What is the meaning of Daniel 2:36? This was the dream – Daniel has just finished recounting, in detail, the enormous statue of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay (Daniel 2:31-35). – By opening with “This was the dream,” he confidently affirms that what Nebuchadnezzar saw matches precisely what God revealed to Daniel the night before (Daniel 2:19, 28). – The line echoes Joseph’s certainty when he declared, “God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do” (Genesis 41:25). – It underscores Scripture’s trustworthiness: the narrative does not speculate or approximate; it records the dream exactly, illustrating Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God is flawless.” – Practical takeaway: God knows the king’s thoughts (Psalm 139:2) and ours as well, so nothing in our lives is hidden from His sovereign oversight. now we will tell the king – The shift from describing to explaining shows that revelation is meant to lead to understanding (Deuteronomy 29:29; Acts 8:30-31). – Daniel’s use of “we” highlights partnership—his three friends prayed with him (Daniel 2:17-18), and God is the ultimate Source of wisdom (James 1:5). – Respect for authority is evident. Even though Nebuchadnezzar is a pagan ruler, Daniel addresses him honorably, mirroring Romans 13:1’s call to honor governing authorities. – By standing before the most powerful monarch of his day, Daniel illustrates 1 Peter 3:15: be ready to give an answer, yet with gentleness and respect. its interpretation – Daniel recognizes that dreams without interpretation offer no benefit (Genesis 40:8). God does not speak in riddles; He supplies clarity (1 Corinthians 14:33). – The interpretation that follows (Daniel 2:37-45) reveals four successive earthly kingdoms culminating in God’s everlasting kingdom—fulfilling Isaiah 9:7’s promise of a throne that will never end. – Assurance flows from the phrase: what God reveals, He also explains. Believers can trust that Scripture interprets itself (2 Peter 1:20-21). – The forthcoming explanation of metals and kingdoms shows history marching exactly as foreseen—reminding us of Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” summary Daniel 2:36 marks the hinge between God’s revelation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and God’s authoritative explanation of its meaning. By stating the dream first, Daniel validates divine accuracy; by promising the interpretation, he models humble service and confidence in God’s Word. The verse assures us that the God who discloses mysteries also supplies clear understanding, and that His sovereign plans—revealed, interpreted, and fulfilled—stand forever. |
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