The events recorded in the fifth chapter occurred on the eve of the city’s conquest by the “Medes and Persians.” That night, the king hosted a feast “for a thousand of his lords” who “tasted wine” from the vessels looted from the Jerusalem Temple by Nebuchadnezzar, all while praising the false gods of the empire.
Continue reading “Head of Gold Shattered”
Nebuchadnezzar has another dream, and as before, one that only Daniel can interpret. Yahweh will remove the king from power until he learns that the “Most-High God” is sovereign over the affairs of men. Chapter 4 begins and ends with the Babylonian ruler acknowledging the sovereignty of the God of Israel.
Continue reading “Downfall & Restoration”
In the second chapter, the “Chaldeans” are demoted because of their failure to reveal the king’s dream. But in the wake of Nebuchadnezzar’s construction of his “great golden image,” they exploit the opportunity to inflict vengeance on three of the Jewish exiles for their earlier loss of face. Although loyal to the king, these three men cannot bow before the king’s idolatrous image.
Continue reading “The Fiery Furnace”
The King invested great effort to make his dream into reality. First, he “set up” an enormous image covered in gold to represent his majesty and the irresistible power of the Empire. Then, he commanded all the “peoples and nations and tongues” of his realm to pay homage to his image or face a horrific and certain death in the “burning fiery furnace.”
Continue reading “Great Image of the King”
The second and third chapters present a single story told in two parts. First, Nebuchadnezzar dreams of an enormous image composed of several materials, which Daniel interprets, demonstrating the sovereignty of God over history. Second, the king attempts to implement his dream by erecting a great golden image in the “plain of Dura.”
Continue reading “The King’s Dream”
Insights into Bible Prophecy 