12.03.2015 Old Testament: Dan 2.7–11

To read the Bible in a year, read Daniel 1–2 on December 3, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

Have you known people who claimed the ability to interpret dreams? If so, do what King Nebuchadnezzar did. He asked the wise men of Babylon to tell him a dream that he had, and then he would know whether they could truly interpret its meaning. However, they knew that they could not tell him his dream, which would mean that they could only offer a guess as to its interpretation. Listen to the wise men complain,

They answered again and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.” The king answered and said, “I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation.” The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, “There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean. It is a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh” (Daniel 2.7–11). 

The wise men spoke correctly that the king made a request of them that they could not fulfill, and that only the divine could provide both the dream and its interpretation. Why not use this test on those who claim to interpret your dreams?

The Lord used this situation to bring Daniel before the king, and you know what happened from there.