Real Answers

Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, informed Daniel that all wise men in Babylon were to be killed. What a shock this must have been! But what particularly surprised Daniel was its urgency. This command was be carried out immediately.

Why, Daniel wondered, was this such an urgent matter? This reaction demonstrated just how important this was to Nebuchadnezzar. He needed to understand a troubling dream.

For an interpretation, he first turned to Babylon’s magicians, conjurers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans. They assumed that he would share his dream. But he demanded that they provide both the dream and its interpretation, promising that, if they failed, they would be “torn limb from limb and your houses will be made a rubbish heap.”

The king’s urgency reveals his past experience with these men. It seems likely that he had serious doubts about their abilities.

When they failed his test, they proved to him that they were imposters who were being manipulative and dishonest, that their past analyses had been self-serving. Anyone could give interpretations. He wanted men with real discernment. He wanted the correct meaning, not man-made opinions.

After convincing the king to extend the deadline, Daniel and his friends sought God. Even though there was pressure to respond quickly, they were not worried. They had faith in God. And He rewarded their faith.

Daniel was able to provide Nebuchadnezzar with everything he needed. Here was proof that he and his friends were different. They weren’t like worldly wise men with flashy explanations or subjective opinions. They had real answers that came from God. But they could have insights because they had a relationship with God. And they were able testify about Him.

Today, remember that God is with you! Don’t be content with human opinions. Seek Him for answers to the challenges you face. Serve Him. Trust Him. Let Him use you!