“A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Daniel 2:45-47
God spoke to Nebuchadnezzar through adream. The content so troubled his heart God sent him a messenger to interpret the truth of what God said. God does not just give random information for our
entertainment. As a result, Daniel ends his time by giving the king an invitation. Did the truth of God make him want to know God? That is God’s purpose for the king (and for us). A Great God Daniel begins his invitation to the king the way he
started – by focusing on the only great God, the God of truth.
Has made known to the king This great God spoke out of the
heavens directly and individually to the king. This should show how
us how important the king, actually any one person, is to God.
What shall be after this. God shared a mystery with the king. This truth was never known to any man before. The king was anxious about the future and God showed him God’s plan all the way to the end of the age.
The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure. Daniel tells the king that there is no error in the dream or the interpretation he received. This is 100% pure truth. God has spoken the truth to him and now the king is responsible for what he will do with he heard.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face What Daniel said touches Nebuchadnezzar’s heart. He does a most unlikely thing. He falls on his face in thanksgiving and praise. The greatest king on this planet bends his knees in worship. That’s good, right?
Paid homage to Daniel Wrong! The king pays homage to Daniel. This must have horrified the young prophet. Praise is to go to God alone, never his messenger.
Commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. The king begins to pour gifts and worship on Daniel. The offering refers to a sacrificial offering. Incense refers to those used in sacrifices to a deity. The king has made a major error. He confuses the messenger of God with the message of God. That path will get him no closer to knowing the one true God.
The king answered and said to Daniel, Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings The king tells Daniel how great his God is – Lord over all. This awareness is good.
And a revealer of mysteries He tells Daniel his God reveals the truth, reveals mysteries. He recognizes God has spoken to him as he has spoken to no other man. The king admires this truth.
For you have been able to reveal this mystery While recognizing God in passing, the king focuses on the wrong person. He turns his praise back to Daniel. The young prophet is probably aghast.
What can we learn? We see a person can recognize there is one true God and even appreciate the truth He gives yet not know that God in a personal way. There are a lot of people who hear God’s word, are intrigued by it, get spiritual for a short while and even glorify the messenger. The king saw God work, is thrilled but there appears to be no personal conviction in his heart. God’s light does not touch his soul.