Daniel and his three friends were among those taken captive into Babylon. Since they were of the nobility Nebuchadnezzar thought they had the aptitude to learn the language and literature of Babylon in order to serve at the kings table. The first test was whether or not they would rely on the royal food and wine for their sustenance. Their response was to follow God's way instead and they proved that the kings provisions were not needed for health and wisdom.
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. - Dan. 1:17-20 NIV
It was not long before they were put to their first test. Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream and goes to his astrologers for the meaning, which they are unable to give.
"What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men." Dan. 2:11 NIV
This made the king so angry that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon, which included Daniel and his three friends. Daniel asked the king for permission to interpret the dream for him, but realized he needed God's help to do so.
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. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. - Dan. 2:17-19 NIV
So with the answer to their prayers, Daniel went before the king to interpret the dream. Daniel made sure to give God the credit for what he he was going to tell the king. Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you lay on your bed are these:
"As you were lying there, O king, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen. As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind. - - Dan. 2:17-30
Imagine the boldness of these young men, to trust in God, for his sustenance and his provision, above that of the authority who appeared to control their destiny. They were bold because they knew their God in heaven was a revealer of mysteries.
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