Deeper ReflectionNebuchadnezzar had “dreams, and his spirit was troubled” (v.1).
And he was “anxious to understand the dream” (v.3). Why was
Nebuchadnezzar troubled and “anxious to understand the
dream”? “In the ancient world, such dreams were thought to be shadows
that the future cast in front of itself, tipping its hand to show what lay
ahead. The interpretation of the dream was therefore important, in order
that the king might take whatever steps that could be taken to counteract
the events the dream anticipated, or at least be ready for them.”
26Nebuchadnezzar’s emotional state reveals the deep sense of insecurity
in him. In ancient Babylon, a bad dream was a bad omen, particularly if
the dream was repeated, as the text hints.
27 There was another cause of
Nebuchadnezzar’s insecurity. In the early years of his reign, “he had to
fight many campaigns to consolidate his new empire. There were several
border revolts and other external threats. Somehow, he had to build up
his own prestige and stature as the new king of a new world power. It
seems that all that generated in him an inner insecurity and fear, which
manifested itself in troubled dreams”
28 .Nebuchadnezzar had the greatest human power and immense earthly
treasures to do whatever he wished (cf. Dan 5:19). But still, insecurity
laid hold of him and he couldn’t shake it off. What humans think can
give them security do not – because they cannot – give them security.
Christians do find it hard to embrace this true reality. We say, “Let’s be
realistic. We live in a real world.” Do you?
25 2 Thessalonians 3:16
26 Iain M. Duguid, 19
27 Christopher J. H. Wright, Hearing the Message of Daniel: Sustaining Faith in Today’s World (Zondervan, 2017), 43
28 Christopher J. H. Wright, 43
