Daily Lectionary: Daniel 2:1-23; Revelation 18:1-24
Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. (Daniel 2:17-18)
In today’s text we read about Daniel’s first divine revelation from God. This is the first time that God communicates with Daniel, delivering His Word and with it His promises. The second chapter of Daniel opens with King Nebuchadnezzar having a dream, which apparently ruffles his feathers a bit, because he seeks an interpretation of the dream from the wise guys of his courts. If you remember, that’s where Daniel fits into the picture – he and his buddies are numbered amongst the wise guys, and they’re the Hebrew ones. King Nebuchadnezzar requires that the wise guys first tell him what his dream is, and then that they interpret it. The first request is to verify that the interpreter’s interpretation is accurate. Only King Nebuchadnezzar knows what his dream was, and he plans to keep it that way. The only way the interpreter can learn about the dream will be by divine revelation. If the wise guys can’t pull this one off, they won’t be wise guys for very long - they’ll be dead guys.
Daniel is then gifted from the Lord by a revelation of the dream and its meaning. The rest of the wise guys don’t think this is possible. After all, the pagan gods of the day don’t deal with humans in the earthly realm. As far as the wise guys are concerned, they’re goners. Daniel, though, knows that the true Lord and God of the Universe does deal with mortal flesh and blood. In fact, He deals with it so much so that some day He will be born in mortal flesh and blood in order to save all of mankind. Thus, by this revelation to mortal flesh and blood called Daniel, God saves Daniel and all of his fellow wise guys – even the pagans!
This is how the Lord works: He saves you in mortal flesh and blood by dealing with you in mortal flesh and blood. In mortal flesh and blood He wins salvation and the He delivers it to you, in order to strengthen and preserve you unto life everlasting. And that's no dream! It's all real!
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
God descends with heav’nly power, Gives Himself to me this hour In this ordinary sign. On my tongue His pledge receiving, I accept His grace believing That I taste His love divine. (LSB 620.4)