What does Daniel 2:8 mean?
Pagan spiritual advisors of Nebuchadnezzar's court repeatedly ask the king to describe his dream (Daniel 2:1), so they can tell him what it means. Yet the king wants them to tell him what the dream was about (Daniel 2:2–7). If they cannot conjure the dream itself, why would the king believe their other claims were anything but lies (Daniel 2:9)? On the other hand, if the royal sorcerers can uncover his dream, they can probably untangle its meaning. The king's accusation is entirely accurate. The Babylonian diviners knew he would carry out his threat to execute them if they failed to fulfill his request.Eventually, the occultists will admit their limitations (Daniel 2:10–11), giving Daniel the opportunity to glorify the God of Israel (Daniel 2:27–35).
Time is the most valuable commodity anyone has. It can be used wisely or unwisely. Therefore, Christians are called to spend our time towards good purposes (Ephesians 5:16). The apostle James compares a person's life span to "a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Believers who make the best use of their time can look forward to a reward (2 Timothy 4:8).
Daniel 2:1–16 builds on the introduction to Daniel and his three friends given in chapter 1. Babylon's king, Nebuchadnezzar, is deeply disturbed by a recurring dream. He insists that his pagan advisors tell him what the dream contained, to prove they have genuine insight. When the Babylonian counselors say that only a god could do that, the king plans to have every advisor in Babylon killed. Daniel, however, claims he can meet Nebuchadnezzar's challenge. The text switches from Hebrew to Aramaic in verse 4 and will not revert until chapter 8.
King Nebuchadnezzar tests his magicians, demanding they tell him what he has dreamed, rather than merely inventing an interpretation. When they fail, he prepares to execute the entire department of wise men. Daniel promises he can meet the king's request and is given a special vision from God. The king dreamed of a massive statue shattered into powder by a supernatural rock. Daniel accurately describes this and interprets it as a prophecy about kingdoms which would come after Babylon. The king appoints Daniel and his friends to positions of power and influence over Babylon.
