As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them. As you watchedThis phrase indicates the immediacy and vividness of the vision experienced by King Nebuchadnezzar. The Aramaic root for "watched" (חֲזָה, chazah) implies a deep, contemplative observation, suggesting that the king was not merely a passive observer but was engaged in a significant, revelatory experience. This sets the stage for the divine intervention that follows, emphasizing the importance of the vision and its implications for human history. a stone The "stone" in this context is symbolic and has been interpreted by conservative Christian scholars as representing the Kingdom of God. The Hebrew word for stone (אֶבֶן, eben) often signifies strength and permanence. Biblically, stones are used as memorials or symbols of God's covenant (e.g., the stones in Joshua 4:7). Here, the stone signifies a divine kingdom that is unshakeable and eternal, contrasting with the transient nature of earthly kingdoms. was cut out This phrase suggests an action that is deliberate and purposeful. The Aramaic verb (גְּזַר, gezar) implies a cutting or separating, indicating that this stone is distinct and set apart for a specific purpose. Theologically, this can be seen as God's sovereign act of establishing His kingdom, separate from human endeavors or influence. but not by human hands This phrase underscores the divine origin of the stone. The absence of human involvement (לָא בִּידַיִן, la' bidayin) highlights that this kingdom is not of human making but is established by God Himself. This aligns with the Christian belief in the divine nature of Christ's kingdom, which is not built on human power or wisdom but on God's authority and purpose. It struck the statue The action of the stone striking the statue signifies a decisive intervention. The Aramaic verb (מְחָא, mechah) conveys a forceful impact, symbolizing the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over earthly powers. This act of striking is not random but targeted, indicating the intentional dismantling of human kingdoms that oppose God's rule. on its feet of iron and clay The feet of iron and clay represent the fragile and divided nature of the final earthly kingdom in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Iron symbolizes strength, while clay represents weakness, illustrating the inherent instability of human empires. This imagery serves as a reminder of the futility of relying on human strength and the inevitable downfall of kingdoms that do not align with God's will. and crushed them The crushing of the statue signifies the complete and total victory of God's kingdom over all earthly powers. The Aramaic verb (דָּקַק, daqaq) means to pulverize or reduce to dust, indicating the thoroughness of this divine judgment. This reflects the Christian eschatological hope that all human systems will ultimately be subjected to Christ's reign, fulfilling the prophecy of God's eternal kingdom prevailing over all. Persons / Places / Events 1. DanielA prophet and interpreter of dreams, who is given divine insight into King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. 2. NebuchadnezzarThe king of Babylon who has a troubling dream about a great statue. 3. The StatueRepresents a succession of world empires, with its feet made of iron and clay symbolizing a divided kingdom. 4. The StoneSymbolizes a divine kingdom established by God, not by human effort, which will ultimately destroy and replace earthly kingdoms. 5. BabylonThe setting of the account, representing the height of human power and authority at the time. Teaching Points Divine SovereigntyThe stone "cut out, but not by human hands" emphasizes God's ultimate control over history and His ability to establish His kingdom without human intervention. The Temporary Nature of Earthly KingdomsThe destruction of the statue's feet signifies the transient nature of human empires compared to God's eternal kingdom. Christ as the CornerstoneThe stone represents Christ, who is the foundation of God's kingdom, challenging believers to build their lives on Him. Hope in God's KingdomBelievers are encouraged to place their hope in the eternal kingdom of God rather than in temporary worldly powers. Faithfulness in ExileLike Daniel, Christians are called to remain faithful and trust in God's plan, even when living in a world that does not acknowledge Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of the stone in Daniel 2:34 help us understand the nature of God's kingdom? 2. In what ways can we see the temporary nature of earthly kingdoms in today's world, and how should this influence our priorities? 3. How does the concept of Christ as the cornerstone challenge us in our personal faith journey? 4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate our hope in God's eternal kingdom in our daily lives? 5. How can Daniel's example of faithfulness in a foreign land inspire us to live out our faith in a secular society? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 118:22The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, which connects to the idea of the stone in Daniel 2:34 as a divine intervention. Isaiah 28:16Speaks of a precious cornerstone laid by God, which aligns with the stone in Daniel as a foundation of God's kingdom. Matthew 21:42-44Jesus refers to Himself as the stone, indicating the fulfillment of the prophecy in Daniel. Revelation 11:15The kingdom of the world becoming the kingdom of our Lord, reflecting the ultimate victory of God's kingdom as seen in Daniel 2:34. People Abednego, Arioch, Azariah, Belteshazzar, Daniel, Hananiah, Meshach, Mishael, Nebuchadnezzar, ShadrachPlaces Babylon, ShinarTopics Bits, Blow, Brake, Broke, Broken, Clay, Continued, Crushed, Cut, Hands, Human, Image, Iron, Pieces, Rock, Sawest, Smashed, Smitten, Smote, Statue, Stone, Struck, Till, WastDictionary of Bible Themes Daniel 2:17-49 6694 mystery Daniel 2:27-45 7730 explanation Daniel 2:31-35 4315 clay Daniel 2:31-38 5700 headship Daniel 2:31-45 1409 dream 5305 empires Daniel 2:34-35 1240 God, the Rock 2309 Christ, as judge 4354 rock 4860 wind Library The Image and the Stone 'This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. 37. Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 38. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath He given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. 39. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureBook and Tract Catalogue. THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION. BY I. C. WELLCOME AND C. GOUD. "The Plan of Redemption is an earnest book, evidently prepared after no little study, and with a conscientious desire to advance the cause of Christ. The Bible is made the basis of argument; it contains many fresh and well considered suggestions. The careful reader will find much that is valuable."