23 November 2021

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall this kingdom be left to another people. It shall crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand for ever; just as you saw that a stone was cut from the mountain not by hands, and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold.

From Daniel 2:31-45, NRSV

In yesterday’s reading, we heard about how Daniel – one of four young Israelites pressed into service by King Nebuchadnezzar, had been blessed with the ability to interpret dreams. In today’s reading we hear Daniel using this gift in giving an interpretation of a dream that had greatly troubled the king. In the dream, the king had seen the destruction of a large statue made from different metals. The king’s many soothsayers and wise men had been stumped by this dream and were unable to interpret it even under threat of death. When the king gave orders for all the wise men to be killed, the life of Daniel and his companions was under threat. Daniel asked for extra time to fulfil the king’s request. He then spent time in prayer along with his companions and then the king’s dream and its meaning were revealed to him. When he went to the king, he was able to tell him exactly what he had seen in his dream. Having thus established his credibility, Daniel was able to proceed with its interpretation. Daniel’s God – given interpretation was the prophecy of a succession of kingdoms and ultimately the establishment of a kingdom that would be more powerful than any other – God’s everlasting kingdom.

• • Why do you think this dream was given to King Nebuchadnezzar?
  • What difference does it make to believe in the Kingdom of God? 

Pray for all in positions of power and authority and for those who suffer at the hands of unjust and uncompassionate rulers.