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Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of World Empires
This chapter is based on Daniel 2.
Soon after Daniel and his companions entered Nebuchadnezzar’s
service, events occurred that revealed the power of God to the idol-
worshiping nation. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream by which “his
spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him.” But when the king
awoke, he found it impossible to recall the particulars.
In his perplexity Nebuchadnezzar assembled his wise men—“the
magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers”—and requested them to
reveal to him the meaning, to bring relief to his mind.
The wise men responded, “Tell your servants the dream, and we
will give the interpretation.” Dissatisfied with their evasive answer,
the king commanded his wise men to tell him not only the interpre-
tation but the dream itself. “If you do not make known the dream to
me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces. ... However, if
you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me
gifts, rewards, and great honor.”
Still the wise men answered, “Let the king tell his servants the
dream, and we will give the interpretation.”
Nebuchadnezzar was thoroughly angered by the apparent dis-
loyalty of those he had trusted. He declared, “You have agreed to
speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed.
Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me
its interpretation.”
The magicians attempted to show the king that his request was
unreasonable. “No king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of
any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean. ... And there is no other who
can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with
flesh.”
Then “the king was angry and very furious, and gave the com-
mand to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.”
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