--Watchman and Reflector. "This treatise aims to serve up the gospel scheme in a compact form. It states the plan and work well, and usually correctly. … Dwight L. Moody—That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope Editor's Preface Professor Maspero does not need to be introduced to us. His name is well known in England and America as that of one of the chief masters of Egyptian science as well as of ancient Oriental history and archaeology. Alike as a philologist, a historian, and an archaeologist, he occupies a foremost place in the annals of modern knowledge and research. He possesses that quick apprehension and fertility of resource without which the decipherment of ancient texts is impossible, and he also possesses a sympathy … G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 1 The Scattering of the People [Illustration: (drop cap A) The Fish-god of Assyria and Babylonia] At last the full punishment for their many sins fell upon God's chosen people. The words of warning written in the fifth book of Moses had told them plainly that if they turned aside and worshipped the wicked idol-gods of Canaan, the Lord would take their country from them and drive them out into strange lands. Yet again and again they had yielded to temptation. And now the day of reckoning had come. Nebuchadnezzar, the great king … Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope In 2 Timothy, 3:16, Paul declares: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;" but there are some people who tell us when we take up prophecy that it is all very well to be believed, but that there is no use in one trying to understand it; these future events are things that the church does not agree about, and it is better to let them alone, and deal only with those prophecies which have already been … Dwight L. Moody—That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope Epistle Xliii. To Eulogius and Anastasius, Bishops. To Eulogius and Anastasius, Bishops. Gregory to Eulogius, Bishop of Alexandria, and Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. When the excellent preacher says, As long as I am the apostle of the Gentiles I will honour my ministry (Rom. xi. 13); saying again in another place, We became as babes among you (1 Thess. ii. 7), he undoubtedly shews an example to us who come after him, that we should retain humility in our minds, and yet keep in honour the dignity of our order, so that neither should our humility be … Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great A Description of Heart-Purity Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 The holy God, who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity' calls here for heart-purity, and to such as are adorned with this jewel, he promises a glorious and beatifical vision of himself: they shall see God'. Two things are to be explained the nature of purity; the subject of purity. 1 The nature of purity. Purity is a sacred refined thing. It stands diametrically opposed to whatsoever defiles. We must distinguish the various kinds … Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 The Wisdom of God The next attribute is God's wisdom, which is one of the brightest beams of the Godhead. He is wise in heart.' Job 9:9. The heart is the seat of wisdom. Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro judicio. Pineda. Among the Hebrews, the heart is put for wisdom.' Let men of understanding tell me:' Job 34:44: in the Hebrew, Let men of heart tell me.' God is wise in heart, that is, he is most wise. God only is wise; he solely and wholly possesses all wisdom; therefore he is called, the only wise God.' I Tim 1:17. All … Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Wicked Husbandmen. "Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: and when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto … William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord The First Great Group of Parables. (Beside the Sea of Galilee.) Subdivision B. Parable of the Sower. ^A Matt. XIII. 3-23; ^B Mark IV. 3-25; ^C Luke VIII. 5-18. ^a Behold, ^c 5 The sower went forth to sow his seed [Orientals live in cities and towns. Isolated farmhouses are practically unknown. A farmer may therefore live several miles from his field, in which case he literally "goes forth" to it]: ^b 4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some seed { ^a seeds } fell by the way side, ^c and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of … J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Necessity of Regeneration, Argued from the Immutable Constitution of God. John III. 3. John III. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. WHILE the ministers of Christ are discoursing of such a subject, as I have before me in the course of these Lectures, and particularly in this branch of them which I am now entering upon, we may surely, with the utmost reason, address our hearers in those words of Moses to Israel, in the conclusion of his dying discourse: Set your hearts unto all … Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration Letters of St. Bernard I To Malachy. 1141.[924] (Epistle 341.) To the venerable lord and most blessed father, Malachy, by the grace of God archbishop of the Irish, legate of the Apostolic See, Brother Bernard called to be abbot of Clairvaux, [desiring] to find grace with the Lord. 1. Amid the manifold anxieties and cares of my heart,[925] by the multitude of which my soul is sore vexed,[926] the brothers coming from a far country[927] that they may serve the Lord,[928] thy letter, and thy staff, they comfort … H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his Approaching Passion. (Galilee.) ^C Luke XII. 1-59. ^c 1 In the meantime [that is, while these things were occurring in the Pharisee's house], when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another [in their eagerness to get near enough to Jesus to see and hear] , he began to say unto his disciples first of all [that is, as the first or most appropriate lesson], Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [This admonition is the key to the understanding … J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus. (at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The … J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a Pure Religion --First Disciples. Joseph died before his son had taken any public part. Mary remained, in a manner, the head of the family, and this explains why her son, when it was wished to distinguish him from others of the same name, was most frequently called the "son of Mary."[1] It seems that having, by the death of her husband, been left friendless at Nazareth, she withdrew to Cana,[2] from which she may have come originally. Cana[3] was a little town at from two to two and a half hours' journey from Nazareth, at the foot … Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus The Gospel of the Kingdom. "This is He whom Seers in old time Chanted of with one accord; Whom the voices of the Prophets Promised in their faithful word." We have seen that, in the providence of God, John the Baptist was sent to proclaim to the world that "The Kingdom of Heaven" was at hand, and to point out the King. And as soon as the Herald had raised the expectation of men by the proclamation of the coming Kingdom, our Lord began His public ministry, the great object of which was the founding of His Kingdom for the salvation … Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it? Daniel Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His … John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Daniel 2:34 NIVDaniel 2:34 NLTDaniel 2:34 ESVDaniel 2:34 NASBDaniel 2:34 KJV
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