Deeper Reflection
As “king of kings” (Dan 2:37) who can be what he wants, do what he wishes and get what he desires, Nebuchadnezzar was living a very comfortable life: “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing³⁰ in my palace” (v.4). When life is comfortable, be careful. Don’t be like the rich fool who says to himself, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry” (Lk 12:19). An unexpected divine visitation can just suddenly shake up and overturn the comfortable life: “You fool! You will die this very night” (Lk 12:20, NLT). How insecure are the present “many goods”! How uncertain are the presumed “many years”! In the same way, a divine visitation in a nightmare turned Nebuchadnezzar’s “at ease” and “flourishing” into “made me fearful” and “kept alarming me” (v.5).What are we to be careful of when life is comfortable? Spiritual amnesia. Nebuchadnezzar gave orders for “all the wise men of Babylon” to come to him to interpret the dream for him (v.6). But they could not do it (v.7). Then “finally Daniel came in” (v.8) and interpreted the dream. Daniel was not among “all the wise men of Babylon” called by Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had forgotten about Daniel – but more than that, the God of Daniel – who interpreted his dream in Daniel 2.We can turn God’s blessing into a curse by ourselves. It is when we “have eaten and are satisfied” from God’s blessings, our hearts “become proud” and “forget” God (Deut 8:11-14).

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³⁰ Prosperous (NIV); prospering (ESV)