcerers, and Astrologers
The collective group of "wise men" summoned by Nebuchadnezzar to interpret his dream. They are people the king trusts for their ability to "see beyond the natural," but they are unable to tell the king what he dreamed.
Arioch
The commander of the king's guard who was tasked with carrying out the decree to put all the wise men of Babylon to death.
Wisdom and Tact
A characteristic of Daniel's interactions, noted in both chapters one and two. It is presented as a calm, respectful, and thoughtful way of engaging with authority, in contrast to shouting, to achieve a better outcome.
Babylonian Justice
Characterized as arbitrary and severe. It is based on the king's immediate feelings, such as his fury, which leads him to order the execution of an entire class of people without trial.
Hebrew Justice
Described as significantly different from Babylonian justice. It is more structured, requiring multiple witnesses for an accusation and providing "cities of refuge" to protect individuals from immediate, anger-fueled retribution.
Omniscience of God
A theological term used to describe one of God's attributes. It means that God knows all things, including the "deep and hidden things" like Nebuchadnezzar's dream and what lies in darkness.
James Chapter 1 (as described)
A New Testament passage cited to support the idea that God gives wisdom generously and liberally to those who ask in faith. It warns that a person who doubts while asking will not receive what they ask for.
1 Corinthians 1:24 (as described)
A New Testament verse that refers to Jesus Christ as "the wisdom of God." It is used to show that believers have the ultimate example of wisdom lived out in the flesh through the life of Jesus.
