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Daniel Chapter Two

1. Nebuchadnezzar was plagued by a recurring dream which left him unable to sleep (Dan. 2:1).
2. He ordered his supernatural advisory board to describe his dream and interpret it (Dan. 2:2-11).
   1. His top four advisors, ten times better than the rest, were not included in this consultation.
   2. The demonic powers couldn’t read the king’s mind and interpret his dream.
   3. Nebuchadnezzar’s anger at the emptiness of the Chaldean religion prompted his execution order for the entire college of wise men.
3. Daniel takes the leadership once again for the faithful four and views the danger of physical death as an opportunity for the glory of the Lord (Dan. 2:14-24).
   1. He exercised discretion & discernment.
   2. He called an immediate prayer meeting.
   3. He gave all praise to God for answered prayer.
4. Daniel redeems the opportunity to speak in the king’s presence by giving the king an introduction to the God of Heaven (Dan. 2:25-30).
5. Daniel correctly describes the king’s dream as a vividly portrayed statue, and accurately interprets the dream as a prophetic panorama of Gentile history.  This time period is called “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24).
   1. The head of gold is King Nebuchadnezzar and the empire of Babylon (Dan. 2:37-38).
   2. The breast and arms of silver represent a kingdom subsequent to and inferior than Babylon (Dan. 2:39a).  Historically, this kingdom was the Medio-Persian empire.
   3. The belly and thighs of bronze represent a kingdom subsequent to the others, but one that rules over the whole earth (Dan. 2:39b).  Historically, this was the Greek empire.
   4. The legs of iron represent a fourth kingdom subsequent to, and crushing the first three (Dan. 2:40).  Historically, this was the Roman empire.
   5. The feet of iron and clay represent a divided condition subsequent to (but developed out of) the fourth kingdom.
   6. The toes of iron and clay represent a fragmented and mixed state of affairs—the legacy of that fourth kingdom.
      1. Although the 4th empire fell (Rome in 476AD, Byzantium in 1453AD), its heritage continues to the present day.
      2. The gold was replaced by silver, the silver was replaced by bronze, and bronze was replaced by iron.  The iron, however, was not replaced by clay—the clay was injected into the iron, mixed and bonded with it to transform the 4th empire into something else altogether.
      3. The Latin (iron) & Germanic (clay) elements formed the new cultures and societies of medieval Europe.
      4. The “seed of men” (v.43) nature of these toes indicates a physical descent from the iron & clay cultures and is fulfilled in the present condition of western civilization.
   7. God will bring the Gentile domination of the Jewish people to an end when He establishes His mountain (kingdom) on earth in the eschatological theocratic kingdom of the Lord (Dan. 2:34-35,44-45).
6. The chapter closes by describing the promotion of Daniel and his faithful friends (Dan. 2:46-49).

Daniel Chapter Three

1. Although he was awed by the power and wisdom of Daniel’s God (Dan. 2:47), Nebuchadnezzar is not yet saved, and erects his own golden image for his empire to worship (Dan. 3:1-7).
2. Nebuchadnezzar commands his entire political establishment to ensure that the entire empire would submit to his worship under penalty of death.  Zedekiah of Judah was likely present for this (Jer. 51:59).
3. Hananiah, Mishael, & Azariah are high-ranking government officials who refuse to participate (Dan. 3:8-18).  Daniel is not mentioned in the passage, and most likely wasn’t present.
4. Satanically inspired lies (religions) often spark Satanically inspired murder.  Such is the case here as Nebuchadnezzar orders the execution of his “rebellious” officials (Dan. 3:19-23).
5. The miracle of Divine deliverance took Nebuchadnezzar from the point of God-consciousness to the point of salvation (Dan. 3:24-33 (Aramaic)).

Jeremiah Chapter Seven

1. Jeremiah’s second primary message is to be delivered at the entrance to the temple (Jer. 7:1-15).
   1. Judah must immediately amend her ways and her deeds (v.3).
   2. יָטַב yātab ^#3190: to do good, do well, be pleasing.
   3. Judah’s arrogance thought that God would not destroy His own house (v.4).
   4. Judah’s has turned the temple into a den of robbers (v.11; Matt. 21:13).
   5. Judah better think again concerning what the Lord will allow to happen to the Ark of the Covenant (1st Sam. 4:10-11; Ps. 78:56-61).
2. The Lord prohibits Jeremiah from becoming an intercessor on Jerusalem’s behalf (Jer. 7:16-20).
3. The Lord continued His discourse to Judah, telling them that they’ve missed the entire point of the animal sacrifices (Jer. 7:21-26; 1st Sam. 15:22; Ps. 40:6; 51:16-17; Hos. 6:6).
4. The Lord warns Jeremiah that his message is going to be ignored (Jer. 7:27-34).
5. The judgment of this passage looks ahead both to Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction, and to the Day of the Lord (cf. Rev. 19:17-18).

Jeremiah Chapter Eight

1. Jeremiah continues to describe the coming invasion by describing the plundering of even their tombs (Jer. 8:1-3).

(Chapter Eight continues tomorrow)