God chose a strange dreamer and an odd interpreter, so we should expect by now that the dream itself would be something off the charts. Let’s dig into this challenging dream, beginning with the question of relevance: why is this dream important anyway?
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Of Miles & Malls: Why We Misread Scripture
So far, we’ve considered two of three remarkable features of Daniel 2. Both the unprecedented nature of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel’s prophetic calling are meant to catch our attention. Why is it then that these developments are missed entirely by avid readers of Scripture? This question is worth considering, but…
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Daniel, the (Lonely) Prophet
As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Daniel 1:17 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. Daniel 2:1…
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Daniel, the (Un)Prophet
Who doesn’t like “easy” when tools are involved? Speedy, simple installations and repairs are a big plus for me, but “wishes aren’t fishes,” and I find that most hardware jobs are much more difficult than they appear. Objects rust and clog, drill bits break, and kits arrive lacking the hardware…
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Three Unknowns of Daniel 2: Part Two
God had yet another surprise in store for captive Israel, embodied in the form of an impromptu prophet. Daniel came out of nowhere and became a prophet unlike any before him. In fact, had the Lord Jesus not called him a prophet (Mt. 24:15) we might have wondered what to…
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Are Infants Of Unbelievers Saved? | Q&A
Question: Does a child go to heaven if he/she dies from a non-believer family, for example, a Muslim child who doesn’t have a concept of sin? Any reference verses to support the answer? Answer: Yes, God gives salvation to those who die without an awareness of their sin, and the…
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Three Unknowns of Daniel 2: Part One
Familiarity breeds contempt—especially in Bible study! The story of Daniel’s miraculous interpretation of the king’s dream is standard issue material for Sunday Schools and required reading for almost any study on prophecy. But for all its familiarity, this passage presents three key unknowns, which we would do well to consider.…
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Revelation: An Open Way for Opened Eyes
The bright orange nozzle is still fresh in my memory. My high school lab was surrounded by counters and sinks, but not one of them matched the teacher’s sink, which stood at the front of the lab, marked out with a large, orange-capped hose hanging directly above it.
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Saving Faith: Part Two
“I still don’t see how you’re going to pull this off,” Azariah jabbed with notable annoyance. “It was one thing for us to stand up to the Melzar and ask for an exception, but to offer to do the impossible for the king seems like nothing short of arrogance.” Mishael…
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Saving Faith: Part One
The king queried his unwanted guest in a skeptical tone that only thinly veiled the frustration that featured prominently in his sharp eyes and grave demeanor. Seated on his throne, he was not unlike an eagle on a high perch, seemingly inactive yet unquestionably dangerous.
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Reactivity: A Ditch to the Left
It started nobly enough as a courageous stand against the idolatry advancing among God’s people. Alexander the Great had swept through the holy land in a swift conquest of the known world, and his agenda soon followed his sword. Greek culture quickly percolated down into all aspects of society, wooing…
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Reliance: A Ditch to the Right
If I believe that I am alone and the government is dangerous, then I do well in refusing to wear a mask in spite of the government’s COVID-19 regulations. But what does God say about my life? And what does God say about the government? If I believe that I…
