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What a lifework was that of these noble Hebrews！ As they bade farewell to their childhood home； little did they dream what a high destiny was to be theirs。 Faithful and steadfast； they yielded to the divine guiding； so that through them God could fulfill His purpose。
The same mighty truths that were revealed through these men； God desires to reveal through the youth and children today。 The life of Daniel and his fellows is a demonstration of what He will do for those who yield themselves to Him and with the whole heart seek to accomplish His purpose。
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Chapter 40
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
Soon after Daniel and his companions entered the service of the king of Babylon； events occurred that revealed to an idolatrous nation the power and faithfulness of the God of Israel。 Nebuchadnezzar had a remarkable dream； by which 〃his spirit was troubled； and his sleep brake from him。〃 But although the king's mind was deeply impressed； he found it impossible； when he awoke； to recall the particulars。
In his perplexity； Nebuchadnezzar assembled his wise men〃the magicians； and the astrologers； and the sorcerers〃and besought their help。 〃I have dreamed a dream；〃 he said； 〃and my spirit was troubled to know the dream。〃 With this statement of his perplexity he requested them to reveal to him that which would bring relief to his mind。
To this the wise men responded； 〃O king； live forever： tell thy servants the dream； and we will show the interpretation。〃
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Dissatisfied with their evasive answer； and suspicious because； despite their pretentious claims to reveal the secrets of men； they nevertheless seemed unwilling to grant him help； the king commanded his wise men； with promises of wealth and honor on the one hand； and threats of death on the other； to tell him not only the interpretation of the dream； but the dream itself。 〃The thing is gone from me；〃 he said； 〃if ye will not make known unto me the dream； with the interpretation thereof； ye shall be cut in pieces； and your houses shall be made a dunghill。 But if ye show the dream； and the interpretation thereof； ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor。〃
Still the wise men returned the answer； 〃Let the king tell his servants the dream； and we will show the interpretation of it。〃
Nebuchadnezzar； now thoroughly aroused and angered by the apparent perfidy of those in whom he had trusted； declared： 〃I know of certainty that ye would gain the time； because ye see the thing is gone from me。 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream； there is but one decree for you： for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me； till the time be changed： therefore tell me the dream； and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation thereof。〃
Filled with fear for the consequences of their failure； the magicians endeavored to show the king that his request was unreasonable and his test beyond that which had ever been required of any man。 〃There is not a man upon the earth；〃 they remonstrated； 〃that can show the king's matter： therefore there is no king； lord； nor ruler； that asked such things
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at any magician； or astrologer； or Chaldean。 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth； and there is none other that can show it before the king； except the gods； whose dwelling is not with flesh。〃
Then 〃the king was angry and very furious； and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon。〃
Among those sought for by the officers who were preparing to fulfill the provisions of the royal decree； were Daniel and his friends。 When told that according to the decree they also must die； 〃with counsel and wisdom〃 Daniel inquired of Arioch； the captain of the king's guard； 〃Why is the decree so hasty from the king？〃 Arioch told him the story of the king's perplexity over his remarkable dream； and of his failure to secure help from those in whom he had hitherto placed fullest confidence。 Upon hearing this； Daniel； taking his life in his hands； ventured into the king's presence and begged that time be granted； that he might petition his God to reveal to him the dream and its interpretation。
To this request the monarch acceded。 〃Then Daniel went to his house； and made the thing known to Hananiah； Mishael； and Azariah； his companions。〃 Together they sought for wisdom from the Source of light and knowledge。 Their faith was strong in the consciousness that God had placed them where they were； that they were doing His work and meeting the demands of duty。 In times of perplexity and danger they had always turned to Him for guidance and protection； and He had proved an ever…present help。 Now with contrition of heart they submitted themselves anew to the Judge of the earth； pleading that He would
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grant them deliverance in this their time of special need。 And they did not plead in vain。 The God whom they had honored； now honored them。 The Spirit of the Lord rested upon them； and to Daniel； 〃in a night vision；〃 was revealed the king's dream and its meaning。
Daniel's first act was to thank God for the revelation given him。 〃Blessed be the name of God forever and ever；〃 he exclaimed； 〃for wisdom and might are His： and He changeth the times and the reasons： He removeth kings； and setteth up kings： He giveth wisdom unto the wise； and knowledge to them that know understanding： He revealeth the deep and secret things： He knoweth what is in the darkness； and the light dwelleth with Him。 I thank Thee； and praise Thee； O Thou God of my fathers； who hast given me wisdom and might； and hast made known unto me now what we desired of Thee： for Thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter。〃
Going immediately to Arioch； whom the king had commanded to destroy the wise men； Daniel said； 〃Destroy not the wise men of Babylon： bring me in before the king； and I will show unto the king the interpretation。〃 Quickly the officer ushered Daniel in before the king； with the words； 〃I have found a man of the captives of Judah； that will make known unto the king the interpretation。〃
Behold the Jewish captive； calm and self…possessed； in the presence of the monarch of the world's most powerful empire。 In his first words he disclaimed honor for himself and exalted God as the source of all wisdom。 To the anxious inquiry of the king； 〃Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen； and the interpretation
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thereof？〃 he replied： 〃The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men； the astrologers； the magicians； the soothsayers； show unto the king； but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets； and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days。
〃Thy dream；〃 Daniel declared； 〃and the visions of thy head upon thy bed； are these； As for thee； O king； thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed； what should come to pass hereafter： and He that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass。 But a