Daniel 2

Daniel 2:1-23

Ryle says "By the "name of God" we mean all those attributes through which He is revealed to us—His power, wisdom, holiness, justice, mercy and truth. By asking that they may be “hallowed,” we mean that they may be made known and glorified. The glory of God is the first thing that God’s children should desire. It is the object of one of our Lord’s own prayers: “Father, glorify (aorist imperative) Your Name!” (John 12:28). It is the purpose for which the world was created; it is the end for which the saints are called and convened: it is the chief thing we should seek—“that in all things God may be praised (glorified through Jesus Christ)” (1Pe 4:11-note). Blessed - cp Ps 113:2 - "Blessed be the name of the LORD From this time forth and forever." (cp Ps 41:13, 106:48, 1Chr 16:36, 29:10-13) Isn't it an amazing paradox that saints who have themselves received the priceless blessing of redemption from sin can actually return blessings to the Holy One! O the great mysteries of God's grace! Forever and ever (alam related to Hebrew olam = eternal, everlasting) - While the pagans used alam to greet their king (Da 2:4; 3:9; 5:10), that he might "live forever," Daniel uses alam to ascribe eternal blessing to the King of kings, an activity in which all God's saints will participate forever and ever. Amen (Rev 5:12-13-note, Rev 7:12-note) Wisdom and power belong to Him (cp Job 12:13) - What a contrast God's wisdom is with the "best" wisdom of man (the Babylonian "wise" men!). Not only does God possess wisdom to order the world, but He alone possesses the power to bring about His purposes and plans. It follows that if we lack wisdom in a given situation, we should seek the All Wise God for James declares "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (Jas 1:5-note, but he must ask in faith, something Daniel and the boys obviously possessed! = Jas 1:6-note;, cp Heb 11:6-note) Wisdom (2452)(hokmah related to the Hebrew noun hokmah) speaks of knowledge and the capacity for proper decision-making. It is found 9x in 7v - Ezra 7:25; Dan 2:20-21, 23, 30; 5:11, 14. Webster (1828) defines wisdom as "The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them." Knowledge is good, but simply knowing something does not guarantee it will be put to wise use! We need wisdom from God (James 1:5-note) coupled with knowledge of God for an optimum outcome!