July 6 – Off With Their Heads

Daniel 2:7 – 23

They answered, "If it please your majesty, tell us the dream. We'll give the interpretation." But the king said, "I know what you're up to—you're just playing for time. You know you're up a tree. You know that if you can't tell me my dream, you're doomed. I see right through you—you're going to cook up some fancy stories and confuse the issue until I change my mind. Nothing doing! First tell me the dream, then I'll know that you're on the up and up with the interpretation and not just blowing smoke in my eyes." The fortunetellers said, "Nobody anywhere can do what you ask. And no king, great or small, has ever demanded anything like this from any magician, enchanter, or fortuneteller. What you're asking is impossible unless some god or goddess should reveal it—and they don't hang around with people like us." That set the king off. He lost his temper and ordered the whole company of Babylonian wise men killed. When the death warrant was issued, Daniel and his companions were included. They also were marked for execution. When Arioch, chief of the royal guards, was making arrangements for the execution, Daniel wisely took him aside and quietly asked what was going on: "Why this all of a sudden?" After Arioch filled in the background, Daniel went to the king and asked for a little time so that he could interpret the dream. Daniel then went home and told his companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what was going on. He asked them to pray to the God of heaven for mercy in solving this mystery so that the four of them wouldn't be killed along with the whole company of Babylonian wise men. That night the answer to the mystery was given to Daniel in a vision. Daniel blessed the God of heaven, saying,

"Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all:
He changes the seasons and guides history, He raises up kings and also brings them down,
He provides both intelligence and discernment, He opens up the depths, tells secrets,
sees in the dark—light spills out of him! God of all my ancestors, all thanks! All praise!
You made me wise and strong. And now you've shown us what we asked for. You've solved the king's mystery."

Do you remember in the Alice in Wonderland story where the Queen turned crimson with fury, and, after glaring at Alice for a moment like a wild beast, screamed `Off with her head!’ That is just how I image King Nebuchadnezzar looked when he got really mad. You can see his beet red face, eyes bulging and fumes radiating out from his head. Off with their heads! All the wise men must die if they can’t answer the King Nebuchadnezzar’s request! Daniel and his three friends were included in this group of wise men that the royal guards were to slay. According to Strong’s Lexicon the royal guards were executioners. Daniel was able to wisely reason with the head executioner and then actually spoke with the King so that he could have more time—time for God to speak to him. Daniel and his friends prayed, requesting compassion from God so that they would be able to answer the King’s request and be spared from death.

God heard their prayers and He spoke to Daniel in a vision that night to reveal the mystery, the secret of the King’s dream. God is good—then and now. Blessed be the name of God.

Prayer is powerful. God heard the pleading voices of Daniel and his friends. God hears your prayers, too—and mine. Thankfully. There are so many things for which people pray—health issues, money, fame or fortune. The really essential prayer request is for salvation—first for ourselves, then for family, friends and for the lost souls around the world. God hears our prayers. Right now my most heartfelt prayer is for Ben, my daughter-in-law’s step brother who is in intensive care fighting for his life from a head injury. Please pray for him. My prayer list is long—is yours? Do you just request things from God…or do you give Him thanksgiving, praise and blessings, too?  James 5:13-15 says, “Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.” (NASB) Pray.

Lord, Thank you that You heard and answered Daniel’s prayer. Thank you for hearing my prayers. I am confident that you will answer them so that You will be glorified and praised.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

Scripture from The Message, except where noted.