Thursday 11 April 2013

Background

Daniel is a member of the nobility of the Court of Judah who hasbeen carried off into exile into Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar andhas trained to be a court official. Nebuchadnezzar has beentroubled by a dream, and when all the magicians, enchanters,sorcerers and Chaldeans (astrologers) fail not only to interpretthe king's dream (which they claim is quite possible), but also totell him what his dream was (which they claim is quite impossible),he condemns them to death. Daniel has bravely argued for time totell him both things. But, importantly, Daniel asks the king not toput anyone else to death until he comes back with an answer to savethem all. (Ironically, the Babylonian name the king has given him -Belteshazzar (v. 26) - means 'Guard his life!'.).

It's quite strange the king hasn't already asked Daniel what hisopinion is - in Daniel 1:19-20 the wisdom he and his companionshave has already been recognised to be "ten times better than allthe magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom", yet in Daniel2:25-26 it appears that Nebuchadnezzar had not met Daniel before.This does point to a mix-and-match collecting together of differenttraditions of the story.

The source of understanding of the mystery for Daniel is quitesimple - God alone understands the meaning of mysteries. Danieleven refuses to take any personal credit for the interpretation hewill give to Nebuchadnezzar - it is simply a gift of God not to theinterpreter (who wisely does not wish to appear wiser than hisking) but to the dreamer himself.

Remarkably, Daniel's arguing that human beings cannot beexpected to have the wisdom on their own to understand mysteriesknown only to God also implies that the king could not expect hisown wise men to have the answer. Implicitly, Daniel argues fortheir execution to be cancelled. Just when he has the upper hand…

To Ponder

• Daniel wisely took counsel with his friends before acting(verses 17-18) and asked for their prayers. How much do you followthis example before making important decisions? Do you think itmakes any difference?

• Be honest - if you think you're gifted, what's the balance youhave between what you take the credit for yourself, and what yourecognise is down to God alone?

• What examples have you known in your life where someone couldhave rammed home a victory, but instead acted graciously to theloser? How did it make you feel?