In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about a tree, and after declaring it he said, “I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven. He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches. Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: To the intent that the living may know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, And gives it to whomsoever he will, and sets up over it the basest of men”, and in chapter four and verse eighteen of his book Daniel shared how Nebuchadnezzar said, “this dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen” where we read,
This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now you, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but you are able: for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.
The verse reads, “This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now you, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof,” Daniel began with the words, “this dream” or “the previously declared mental imagery” “I king Nebuchadnezzar” which means “I, the royal ruler and leader, Nebuchadnezzar whose name means ‘may Nebo protect the crown’ and was the great king of Babylon who captured Jerusalem and carried Judah captive” “have seen” or “discerned, distinguished, perceived, noticed and observed”. “Now you” which means “at this time you, Daniel”, “O Belteshazzar” or “O Belteshazzar whose name means lord of the straitened's treasure”, “declare the interpretation thereof” which means “speak, tell and relate the meaning and explanation of the dream”. Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar declared what he just said to be his “dream”, and He wanted “Daniel” whose Babylonian name was “Belteshazzar” to tell him what it meant.
The verse goes on to say, “forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation:” Daniel continued with the words, “forasmuch as” which means “because, since and on account that” “all the wise men” or “each, every, the whole and everyone of the men who are learned and filled with wisdom” “of my kingdom” which means “belonging to my, King Nebuchadnezzar’s, realm and rule” “are not able to make known unto me” or “exist as unable and incapable of communicating, informing and causing me, King Nebuchadnezzar, to know” “the interpretation” which means “the explanation and meaning”. Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar was aware that not one of his other learned men were able to tell him what his dream meant.
Finally the verse says, “but you are able: for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” Daniel concluded this verse with the words, “but you are able” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover you, Daniel or Belteshazzar, exist as capable and with the ability”: “for the spirit” which means “because, since and on account that the mind” “of the holy gods” or “belonging to the sacred and pure deities” “is in you” which means “exists within you, Daniel or Belteshazzar”. Daniel ended this verse by sharing how King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that he was capable of giving the meaning of the dream because the mind of the sacred and pure deities was within him.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how King Nebuchadnezzar not only verified that what he told him was his “dream”, but also that no other learned man within his rule and reign was capable of telling him the rendering or meaning of it. He knew there was something different about Daniel whom he renamed “Belteshazzar”, and that difference was that the mind of God was within him. God wants us to have His “mind” or “spirit” about situations and circumstances we encounter in the world. (See Galatians 5:16,25; Philippians 2:5) We gain a personal relationship with Him through belief in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the grave after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth regardless of what enters our lives. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8)
Next time Daniel shares how he was, “astoined for one hour”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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