“This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation. You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all—you are the head of gold.” Daniel 2:36-38
The king asked for two things: 1. to be told his dream, and 2.
to be told what the dream means. Daniel has finished giving the details of the dream and now he begins it’s interpretation.
You, O king, the king of kings Daniel honors the position of King Nebuchadnezzar. Think of that. This is the king that ripped him away from his family, likely had many of Daniel’s friends and relatives killed. Yet Daniel show us how he practices 1 Peter 2:13 “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority” well before it is written.
To whom the God of heaven Second Daniel reminds the king of the one who is in charge. His is why Daniel can respect the king’s authority – he knows his God is in control. Has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. Here Daniel lists what God has given to Nebuchadnezzar. He has given his kingdom, (Do you see how this is the perfect time to tell the king this fact. In other situations he may have resented this, feeling that he was the one who earned his kingdom. At this point he isanxious about the future and what is in store for him – his heart is open to God’s truth.).
And into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens God placed all living creatures under Nebuchadnezzar’s rule. Even the animals were subject to his leadership and authority. By giving God the glory for all Nebuchadnezzar has, Daniel focuses the king on the supreme ruler of the universe. This must be in place to break down the pride in the king’s life which is, for the moment,
keeping him from worshipping the true and living God.
Making you rule over them all Daniel makes it clear God is the one who delegates authority. He is the one sets up and puts down kings and kingdoms. Without directly confronting the issue Daniel makes the point the God of heaven is to be worshipped. The seeds of salvation are being planted. Note how Daniel does this without blame or judgment.
You are the head of gold Nebuchadnezzar has been very troubled about this dream and the image. Very quickly Daniel sets him at ease – he is the head of gold. Nebuchadnezzar would recognize the head as the leader and he would recognize gold as the most precious metal in the image. Daniel shows the king is honored by God to be in the position he is in. and that the authority and possessions are gifts to him from the most High God.
What can we learn? God knows Nebuchadnezzar’s heart – he will become a believer. Over the first six chapters of Daniel we see God work in his heart to break down his pride, and humble him. God shows him that despite the king’s power there is one more exalted than he. Daniel beings by giving God the glory and letting the king know there is a God in heaven all must worship.