When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. Daniel 2:14-16
It is unusual that someone would question a royal decree delivered by a court official. This decree would have condemned Daniel to death without his having an opportunity to defend himself. Since Daniel approached Arioch with discretion and wisdom, and Daniel was not part of the group that had infuriated the king, Arioch told Daniel of what had transpired. Understanding the situation, Daniel approached the king and was granted time to discover the dream and its interpretation.
DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDS PLEAD FOR MERCY
Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Daniel 2:17-18
Daniel, facing the possibility that he and his companions may be put to death, urges them to pray to God, plead for mercy, and have God reveal the king’s dream and its interpretation.
THE MYSTERY WAS REVEALED
During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” Daniel 2:19-23
Visions occur frequently in the Bible as instruments of supernatural revelation. They are audiovisual means of communication between a heavenly being and an earthly recipient. Revelatory visions portray scenery or dramatic circumstances to the human recipient while the person is awake, while dreams occur when the person is asleep.
He said, “Listen to my words: When a prophet is among you I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.” Numbers 12:6
THE LORD ANSWERED THEIR PRAYERS
The prophet Daniel was from the tribe of Judah. The God of his ancestors was Yehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God of heaven had answered the prayers of Daniel and his companions. Daniel’s response was to offer up thanksgiving and praise.
