“He declared to Arioch, the king’s captain, ‘Why is the decree of the king so urgent?’ Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.” Daniel 2:15-16
We see God’s sovereign hand at work in the midst of the chaotic situation that has fallen upon Daniel. Only God could insure that the highest ranking officer of the king’s guard would show up in Daniel’s location. He is likely the only one who could grant Daniel what he requests. We see how Daniel practices grace in his words as he seeks to both trust God and find His will in this situation.
He declared to Arioch, the king’s captain Daniel talks to the man
God placed in front of him – the man who would listen to him and think rather than just follow orders as the soldiers in the guard would. We can be sure Daniel’s tone is as gracious as it was submissive
“Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Daniel asks an interesting question. The word urgent can mean hasty or urgent in the
sense that it must be done without delay. The wise men are no match for the king’s soldiers, they cannot escape or defend themselves. Why does the king want this done without delay?
Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. It would be interesting to know what Arioch told Daniel. From Daniel’s reaction it is likely he told Daniel that the king was furious that the wise men could not tell him his dream. Perhaps he told Daniel the king had forgotten the details and wanted the wise men to prove their worth by repeating his dream. In this way he would know their wisdom was valid and their interpretation was correct.
And Daniel went in and requested the king We come to another unbelievable example of God’s sovereignty in the book of Daniel. This young man (likely in his early twenties) is able to convince the captain of the guard to allow him to appear before the king (in Esther’s time one could not do that unless summoned) to speak to the king about his dream. Only God could open this door. This is like Moses appearing before Pharoah or Elijah before King Ahab. When it is is God’s will, He makes a way for this servant. He can part any human obstacles to solving a problem just as easily as He can part the Red Sea.
To appoint him a time Once again we see God’s hand on Daniel. Remember Nebuchadnezzar’s attitude. He wanted an answer to
what his dream was – right now. When he did not receive that, he wanted the wise men killed, right now. Everything was “now”.
The king needs an answer immediately. Now watch what Daniel requests – more time! God does not give us Daniel’s word
to the king. Likely he told the king that there is a God in heaven who could give him the answer he wanted. Likely he told the king that to receive the answer he wanted from God would require that he and his three friends have time to pray and seek God’s face. We can be sure that whatever words Daniel used he gave God the glory.
That he might show the interpretation to the king Here we see Daniel’s faith and confidence in his God. Daniel is confident God will answer. If it is not God’s will, then Daniel and his three friends will die, just as they are scheduled to now. Nebuchadnezzar is about to learn that there is a living God in heaven who answers his children. The king is another step closer to knowing God personally