“They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.” Daniel 2:7-9
Things have deteriorated quickly for the wisest men in Babylon. When the king told them his issue they thought they had this in the bag. Giving a dream interpretation was a piece of cake. Had Daniel been with them he might have warned them that pride comes before a fall. He wasn’t with them so they learned God’s truth the hard way.
They answered a second time The Chaldeans probably realize they are on thin ice. It is never wise to talk back to the king but that is precisely what they are doing. They have no other choice.
The king answered and said Nebuchadnezzar responds to their
objections. They can probably tell by his non-verbals they are in trouble.
I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time The king accuses the wise men of stalling for time. He is not happy they are trying to avoid his demands.
Because you see that the word from me is firm He tells them he is not changing his mind. He will not (or cannot) tell them his dream. If they truly speak for the gods then they will be able to tell him this dream and its interpretation.
If you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. Nebuchadnezzar reiterates his demand and the result if they fail to comply. They are going to die knowing they believed in false gods who could not help them when they needed it most.
You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change Nebuchadnezzar accuses the wise men of collusion around a lie. They agreed together to defraud the king. (We can sense the king’s anger and fury growing as he thinks about the scam they have played on him.) He realizes all the previous pronouncements they have made to him in the past were lies and dead. Now they are trying to get out of complying with his commands
and instead stall for time hoping their situation will change or pass.
Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation The king repeats his demand. When he is is in most need, this band of charlatans has failed him. He is beside himself with fury to know he believed a lie.
What can we learn? The wise men and Chaldeans have come to the point all false prophets do. They live a lie and cannot produce the truth. To admit that now, in front of the king means death. To continue in their lie will reveal they cannot meet the king’s demands and they still face death. This is where false religion, false prophets lead everyone who follow them. It is what the prophets of Baal must have felt on Mount Carmel as they pleaded with a dead idol to hear them. It is what every unbeliever will experience at the great White Throne judgment when the hollowness of what they put their trust is in exposed. They cannot justify their beliefs, there is no way to rationalize the lies they put their trust in. All they can do is plead and stall for more time – to no avail.